Association News

Ultimate Elk Hunt Auction for PFF

The Pacific Forest Foundation has just announced a once in a lifetime bull elk hunt, which will be auctioned off at the Pacific Logging Congress event, in Hawaii, held November 4-6, 2019.

The hunt includes:

• Hunting from September 1 – October 31, 2020
• Just you (and your friends) on 20,000 acres of Shasta Cascade Timberlands located 20 miles north of Burney, California
• one bull tag

This bull hunt has gone for between $20,000 and $40,000 in years past and the winner will be announced at the PLC Congress November 6. (You don’t need to be present to win.)

For more details and to bid visit www.pacificloggincongress.com.

Forest Owners in Washington Receive Regional Tree Farmer Award

The American Tree Farm System (ATFS) announced four tree farmer families from among more than 70,000 certified tree farmers as this year’s Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. 

The four families are (South) Stan and Suzanne Wood of Bremen, Alabama;  (NE) Bill and Tina Buckel of Bittinger, Maryland; (N. Central) Mike Trail of Columbia, Missouri; (West) David and Dar New of Bellingham, Washington. 

Representing the Western Region, David and Dar New are an incredible example of conservation for the greater ecosystem. Their 165-acre property, located in Snohomish County, Washington, was almost lost when an uncle passed away, and the land was put up for sale. Third-generation owners of the Nourse Tree Farm, David, Dar, and Dar’s mother, were fortunate to purchase the property, saving it from development. While they had no forestry background, they knew they wanted to care for this family legacy in a sustainable manner.

They immediately had a forest management plan created and began a decade long journey to learn about forest management. Early in their ownership, while on a family outing to the property, they noticed a run of Coho salmon that were stranded due to a destroyed tributary channel off the Pilchuck Creek. Working with a wildlife biologist and their local conservation district, the New family worked to restore the flow of the river by building a channel through a pasture field, installing large woody debris, and doing extensive planting along the riparian areas.

Today, they are able to walk the river in the fall and watch the salmon successfully navigate through the streams. In addition, the New family has harvested 65 acres of the over-mature red alder and replanted with alder, Douglas-fir, pine, and hemlock for diversity, added an extensive fruit orchard, and set up an LLC for the Tree Farm so that their children do not experience the same difficulties with succession planning.

Across the U.S., there are more than 21 million family forest owners. Collectively, these individuals care for the largest portion, more than one-third, of America’s forests.

Oregon Logging Conference Foundation Scholarships Awarded

Fourteen students who were selected to receive Oregon Logging Conference Foundation (OLCF) scholarships well represent the talent in the next generation of logging industry employees. These students will share $25,000 in scholarships to pursue acquiring the skills they need to keep the logging industry moving forward.

This year’s recipients are Ashely Backen, Dane Maben, Danie Virtue, Jeremiah McGuigan, Natalie Dumford, Kimberly Ortiz, Hannah Halla, Lace Anna Shiffert, Colton Smith, Alex Marshall, Tanner Trimble, Tyler Humeston, Trevor Sartnurak, and Owen Vredenburg. If you or someone you know would like to apply to receive an OLCF scholarship, visit the OLC website and download the scholarship application. Applications for next year will be accepted beginning December 1, 2019, and recipients will be selected April 1, 2020.