Randy:

     Good work. Looks like the project is rolling. I regret to say that I won't be able to attend due to my dear wife's medical condition. Will Blozan is the president of ENTS and therefore the official ENTS voice for this project. However, I'll provide preliminary input on some of the questions to help get the ball rolling.

Question: What are their credentials?
Answer: In terms of tree measuring, ENTS credentials and accomplishments speak for themselves. The folks at the Plantation are invited to visit the ENTS website at www.nativetreesociety.org . As evidence of ENTS's broad acceptance, we cite the following:

1. ENTS has a special research permit from the GSMNP to measure and document forests there in a research capacity. The value of ENTS input is recognized by the Park.

2. ENTS offers periodic workshops for tree measurers. The workshops are co-sponsored by Cook Forest State Park, PA, and Mohawk Trail State Forest, MA.

3. ENTS is a principal co-sponsor of old growth forest conferences that are attended by many prestigious colleges and environmental and forestry organizations. Specific conferences can be listed if desired.

4. ENTS is currently developing a guide for measuring champion trees for the champion tree program for the state of Georgia.

5. ENTS is a forest research partner of the Forest Stewards Guild.

The qualifications of the two principal designers for the proposed project follow:

            Dr. Bob Van Pelt at the University of Washington is one of the foremost scientists in the world studying and mapping forest canopies and determining tree volumes. In addition, Dr. Van Pelt is an author and the coordinator of the champion tree program for the state of Washington.

Will Blozan, the ENTS president is a certified arborist and former science technican with the GSMNP. Will has a widely recognized reputation as a tree measurer. He has been featured in articles, on T.V., and on radio. Will is a co-author of "Stalking The Forest Monarchs - A Guide To Measuring Champion Trees". He has climbed and measured the tallest or among the tallest trees in South Carolina, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire.

A sample of the credentials and accomplishments of other ENTS members are offered to put the organization into perspective.

Dr. Lee Frelich, the ENTS VP, is the Director of the Center for Hardwood Ecology at the University of Minnesota. Dr. Frelich is ENTS's principal research scientist and is presently developing the protocal for an eastern-wide study of maximum growth potential for selected species.

Dr. David Stahle, an ENTS co-founder, is the Director of the Tree Ring Laboratory at the University of Arkansas.

Dr. Tom Diggins is the principal research scientist studying Zoar Valley old growth in NY.

Professor Gary Beluzo is one of two individuals responsible for the old growth inventory, mapping, and documentation for DCR in Massachusetts. Robert Leverett is the other.

Dale Luthringer, the naturalist and educational director for Cook Forest State Park, PA, runs the ENTS workshop for tree measuring.

Colby Rucker and Robert Leverett are members of a select committee of American Forests to study and revise rules for measuring champion trees.

I'll stop at this point, but the list can be expanded if need be.

Question: Is this strictly a nonprofit venture?
Answer: Yes. ENTS is an nonprofit organization with 501c3 status through the parent organization Friends of Mohawk Trail State Forest.

Question: What about our own scientists?
Answer: BVP is the most important scientist for this project and he is a lifetime honorary member of ENTS. It would be splendid if other scientists could join the effort. Lee Frelich and Tom Diggins would be welcome additions. There are other scientists on the list including Charlie Cogbill, David Stahle, Neil Pederson, Larry Winship, Alan White, to name a few. They'll have to speak for themselves. However, BVP is the key individual for the particular project at hand. Canopy mapping research is not only what Bob does, but what he pioneers.