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Oregon Logging Conference -
Keynote Speaker
Selected Topics from This
Conference
Seminars, Panels and Events
Keynote Speaker
Hello, Mr. President. . .
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Jim Peterson, Founder &
Editor of Evergreen Magazine |
By Sherrie Bond
"If the President Calls, Do
you Hang Up?" That's the question that this year's Keynote Speaker, Jim
Petersen, poses to the membership. Most likely there are a few in attendance who
would say 'yes'. Others would stammer a "well, no" (but would not want
to be the recipient of that call) and those few, like Petersen, who would,
without hesitation, pick up the phone and say, "Yes Sir, how can I help
you"!
Petersen is the founder and editor
of Evergreen Magazine, a periodical publication of the non-profit organization
Evergreen Foundation where he serves as executive director. According to
Petersen, "The Foundation's sole mission is to help advance public
understanding and support for science-based forestry and forest policy,
principally through the pages of Evergreen, one of the most widely read and
respected forestry magazines in North America."
Financial support for the
publication comes from Foundation members and grants made by public and private
non-profit organizations sharing the Foundation's commitment. Renowned for his
dedication to the industry and his efforts with grassroots groups throughout
America, Jim Petersen is a respected representative of all that is
"right" in timber communities. His activism and public service have
earned him countless awards; among them the 1991 American Forest & Paper
Assn. Best Forestry Public Relations Program in the Nation achievement, Whistle
Punk of the Year (1994), Southern Oregon Timber Industries Assn. and Outstanding
Forestry Activist, Forest Resources Assoc., western division, 2000.
His background in journalism and
public relations have aided in serving the needs of many clients in natural
resource based industries. His selfless willingness to takethe- point in
addressing local, state and federal government officials has given a leg-up for
thousands of timber workers across the nation bringing attention to their
plight. He has been tenacious in his efforts. Jim and his wife, Kathleen, live
in Bigfork, Mont. where she manages the Evergreen Foundation office and Jim
concentrates on research, writing and fund raising efforts.
When addressing his keynote topic,
Petersen is quick to point out that President George W. Bush is only the second
President in history to make the connection between healthy forests and healthy
communities. The first was Theodore Roosevelt, architect of America's national
forest system. "President Roosevelt did it in a March 1903 speech at a
Society of American Foresters meeting in Washington, D.C. President Bush did it
last August during a tour of southern Oregon wildfires." states Petersen.
"While touring the fire lines he also unveiled his Healthy Forests
Initiative, a sweeping proposal for modernizing environmental laws that no
longer serve their original good intent.
"Many believe this Initiative
offers the West's economically devastated timber communities their last, best
hope for ending political and legal gridlock in federal forests. "While I
agree with this assessment, it is equally clear that the regulatory reforms the
President is proposing will also lead to significant environmental gains on
public and private forestlands all across the nation." Many of the
President's proposals have seen the light of day since his survey of Oregon's
devastated, fire ravaged acreage last summer. Naturally they have been met with
opposition from environmental organizations that have made it their sole
objective the past decade or so to throw roadblocks and obstacles into the path
of well-maintained sustainable yielding timberlands.
"The President's Initiative
will no doubt, be hotly debated by members of Congress, the press and
environmental groups" says Peterson. Its passage depends totally on our
ability to marshal the persuasive powers of hundreds of grass roots coalitions
that link rural and urban groups - and share a deeply felt concern for the
future of forestry and forest conservation in America." This is a momentous
undertaking. The question is, will rural communities, local and state
governments, forest landowners, sportsmen and women rally around the President's
Initiative - or will they allow urban elitists and the conflict industry to
continue to act in ways that endanger forests and communities?" Stated in
the simplest of terms, "If the President calls, do you hang up?"
Jim Petersen's keynote address
promises to be provocative and stimulating. He, like a few other grassroots
champions, is not one to "talk-the talk" and take no action. Jim
Petersen is a man who has proven himself to be a leader among men, the kind of
guy who will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with timber workers across the land in a
fight for the health and sustainability of our forests and our timber
communities alike. Don't miss this exciting address, Thursday, February 20, 2003
in the Wheeler Pavilion following the President's Message by Bill Will.
TW
The 65th Annual Oregon Logging Conference and
Equipment Show was held February 19, 20, 21 and 22, 2003 in Eugene, Oregon.
Over 500 exhibitors offered attendees a look at
their newest equipment.
Industry professionals also had the opportunity
to attend educational seminars with credits awarded toward Professional Logger
Certification. Credits were awarded by: Oregon Professional Logger Washington
Contract Loggers Accredited Logging Professional Montana Accredited Logging
Professionals California Professional Logger Idaho Professional Logger
If you would like a copy of the TimberWest
Oregon Logging Conference Official Show Guide, please contact
timberwest@forestnet.com or
mail $4.00 (USD) to OLC Guide TimberWest Magazine P.O. Box 610 Edmonds, WA 98020
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