Teachers Tour

[Jeff]

Well this years Teachers Tour in Escanaba has taken place and looks like its been a great success. To learn more about the tour go to www.mfra.org or http://www.forestinfo.org/Teachers/2002/lstt/index.htm  The tour is taking place again next year same time same place. If any one on the forum knows an educator that would be interested in going, let me know and I'll see what we can do about hooking them up with a sponsor.  Below are comments given by the teachers after the tour.  EDUCATION IS A WONDERFUL THING!

Jeff...

"I really didn't understand sustainable forestry until I saw it practiced on the tour. I associated 'clearcut' with 'bad,' now understanding the natural processes of aspen, etc. I didn't even understand the concept of 'selective harvesting.' I will strive to make my students see both sides of the issues of forestry. I'm already making a list of colleagues who need to hear about this."
Carla Piazza, Saginaw, MI

"This is one of the best run seminars I've attended and I've done some high powered ones. The organization was exemplary.I observed machinery I'd never imagined, jobs, organization of plants, met very knowledgeable people."
Peggy Degg, Brush Prairie, WA

"I was clueless about the how and why trees are cut. My students will benefit directly from the new lessons and ideas about sustainable forests that will be integrated into my curriculum."
Susan Fountain, Phoenix, AZ

"It's hard to believe how much I learned in these 2 ½ days."
Jim Zehnder, Dimondale, MI

"I enjoyed learning about the great advances that have been made in the lumber industry. It is heartening to know that so much care is taken to protect the environment. I enjoyed meeting so many capable, knowledgeable hosts who were always so gracious. I am ever so grateful to all of the people who worked hard to have our tours go so smoothly."
Sherrill Zehnder, Dimondale, MI

"Wow! It is so much easier to understand a process when you see it in action. We were treated with respect and esteem – what a nice switch! My understanding of clearcutting has broadened and I now see purposes for what I have before seen as 'ravaging' our forests. I never realized that the industry had so much support for educators! I feel honored to have participated."
Amy Spiker, Laramie, WY

"I appreciated the willingness of everyone involved in my personal 3 day intensive education about the forestry industry to make sure I understood and absorbed as much as I could. I was a bit of a tree hugger, but it was the misinformation and misconceptions about the intent of the forest product industry that led me astray. Now I have a much clearer understanding of how the foresters truly protect our natural resources and use them to everyone's best advantage. I feel very privileged to have attended this tour. Everyone treated us with more respect that we usually receive. I'll do my best to create a better informed student."
Margo Clickner, Dansville, MI

"This has been one of the most helpful tours in education I have ever had."
Dennis Snow, Gowen, MI

"The new information I have learned will be very useful in helping me to teach in an unbiased method regarding forestry. The money and time contributed by all organizations is being well spent."
Kristin Gonia-Larkin, La Crosse, WI

"I had a negative perception about the forest industry before. Knowing that large corporations are being responsible and taking care of the environment has given me an appreciation for the industry that I never had before."
Heather Howlett, Stockbridge, MI

"Foresters do care about the environment. Forestry provides important resources & products for schools, people and companies. I'm surprised at how many products come from the forest products industry."
Jen Chmielewski, Jackson, MI

"I will share my new love and respect for the industry. I learned so much in just a short period of time. I have a totally different perspective for the forest industry."
Brooke Tucker, Trenton, MI

"The hands-on tours and look at forestry and logging in the woods was awesome. I will never look at lumber the same way again! And that goes for forests too! I have so much respect for the people who work at the sites we visited. They had so much knowledge of the land and wildlife."
Melony Cicotte, Carleton, MI

"I enjoyed everything about this program. I have a totally new perception of forestry. I never realized how important it was to manage our forests. It was wonderful to be treated like a professional."
Deborah Waple, Brownstown, MI

"It was incredible to fit the pieces together and watch all of the intricacies of the different operations. The VIP treatment was exceptional and I appreciated feeling like the companies wanted us to be there and learn. I now see forests, forestry, and the forest products industry as a system. We know the importance of how many environmental ideas and technological advances need to develop together, but I didn't realize the steps that were being taken to guarantee that the interworkings of the system are taking place."
Brad Koch, Cedar Rapids, IA

"I have a new understanding about what sustainable forests are & will be able to pass this new knowledge on to my students. I was surprised at how high-tech the mills and equipment were."
Kristy Schneider, La Center, WA

"I absolutely loved this program. My teaching practices were validated. A professionally & personally fulfilling opportunity that I am proud to have been a part of."
Andrea Klein, Battle Ground, WA

"This tour has sparked my interest in the forest industry by taking me out to the mills and forests and giving me a firsthand experience to pass on to my students. Before coming on this tour, I always thought that logging and the forest products industry were bad for our forests. Now, having seen the process and the great care that goes into managing the forests, I know all the positive things forestry does for the environment."
Christy Jones, Battle Ground, WA

"I have a deeper understanding of many of the goals of sustainable forestry. I am more familiar with the large number of people involved in harvesting timber."
Tracy Stec, Armstrong Creek, WI

"This tour has opened my eyes to the logging industry and the products which are a direct result of that cultivation. All of the people that are involved with this industry is mind blowing. Without these opportunities, knowledge comes only through pictures and books. Analytical knowledge only goes so far."
Chad Willman, Spring Hill, FL

"It was an impacting experience to see the process live. For example, mills, forests, intimate conversations with professionals and experts in the field. It was great to be treated with respect and important professionals in society. I now look at wood as a 'renewable' and necessary resource. I now see logging a necessity and understand there is a need to support the issue of nature vs. humanity."
Alison Verhaeghe, Haslett, MI

"I was amazed at how everything is used. I am impressed with the concern of foresters about the environment. I am wowed with the technology! This was like nothing I have ever participated in before. I appreciate the opportunity to have been here."
Linda Rogers, Berkley, MI

"I learned so much about forestry, forests, and forest products. The field is so much more involved and diverse than I expected. I feel lucky to have participated in this program."
Alicia Weitzel, Pickerington, OH

"I really enjoyed how the info was presented to us in a non-biased way. The group was able to reach their own conclusions about things. As teachers, we also need to present our material in that manner & let our students think for themselves."
Ruth Gullekson, Stanwood, MI

"I really appreciated the planning that went into the program. We were given the royal treatment along with an inside look at forestry from the planting of the seed to the shipment of finished products. Very well done. An admiration for the efficiency achieved throughout the entire process with the use of common sense and modern equipment."
Amy Lindbeck, Pentwater, MI

"I feel that I have a good understanding of how forest maintenance is not only good for the forest, but also good for future generations."
Dick Pritchard, - Plymouth, MN

"The management of the forest has opened my eyes to the role of logging and various methods used in harvesting wood."
Paul MacQueen, Willow Grove, PA

"I got the opportunity to see not only the 'other' side of logging, but to also see the inside of the paper making & lumber industry. I had a negative perception before I came here. I have changed my mind completely now. I see that the logging industry is very conscientious ecologically and very technical."
Michelle Foster, Brownstown, MI

"Your program is very well organized, the objective is clear, and I believe you are making a difference."
Rod Clickner, Dansville, MI

"Great organization!! I have worked with a lot of programs and know the work that goes on behind the scenes. There wasn't a hitch. I learned a lot in an intense small amount of time. And your organization did a great job in pulling off such a wonderful learning experience. Thank you."
Sheryl Bush, Clinton, MI

"It covered so many aspects of 'forestry.' Talking to many of the top executives of these companies was very enlightening. I was impressed with the fact that the entire industry is deeply concerned with the environment. The 'sustainable forest' concept is a complete thought/idea to me now. Forestry truly is renewable."
Char Anderson, Crystal Falls, MI
 

[RavioliKid]

Do you have me on the list for next year, Jeff? I sure hope I can go!