Nov. 14, 2002
Contact: Arlene Whalen, (503) 945-7427
awhalen@odf.state.or.us

Owners of a family tree farm in Scio, OR, have won the national "Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year" Award. The honor was presented to Ron and Barbara Bentz on Saturday, November 9, at an Asheville, NC, convention sponsored by the American Tree Farm System (ATFS), a program of the American Forest Foundation in partnership with state tree farm organizations. This annual award recognizes outstanding sustainable forest management on privately owned forestland.

The Bentz's earned the prestigious distinction after 37 years of hard work transforming a cut-over stump ranch into a 600-acre thriving forestland they named the Blue Den Ranch, located at 38734 Lulay Road, Scio. The ranch is managed for wood, water, wildlife and recreation.

"Originally, we used the land primarily to graze livestock and, over the years, began transforming the land back to forestland by clearing brush and planting five to ten acres of good quality trees annually," said Ron Bentz. The Bentz's have converted 425 acres back to timber production, planting over 200,000 seedlings, including more than 40,000 in the last five years.

The Bentz's were selected from among 65,000 other Certified Tree Farmers in ATFS because their tree farm is a shining example of sustainable forest management. "Active management is essential for sustainability," said Bob Simpson, director of the American Tree Farm System. "Private forestland owners, like Ron and Barbara, actively manage their forests because they want to be examples of superior stewardship. By passing on the love of their land to their children and grandchildren, they are improving America's forest resources for generations to come."

The Bentz's quest to create a healthy forest ecosystem began in 1964. To provide needed income, they started a private fishing club after creating and stocking five lakes with trout. There are three major creeks and numerous springs and streams running through the property. The Bentz's also included a fish hatchery that is now the second oldest private hatchery in Oregon, producing nearly 60,000 rainbow trout annually.

Blue Den Ranch is also home to an early life pioneer museum of farm machinery, tools and memorabilia, a small sawmill, orchards, beehives and abundant wildlife habitat. An active effort to repopulate their forest with native birds has produced a thriving wild turkey population. The lakes and streams draw minks, otters, bald eagles, blue heron, kingfishers, osprey and mergansers. Canadian gees, mallards, wood ducks and other seasonal birds make the lakes and forests their winter nesting grounds for hatching and raising their young.

Education and outreach are important elements of the Bentz's forest management plan. They actively encourage student, educator, county officials, foresters, association and Extension tours of their ranch.

Oregon joined the tree farm system in its initial year in 1941. The state leads the nation with thirteen "regional" Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year selections. Now that the Bentz's have captured this year's award, Oregon has had three "national" winners. Bert and Betty Udell, Lebanon, earned national title in 1982, and Wayne and Colleen Krieger, Gold Beach, earned the national title in 1993.

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