CAMP VERMILION FOREST MANAGEMENT
We are called to care for God’s great Northwoods. The land we work with an on is a gift and we use our resources to the best of our ability to maintain it. We also know that place is important and each one of us connects with our camps in unique ways.
Part of our responsibility is to make sure the forest where we worship, play, and sing in is safe and will be here for generations. The information below outlines the continued work we are doing to care for God’s great Northwoods.
HISTORY
A Brief History of the Camp Vermilion Woodland Management Efforts
From the Ojibwe that first lived on these shores until now, there has been a delicate balance between living on the land and preserving it for future generations. In the 20s through the 50s the Deubendorfs knew this. Later in the 60s and 70s after the Bakks became the first Lutheran Camp directors, faith was expressed through the care of the land, as well as through God’s mission with children. Many of the structures on camp were built with logs harvested form the property. Logging was combined with good management; replanting and thinning as needed. The “Tall Pines” on the drive in to camp were planted by the Bakk family and volunteers in the 70s to help reestablish a healthy forest at camp.
Since the mid-1990s, VLM has been working with the NRCS and the MNDNR to manage our 355 acres of God’s great Northwoods at Camp Vermilion. Over the years, the constant monitoring, clearing, thinning, planting and management of our forest, have played an important role in our efforts to maintain a healthy and regenerative forest. We are also working hard to maintain safe access and evacuation (if needed) to the expansive and wonderous property.
Most notably, there have been two recent, major, logging periods:
In the late 1990s, there was a major clear cut of 36 acres to the south of the entry road to deal with fire danger and encourage regrowth. You can see that area to your left as you drive into the camp. This was followed in the Autumn of 2000, by the development of a Woodland Stewardship Plan by Julie Miedkte a Univ. of Minnesota Extension Educator out of Grand Rapids and in conjunction with Marge Sella, District Conservationist for USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in northern St. Louis and Itasca Counties.
This plan laid out the following action steps:
20 acres of lake shoreline E/SE of hamburger hill trail to lot end near primitives needs storm damage cleanup, removal of over mature trees and maintenance for new overstory that consists of white pine, birch, aspen and balsam fir.
27 acres around buildings- reduce fire load by eliminating dense balsam fir and manage for growth of red and white pine.
53 acres aspen stands- campground area and south of driveway before the swamp, manage area for wildlife and lower fire risk by clear cutting patches and removing balsam fir.
·11 acres red pine stands near Treetop Village and along entrance road- planted areas ready to thin (up to 1/3) to promote healthy growth, new seedlings, and prevent massive die-offs in the future. Also reduce fire risk by eliminating balsam fir.
16 acres Anishinaabe Ridge remove dead and hazard trees along with mature aspen to keep area in pristine state and to encourage use as a camp/program site.
·20 acres red pine stand on southern tip (near gravel pit) - thin out in 10 years, remove balsam fir to encourage healthy forest.
·36 acres (late 1990’s clear cut)- eliminate grasses with herbicide and replant with spruce or other appropriate conifers.
Other stands were identified as in good health, reserve for wildlife, and reevaluate health in 15-30 years depending on forest type.
Then in March of 2008, VLM addressed items #2 and #3 in Julie’s plan. We needed to remove Balsam trees from the Maintenance Shop area down through the Travois Hill Campground all the way north to the Bakk House and east to Hamburger Hill. The Balsam in this area had contracted “Bud Worm”, an infestation that eats the trees from the inside out. Basically, the camp had a thick covering of hollow, dying trees. Removing the trees eliminated some major fire risk and replanting with stronger pines provided for the future health of the trees. Battle Creek Middle School from St. Paul, Rural Living Environments in Babbit, and plenty of volunteers and staff, spent two summers planting 9,000 red and white pine trees on the area. The trees were “bud capped” every winter over the next decade to keep the deer off the top (terminal) bud. Now the 8” seedlings are 8’ tall and safe from browse. Because of these efforts, we have a 90% survival rate of these trees and within the next decade, will have tall healthy stands of the next generation of God’s great Northwoods.
Autumn of 2019, after the success of the first stages of thinning and replanting, and after a plan revision that was developed by Beth Kleinke, District Forester with St. Louis Soil and Water Conservation District and Kyle Asplund, NRCS Conservation Technician, and with approval from the VLM Board of Directors, we have begun to move forward with the next steps in managing the forest in which we do ministry.
We are excited for this next step in our forest management. If you have more questions, or would like to volunteer to be part of the work, please contact us.
SUMMARY OF WORK 2019–2020
Though we can’t be with you in person right now, our staff are eager to help you promote summer camp for 2021. We hope the following resources are helpful, and perhaps provide pulpit supply and/or a much-needed rest from your new editing and producing skills! (links below are for YouTube videos)
#1—Camp Drive “Tall Pines” Work to be done in mid October 7 Acres
Health of Trees: The tall Red Pines that the Bakk Family planted in the 70s will be thinned to reduce the basal area by approximately one third. This will reduce competition and give more space for growth.
Fire Mitigation: Cut all understory balsam fir (Bud Worm potential) and white spruce (ladder fuels).
#2—Pine West Work to be done in mid October 3 Acres
Health of Trees: The Bakk’s tall red pines along the two track road out to the Tree Tops camper cabins will be thinned to reduce the basal area by approximately one third. This will reduce competition and give more space for growth.
Fire Mitigation: Remove understory balsam fir (Bud Worm potential).
#3—Shoreline clean up and seedlings Work to be started in 2020. 20 Acres
Storm Clean up and Safety: Along the shore line between the Boat House and the Primitives camp site, we will be cutting hazard birch trees, especially near cabins and trails, to reduce the risk of damage or injury to visitors. We will also re-establish a safe path to the Primitive campsite.
Health of Trees: Release the scrub trees and brush around base of white pine seedlings planted in this area to promote growth.
Fire Mitigation: Cut understory balsam fir to reduce the wildfire risk.
Planting: Plant shoreline Cedar trees to replace natural loss and stabilize the shoreline.
#4 Aspen Grove South of Entry Drive Work to be done in Winter 2019/2020 24 Acres
Description of Work: Cut all aspen to create an early successional aspen stand that will improve and sustain forest health and productivity. The grove will be developed to Improve wildlife habitat and forage, specifically the Golden Warbler who needs both young trees and mature trees for its mating and nesting habits. Reserve other tree species and neighboring aspen for habitat.
Fire Mitigation: Remove understory balsam fir (Bud Worm potential).
#5—Southern Pines and Ridge Work to be done in Winter 2019/2020
11 Acres around Anishinaabe Ridge campsite area, 20 Acres near southern tip of property.
Health of Trees: Thin mature pines and remove aspen and poor quality hardwoods. Thin/prune mature red pine plantation harvest all jack pine, spruce and balsam fir.
Access to property: The staff are working with the loggers to establish a trail to the ridge area that will allow us to gain access to the southern arm of the property. This access will be used for overnight programs on Anishinaabe Ridge and for outdoor education near the Heron Rookery pond to its east.
#6—Spruce Swamp Work to be done in Winter 2019/2020 34 Acres
Health of Trees: Black Spruce in swamp should be clear cut to allow for healthy regeneration.
PRE-WORK VIDEOS
Fire Wise – a discussion about Balsam and Ladder Fuels
Tall Pines and Cabins – what it means to be safe and healthy.
Fire Road Plantings – making room for safe evacuation and balanced habitat.
QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE
-
This fall and winter (2019), you will notice less trees, especially to the south (your left) as you drive into camp. Most of this will be due to the removal of the thick older Balsam trees that are ladder fuels for forest fire. Next spring, after the aspens and spring shoots come in, the ground cover will begin to grow back and the forest will begin its cycle again.
You will also notice some removal of the “Tall Pines” when you come into camp. We have spent a lot of time talking with the agency reps and the logger regarding this section along with the “Tall Pines” on the way to the Tree Top youth cabins. These pine stands are part of the charm of camp and have a deep connection with many of us.
The stand is tall but because the more mature pines are so close together, there is completion for growth and the trees rub up against each other too often. This causes avenues for pests and disease. As per the plan, approximately 1/3 of the trees will be coming out of this area. This will allow the remaining majority of the trees to grow both in girth and height as there will be much less competition for growth.
-
Initially yes, however, much less than there was in 2008/9. The Timber company we are working with is doing its best to limit the impact of the work, however, as with any forest management work, there will be disturbance. In addition to making sure there are limited lines of sight during the operations, we are also pre selecting a lot of the trees to be felled.
-
At this time, the only plan for new seedlings will be cedar plantings along the shoreline between the Priest house and the Primitives Campsite. With this year’s effort, we are mostly concerned with removing competition for the improved health of the overall forest. There is a potential for additional tree planting to happen at a later time.
-
In an effort to remove any ground and ladder fuels, anything that remains will be gathered and chipped as part of a EQUIP grant through the NRCS. This grant will pay for any work the VLM does for the clean up process.
-
They will become a mixture of forest products and support local industry.
The big pine sawlogs will be going to Hedstrom Lumber in Grand Marais.
The medium pine logs will be going to Savanna Pallet in McGregor.
The small saw bolts are going to PotlatchDeltic in Bemidji.
Aspen going to Louisiana Pacific in Two Harbors to make siding.
The Spruce and balsam fir pulp going to UPM Blandin in Grand Rapids and Verso Paper in Duluth.
Other woodchips going to Laurentian Energy in Hibbing.
The income that VLM will receive from this sale will be used for operations, debt paydown or otherwise board directed.
SPRING UPDATE 2020
(Videos Added June 2020)
Click on the titles below for a video update on the work from our Executive Director
The Woods That Welcome All (Area #1) The Tall Pines - The tall pines along the entry road that welcome every road weary traveler to Camp Vermilion were planted 50 years ago by staff and volunteers. Though they tower above us, their girth is a little thin. Efforts to thin the stand along with clearing out the thick “fire ladder” balsam have increased their longevity and safety. We have also been planting the next generation of camp “greeters”.
Tall Pines in the Tree Tops (Area #2) - As part of VLM’s Camp Vermilion Forest Management plan, we are working to thin and strengthen our white and red pine sentinels around camp. The hike up to the Tree Tops cabins is one of those areas.
They Grow Up So Fast (Behind Shop and Nature Center) - In 2007-2009 VLM staff and volunteers, including many students from Battle Creek Middle School in St Paul, planted 9,000 red and white pine seedlings as part of the Camp Vermilion Forest Management plan. The trees are off and running and are beginning to tower over those Aspen cover.
Golden Warblers in the Golden Aspen (Area #4) - Part of our Camp Vermilion Forest Management Plan will help establish Golden Warbler habitat in our aspen groves along the entry road into camp.
Looking North to Lake Vermilion…And the Future (Below Voyageur Lodge) - The Camp Vermilion Forest Management Plan is nurturing the next generation of sentinel pines on our hillside. Looking toward the lake from the deck of Voyageur Lodge, the hillside cabins and past the main campfire pit, gives a view of future ministry in the tall pines.
