News and Updates for LCSWA Members

Saturday February 1 brought out the customers to pick up plants and check out information booths. OSWA member Dan Thackaberry of Lebanon packs seedlings in moist sawdust on prep day during the 2020 seedling sale. Buoyed by continued success of the Linn County Small Woodlands Association Seedling Sale, board members have increased scholarship and educational funding commitments for the year.  March 5th, directors heard financial results of the February 1st seedling sale.  Treasurer Shirley Holmberg reported that profits from the 25 th annual event, after scholarships, totaled about $9,500. “It was a resounding success, thanks to all the hard-working volunteers and amazing people that make it happen,” Bonnie Marshall, seedling sale chairwoman, told directors. Roughly 500 hours of volunteer time was put in over the weekend of the sale, according to Fay Sallee, LCSWA education committee chairwoman. Seventy - five people, she said, staffed the event— including 4-Hers and the

The Benton County Small Woodlands Assoc. has postponed the March 4 Woodlands Information Night because of the Corona virus. Dave Ehlers from the Benton group notified Linn County Small Woodlands Assoc. that the Benton board made the decision. “We have decided to postpone the Woodland Information Night, Wednesday March 4, until further notice. We apologize for any inconvenience, but want to avoid a public meeting at this time due to the uncertainty of the coronavirus situation.” Ehlers said in an e-mail. The Benton and Linn County forestry groups share sponsorship of the annual Woodlands Information Night.

Forest education issues and scholarships will be front and center at this week’s Linn County Small Woodlands Assoc. quarterly board meeting. Directors will meet Thursday at 7 p.m. in Sublimity at the home of Director Bonnie Marshall. Marshall will deliver her report on the Linn County Small Woodlands seedling sale results. Proceeds from the sale fund the LCSWA Oregon State University and 4-H forestry scholarships. Board President Lee Peterman and OSWA President Mike Barsotti will lead discussion about ONREF — another scholarship program that would be operated with other OSWA chapters. Barsotti is hoping the chapter will make a financial commitment to the program. Also relating to education, directors Jim Cota and Larry Mauter will update the board on the RHM Pine Fund project at Sunnyside Park near Sweet Home. The Bob Mealey-funded project includes planting a grove of Willamette Valley ponderosa pines at Sunnyside, along with educational interpretive sign aimed at campers an