Hundreds Expected To Gather For Annual Ray Kretz Industrial Forest Tour

Hundreds of landowners will come together this Saturday in Antigo’s Ray Kretz Industrial Forest to educate themselves on proper forest management and celebrate stewardship across Wisconsin and Michigan forests.

It is all part of the 14th annual Fall Forestry Festival hosted and sponsored by Kretz Lumber Company. Activities begin at 10 a.m. and conclude at 2 p.m. and will take place at Kretz facilities located southwest of Antigo at W11143 County Hwy. G.

The festival provides attendees from across the state an opportunity to unite, learn and share best practices for forest sustainability and conservancy. Festival organizers say sustainable forest management happens when educated landowners have the tools, resources and knowledge needed to effectively manage their land.

This year’s festival will focus on forest management practices for improving wildlife habitat and will feature an expert discussion on the topic. Panel members will include Scott Walter of the Ruffed Grouse Society; Ron Eckstein and Eric Borchert, Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources; Brian Hoppe of Reed and Hoppe’s Wildlife Food Plots; and Jamie Nack of the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Forest and Wildlife Ecology. Moderator will be Scott Bowe of the UW-Madison forest products lab.

Our Forestry Field Festival provides landowners an opportunity to gather and learn from not only all of the trained professionals in attendance, but also from each other. By sharing proper technique and strategy, landowners are better educated and empowered on sustainable practices, Troy Brown, president of Kretz Lumber Company, said. This festival is one of the tools we use to assist landowners in achieving their property goals while also educating attendees on woodlands management.

The Landowner’s Fall Forestry Festival encompasses an entire day of hands-on forest activities, including exhibitions, learning stations, tours, discussions, trainings, guest speakers and a northwoods lunch sponsored by EXPERA Specialty Solutions.

This year’s legacy landowner recognitions are led by David and Curt Parsons of Antigo. Other honorees will include Dave Marsceau, Kronenwetter; the Duren Farm, Cazenovia; and Dennis Rezner, Wittenberg.

Other highlights will include DNR stream shocking, cutting demonstrations, forest insect and disease discussions, horse skidding, and hayride tours of the Merry property.

The 2015 Forestry Field Day drew a crowd to Kretz Lumber Company.

Source: Antigo Daily Journal