MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

1999 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Warren

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING DR. JOHN LAMBERT ON BEING NAMED MISSISSIPPI'S OUTSTANDING TREE FARMER OF THE YEAR.

WHEREAS, Dr. John Lambert of Covington County, Mississippi, owner of the Lambert tree farm in Sumrall, has been named Mississippi's Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lambert's interest in forestry began in 1955 when he took a course in forest management at Mississippi State University which taught him the importance of a well-thought-out management plan; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lambert's family began purchasing the current property for the tree farm in the 1920's, and between 1958 and 1983, Dr. Lambert added several tracts adjoining the original property; and

WHEREAS, Lambert's tree farm is made up of 750 acres of highly productive forestland in Covington County, 400 of which are old cotton fields planted in loblolly pine, and 350 of which are managed natural stands; and

WHEREAS, the land is composed of most stand types that are present in South Mississippi, including the mature longleaf pine, the loblolly pine, the shortleaf pine and the mixed hardwood stream bottoms; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lambert, a retired veterinarian, is actively involved on a daily basis in the farm's planning and operation and has kept a diary of all work done on the farm since it was certified as a tree farm and placed under a written management plan in 1958; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lambert's primary goals for the tree farm are to maximize economic return on investment, sustain forest production, replicate native longleaf pine ecosystem, restore wildlife and wildflower habitat and protect the soil and water quality; and

WHEREAS, in addition to those goals, Dr. Lambert adds the desire for a strict accounting of all activity on the farm and minimum damage to the soil, water and standing timber; and

WHEREAS, over the years, numerous timber sales, which have done little damage to residual stands, have yielded forest products including poles, sawtimber and chip-n-saw; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lambert is currently working with the Nature Conservancy in replicating a longleaf pine ecosystem on the property; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Lambert believes that maximum return from the tree farm can happen alongside careful stewardship of the environment; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the Legislature to recognize and pay special tribute to outstanding Mississippians such as Dr. John Lambert, whose family has strived for good forest and wildlife management and benign treatment of the land:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE SENATE CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Dr. John Lambert on being named Mississippi's Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year and extend our heartiest wishes to him for success in all his future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Dr. John Lambert, the Lambert tree farm and members of the Capitol Press Corps.