Sarah Bell is new Area Forester at Yellow River State Forest
New Forester at Yellow River State Forest ... New Area Forester Sarah Bell stands next to a huge, mature, perfect quality black walnut tree in Yellow River State Forest near Harpers Ferry. The tree is numbered and marked because it will be included in this year’s clearcut harvest. After candid discussion, the tree was included in this year’s cutting because it is at its ecologic and economic maturity, and leaving the tree would result in a clearcut full of baby walnut trees - an undesirable result when the goal for that location is oak regeneration. Photo by Kelli Boylen.
by Kelli Boylen
Sarah Bell is the new Area Forester at Yellow River State Forest near Harpers Ferry, and she’s excited to be here. “I’ve always been drawn to the Driftless. I feel lucky every morning driving down State Forest Road,” Bell shared.
Bell, a native of central Iowa, spent the past five years as a District Forester in northwest Iowa with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). In that role she worked with private land owners on forestry management. In this new role she leads the management of the nearly 9,000 acres of publicly owned land at Yellow River State Forest (YRSF).
“My job includes doing what is right for the forest as well as for those who own it - which is all of us,” she says.
The mission of the Iowa Bureau of Forestry is to help Iowans value, protect, expand and enjoy our trees, forests and prairies and the amenities they provide and to serve the people of Iowa by protecting their forest resources. Management of the forests and prairies of YRSF is not simple and there are multiple goals to consider (see sidebar article in shaded box on Page 7 of this same edition of The Standard). Bell says forest management tasks range from forest health to management of invasive species, and sustainable harvesting of trees to trail maintenance. “There is never a shortage of things to do,” she explained
The duties of the forestry team at YRSF, which includes Bell and three forestry technicians, varies by season. Bell says management decisions are very thought-through and researched, and take a number of things into consideration, including diversity. “We want a diversity of tree species and ages, but also diversity of wildlife, herbaceous species and even fungi.”
The woods and prairies of YRSF are home to a number of bird species including Cerulean Warblers, and even these birds are taken into consideration when decisions are made. The previous Forester, Bruce Blair, started managing some areas of the forest to reintroduce Ruffed Grouse, and Bell plans on continuing this work.
Along with uncommon bird species there are also a number of rare plant species in YRSF, including those that grow on Algific Talus Slopes. These areas have cold air vents connected to sink holes, and plants left over from the last ice age can still be found. Bell also noted other unique species in Allamakee County, including Canada plums, and unique species of milkweed that grow on the hill prairies.
To read the full article, pick up the Wednesday, July 29, 2026 print edition of The Standard or subscribe to our e-edition or print edition by clicking here.
