Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners' Association
Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners' Association
Terry Ault, Jackson County SWCD (R) and Lee Huss, President of IFWOA (L) present the Deam award to David and Mary Ray of Monroe County.
Four Indiana families were recently recognized with the 2022 Charles Deam Forest Stewardship award by the Indiana Forestry & Woodland Owners Association.
David and Mary Ray of Monroe County are state winners of the 2022 Charles Deam Forest Stewardship award. The Ray’s manage 310 acres of woodlands in Jackson County.
They use the property for multiple objectives but have a great interest in creating wildlife habitat. They are engaged with the Indiana DNR to create grouse habitat, the National Wild Turkey Federation to promote turkey habitat, and have developed watering ponds, edge feathering, and wildlife food plots to create food and cover for various wildlife. A highlight of their efforts is a 10-acre bee and butterfly habitat planting under the power line easement.
Mark Krumanaker was honored for his stewardship of 108 acres in Huntington County, representing the northern 1/3 of the state. He is actively pursuing oak regeneration on his property, using prescribed fire and mid story tree removal to encourage new oak seedlings. He has planted 35 acres of seedlings on his property and is diligent in keeping up with invasive plants like multiflora rose and Ailanthus (tree-of-heaven).
Bill, Karen and Stephen Beard of Putnam County were finalists from central Indiana. The Beards have implemented sustainable timber management for almost 30 years, with 3 timber harvests and ongoing timber stand improvement. They manage 140 acres of woodlands, working closely with their DNR district forester and consulting forester Jack Nelson. They are past Sycamore Trails RC&D Woodland Owners of the year.
Ray Chattin of Knox County was honored as a finalist from southeastern Indiana. Ray has worked for many decades on his property and has been honored with the Tom Wallace award and Indiana Tree Farm of the year award. He is quite active with statewide invasive species organizations and has worked hard on eradication on his own property. He also has planted 22 acres of tree plantings.
The Deam award honors outstanding Indiana woodland owners who demonstrate good forest stewardship. Charles Deam, Indiana’s first state forester, was a pioneer in recognizing the need for protecting woodlands and managing our forests. Nominations for 2023 will be accepted starting in May 2023. Learn more about the award on our Deam Awards page.
