Fall Forestry Field Day to Highlight Conservation Efforts

The Kansas Forest Service will feature a farm known for its conservation forestry efforts when it hosts the Fall Forestry Field Day Oct. 26 in Erie.

KFS officials said this year's event is set for River Farms, owned and operated by Ted Cambern and family, who were the recipients of the 2018 Forest Stewardship Tree Farmer of the Year award. The award recognized more than 32 years of certification in the American Tree Farm System for practicing sustainable forestry.

According to information from the Kansas Forest Service, since 1987 the Camberns have harvested more than 319,421 board feet of timber, established an 11-acre pecan plantation, and planted 40 acres of mixed hardwoods.

Also, the family has completed forest stand improvement practices on 114 acres of woodland. In 2018, the farm was recognized with the Neosho County Conservation District Wildlife award for native grass and forb establishment.

"One of the special things about the Cambern property is the diverse benefits that the family manages for on their land," said Ryan Armbrust, rural forestry coordinator with the Kansas Forest Service. "They produce pecans, create wildlife habitat, get forest products (like timber) and more. Plus, they have a historic barn; that's worth the trip by itself."

Armbrust said the field day is an opportunity not only to showcase an award-winning landowner, but also to share programs from regional and state experts. "That includes presentations from experts in wildlife management, timber management, pecan plantations, prescribed fire, forest health and more," Armbrust said.

The field day costs $15 to attend and lunch will be provided. More information and registration is available online at https://bit.ly/3AzFrBJ .