IWOA Annual Meeting
Swiss Valley Conservation Park in Peosta
September 23, 2006

Notes by Tom Woodruff

Welcome to Swiss Valley - Jennie Lawler, Naturalist
Jennie welcomed the group and enthusiastically gave an introduction about the site. It’s rich history started with an old Swiss family dairy settlement into the present 400 acre County Park utilizing the old dairy barn as part of the facility. Hiking,  camping, trout fishing and woodland guided trails are available.  The beautiful structure we are in was just completed and has a developing variety of educational  displays.  

The 2007 National Walnut Council Meeting in Iowa - Larry Krotz, NWC President and IWOA Member
The IWC will sponsor the national meeting on July 30-August 2, 2007 at the Dubuque Grand Harbor Convention Center. IWOA will help sponsor this event. Tours of the New Mellarey Abbey woods, John Deere’s Forestry Manufacturing facility recently consolidated in Dubuque, a silent auction, and numerous woodland product displays will be available. Volunteers are needed, lots of them. Their purpose is to also showcase the State of Iowa.

The 2008 International Christmas Tree Growers Association to Meet in Iowa - Gary Harman, NTGA President and IWOA Member
This significant international event drawing up to 2000 participants will be held August 16-18, 2008 at the Convention Center in Des Moines, Iowa. In addition to equipment displays, tours of the nearby Veer Meer, John Deere, Bio-Tech Tree facilities and others will be available.  Again, volunteers will be needed .

Proposed Iowa Woodland Coalition - Ron Fullenkamp - IWOA Member & ITF President & Paul Tauke - IDNR
It appears that a Coalition of groups with Woodland interests are needed to convey timely and professional messages for both legislation and education. On June 5th, 2006, representatives from thirteen woodland groups met in Ames to discuss a Coalition formation for this purpose. A very preliminary set of By-laws are available today perhaps a little more complex than originally envisioned, but a starting place.  Tauke gave a slide presentation of the purpose of such a group.A lot of discussion followed with the example of the very effective NEFC being formed several years ago. Members are encouraged to follow this effort and provide input.

IWOA Lending Library
Available books were displayed at the front of the meeting room showing examples of what could be checked out and returned on the honor system.  Members are encouraged to utilize this valuable resource. Perhaps an updated listing of books and check-out system is needed through our Newsletter and WEB site.

Present & Future Uses & Markets of Wood Products - Mark Knaebe, U.S.Forest Service Lab in Madison, WI.
Those who failed to attend this meeting missed an excellent presentation.  His facility deals with dead wood and encourages tours to see and learn about the wide array of wood product uses.  His presentation covered detailed and professional comments of wood types, grading, testing and treatment. Wood uses appear to be limited only by ones imagination as shown on numerous slides nationwide. From Kitty Litter to erosion control to all parts of the building industry.  Excellent analyses were  given and graphically shown for comparative uses in the energy and bio-mass future.

Woodland Legislative Issues - Roger Thomas - Elkader and Ranking member of the Iowa House
Rep. Thomas emphasized that contact with Legislators from constituents does results in best legislative action. The example used were efforts made by the Woodland groups on the State Forestry facility and Forest Reserve proposals.

Drawing Gifts and Winners
Stihl Chain Saw donated and presented by Member Gregg Redlin owner of Air cooled Engines- Iowa City  was won by Ray Reuter - Monticello.     
                
Wildlife Gallery Print donated by member and artist Larry Zach of Ankeny and presented by president Ace Hendricks was won by Jim Murphy from Runnells, Iowa.

In addition to these donations, drawings were made for two Iowa Woodland property signs and several note pads and magnetic cards from artist Larry Zach showing beautiful wildlife scenes.

Displays
This year tables were set up to display tools and gadgets made or used by Woodland owners.  Examples were the nut gathering device and applicators for weed and brush chemicals. Some very artistic wood articles were shown including some member  art work on wood.  Examples were wood pencil holder carvings and wild life painting on wood slabs.