Tracking the trees amid the forest
<p>Forestry Contest participants navigate their way through the competition’s “Surprise” course, a wild card event that encouraged students to think on their feet. (Photo by CAMERON RASMUSSON)</p>
CAREYWOOD — Students across a wide variety of ages got up close and personal with the natural world Thursday morning.
For the 30th year in a row, the Idaho State Forestry Contest engaged its young participants with an introduction to the knowledge and skills the professionals use on a daily basis.
Throughout the day, students from the third grade all the way through seniors in high school tried their hand at a variety of tasks, including plant identification, soil analysis and compass navigation.
The annual forestry contest took place at Delay Farms and attracted students from Bonners Ferry to Genesee.
“It is quite an achievement for Idaho that for 30 years the Idaho State Forestry Contest has brought together our youth to learn about forestry in such a fun and creative way,” said Bill Love, honorary chairman for the 2012 Idaho State Forestry Contest. “The Idaho State Forestry Contest truly is a community effort and a product of the hard work of many individuals who are passionate about Idaho’s forests.”
Although hundreds of students participated in the contest, a few distinguished themselves by edging out the competition in 10 different skill and knowledge tests.
Among the forestry seniors, Jared Erickson of Post Falls earned first place in the David Ritz Memorial competition for individuals, followed by Carywood’s Joseph Spencer and Devin Hicks in second and third. As for senior teams, the Careywood Eager Beavers 4-H Team took first, the Post Fall Senior Team took second, and the Troy FFA Senior Team took third.
Post Falls juniors dominated the Larry Fryberg Memorial contest for individuals, with Esther Erickson in first, Tanner Short in second and Meghan McLeod in third. The town’s teams made a good showing as well — the first and second-place teams both hailed from Post Falls. The Troy FFA Junior Team placed in third.
Finally, participating sixth-graders got their first lesson in forestry competitions with the rookie course, a collection of four stations including tree identification, compass and pacing, timber cruising and log scaling. Spencer Provence of Borah Elementary School in Coeur d’Alene was the first-place individual. Sandpoint’s Farmin Stidwell Elementary offered up the number one rookie team, which consisted of Tyrone Larson, Willow Rader, Brailey Gillingham and Erin Meek.