Katie and Steve Kohl

In the night sky, Sirius is the brightest star. For 2024, Sirius Woods, Steve and Katie Kohl’s 42 acres near McDowell Creek Falls, will shine brightly. The Kohls have been named Linn County Small Woodlands Association (LCSWA) tree farmers of the year. They will host a gathering of fellow woodland owners on a September Saturday yet be determined. The couple has actively nurtured the property for 33 years, working with Oregon Department of Forestry staffers to create wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities and maintain old-growth timber. …The Kohls are both OSU Extension Service master woodlands managers. They have advised other forest owners on their projects for the past two decades. …The Kohls exemplify woodland owners who choose a variety of goals relating to their property, said Mike Barsotti, LCSWA president. The Kohls and other honorees will be spotlighted in the fall at a ceremony at the Oregon Gardens in Silverton.