Posted on December 12, 2019
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
It may soon be easier for visitors to find and learn about the Starke County Forest. During Tuesday’s Starke County Park Board meeting, Forester Bruce Wakeland pointed out that signage to help motorists find the forest from local highways was supposed to be installed as part of last year’s parking lot project.
Board Member and Highway Superintendent Rik Ritzler said he hasn’t forgotten about it. “Our sign technician’s a new one, so hopefully, we’ll be able to get that done this winter and put it up in the spring,”Ritzler said. “It is a project that we are aware of.”
Wakeland also said that someone had suggested posting signs with the ages of the various tree plantings. “There was a lot of tree plantings on that property, and I think it would be interesting for people to know the age of the different tree plantings,” he added. “I got a professional quote, and it was just way too much, so I don’t know what I’m going to do about that.” Ritzler said the Highway Department should be able to make those signs fairly easily.
Additionally, Wakeland wanted to make sure the Starke County Forest has an online presence. He pointed out that it used to have a page on the county’s website, but it doesn’t seem to be there anymore.
County Attorney Marty Lucas suggested the possibility of seeking grant funding for a stand-alone website. “If you want to get a nice website, it’s even possible that some of that Stellar money that we got because that wouldn’t be a whole lot, because I think it would be great to have a little more outward presence on that,” Lucas said. “For example, the people at Mirth and Whimsy might be able to design it and make it really nice.”
The website could include maps of the forest, its history, and visitor rules.
Showing posts with label Starke Co. Forest. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Starke Co. Forest. Show all posts
Thursday, December 12, 2019
Monday, July 22, 2019
Forester Pleased with Growth at Starke County Forest
Posted on July 20, 2019
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The Starke County Forest is responding well to a recent timber harvest. Forester Bruce Wakeland told the Starke County Park Board last week there’s been a good amount of natural regeneration, according to County Attorney Marty Lucas. That’s preferable to planting new trees, when it comes to the forest’s management.
Lucas says Wakeland also reported that the native plant garden that was installed in the middle of the parking loop last year is also doing very well, and it’s been fairly low maintenance. Going forward, improved signage will soon be installed to help guide visitors to the forest’s main entrance, according to park board member and highway superintendent Rik Ritzler.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
The Starke County Forest is responding well to a recent timber harvest. Forester Bruce Wakeland told the Starke County Park Board last week there’s been a good amount of natural regeneration, according to County Attorney Marty Lucas. That’s preferable to planting new trees, when it comes to the forest’s management.
Lucas says Wakeland also reported that the native plant garden that was installed in the middle of the parking loop last year is also doing very well, and it’s been fairly low maintenance. Going forward, improved signage will soon be installed to help guide visitors to the forest’s main entrance, according to park board member and highway superintendent Rik Ritzler.
Saturday, June 15, 2019
Beavers Are Back in Starke County Forest
Posted on June 15, 2019
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
An ongoing saga at the Starke County Forest was recently brought to the attention of Park Board President Richard Ballard. “The beavers are back,” Ballard told the rest of the Starke County Park Board Tuesday. “I don’t know exactly what that means for us, but he said the beavers are back.”
Beavers in the forest have previously been blamed for flooding at a neighboring property, and trapping has taken place in the past, to try to solve the problem.
Board Member Chris Lawrence suggested that Forester Bruce Wakeland might consider leasing out beaver trapping rights, similar to what he does with deer hunting. But County Attorney Marty Lucas wasn’t sure that would help. “I don’t know if there’s a market for summer mink pelts,” he joked.
Board Member Rosemary Rose said she’d rather see the beavers relocated than trapped. “I am one of these people that are like, ‘Save the beaver,’ because there are people that will come in and relocate them,” she said, “but I know I can’t save the world.”
Board Member Lawrence asked Lucas what the county’s responsibility is, when it comes to drainage issues around the forest. “With the upstream landowners, that was we just have to maintain the water at that level, right?” Lawrence asked.
“That’s the thing, see, how much are you supposed to do?” Lucas responded. “I mean, that’s the right question. Because what’s your responsibility? I’m going to have to agree with Rosie that it isn’t our responsibility to go and kill every beaver in the world.”
Lawrence offered to go and take a look at the forest. “But don’t go out there being a beaver hater,” Rose joked. “Just go out there with an open mind, please!”
Forester Wakeland was not in attendance during Tuesday’s meeting.
Author Michael Gallenberger, WKVI
An ongoing saga at the Starke County Forest was recently brought to the attention of Park Board President Richard Ballard. “The beavers are back,” Ballard told the rest of the Starke County Park Board Tuesday. “I don’t know exactly what that means for us, but he said the beavers are back.”
Beavers in the forest have previously been blamed for flooding at a neighboring property, and trapping has taken place in the past, to try to solve the problem.
Board Member Chris Lawrence suggested that Forester Bruce Wakeland might consider leasing out beaver trapping rights, similar to what he does with deer hunting. But County Attorney Marty Lucas wasn’t sure that would help. “I don’t know if there’s a market for summer mink pelts,” he joked.
Board Member Rosemary Rose said she’d rather see the beavers relocated than trapped. “I am one of these people that are like, ‘Save the beaver,’ because there are people that will come in and relocate them,” she said, “but I know I can’t save the world.”
Board Member Lawrence asked Lucas what the county’s responsibility is, when it comes to drainage issues around the forest. “With the upstream landowners, that was we just have to maintain the water at that level, right?” Lawrence asked.
“That’s the thing, see, how much are you supposed to do?” Lucas responded. “I mean, that’s the right question. Because what’s your responsibility? I’m going to have to agree with Rosie that it isn’t our responsibility to go and kill every beaver in the world.”
Lawrence offered to go and take a look at the forest. “But don’t go out there being a beaver hater,” Rose joked. “Just go out there with an open mind, please!”
Forester Wakeland was not in attendance during Tuesday’s meeting.
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