In 1992 Rod Alexander got some devastating news. His lifelong hunting area in Arkansas had been sold as a lumber and pulp investment to a timber consortium. Rod knew this spelled the end for the large second- and third-growth trees that canopied Brandywine Island. Like any hunter who has been evicted from his lifelong area, Rod was depressed. But he clung to the hope that somehow, in the 11th hour, the timber carnage could be averted.

Within weeks, however, the cutting crews arrived and felled trees with reckless abandon. For three years the saws ran non-stop before fate dealt Rod a hole card. After years of haphazard cutting, the investors decided to look for a new cutting and shipping manager. Because Rod had a background in forestry, he applied for the job and got it. Immediately, his goal was to try to save the remaining big-woods timber while still meeting the required cutting quota.

"I had to meet a 20-million-board-foot yearly average, so I concentrated on cottonwood trees and I cut hardwoods sparingly," Rod said. "We were meeting goals, but I knew eventually I'd have to cut some of those bigger hardwoods."

In 1998 the island's owner, Paul Broadhead, sent word that he was coming to check on his investment. Rod decided to gamble on losing his job and the big trees he was trying to save by openly condemning the eventual devastation of such a pristine nature sanctuary.

"I stuck my hand and my neck out when we first met," said Rod. "I figured I could always get another job, but the island couldn't get over the loss of those big trees."

After introductions were made, Rod launched into the island's history and the fact that it was one of the last big tracts of Southern old-growth hardwood timber left in Arkansas. That being said, Mr. Broadhead requested a 30-minute tour of the property to assess what was being done. As they bounced along rutted logging roads, Rod pointed out numerous wildlife species and explained that it would be a shame to destroy this sanctuary because so many animals would have nowhere else to go.

A NEW DAY DAWNING
Mr. Broadhead said little more and left immediately for Florida. Rod assumed that his plea had failed and he expected to be dismissed. To his utter surprise, he received a phone call from the investment group wanting to know how he planned to initiate the proposal he'd made to Mr. Broadhead!

Stunned by the call, Rod asked what they meant. Rod was informed that he was now the full-time property manager. He was told that he should do whatever was necessary to preserve the island. Timber cutting would still continue, but Rod could fulfill the timber quotas in any way he deemed appropriate. He immediately began formulating a plan to cut in areas where tree removal would not detract from the island's ecology.

Rod's goal was to create some open areas for natural forest plants to regenerate. He also wanted to create some food plots to accommodate a larger spectrum of wildlife, and he wanted to make space for some limited agriculture. He knew his ideas were sound. But just to be safe he solicited help from fish and game biologists in Arkansas and Tennessee.

"Brandywine Island is 11,000 acres in size," Rod said. "Most of it lies within the boundaries of Arkansas, but slightly more than 2,000 acres are in Tennessee. I figured with both states cooperating, we might start managing for trophy deer and encourage the bordering areas to do the same."

Rod hoped that Mr. Broadhead would approve of his concept and come hunt whitetails on the property. He made that suggestion but found out that Mr. Broadhead didn't do much hunting. To Rod's surprise, he learned that Mrs. Broadhead had been on several African safaris to hunt the "big five," but she did not have much interest in whitetails. However, the Broadheads soon fell in love with the natural majesty of the island, and Mr. Broadhead occasionally made visits just to commune with nature. Rod was told that whatever he decided to do with the island's wildlife was strictly up to him.

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