DECEMBER 2015

Stewards of Our Outdoor Heritage

We owe a great debt to far-sighted individuals and institutions that have helped protect and preserve much of our wonderful outdoor heritage in this country.

A generation of Americans over a century ago, led by President Theodore Roosevelt and other progressives of that era, recognized abuses of our natural environment and pushed for federal and state reforms to set aside and protect public lands.  A second tide of initiatives, during the New Deal of the thirties, tied economic recovery to improvement of public lands through programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps.  A third tide of environmental efforts came in the sixties and seventies resulting in federal acts and regulations to protect vital air, water, and land resources.   Laws and regulations aside, there just seems broadening public and private-sector concerns.  Educational institutions spend more time on environmental issues, and many business corporations are more involved than ever before through their sustainability programs.  Some of the emerging and critical changes, though, involve increasing public volunteerism.  

Most of those who hunt, fish, and otherwise enjoy our still bountiful natural resources seem to have a commitment to "paying back" or "paying forward" for these benefits.  This occurs in several forms.  One has been traditional financial support for organizations working to preserve and increase various wildlife resources.  Another is more recognition of the scarcity of certain environmental resources and conservation efforts to avoid abuse or waste of these resources.   

It's one challenge to pass laws or rules to protect natural resources; it’s another to administer and enforce these effectively.   There will always be those who violate laws for their selfish advantage and public disadvantage.  Rangers and enforcement officials can hardly patrol, even on a periodic basis, much of our over 100 million acres of federal and state public lands where blatant misconduct can occur.  Public reporting of serious offenses to wildlife and environmental officials is an important input toward their recognizing and stopping abuses.  More people carrying cellphones with cameras can mean that abuses are spotted earlier and evidence is available that allows officials to prevent wanton wildlife destruction. 

Environmental volunteerism goes well beyond financial contributions and public reporting of abuses.   Two good examples are the “Master Naturalists” programs in many states, such as Louisiana, and the widespread training programs of the “Leave No Trace” Center for Outdoor Education.  I’ll briefly describe the first of these initiatives now, and cover the concerns and activities of the Center for Outdoor Education in a future issue. 

I’ll start with the Louisiana Master Naturalist certification, because there could be a reader or two who might want to apply for this educational and volunteer opportunity for the next year.  The application deadline for 2016 is apparently the end of the calendar year 2015.  The Master Naturalist program in Louisiana has existing chapters in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Shreveport/Bossier City, and Acadiana.  There has been interest and discussion of expanding the number of chapters to other locations, such as Alexandria, Monroe, and Lake Charles.

Master Naturalist programs share some similarities to other training and volunteer programs, like Master Gardener and Master Beekeeper programs throughout our country.  Training topics for Master Naturalist programs are broader and include learning about ecology and ecosystem management as well as include subjects such as geology and soils, plants/trees, ornithology (birds), entomology (insects),   herpetology (reptiles), ichthyology (fish), mammals, and even aspects of archeology and astronomy.   Important for gaining this naturalist certification are field trips where applicants gain working knowledge beyond texts and training manuals.  Volunteer activities, such as helping to improve public wilderness areas and hiking trails, are often options for keeping Master Naturalist status.  

Those interested in possibly applying for Louisiana Master Naturalist certification should contact an existing chapter for an application form.  Chapter officers and contact information for applications can be found on the official Louisiana Master Naturalist website.  General requirements currently for certification include an application fee, 50 or so hours of basic class time and field training/experiences, 20 hours of volunteer service, eight hours of advanced training, and a passing score on the exit exam for the certification process.  Chapters involved in inducting applicants for 2016 certification should be able to provide potential applicants with some indication now concerning the precise meeting dates and locations for their 2016 certification process. 

Many of us have taken some small role as a steward of our natural outdoor heritage.  Others who pushed for environmental reforms, when most did not recognize the scope of the challenge, and those who volunteer now for outdoor programs and volunteer activities, such as Master Naturalists, deserve our special thanks and respect.

This blog includes articles on the outdoors and environment submitted by Steve Payne to The Piney Woods Journal. Appointed as a correspondent on the outdoors and environment for this monthly journal based in Dodson/Winnfield, Louisiana, his articles started appearing in May of 2015.

                         NOVEMBER 2015

Disappearing Monarchs

We've probably all read articles about the decline of honey bees and butterfly populations in the USA. I've been much more attuned, as a hobbyist beekeeper, to information on bees, mite issues, and colony collapse than to news reports on butterfly concerns. A friend of mind, however, is a master naturalist in Georgia, and he has been sending me information on efforts to reduce the alarming declines of a widely-recognized butterfly, the orange and black Monarchs. Property owners can help with Monarch restoration efforts by growing "way stations" that have plenty of milkweed and nectar-rich plants.

Studies undertaken since the mid-nineties claim that numbers of Monarch butterflies in their annual migrations have declined by more than 80 percent. These Monarch migrations cover many thousands of miles from central Mexico to locations in Canada and the northern parts of the USA. Types of milkweed are the only plant on which the Monarchs lay their eggs and on which their larvae feed, so milkweed is critically needed at stops along their long migration paths. A plant that has "weed" in its name can get a bad rep, and some exotic and tropical types of milkweed that were introduced long ago for landscaping purposes were invasive and disrupted natural ecosystems in the Deep South. Milkweed has a milky, latex sap, contains complex chemicals, and is unpalatable for most animals.

Human development along Monarch migration routes and herbicide usage on crops have had devastating effects on native forms of milkweed. Also frequent mowing along our highways has adversely affected much of the habitat traditionally used by Monarchs for food and shelter. States are beginning to practice more diversity of butterfly-friendly roadside planting, but this trend has not yet made that much difference.

Monarch Watch is one of several web sites and organized efforts for research, education, and citizen activities to stem the decline of the Monarchs. There are now thousands of registered way stations where citizens are growing milkweed and other Monarch-friendly plants, but more are definitely needed to bring back these butterfly numbers. You can order seed packages including native milkweed varietals and other key nutrient flowers for butterflies at the Monarch Watch website or contact local nurseries for certain types of milkweed and wildflower seed packages. Be careful to choose native milkweed varietals, and ones that seem better suited to local or regional habitats. Common and swamp milkweeds are often safe choices, and these can also help other types of butterflies, and even attract hummingbirds. The Monarch Watch website offers advice on how to plant and save milkweed seeds, as well as information on the process to register and certify your location, if you would wish to do so, as an official Monarch way station.
 
In choosing locations for milkweed and supporting wildflowers for butterflies, areas that are larger than 100 square feet and that get many hours of direct sunlight are recommended. This summer my own efforts to devote about a third of an acre to wildflowers conducive to bee and butterfly populations met with mixed results. The seed packages that I purchased for that purpose included some flowers, such as Indian Blankets and a few others, that did well in the northeast Winn Parish soil. By late July, though, these were largely destroyed by a marauding bunch of feral hogs who dug holes and made a mess of almost all of my area devoted to wildflowers. The negative impact of our growing feral hog populations in this state is another topic, though, and one that has received a lot of recent attention.

Hope springs eternal, and for next spring and summer I'm planning to include common and swamp milkweed, along with Indian Blankets and other wildflowers in my same location. I can only hope that feral hogs in that area find other places to scavenge, or that I get in some months of bloom before the location attracts those hoofed invaders.


This blog includes articles on the outdoors and environment submitted by Steve Payne to The Piney Woods Journal. Appointed as a correspondent on the outdoors and environment for this monthly journal based in Dodson/Winnfield, Louisiana, his articles started appearing in May of 2015.

                                      OCTOBER 2015

 

 

Clark Creek Natural Area and the Tunica Hills Wilderness Areas

Getting to visit the Rockies, Smokies, or Ozarks may not be possible or an infrequent opportunity. The types of terrain and forests there are certainly different from those encountered in this region of the country. Perhaps the closest thing to those kinds of hiking experiences is an excursion to the surprising Clark Creek Natural Area. Clark Creek and the nearby Tunica Hills Wilderness Areas are about twenty miles off of US Highway 61 and about halfway between Natchez and Baton Rouge. Clark Creek is just across the Mississippi line and eight miles north of the Tunica Hills sites in Louisiana.

Clark Creek Natural Area is a hardwood and pine forest, with more than 700 acres and about 50 waterfalls, a few of these as high as 30 feet. Trails often run along creek beds where you can relax in the shade of the forest canopy and plunge your feet and legs in the clear, running water. Or you can stand under some of the waterfalls and get a refreshing drenching.

 

Due to the erodible character of the bluffs and "loess" soil there, only foot traffic or hiking is permitted at Clark Creek. This enhances the solitude and natural sounds of the forest, creeks, and waterfalls. A wide variety of migratory and resident birds and animals, can be spotted in this special habitat. World record trees found at Clark Creek include the Mexican plum and the bigleaf snowbell. Since camping, hunting, and the use of motorized vehicles are not allowed at Clark Creek, those interested in these activities should visit the nearby north or south tracts of the Tunica Hills Wilderness Areas.

Parts of both improved and primitive trails at Clark Creek are steep and quite physically demanding. You likely won't see people who aren't fairly young or else in good physical condition on anything but the start of the improved trail there. The improved trail leads to miles of a primitive trail loop. A few hours on the primitive trail was a great workout for me, even with occasional stops to observe the many waterfalls. Care needs to be taken to avoid spills on these trails, bluffs, and along creeks, especially after recent rainfall. The lack of potable water on the trails means that water, sunscreen, insect repellent, and other basic hiking preparations are necessary. The historic Pond Store, its current structure built in 1881, is open some weekends or by appointment and is 300 yards from the Clark Creek trailhead. The remoteness of Clark Creek offers very few nearby convenience stores or amenities. Woodville is about 17 miles east of the area and has at least a few accommodation choices, stores, and restaurants. Woodville was the home of Confederate leader, Jefferson Davis, and this Rosemont Plantation offers tours.

Bring or get a printout of the trail map to take with you before entering and hiking the Clark Creek Nature Area. Markers on trails there are often weather worn and difficult to read. The Tunica Hills tracts offer trail information at its kiosks, but trail markers there occasionally need some repair or replacement also. Cell phones in both sites get limited or no reception at spots deep under the forest canopies and along the winding creek bottoms.

The north and south tracts of Tunica Hills are above and below Highway 66 that ends several miles to the west at Angola State Prison.  There are more camping and RV sites near the Tunica Hills tracts than at the Clark Creek site. An easy and short nature trail at the south tract of Tunica Hills has some of the more unusual trees there identified, but the hiking trails beyond this loop are much more rugged and not recommended for those not in good physical condition. Downed trees and branches along creek beds and trails can mean a few detours or some scrambling over this debris. Look also at times of the year for many spider webs along the creek beds and nearby trails. A walking or hiking stick can help to clear these webs and secure better footing on some of the steeper slopes and creek rocks. See the photo and note the orange warning signs at kiosks on both the north and south tracts of Tunica Hills. Black bears can be found in this region along the Mississippi River, and game officials want to be certain that hunters differentiate the appearance of black bears from wild hogs, and they avoid the heavy fine for shooting a black bear.

 

If I had to recommend any single place in the state for a unique, challenging, and enjoyable hiking or outdoor weekend, it would have to be the Clark Creek and Tunica Hills Wilderness Areas. The diversity of outdoor options at the Tunica Hills tracts and the solitude and beauty of the nearby Clark Creek Natural Area make these "must-see" or "not-to-be-missed" natural resources.

This blog includes articles on the outdoors and environment submitted by Steve Payne to The Piney Woods Journal. Appointed as a correspondent on the outdoors and environment for this monthly journal based in Dodson/Winnfield, Louisiana, his articles started appearing in May of 2015.

                           SEPTEMBER 2015

Finding Quality of Life in the Outdoors

Increasing research supports good old common sense in stressing that regular and spirited exercise is strongly linked to well being. A recent study claims that endurance exercise seems to keep our brains working more at full-tilt as we age (Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise.) People also receive psychological boost from exposure to pastoral beauty in our forests and wildlife areas.

I had a good friend once who suffered from depression to the extent that she finally turned to a doctor for advice. This doctor didn't prescribe drugs in her case, though. He told her at least twice a week to drive to the top of a nearby mountain and national park area and merely walk around that area and observe the vistas and natural scenery there. She said that those solitary excursions were very helpful for her in overcoming many of her depressed moods. Surely such walks will not completely overcome mental concerns such as depression or anxiety, but these can help many in lifting their moods and improving attitudes.

We can join health clubs or make New Year's resolutions with the best intentions to jog, walk or exercise more. Yet we often fail to live up to these good intentions and have excuses galore for our inactivity.

Louisiana residents, like those in several other Southern states, compete for the highest obesity rates in the nation. Mississippi led the nation in 2013 with an adult obesity level of over 35 percent, while Louisiana had a rate of over 33 percent. We also see many children and adolescents who spend almost all of their time on sedentary interests and very little time playing outdoors or getting any kind of exercise. They can get so accustomed to air-conditioned, indoor comforts that spending an afternoon or even an hour outdoors can be an unlikely prospect. There is reason for concern when some scientists claim that current "millennials" will not have as long of a life span as their predecessors, due in large part to inactivity and obesity levels.

Mark Twain has been given credit by many for observing that "golf is a good walk spoilt." Today's golfers much more often spend time riding in carts than getting in a good walk. We are increasingly a society of sports spectators rather than participants. Even many former jocks in high school and college seldom maintain conditioning or exercise levels later, and they start putting on the pounds.

Drivers will spend minutes circling a mall or a shopping lot looking for a parking spot to avoid less than a 50 yard walk to their destination. It's more unusual now to see folks with a yard much less than an acre actually walking a mower rather than riding one or paying someone else to do this. It's amazing what many people will do to avoid even a modest walk or physical exercise.

I will be profiling some of the better outdoor adventure spots in our state in future issues. These are particularly appealing places to explore for weekend excursions with family and friends. Even more valuable for individual health and well being, though, are recreational and outdoor areas within a 15 or 20-minutes drive away from our homes or work sites. Maybe it's a wooded park area with trails or a levee along a river or bayou. Somewhere fairly near each of us is most likely a destination for a regular 30-minute or more hike or walk to clear our heads, breathe a bit freer, and relieve a bit of accumulated stress. No health club fees, no expensive equipment, and no special planning or preparation are needed for this. It can be a special alone time or perhaps a place to meet, walk and talk with a good friend or family member. There are other options such as listening to favorite music or taking your dog along on a hike for mutual benefit. I think the key, though, is finding a little time to open your eyes to the natural world of living and being all around us.

As humans and for millenniums, we were hunter-gatherers who were acutely aware of and constantly interacting with our natural environment. Our bodies and minds still retain this imprint and psychological and emotional benefit from interaction with nature. Obsessive, compulsive focus on other human goals and ambitions can blind and rob us of a more balanced set of priorities in which physical exercise and interaction with nature are an important part.

This blog includes articles on the outdoors and environment submitted by Steve Payne to The Piney Woods Journal. Appointed as a correspondent on the outdoors and environment for this monthly journal based in Dodson/Winnfield, Louisiana, his articles started appearing in May of 2015.

                                  AUGUST 2015

Exploring the Kisatchie Trails and Environs

One of the top hiking, camping and recreational destinations in Louisiana also offers a slice of timber industry history as well as a unique lodging experience.  You will find much to discover and enjoy with a weekend outing and drive to the Calcasieu District of the Kisatchie National Forest in Vernon Parish. 

Hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, hunting, camping, and picnicking opportunities abound in thes Vernon Unit of this national forest and near the small communities of Pitkin, Fullerton and Cravens.   The Fort Polk wildlife management area of this district is open for deer and turkey hunting.  Many miles of trails exist for ATV and horseback riding.  There are also scenic areas for nature study, wildlife viewing/photography, or just plain solitude. 

One of several recreational complexes there is at Fullerton Lake.  This is the site of the historic Fullerton Sawmill and the once, thriving timber town of Fullerton.  Fullerton had as many as 5000 residents from 1907 to 1927 during its timber boom with a hospital, bank, auto dealership, an elementary and high school, movie theatre, and other small-town amenities.  Living quarters there with electricity and indoor plumbing were provided for some saw mill managers and employees.  Active operation of the Gulf Lumber Company began in 1907, but the mill closed in 1927 when Gulf Timber moved west.  At one time, the Fullerton Mill was the largest pine sawmill west of the Mississippi River and the second largest in the South.  The saw mill and town were placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.   Mill ruins and the lake created for sawmill operations can be observed on the 1.6 mile hiking trail around the lake.

 

Beyond the Fullerton Recreational Complex, there are also the Little Cypress and Blue Hole Complexes, as well as the Enduro multiple-use trail system.  A tranquil area for picnicking and a short half-mile loop walk is the spring-fed pond and Ol’ Sarge Interpretive Trail at the Little Cypress Complex.  I’d recommend visiting that site and the hike around Fullerton Lake even for those with very limited time and interest in walking or hiking.  Brochures at these sites and at other locations in this Calcasieu District (or online information) can help you decide on additional places there to visit and enjoy.

There are typical motel and accommodation options fairly near this area in Leesville, Deridder and Fort Polk.  However, only a few miles south of both Fullerton and the other complexes in this recreational area is a special lodging and educational alternative.   Known as Allen Acres, this is a reasonably-priced bed and breakfast in a beautiful, rural setting.   Dr. Charles  Allen, a botanist and retired UL- Monroe professor, and his wife Susan  have spent years developing gardens designed to attract butterflies and hummingbirds on their property adjacent to the Kisatchie wilderness area.  Just one feature is the national champion gallberry tree that was registered in 2006 by Dr. Allen and is located a very short distance from their property on national forest land.   The Allens raise many varieties of chickens, and fresh eggs dominate their hearty breakfast menu.  Dr. Allen, an authority on the native plants of Louisiana provides numerous seminars, described online, and can conduct tours, for a fee, to rare and interesting ecosystems of this national forest and other Louisiana bogs, prairies, and wildlife areas.  There are five guest rooms at the lodging with a community area and many books and magazine articles written by Dr. Allen and other naturalists.  Susan Allen will likely share with you some of her wonderful butterfly photography as you linger over breakfast and get ready to burn some breakfast calories hiking the trails of the Vernon Unit of the Kisatchie National Forest.

 

 

 

For outdoor enthusiasts and amateur naturalists, you will find it difficult beating quality time spent at the many and varied attractions found in this particular recreational area.

This blog includes articles on the outdoors and environment submitted by Steve Payne to The Piney Woods Journal. Appointed as a correspondent on the outdoors and environment for this monthly journal based in Dodson/Winnfield, Louisiana, his articles started appearing in May of 2015.

                                       JULY 2015

The State Arboretum and Chicot State Park

Writing an article each month on the outdoors and environmental issues may be the best assignment I've ever had. I grew up reading publications such as Louisiana Conservationist and Field and Stream. Many of us were proud of our outdoor heritage then, and we still are.

I have friends who are almost obsessed with their frequent hunting and fishing activities. If this column focused on hunting or fishing advice, I would be a sure loser in knowledge to many others. But what I miss there, I probably make up with a diversity of other outdoor and environmental interests that I'll try to share with you.

Beekeeping and making hiking/walking sticks have been hobbies of mine and topics over the last two PWJ issues. Let's spend awhile next covering great places in the state where hikers or walkers can burn excess calories and soak up some of the sights, sounds and feels of the great outdoors.

I could start with some of my favorite and very convenient places from childhood, Kiroli Park in West Monroe, or now, Acadiana Park and nature trail in Lafayette. I'll try to be more systematic, though, in making a few initial recommendations for those who might want to explore some of the better hiking/walking adventures in Louisiana.

I'm going to make the assumption that most of you are not naturalists, amateur or otherwise. Hiking or walking wilderness trails can be a more fulfilling experience if you know at least a little about the flora and fauna that you might encounter. For that reason, my first suggestion is spending a day at the Louisiana State Arboretum just north of Ville Platte. The arboretum, established in 1961, has a visitors center, built in 2008, and exhibits describing types and characteristics of trees in the state. Even better are its five nature trails, three that are over a mile in length. Each of these nature trails has a type of forest habitat found in the state. For example, the Paw Paw Trail represents Beech/Magnolia forests found in parts of Louisiana. This longer trail is a loop, and about every 50-100 yards there is a descriptive marker of a particular type of nearby tree, such as the Paw Paw tree. The markers and descriptions occasionally help one distinguish varieties of common trees, such as the differences between a Bitternut and a Pignut Hickory tree. Other arboretum trails are the Wetland Trail, the Bald Cypress Trail, the Backbone Ridge Trail and the Walker Branch Trail.

If exploring just the nature center and five trails at the arboretum is not enough for you, Chicot State Park, very near the arboretum, has a 20-mile trail around Lake Chicot where full-bore hiking, camping and fishing possibilities await. A description of diverse recreational opportunities at Chicot State Park is available on its web site.

When I visited and hiked a part of this lake trail recently, I brought along our yellow lab, Molly. Taking a dog with you on a hike can change the experience from walking alone or with another person. It's interesting to observe what the dog perceives before you do and vice versa. We encountered three young porkers scavenging near the trail at one point, but they were almost upon us before Molly noticed them. In this case, my height and eyes trumped her smelling and hearing advantage. Often it's the other way around.

As much as I like spending time fishing in a boat, I find my back and legs get a bit stiff after a few hours. Why not take a fishing break for a while, anchor that boat, stretch, and find a mile or two lake trail to hike or jog? You might miss a few mid-day fish, but at the end of the day I think you'll feel more refreshed in mind and spirit from this kind of break.

For all of the hiking/walking outings that I'll be describing do not forget mosquito repellent or spray. Mosquitos can be dangerous as well as unpleasant companions, and these can be particularly bad in early morning and late afternoon/evening hours. The heavier-than-normal rainfall in recent months can mean more standing water and breeding places for mosquitoes. Trails, too, can now have stretches with standing water or mud, so types of foot ware and socks are safety and comfort choices in preparing for even a leisurely walk.

Many hiking and wilderness trail options exist in Louisiana and within a reasonable drive. You certainly don't need to be a camping enthusiast. You can spend a few hours walking and sightseeing and then return to the creature comforts of your home or a nice motel room. Next month I'll describe another wilderness and hiking area and also a unique bed and breakfast nearby where you can learn a whole lot more about Louisiana trees, plants, and wildflowers.

 

This blog includes articles on the outdoors and environment submitted by Steve Payne to The Piney Woods Journal. Appointed as a correspondent on the outdoors and environment for this monthly journal based in Dodson/Winnfield, Louisiana, his articles started appearing in May of 2015.

                                          JULY 2015

Sustainability Concerns for Honey Bees and Butterflies

A new federal government initiative to support honey bees and butterflies was recently announced. The plan calls for restoring seven million acres of bee habitat in the next five years. Numerous federal agencies are required to find ways to grow plants that are more varied and better for bees on federal lands. The administration proposes spending $82.5 million on honeybee research in the upcoming budget year, up from $34 million now. The EPA will also step up studies into the safety of widely-used neonicotinoid pesticides, which some scientists have linked to honey bee losses and which are banned in Europe. Many support this initiative, but some question whether funding to improve habitat and forage on federal lands, spread across the country, will make much difference in the Deep South.

Back in 2011, I tried to interest major timber company officials in a plan for both improvement of regional honey bee habitats and highway beautification. USDA entomologist James H. Cane had earlier suggested that planting wildflower "bee pastures" might be just the right prescription for curing the dwindling bee population epidemic. His idea was to plant pesticide-free flower fields to be a type of bee sanctuary for bees to multiply rapidly.

Timber companies have long faced some levels of criticism for clear-cut or full-harvest timber practices, particularly those sites near public highways. At the same time, corporations give back to their communities and constituents in many ways beyond their products and services. Social responsiveness and sustainability investments at some corporations can be as much as five percent of their pre-tax profits. Average corporate expenditures in this category have been at about one percent of such profits. Timber companies are particularly known for their contributions to sustainability programs.

My proposal then was that one or a few large timber companies determine the number and location of timber sites that would be fully harvested in the near future and that are adjacent to highways having significant auto traffic in a particular state or region. On a certain percentage of these sites, they might conduct normal full-harvest timber practices with one exception. That would to include in this replanting process an extensive seed scattering of native wildflower and bramble varietals with different bloom periods. Allowing a period of time for emergence of blooms from the first of these wildflower varietals, several honey bee hives in standard boxes/supers would be located within these fully-harvested areas. County agents, 4H and youth organizations, and area beekeeping associations could be approached for their assistance. Resources from the sale of honey could compensate young volunteers or the honey itself could be distributed to area shelters/charities.

Corporate sustainability programs such as this one would offer obvious benefits for bee and butterfly habitat improvement and also highway beautification. These programs could provide hands-on environmental knowledge and increased early employment opportunities for youngsters and teenagers. Expenses such as funds for purchase and cultivation of wildflower seeds, basic hive construction material and tools, and program administration seem well within the scope or allowance as part of many timber corporations’ normal spending on sustainability-related programs.

Although I received some support for this plan from timber-related corporate sustainability officers, there wasn’t a particular timber corporation then that volunteered to adopt this particular proposal and program. I’m hoping that a few years and more publicity about declines in honey bee and butterfly habitats will spur one or several corporations to try this or a similar sustainability approach. I wouldn’t be surprised if similar plans are being discussed, formulated or have been introduced lately. The combination of federal and corporate programs could make the Deep South a leader, rather than a follower, in producing real change and habitat improvement.

This blog includes articles on the outdoors and environment submitted by Steve Payne to The Piney Woods Journal. Appointed as a correspondent on the outdoors and environment for this monthly journal based in Dodson/Winnfield, Louisiana, his articles started appearing in May of 2015.

                                         JUNE 2015

Making Walking or Hiking Sticks

We occasionally leave busy cities and towns to find restorative solitude and beauty in our forests and wilderness areas. Hunting and fishing lead many of us there, but these activities hardly encompass the possibilities for recreation or hobby. Simple walking and forms of hiking are pleasant and healthy diversions. The value of this type of exercise is continually lauded in medical and psychological research.

Walking on forest paths, sometimes created by deer or other animals, can be a challenge at times. Having a basic walking/hiking stick seems almost a necessity to clear pathways of briars or the occasional spider web or snake. A staff or stick gives us better footing through rocks or mud as well as helps a bit on the hills that we encounter. While we might simply find and grab a stick along our way, the better prepared probably have a walking stick already available.

One of my hobbies is crafting distinctive walking/hiking sticks from saplings found on the many acres of woods that my extended family have in the Dodson and Sikes area. I give these walking sticks as gifts to family and friends and sell some in a farmers and artisan market. Finding appropriately shaped and sized saplings as candidates for walking sticks is an initial step. One in thousands of saplings that I encounter is actually chosen as a potential walking stick. Although many species of tree saplings can eventually make attractive and functional hiking sticks, some types of wood more frequently bow or crack during an aging and drying process of several months after cutting. The stroll through the woods to find a few more likely saplings to harvest is for me a particularly enjoyable part of the overall project.

Saplings are more often debarked or shaved in making walking sticks, but the option exists of allowing some of the bark or sapwood to remain. Removing the bark from a sapling is much easier if this is done immediately, or at least soon, after the sapling is cut. What was long ago a common piece of woodworking equipment on Southern farms and ranches is very seldom found these days. Known as a shaving horse, the device clamps down on the sapling, so that a draw shaver or knife can be wielded to remove bark and wood from the sapling. English and continental styles of shaving horses exist and have somewhat different designs. The accompanying photo shows a shaving horse that I constructed using an English shaving horse design. Special tools such as shaving horses and draw knifes make this step a little easier or go somewhat faster, but are not required though to strip bark or wood from a sapling.

 

Stripping bark and aging the sapling are early stages in making hand-crafted hiking sticks. Afterwards there's a shaping and sizing process, and then comes the sanding and finishing/preserving of the stick. Before applying varnish or finishing wax, the wood can be inscribed or burned to personalize the stick. Rawhide straps or paracord wrappings are often added, for gripping purposes, to the top of sticks, and cushioned or rubber tips are needed to protect the end of the stick which constantly comes in contact with the ground. Metal spikes are an alternative as a stick tip and can provide better grips on certain surfaces, but continuing spike usage can lead to cracks or splintering on the lower part of the stick.

For those interested in making your own walking stick for a birthday or Christmas gifts for yourselves or others, I'm willing to do a basic workshop on this topic in the near future. We might meet one Saturday at noon at the old Hudson Interdenominational Tabernacle (off Hwy. 34 about ten miles north of Winnfield) for an hour or so, and I can pass out copies of pages describing this process and answer questions. I'll show examples, too, of different walking stick styles and designs that folks might like to use as possible models for their own creative choices. Just let me know if there are at least a few of you interested (steve-payne1@live.com) in this free workshop.

Some Boy and Girl Scouts probably received merit badges at one time for making hiking/walking sticks, and perhaps they still do today. I never had that experience as an adolescent. If retirement can be a second childhood, stick making might be a creative and enjoyable hobby for the young and the older.

This blog includes articles on the outdoors and environment submitted by Steve Payne to The Piney Woods Journal. Appointed as a correspondent on the outdoors and environment for this monthly journal based in Dodson/Winnfield, Louisiana, his articles started appearing in May of 2015.

This blog includes articles on the outdoors and environment submitted by Steve Payne to The Piney Woods Journal.  Appointed as a correspondent on the outdoors and environment for this monthly journal based in Dodson/Winnfield, Louisiana, his articles started appearing in May of 2015. 

                                          MAY 2015

Another Walk in the Woods

Take a short walk in the magnificent forests of Louisiana, Arkansas or east Texas. It might do you more good than you'd imagine.

Most folks now are so busy with work-related routines and responsibilities that their excursions in the great outdoors are limited. We have largely functional mind sets also, associated with particular purposes for a walk in the woods. Some might be exploring areas for current or future hunting activities. Others might be bird watchers who are hoping to see visiting species. A few could be looking for herbs, berries, or mushrooms. Perhaps property owners are walking to assess tree growth for eventual timber sales. We are a purposeful lot, usually with something in particular on our minds.

Most of us seldom find time for a simple walk to "commune" with the raw essence of our forests and wilderness areas -- found in the wind rustling in the trees, the different slants and shades of light filtering down, and the distinctive smells of the seasons. Even hikers who are open to the sights and senses of the forest may be more focused on exercise goals or lost in their thoughts about personal challenges or upcoming events. We seldom meet the forest and nature without some strong agenda that can impede closer observation and discovery there.

Even distracted as we might be by particular concerns, we return again and again to our forests and the wilderness, because we sense that we have gained something from our short time there beyond our specific intent. It's difficult to define or describe the sensual payoff from our walk. Perhaps it's just the result of fresh air, oxygenation and beneficial exercise, but we sense it's more than that. It's some closer connection to a larger reality. This connection can become addictive and call to us occasionally to try to find time to return to that expanded reality.

We can complain that the Deep South outdoors have more than their share of seasonal heat and humidity, mosquitos, ticks, briars, and other impediments to our walking pleasure. But if we're prepared, we can pick a time of day, a type of clothing, and other means to cope with these constraints.

Some of us in this region are just very lucky. We recognize that we have an advantage that many others don't have -- opportunities to get away from it all. We know that we don't have to go great distances to other parts of the country or world to have enriching experiences in our own public and private forests and wilderness areas. We can become more alive and vital with our simple excursions outdoors. We can return to our jobs and routines with a slight edge in energy and perspective that we didn't have before.

I'm no different, and I'm at a stage of life and reflection where I can more easily recognize the value and subscribe to a renewing walk in the woods. I can appreciate an inheritance of acres of wooded land and an old heart-of-pine log cabin that my great-grandfather and his father built in the 1870s. It's easy for me to spend a week or so periodically at this cabin and in the surrounding woods to grasp fuller meanings of locale, heritage and life itself. I wish others could be as fortunate in circumstance, inclination and reward.

There is much to see and do in our forests and wilderness areas, beyond the obvious hunting, fishing, and common recreational pursuits. If you're at all interested, I'll try to share at least a few of these other activities in several future issues of this publication.