AISWCD QUARTERLY BOARD MEETING
                                                            FORESTRY COMMITTEE
                                                                                   December 8, 2008                                      

MEETING CALLED TO ORDER: CHAIRMAN, Bob Sloan
DATE & TIME:                                            December 8, 2008 – 2:10 p.m.
ROLL CALL:                                                5 director, 4 advisors, 2 guests

APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
The September 15, 2008 minutes were reviewed and approved.
Motion by: Darrell Roegge                    2nd By: Duane Snow                 Carried: Yes
WORKSHOPS:
Bob Sloan gave an update on workshops/field days he attended.  He also attended the Walnut Council meeting, IFA meeting and Illinois Tree Farm.  IFA and Forestry Committee have been trying to promote Field Day/Workshops in the Northern part of the state. They are working with those SWCDs and agency persons to plan the dates and a host.
Tree ID Workshops: Dave Bishop reported that he will put out some feelers for interest but under the SWCD financial crisis it looks grim.  He will report at March meeting.
ADVISORS REPORTS:
IDOA- Elliott Lagacy reported on the IDOA efforts to control the Emerald Ash Borer.  Info can be found on the IDOA website.  Over 3800 traps were placed, 350 lost or unable to collect and 7 detections were found.
IDNR- Mike Mason & Debbie Bruce gave an update on the Division of Forestry’s funding and personnel issues. With the State’s budget crisis, 2010 looks to be even more challenging. No vacancies are being filled. They also discussed issues of the criteria for Carbon Credits and the Management Forest Program. One concern is that the standards are the same for Tree Farm verifiers and the DNR Foresters.
IPEA-Dick Breckenridge gave an update on Carbon Credits.  They have bounced back from $.90 last month to $1.70 this month.  He has met with DNR representatives to discuss Carbon Credits in terms of the Management Forest Program and the verification process and other issues.  The intention is too get several of the groups involved that are attending the Feb. 13 meeting together to discuss these issues.
A Carbon Credits Seminar will be held January 29, 2009 in Chicago.
NRCS – No Report
Old Business:
Terry Davis reported that the tree in memory of the late NACD President Olin Sims has been taken care of.
New Business:
Summer Conference Session- After discussion, Forest Management and CCI Credits will be the topic and Dick Breckenridge and Chairman Sloan will coordinate speaker or having a panel. It is scheduled for Tuesday, July 28 – 1:00-1:45 p.m.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Shiitake Log Thinning Work Days will be January 30-31.
The Illinois Walnut Council will sponsor and facilitate an intensive, hands-on training for the safe an efficient use of chainsaws (Game of Logging).  Joe Glenn a certified GOL trainer will teach the four day course on February 11-14, 2009 near Galesburg. More info can be found on the Website.
IFA Annual Meeting – February 13, 2009.
The Walnut Council Board meeting will be March 4 in Peoria.
NEXT MEETING:  March 1, 2008
 Adjournment:  3:00 p.m.
 Motion by:  Darrell Roegge