by Myra Cocca, Communications Manager, Division of Forestry

The Charles Deam Forestry Stewardship Award, sponsored by the Indiana Forestry and Woodland Owners Association, recognizes woodland owners who have demonstrated exceptional conservation management of their woodlands, including improving the health and quality of hardwood species and encouraging the protection and proliferation of wildlife.

Kern has practiced land, wildlife, and water stewardship for more than 45 years. During his career, he has planted more than

200,000 trees, harvested limber from his natural stands of hardwoods, and conducted timber stand improvement activities whenever necessary.

"As a young man, I never thought I'd live off the land, even though I loved the outdoors," Kern said. "I must've gotten it from my mother. She was a big flower-grower. As a kid, I was always outside. I would go out and dig up asparagus and replant it in our garden. I just loved the outdoors."

In fact, Kern's love of wildlife and conservation, particularly involving trees, was so great that when his parents refused to let him plant a few trees on their land, Kern bought his own plot.

"Al first, I just grew a few trees while I worked full-time doing carpentry and farming. Then when I was 27, I planted trees full-scale," he said.

When Kern began his endeavors, he didn't single out any one tree to plant. He planted a variety. There was one kind, however, which he eventually decided to zero in on - Christmas trees.

"It's interesting," he said, "people often ask me where I came up with the idea to plant Christmas trees. I say that I just started planting them."

For Kern, starting out in the 1940s was not smooth sailing because no "navigation charts" existed as a reference for growing Christmas trees. When Kern started in the Christmas tree business, it was a fledgling industry.

There was no information available to me, " Kern said. "I did everything by trial and error. At that time, there was no interest in conserving the land because no information was available to inform people of the importance of conservation. Now, everybody’s planting trees.

In addition to growing trees for a living, Kern also grows them on his homestead for recreation. One growing on his land, the Metasequoia or Dawn Redwood, was at one time thought to be extinct until several were found growing in China. Seeds from the trees reached the United States and were planted. The Ohio Forestry Department gave one of the original potted trees to Kern.

Another tree on Kern’s land is the Southern Bald Cypress, a deciduous conifer that is popular in Florida. In all, Kern owns 400 acres of woodland, all within a three-to-four-mile radius of his home in Fulton County. Broken down, the land is comprised of 260 acres of hardwoods, 100 acres of Christmas trees, and 40 acres of wildlife plantings. Kern also has created 15 ponds on his land. All this woodland requires a lot of upkeep. "I’m doing something on my land every day. There’s always something to do. I have no full-time help, and I enjoy doing the work myself."

As if keeping up with his work weren't enough, Kern is also involved in conservation and wildlife organizations. He's a member of the Audubon Society, Wildlife Society, National and International Wildlife Federations, Society of American Foresters, Nature Conservancy and American Forestry Association. He's also an avid traveler and has acquired an impressive art collection, including baskets, rugs, spears and pottery.

Regarding his travels out of the country, Kern said, "Other place are trying to get more and more into forestry. For example, Kenya, Africa, needs forestry management practices. Wood is so scarce that women travel 10 miles to find firewood. And in Nepal, everything is stripped."

Other trips, such as attending forestry and wildlife conferences, may not involve exotic locations, but they prove just as exciting and interesting to Kern. In fact, his overall interest and involvement in conservation issues has earned him the prestigious Chase S. Osborn Award and the lOOth Anniversary Award, both sponsored by Purdue University.

Kern states that he doesn't do what he does for the money or the fame. He does it for the land.

"I've been interested in conserving woodlands and wildlife all my life. Receiving the Charles Deam Forestry Stewardship Award meant a lot to me because I worshipped Charles Deam. I have all his books, and I've even been in his house," he said.