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Redwood Logging Show

The 73rd Redwood Region Logging Conference kicked off on Thursday March 17th, at the Redwood Acres Fairgrounds in Eureka, Calif., amid a sea of yellow school buses that dropped off more than 1,300 local elementary school students for a day of discovery and adventure.

Education Day
During the annual “Education Day”, local forest industry professionals shed their office garb to act as guides for the student groups as they toured the conference viewing historic equipment displays, small scale sawmill demonstrations, wood carvers, and biological and wildlife presentations.

The Conference, which focuses on community education, presents a three-day program to North Coast residents, with the opportunity to take a look at the current state of the art in timber harvesting and processing. The event mixes the serious work of business with several social events, beginning with a Thursday Beer and Wine tasting.

Career Day
Friday features a career day and 240 high school students who got one on one time with a wide range of industry professional as they assess their vocational goals.

The annual Timberman’s Banquet filled the Arcata Community Center Friday night and the prime rib dinner and auction generated almost $75,000.00 for the conference education programs.

Record Numbers
Despite Saturday’s thundershowers, the local population bundled up showed up in record numbers. The overall feel was that the timber economy was finally beginning to move up, and the spirits of group were buoyed by the community support and attendance.

The 2012 Conference is scheduled for March 15 - 17 at the Redwood Empire Fairgrounds in Ukiah, Calif. Check out the West’s friendliest Forestry/Logging Conference at www.rrlc.net.