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Association News

Intermountain Logging Conference

The 75th annual Intermountain Logging Conference was held April 11-13 in Spokane Valley.

As always, there was a host of panels and talks covering everything from finance to getting more youth into the industry and building a “kick-ass crew”. One of the highlights of this year’s conference was keynote speaker, Bobby Goodson, of Goodson’s All Terrain Logging Inc. You might know him better as Swamp Logger, the logging show that airs on the Discovery Channel. He talked about the unique aspects of operating in the swamps of North Carolina.

Outside there was a variety of equipment on display, including Komatsu, Quadco, John Deere, Takeuchi, Wood-Mizer, McCoy Freightliner, Kobelco, New Tec, Link-Belt, Tigercat, Caterpillar, Log Max, Pierce Pacific, and more.

Olympic Logging Conference

Approximately 275 people, from both the public and private sectors, attended the 68th annual Olympic Logging Conference held in Victoria, B.C. This year, one of the high profile speakers was Patrick Moore, known as The Sensible Environmentalist. Many are familiar with his history — he’s a co-founder of Greenpeace. Today he is committed to finding solutions and a balance between people’s needs and the protection of the environment. Other speakers included Peter Goldmark, Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands and Julian Session, University Distinguished Professor of Forestry at the University of Washington, who spoke about bio-fuel.

In addition to panels, reports, speakers, and the annual dinner and silent auction, attendees enjoyed golfing and the Adrenaline Zip Line!

Woodyard Safety Video

The Minnesota Timber Producers Association, with funding from the National Timber Harvesting and Transportation Safety Foundation, has developed woodyard safety recommendations and a video-based training program to promote them. The 10-minute Woodyard Safety Video, available from the Forest Resources Association, can serve as the basis for a one-hour orientation session, ideally for a combined group of woodyard personnel and the trucking operators who deliver to the woodyard.

The DVD and Guide are available at a cost of $50 to members of these organizations and FRA members. The non-member cost is $100. A discounted price of $25 per video ($50 for non-members) is available for orders of 10 or more.

American Loggers Council Visits Capitol Hill

As part of their effort to educate lawmakers and federal agency personnel on the key issues important to professional timber harvesters across the U.S., more than 50 representatives from the American Loggers Council and supporters traveled to Washington, D.C. April 11-13 to meet with their representatives and various agencies to discuss those issues.

Included in the meetings were representatives from ALC sponsors Caterpillar, John Deere, and the Southern Loggers Cooperative.

Agendas were full during the three-day period, with ALC members making 108 visits to the Hill as well as meeting with the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Transportation. Some of the members also attended a timely hearing at the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation where three bills were introduced that would have beneficial impacts on the manner in which the National Forest System is being managed.

Deming Logging Show celebrates 50 Years

Left: Logger competing in the Wrapper Throwing event.

Right: Deming Log Shows’ honors the past Bulls of the Woods. This year’s Bull of the Woods was
Gary “Quack” Vandyk.