Forestry contest set for May 8
The Idaho Department of Lands, Bonner Soil and Water Conservation District, and the U.S. Forest Service are joining forces once again to host the 32nd annual Idaho State Forestry Contest on May 8 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Delay Farms in Careywood.
About 300 Idaho students will travel from as far north as Bonners Ferry and as far south as Weippe to test their knowledge of forestry and basic forestry skills on competitive courses.
An additional 150 novices will be introduced to Idaho forest resources and the art and science of forest management on a non-competitive course.
The three educational courses at the contest are designed to accommodate students in grade levels two through 12, and include:
• The non-competitive Novice Course for elementary school students that provides several hands-on activities and a walk through the woods guided by a professional forester
• The Rookie Course, an introductory competition for sixth graders with four test stations, including Tree Identification, Compass and Pacing, Timber Cruising, and Log Scaling, plus an introductory silviculture station
• The Junior / Senior Division Contest, for students in grades seven through 12, which challenges junior and senior high school contestants in 10 areas of forestry and resource management expertise
The first-place Junior and Senior Division teams take home a full-sized crosscut saw trophy to display until next year’s contest.
The winning Rookie Division team receives an Idaho trophy made from all nine commercial woods grown in the state.
The Top Individual contest winners in each of the three competitive divisions receive awards, and Junior and Senior Division individuals also win cash prizes.
Each year, a long-time volunteer or contributor to the Forestry Contest is selected to serve as the Honorary Chairperson for the day. A strong supporter of the Forestry Contest for many years, former Idaho Department of Lands Director George B. Bacon is the 2014 Honorary Chairman.
Following the contest, all students and volunteers will enjoy a barbecue lunch courtesy of numerous donors and local businesses.
Every year, more than 175 volunteers from local businesses, agencies and organizations donate their time to help run the contest.