Nearly 200 Idaho students compete in Idaho State Forestry Contest

ATHOL — Wearing her Careywood Eager Beavers 4-H Club T-shirt and with a blue clipboard in hand, Timberlake High School freshman Lily Fry carefully observed the branch of a deciduous tree, taking note of its different characteristics.

“I think it’s going pretty good,” she said Thursday morning as she participated in the 41st annual Idaho State Forestry Contest at Farragut State Park.

“I’ve been participating since I was a rookie,” she said. “I just like seeing how many of the young people are interested in the forest and all that.”

Lily was among nearly 200 fifth-through-12th grade students from across the Gem State to compete in the contest, which tested the future foresters and someday silviculturists on their basic forestry and natural resources management knowhow.

Top individuals and teams had the chance to win up to $1,000 in individual scholarships, or $500 per team member, offered by the University of Idaho College of Natural Resources. The students must be enrolled full time in the College of Natural Resources for the upcoming fall 2024 semester to receive the scholarships.

The statewide competition is sponsored by the Idaho Department of Lands, the Bonner Soil and Water Conservation District and the Natural Resources Conservation Service. Activities during the competition engage students at stations such as log scaling, map reading, tree health, soil and water quality, timber cruising, and tree and plant identification.

It was the first time for North Idaho STEM Charter Academy freshman Caleb Geckle to compete in the contest. He said he enjoys being out in the woods and may someday go into forestry.

“I’m thinking about it,” he said, adding that he likes the identification part of the process.

Kaylee Owens, a senior at Highland High School in Craigmont, said the contest was a great learning experience for her.

“I’ve never done anything in forestry before, so it’s all kind of new, but it’s good at the same time and the people are really good at helping out and directing you,” she said.

Ava Goetz, a junior at Orofino High School, looked through a clinometer to measure the tall pines off of a main trail at the timber cruising area.

“This is really fun, and I do want to be a forester someday, so this is a really good opportunity to learn more,” she said.

Sandpoint High School junior Zane Walson wore cool shades to block the bright sun as he scaled a log to determine its volume.

“I’m doing my best,” he said.

Idaho Department of Lands private forestry supervisor Ken Homik served as one of the many coordinators of the forestry contest.

“It’s rewarding and gives me hope,” Homik said. “There’s a real need out there. We need smart kids that have interest in being outdoors. It makes me feel happy.”

Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield made an appearance at the Idaho Forestry Contest to support the kids and highlight the importance of cultivating the next generation of Idaho’s forest caretakers.

“The Idaho State Forestry Contest is an absolutely incredible event for any kid, let alone kids who live around Idaho's beautiful forests,” she told The Press in an email. “What an opportunity to get interested in every aspect of forestry. The event captures everything I love about experiential learning. It's math, it's science, it's communication, it's hands-on and it's important education. In fact, it makes me want to get into the woods!”

    Timberlake High School freshman Lily Fry takes notes on a clipboard at the tree and plant identification station Thursday morning during the Idaho State Forestry Contest at Farragut State Park.
  

    Ava Goetz, a junior from Orofino High School, peers up at the pines using a clinometer Thursday morning during the Idaho State Forestry Contest.
  

    Sandpoint High junior Zane Walson measures a log at the scaling station Thursday morning during the Idaho State Forestry Contest.
  

    Brougham Collins, a sixth grader from Forrest Bird Charter School, participates in the Idaho State Forestry Contest's rookie silviculture station Thursday morning.
  

The Vandal Jacks, a competitive lumberjack team from the University of Idaho, showed students the skills of using saws and axes Thursday at the forestry contest. From left: Spencer Stenmark, Josey Bouhanna, Nick Barrett, Ella Carroll, Chris Rau, Idaho Superintendent of Public Instruction Debbie Critchfield and Sam Bernard.