flowers' resolution
Ralph Flowers, bear damage control specialist, recently died following a short illness. Flowers had an encyclopedic knowledge and understanding of the American black bear, Ursus americanus, and applied that knowledge to better Pacific Northwest wildlife and forest management. Washington State Society of American Foresters recently approved a resolution honoring Ralph Flowers for his accomplishments; the resolution also directs WSSAF to induct Flowers as an honorary member. It is with the deepest honor that I transmit the resolution for implementation.
The original resolution directed that a suitable rendition of the resolution be presented to Mrs. Velma Flowers and that the resolution be forwarded to the Western Forester Office for publication.
RESOLUTION
Ralph Flowers, the Bear Man, died Easter Sunday, 2004, aged 75 years. The forestry profession has lost a quiet but irreplaceable resource. Flowers knew more about forests and the animals within them than most people will ever hope to know. His career as an animal damage control specialist spanned fifty years, taking bear damage control technology from leg-hold traps and hound hunting to a sophisticated damage identification system and targeted feeding program that nearly halted tree damage in targeted areas without lethal removal. The program is a model of forest and wildlife management, admired and studied worldwide by forest and wildlife managers.
Ralph was more than a woodsman. He authored three books; he was an artist, a carpenter, wood carver, taxidermist and more, all with a high school education and an insatiable thirst to learn. We are richer for having had Ralph among us; we are poorer for his departure. Those whose lives he touched will miss him, personally and professionally.
Therefore be it resolved: Washington State Society of American Foresters recognizes and honors Ralph Flowers for his contribution to Pacific Northwest forest and wildlife management.
Be it further resolved that Ralph Flowers is hereby inducted as an honorary member of the Washington State Society of American Foresters to honor this most humble and visionary man.
Unanimously adopted by WSSAF this 14th day of May, 2004 at Port Angeles, Washington.
Signed,
Peter Heide, Chair,
Washington State Society of American Foresters