I Am Conservation

Allan Appell has been committed to forest management on his land in Henry County for four decades. This commitment led to being named Missouri State Tree Farmer of the Year in 2000, and it earned him a second nomination in 2012. That 2012 nomination by Department forestry staff described him this way: “Mr. Appell is refreshing to work with as a tree farmer because of his enthusiasm. Even at 87 years old, he keeps forestry staff on their toes with all the work he wants to do on his property.” Appell does much of the management work himself with just the help of one hired hand. “I’d worked in an office most of my life, and I would come down here on weekends and be out in the open,” said Appell. “I love being out in the open.” Since becoming a Certified Tree Farmer in 1975, Appell has completed over 200 acres of timber stand improvement and has planted more than 25 acres of trees. He’s also committed to habitat diversity and is currently restoring two glades and two savannas for better quail habitat. “The thing I’m most proud of now is the 60 acres we have restored to native prairie grass,” said Appell. He is also an ambassador for the Tree Farm Program and Forest Management, frequently hosting tours of his farm for local school kids, and has traveled throughout the country and around the world promoting forest management. —photograph by David Stonner