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2003 Teacher Tour Pictures - Low Bandwidth Connection (Dialup)
2003 Teacher Tour Pictures - High Bandwidth Connection (DSL/Cable/Etc)

2003 Louisiana Forestry Teachers Tour

The sixth annual Louisiana Forestry Teachers Tour was held June 17th through 21st in and around Alexandria, Louisiana. This year's group of educators consisted of members from all grade levels and several specialty areas of education. In addition, the participants represented many parishes from a diverse sampling of the state.

Opening statements and activities provided the group with an enticing view of the days to come. Each teacher received a tote bag filled with information and items to share with their students. The teachers had a chance to get to know one another and introduce each other through an activity using products that come from the forest industry. They received safety equipment needed for the tour and were allowed to decorate their hard hats with decals of the logos of organizations responsible for making the tour possible. Following this, the group participated in a Project Learning Tree workshop. The workshop included activities such as Tree Cookies led by Pat Beard. Teachers learned about how trees grow and the differences between some tree species. Don Smith and Bret Lane led the activity Every Tree For Itself. This activity helps participants learn about forest management options. Upon completion of the workshop, each member of the tour received activity guides and an overview by Cindy Ybos.

A number of speakers were scheduled for this evening. Ed Robichaux explained the Sustainable Forest Initiative and its impact of forestry. Dr. Alan Rutherford spoke to the group about opportunities for students at LSU's School of Renewable Natural Resources. Clyde Todd, of the Louisiana Logging Council, spoke of current events in the forest industry and Ms. Sonie Milton, with the Southern Forest Heritage Museum, provided information on the history of forestry in Louisiana. Tom Campbell and Ricky Kilpatrick entertained the group later in the evening with music and song.

Day two marked the beginning of travel for the group. They departed at 7:00 am for a tour of Roy O Martin's hardwood saw mill and oriented strand board (OSB) mill. ROM staff led small groups through each of the mills and answered questions along the way. Participants got a first hand look at the processes that yield these building products. The next stop was Indian Creek Recreation Area. There the group enjoyed lunch and a bit of the history about the area. Mr. John Martel shared information about the Indian Creek area and Alexander State Forest. From there, the tour group traveled to the US Forest Service Palustris Research Station. Ms. Mary Ann Sword led a tour and provided an explanation of the scientific research conducted at the site. The final stop for the day was the Southern Forest Heritage Museum. Here educators stepped back in time to learn about the early days of the forest industry in Louisiana. While there, small groups toured the museum, rode the train and witnessed a blacksmith demonstration.

Day three began with a trip to Mr. Robert Johnson's property near Glenmora, Louisiana. At this tour stop, teachers learned about management options being used on this private forest. Considerations including wildlife management, species diversity and aesthetics were observed and discussed by the group. Next, the bus delivered the group of teachers to a tract of land owned by Boise Timber Company. Here teachers were able to see equipment and techniques used in a timber harvest. They met with the contractor in charge of the harvest and learned of the many decisions that go into harvesting timber. The group next visited International Paper's Pineville mill. After an explanation of the paper making process, educators got the opportunity to see how paper is made. They learned about equipment, procedures and quality control measures used at the mill. The day closed with dinner and activities to help the group reflect on what they had learned.

On the fourth day of the tour, the bus departed for a visit to Kisatchie National Forest. The teachers were pleased to learn of the history and beauty of Kisatchie. Tim Bond and Jim Caldwell led a tour of the national forest that included wilderness areas, managed forest and Kisatchie Bayou. Educators visited areas set aside to protect the endangered Red Cockaded Woodpecker. Here they discussed measures being used to increase the number and success of this small bird. They had a chance to explore new trails and wade in the cool, running water of the bayou. After lunch, the tour group got a chance to see how forest products are being designed and produced to conserve resources. Mr. Neil O'Quin, of Boise's Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) mill in Lena, Louisiana, explained how the products evolved and are produced. The products are building materials that replace hard to find dimensional lumber and also use less wood than previously used products. From here, teachers got a tour of the Elder Wood Preserving Plant in Mansura, Louisiana. Mr. Joe Elder Jr. talked with the group about the preserving process and recent changes in the industry. The teachers saw first hand how lumber is pressure treated and tested.

After breakfast on day five, tour participants had the opportunity to complete evaluations and share comments about their experience. The staff closed with reflections of the tour and educational materials for each member of this year's tour. After several group photos, the tour concluded and the teachers were off to share their experience with co-workers and students.