Posted: Thursday, November 29, 2012 12:00 PM
Contributed photo
Joan and Bill Arsenault of Elkton, are shown during a tour on their property near Elkton, Ore. The couple were selected as Oregon's Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year for 2012 during Oregon Tree Farm System's annual awards luncheon on Monday, Nov. 19, at the World Forestry Center in Portland.
Tree farmers of year named
Elkton, Ore., tree farmers Bill and Joan Arsenault have been named Oregon's Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year.
The selection came Nov. 19 at the Oregon Tree Farm System's annual awards luncheon at the World Forestry Center in Portland.
"Bill Arsenault has been a strong and influential voice for the stewardship of forestlands in Douglas County and Oregon," said forester Rick Barnes, a member of the awards selection committee.
"He's been a tireless advocate for bringing science to bear on the Forest Practice Act rules. He's also been an outstanding voice for family forestland owners, one of the most influential and articulate family forest landowners in the state of Oregon," Barnes said.
The Arsenaults own and manage 277 acres of forestland.
In addition to pre-commercial and commercial thinning for stand improvement, the Arsenaults reforest with Douglas fir, interplant as needed and work to control invasive species, like blackberry and scotch broom.
The Arsenaults also maintain roads for fire-suppression access and provide public educational tours on their land.