GLADSTONE — On Feb. 5, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service’s Eastern Region hosted its annual Regional Forester Honor Awards “virtual” ceremony in Milwaukee, Wis. The Hiawatha National Forest Landscape Treatment Design Team was one of 11 teams recognized for outstanding work.

“The interagency team is being recognized with an honorable mention for the work they to more effectively manage fire to sustain productive forests and protect local communities,” said Acting Regional Forester Bob Lueckel.

Members of the 10-person team include:

– USDA Forest Service Hiawatha National Forest employees Eric Rebitzke (Fire Management Officer) and Sam Adams (Geographical Information Systems);

– USDA Forest Service Hiawatha Naitonal Forest retire and USDA ACES program participant, Tim Baker (Silviculturist);

– The Nature Conservancy’s Randy Swaty;

– Wisconsin Deparment of Natural Resources employee Jed Meunier;

– University of Wisconsin – Madison’s Dr. Colleen Sutheimer;

– Michigan Technological University’s Rod Chimner, Evan Kane, and Dominic Uhelski; and

– Josh Cohen of MSU Extension/ Michigan Natural Features Inventory.

The Landscape Treatment Design Team, which includes employees of Hiawatha National Forest and partners, is using a multi-proxy approach to reconstruct forested peatland fires by comparing tree-ring based data to radiocarbon dating of char within peat cores.

“Basically, we are collecting peat cores as well as slicing “cookies” of wood from old burned stumps. Then in the lab, our partners are analyzing the samples and the growth rings for evidence of historic fires,” said Hiawatha Fire Management Officer.

Data are showing evidence of both frequent, low-severity fires, and widespread fire events in forested peatlands.

“It’s a multi-phase project, but we anticipate the first round of research will be published in the near future,” noted Rebitzke.

The Regional Forester Honor Awards are presented annually to recognize significant accomplishments that support the strategic goals of the USDA and the USDA Forest Service.

“We’re very proud of this team of employees and partners. The results of their work will help us better manage the health and productivity of upper peninsula forests,” said Hiawatha Forest Supervisor Cid Morgan.

She explained that the research will help the agency plan management activities, including prescribed fire, to mimic the natural and cultural processes that shaped the local environment.

For more information about this ­project and overall management of Hiawatha National Forest, visit its ­webpage at https://www.fs.usda.gov/hiawatha of contact our Supervisors Office at 906-428-5800.