Gary and Charlene Fitch of Michigan
What makes them outstanding?
Gary Fitch truly has a passion for tree farming. He exemplifies everything the American Tree Farm System stands for. His goal is to be a steward of his forest, and he concerns himself with all aspects of his forest. His attention to detail when reviewing drafts of management and harvest plans shows his interest in managing his forest, but more importantly, the joy he feels when he walks through his forest is contagious.
the forest as stewards entrusted with God's creation."
- Gary Fitch
Even something as simple as a few hemlock seedlings growing on a log is a treasure to Gary, and is a source of pride in his tree farm. No tree farmer I've met deserves this award more than him.
Tree Farmer Story
Gary has been actively managing his tree farm since 2003 when he first enrolled as a pioneer. He hosts annual hay rides for local kids on his trails, and narrates with stories and facts about his forest. His newest anecdote relates how yellow birch seedlings will grow on rotting stumps, which he describes as a he shows the kids his prized example.
long after I am gone."
- Gary Fitch
Gary takes such pride in his forest that even a stack of wood fallen down after a windstorm is an embarassment to him that he will apologize for. Gary knows every inch of his tree farm and regularly calls his foresters for advice and recomendations for everthing from managing his oak trees to protecting vernal pools as breeding areas for woodland amphibians. Gary has recently enrolled a second property in the American Tree Farm Program and is looking forward to an upcoming forest stand improvement to regenerate his aging aspen and improve the quality of his hardwoods.
Wood
Gary has had his oak-pine-red maple forest thinned to promote oak and white pine tegeneration through a shelterwood system, and has seen excellent results. He plans to have a harvest to release these seedlings in 2019.
Water
Gary has actively encouraged the re-formation of vernal pools in an area on his property that previously had been drained. His forest also includes a lowland area with alder and red-osier dogwood that Gary has jointly managed with his neighbor as a wetland, minimizing disturbance. Finally, Gary has protected Cold Spring Creek from sedimentation by restoring streamside vegetation minimizing any harvest activities within 100 feet of the stream.
Wildlife
Gary's primary concern is wildlife. Gary's interest goes beyond game species. He desires to improve habitat for birds, small mammals, otters, amphibians, and macro-invertebrates that live on his tree farm. His strategy has been to provide both food and habitat, while minimizing disturbance to sensitive wildlife areas.
Recreation
Gary maintains an extensive trail system to be able to hike, ski, and pull hay-wagons full of children through his tree farm. He also keeps his other activities well organized and does his best to minimize disturbance from firewood removal, to maintain the beauty of the forest.
