(Athol, Idaho) Students battled to be the best in log measurement, tree and plant identification, and determining timber volume May 9 at the 41st Annual Idaho State Forestry Contest at Farragut State Park in north Idaho. About 200 students, 50 coaches/chaperones and 125+ volunteers participated. See high resolution contest video and images for media use via Dropbox.

The contest is for students in grades 5 through 12 to compete for scholarships and cash prizes in basic forestry and resource management. The contest is typically held the second Thursday in May and is sponsored by the Idaho Department of Lands, Bonner Soil and Water Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and hosted by the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation.

Top individual winners included Jonathan McComas of Whistlestop 4-H in the Senior Division who won $2500 in cash and scholarships. Other winners included Caitlyn Cramer of Whistlestop 4-H who won the Junior Division, and Elsie Turcotte of Selle Valley Carden School won the Rookie Division. See the full winners list or visit the contest website: https://www.idl.idaho.gov/about-forestry/idaho-state-forestry-contest

Superintendent of Public Instruction and State Board of Land Commissioner Debbie Critchfield helped hand out awards and addressed the competitors who may one day be Idaho foresters. “More than $60 million was distributed to Idaho public schools last year, coming from money earned from managing endowment land and investments. And the land revenue comes mainly from Idaho Department of Lands timber sales,” Critchfield said. “Where I live in the Magic Valley, we are not the ones producing the timber, it is up here. Thank you for what your communities do to contribute to the state endowment fund and a strong economy in Idaho.”

“It’s hard to measure the impact all of these student competitors have had on Idaho as we continue to grow, protect, enjoy and sustainably harvest our timber resources,” said Idaho Department of Lands Director Dustin Miller. “We want to thank the countless participants, schools and volunteers over the years for their commitment to this contest."

CONTACT
Robbie Johnson
Public Information Officer
Idaho State Forestry Contest
Idaho Department of Lands
(208) 908-1786
rjohnson@idl.idaho.gov