Daughters of the American Revolution, community members establish new forest

Members of two local Daughters of the American Revolution chapters and community members came together Saturday to plant nearly 600 trees.

As an added perk, the weather cooperated.

"The weather was perfect, not too hot, not too cold and not too wet," DAR Pleasantview Chapter Regent Trina Caudle said. "We only had a light drizzle here and there. The big rain didn't arrive until after the event."

Approximately 40 people showed up to support the effort and plant trees to create the U.S. Air Force Maj. Doral L. McGee Forest, named in honor of Caudle's late father.

"We ran out of trees about halfway through the planned event!" Caudle said.

Youth members from area 4-H clubs and Job's Daughters participated as well as DAR members from the Pleasantview and Lt. George Farragut chapters, neighbors, family and friends.

"Four generations of Doral's family were present during the event to celebrate his legacy," Caudle said. "Everyone had fun planting and playing in the mud."

The forest was established on 30 acres of private land, purchased by Doral and Connie McGee in the 1960s. In 1985, they developed the property and built their dream home at the top of the hill.

"A few years ago, when my father's health started to deteriorate, my parents moved into town and sold the property to me and my sister," Caudle said. "My sister lives in their old house on the upper acreage."

Caudle and her sister, Elena Nelson, are members of the Pleasantview Chapter of Post Falls, formed in 2023.

"During our fall meeting, we visited with the state conservation chair about designating our property as a DAR Forest," Caudle said. "As part of our Timber Management Plans, we are required to plant trees in specific areas. We were excited to be able to honor our father's service to our community and country while supporting the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution's mission of service through conservation."

DAR forests can be on public or private property. The only stipulations are the property needs to be at least 1 acre and at least 500 trees need to be planted. A sign and marker will let visitors know it's a DAR forest. Members have received approval from the national organization for the marker. The cost to place the sign and marker will be about $5,000. Caudle and Nelson purchased the trees since they own the property. Pleasantview is fundraising for the marker.

    From left, Derek McGee, Army veteran and son of the late U.S. Air Force Maj. Doral McGee, plants trees Saturday with Doral's grandson, Logan McGee, as a new Daughters of the American Revolution forest is established in Coeur d'Alene to honor Doral's legacy.