My Most Memorable Moments: 2011 Tree Farmer Convention
I am grateful that the Albuquerque airport has free Wi-Fi—I couldn’t wait until I was home to upload and share photos from my first National Tree Farmer Convention.
Santa Ana Pueblo, New Mexico was the site of the 18th annual convention, though Tree Farmers from around the country also toured sites in Santa Fe and Albuquerque.
During the week, I shared a bus ride with an Oregonian, ate breakfast with a Mainer, and lunched with a New Mexican—all land stewards involved in the American Tree Farm System. I enjoyed speaking with these dedicated family forest owners, and am looking forward to next year.
Here are links to my most memorable moments from last week’s National Tree Farmer Convention:
Photographer Rob Amberg’s slideshow of his incredible Stem the Loss Report portraits [PDF];
Project Learning Tree coordinators’ “Web of Life” activity with youth attendees;
STIHL’s recognition of Idaho’s Steve and Janet Funk as 2011 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year;
Field day at Starfire Tree Farm, Shirley and Bob Sallach’s beautiful 155 acre forest;
The Forest History Society’s presentation of its official archives of the 70-year-old American Tree Farm System;
Catching my colleague Jerry sniffing the cream soda-scented bark of an old Ponderosa Pine (try it!);
Chatting with the next generation of Tree Farmers, including Mike from Oregon and Will from Mississippi;
And lastly, waking up to views of Sandia Peak and having a run-in with this Diamondback Rattlesnake during a sunset ramble.
I hope you will join us next year (rattlesnakes not included)!
Photo of Caroline Keubler and Tree Farmers at Starfire Tree Farm, credit Amanda Cooke.
