I t is critical now, more than ever, that elected officials understand the issues that keep healthy forests growing and mills running. Recently, each AFA member received a letter from me asking you to make a voluntarily contribution to the Forest Express Political Action Committee (PAC) and help us elect well-qualified candidates that understand our issues and champion our positions. A strong PAC will increase forestry’s voice and influence in the political process. The 2014 election season is generating a lot of interest and activity, with good reason. Those elected will be faced with important, tough decisions about issues that affect the forestry community. The Forest Express PAC provides a way for us to financially support candidates for state-level office. PAC contributions may also support campaigns for or against Constitutional amendments, initiated actions, recall petitions or any other kind of ballot measure. Before AFA endorses anyone or releases PAC funds, the Government Affairs Committee vets candidates according to their understanding of and positions on forestry-related issues. This review is then April/May 2014 West Fraser acquires Arkansas mills PAC strengthens political voice Max Braswell AFA Executive Vice President W est Fraser is growing its lumber business in the U.S. South and in western Canada. The company has entered into an agreement to acquire the Bibler Brothers Lumber sawmill and lumber manufacturing operations located in Russellville and also announced the successful completion of the acquisition of Buchanan Lumber sawmill located in High Prairie, Alberta. The Arkansas-based Bibler Brothers Lumber sawmill produced approximately 136 million board feet of lumber in 2013 and in excess of 160 million board feet in 2005. Russellville is located in western Arkansas and is approximately 80 miles from Travis Lumber, in Mansfield, which West Fraser recently acquired. Completion of the Bibler Brothers Lumber acquisition is subject to satisfaction of certain conditions which are expected to be satisfied before the end of April. Once completed, West Fraser will own four sawmills in Arkansas as well as sawmills in neighbouring Texas and Louisiana. “We are pleased to be growing and welcoming new employees to West Fraser in the U.S. South and in western Canada,” said West Fraser’s President and CEO Ted Seraphim. “We expect that these acquisitions will enhance our current operations in Alberta and Arkansas and will further position West Fraser to take advantage of the expected strengthening of our lumber markets.” West Fraser is an integrated wood products company producing lumber, wood chips, LVL, MDF, plywood, pulp and newsprint. The company has operations in western Canada and the U.S. South. In 2011, Gilbert Travis (right) led Congressional staff members and conservation partners on a tour of Travis Lumber, in Mansfield. Bibler Bros. Lumber, in Russellville, has hosted numerous tours for AFA groups. Save the date! See PAC on back page
Transcript
It is critical now, more than ever,
that elected officials understand the issues that keep healthy forests growing and mills running. Recently, each AFA member received a letter from me asking you to make a voluntarily contribution to the Forest Express
Political Action Committee (PAC) and help us elect well-qualified candidates that understand our issues and champion our positions. A strong PAC will increase forestry’s voice and influence in the political process.
The 2014 election season is generating a lot of interest and activity, with good reason. Those elected will be faced with important, tough decisions about issues that affect the forestry community. The Forest Express PAC provides a way for us to financially support candidates for state-level office. PAC contributions may also support campaigns for or against Constitutional amendments, initiated actions, recall petitions or any other kind of ballot measure.
Before AFA endorses anyone or releases PAC funds, the Government Affairs Committee vets candidates according to their understanding of and positions on forestry-related issues. This review is then
April/May 2014
West Fraser acquires Arkansas millsPAC strengthens political voice
Max BraswellAFA Executive Vice President
West Fraser is growing its lumber business in the U.S. South and
in western Canada. The company has entered into an agreement to acquire the Bibler Brothers Lumber sawmill and lumber manufacturing operations located in Russellville and also announced the successful completion of the acquisition of Buchanan Lumber sawmill located in High Prairie, Alberta.
The Arkansas-based Bibler Brothers Lumber sawmill produced approximately 136 million board feet of lumber in 2013 and in excess of 160 million board feet in 2005. Russellville is located in western Arkansas and is approximately 80 miles from Travis Lumber, in Mansfield, which West Fraser recently acquired. Completion of the Bibler Brothers Lumber acquisition is subject to satisfaction of certain conditions which are expected to be satisfied before the end of April. Once completed, West Fraser will own four sawmills in Arkansas as well as sawmills in neighbouring Texas and Louisiana.
“We are pleased to be growing and welcoming new employees to West Fraser in the U.S. South and in western Canada,” said West Fraser’s President and CEO Ted Seraphim. “We expect that these acquisitions will enhance our current operations in Alberta and Arkansas and will further position West Fraser to take advantage of the expected strengthening of our lumber markets.”
West Fraser is an integrated wood products company producing lumber, wood chips, LVL, MDF, plywood, pulp and newsprint. The company has operations in western Canada and the U.S. South.
In 2011, Gilbert Travis (right) led Congressional staff members and conservation partners on a tour of Travis Lumber, in Mansfield.
Bibler Bros. Lumber, in Russellville, has hosted numerous tours for AFA groups.
Save the date!
See PAC on back page
CALENDAR
May 1-2AFA Board of Directors
DeGray Lake Resort
May 6-7Wildlife Habitat Restoration on
Private LandsSearcy
May 7Program Committee10 a.m. - AFA Office
May 12Central Arkansas Log A Load For Kids
Golf TournamentHarbor Oaks, Pine Bluff
May 16-17Crossett Forestry Field Day
Crossett Experimental Forest
June 12South Central Log A Load For Kids
Golf TournamentDeGray Lake, Bismarck
June 14
South Central Log A Load For KidsFeaster Park, Arkadelphia
June 17Forest Practices Committee
9:30 a.m. - AFA Office
June 23-27Teacher Conservation Tour
Russellville
August 2Drew County Log A Load For Kids
UA Monticello, Monticello
September 13River Valley Log A Load For Kids
L.V. Williamson Boys and Girls ClubRussellvillle
September 23-2569th AFA Annual Meeting
Arlington Resort Hotel and SpaHot Springs
Crosset Field Day set for May 16-17The Arkansas Forest Resources Center,
in conjunction with the University of Arkansas at Monticello School of Forest Resources and U.S. Forest Service Southern Research Station, will host the 21st Crossett Forestry Field Day May 16-17 at the historic Crossett Experimental Station in Ashley County.
The event provides foresters and landowners with information on the latest goods and services related to the timber industry, as well as workshops on a variety of topics.
Foresters can attend a workshop on May 16 that will provide professional training on the growth and yield of naturally regenerated pine forests, management alternatives, biomass and bioenergy, and new opportunities for carbon contracts and other ecosystem services. Registration starts at noon at the Crossett Experimental Forest office at 4472 Highway 133 South. There is a $15 registration fee.
The workshop offers four credits of continuing forestry education for those attending the entire program. A catered
dinner will be provided.
On May 17, timberland owners can attend a landowner’s workshop. Registration begins at 8 a.m. and the event starts at 9 a.m. There is a $10 fee for those who register in advance; it will be $20 at the door. This workshop will focus on a variety of topics and is geared toward helping non-professionals develop a better understanding of the multiple opportunities and options available for the management of their pine-dominated forests. It includes refreshments and a catered lunch but no CFE credits. There will be no refunds for cancellations after April 25.
Both workshops are limited to the first 100 registrants, so preregistration is encouraged.
An agenda and registration materials are available online at goo.gl/NoMMuv.
For more information or to receive a registration form via mail or email, please contact Dr. Matt Pelkki, [email protected] or (870) 460-1949, or Dr. Don Bragg, [email protected] or (870) 367-3464.
The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture’s Southwest Research
and Extension Center in Hope is hosting a Forestry Workshop and Field Day on Thursday, May 1, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
This event is designed to train forestland owners to recognize some of the more common health problems affecting forests and urban trees.
For more information, contact Dr. Jon Barry by phone at (870) 777-9702, Ext. 112 or e-mail at [email protected]. Registration
forms and updates are available online at swrec.uark.edu/index.htm.
The following topics will be addressed:• Environmental Stresses• Pests and Diseases of Pines• Pests and Disease of Hardwoods• Field Pest and Disease Field Tour• Urban Tree Stress and Care • Urban Forestry Partnership
Coordinator
Lunch and handouts will be provided for those who register by the deadline.
Hope workshop and field day May 1
Wildlife habitat conference May 6-7The Wildlife Habitat Restoration on Private
Lands Conference, a two-day event scheduled for May 6-7 at Harding University in Search, brings together professionals from many agencies and organizations dedicated to habitat restoration on private lands. It is intended to improve communications among and between agencies and organizations, offer cross-training about private lands programs, share landowner success stories, learn about
successful on-the-ground techniques, and provide updates about farm bill programs and other information of relevance to those working with private landowners.
For more information about registration, contact Debbie Moreland at (501) 682-2915 or (501) 425-2891, or e-mail at [email protected]. The conference website is uaex.edu/environment-nature/wildlife/conferences/.
Member news...>> The Campbell Group, a full-service timberland investment firm, has changed its name to Campbell Global. The name change affirms the company’s core values while reflecting its global expertise.
“For more than three decades, The Campbell Group has been a leader in timberland investment management,” said John Gilleland, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman. “We are expanding our global reach and offering additional expertise and analysis, while maintaining the strongest commitment to our existing clients, partners, and assets.”
Campbell Global manages more than 3.1 million acres across the west and south of the United States and in South Australia, representing approximately $6.3 billion in assets. The firm has over 300 employees.
>> F&W Forestry Services, Inc., a forestry management and consulting firm, has restructured its Southwest Gulf operations with the establishment of a new office in Texarkana, Texas. The changes also include closure of its branch office at DeQueen, Ark., and appointment of two new regional managers. Marshall Thomas, F&W president, said the new Texarkana office will better position the company to serve private landowners in East Texas and Northwest Louisiana while still continuing to serve clients in West Arkansas and Southeast Oklahoma. Thomas also announced closure of the DeQueen office. Randy Jarzyniecki, who was previously based at F&W’s LaFayette, Ala., office, has been promoted to regional manager of the new Texarkana office. As part of the change, Thomas announced that Brent Williamson has been promoted to the position of manager of the El Dorado office.
Log A Load kicks off 21st campaign
Arkansas Children’s Hospital Emergency Department Area Manager Bob Barrett explains the features of the decontamination space in the Log A Load For Kids of Arkansas Emergency Department in the South Wing.
On April 1, Arkansas Log A Load For Kids volunteers kicked off the 2014
campaign at Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH). Since 1993, loggers and members of the forestry community have raised more than $6.85 million for ACH at events throughout the state. In 2013, the group raised a record $500,000.
During the meeting, the group heard from ACH President and CEO Marcy Doderer; Katie Lea, Vice President, Patient Care Administration; and Jon and Holly Hamilton, whose son Trusten recently received a new heart at ACH. Learn more about Trusten’s story on Facebook at facebook.com/TrustingGodWithTrustensHeart.
Hospital tours included the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Angel One Transport and the Log A Load For Kids of Arkansas Emergency Department. See pictures from the kickoff online at flickr.com/photos/arkforests. Log A Load For Kids Calendar May 12Central Arkansas Golf TournamentHarbor Oaks, Pine Bluff June 12South Central Golf TournamentDeGray Lake, Bismarck June 14South CentralFeaster Park, Arkadelphia August 2Drew CountyUA Monticello, Monticello September 13River ValleyL.V. Williamson Boys and Girls Club, Russellville September 27Bradley CountyCommunity Center, Hermitage October 25Central ArkansasRecreation Center, Sheridan
Arkansas Log A Load For Kids has funded two $1.5 million endowments at ACH—one in pediatric cardiovascular surgery and another in support of the Angel One helicopter transport program—and one $1 million endowment in support of the hospital’s imaging and radiation program.
In 2008, the program pledged to contribute $4 million in support of ACH’s Emergency Services and Trauma Unit. To honor this commitment, ACH named the new Emergency Department for Log A Load For Kids of Arkansas.
For more information about Log A Load For Kids, look online at arkforests.org/logaload.html or contact AFA Communications Director Anna Swaim at [email protected] or (501) 374-2441.
The Angel One helicopters are an integral part of the hospital’s transport program.
Prescribed fire course Sept. 22-26 at Camp Robinson
sent to the AFA Executive Committee for its approval. Rest assured, AFA takes candidate endorsements and financial contributions seriously and will make wise use of the association’s voice and resources.
While PAC contributions are not tax deductible, corporate contributions are acceptable in Arkansas, and individual donors can receive a $50-per-person or $100-per-couple tax credit on their Arkansas income tax return.
During the General Assembly in 2013, the Arkansas Forestry Association was at the State Capitol every day advocating on your
behalf, with great success. The association heightened its profile by hosting two successful legislative receptions and worked hard to pass legislation that will help forest landowners, forest products manufacturers, seedling nurseries and loggers, just to name a few. As a result, AFA strengthened its relationships with legislators, particularly those with a strong interest in forestry issues. There is a growing group of House and Senate members with ties to forestry and we hope to see its numbers increase after every election.
For more information about the PAC and to download a contribution form, look online at arkforests.org/advocacyPAC.html or call AFA at (501) 374-2441.
PAC, continued from front
The Arkansas Prescribed Fire Council will hold the prescribed fire course
September 22-26 at Camp Robinson in North Little Rock. Forestry consultants and personnel from federal and state agencies, conservation organizations and forest industry, and other forestry professionals are invited to attend.
Registration is $400 which includes meals, lodging and classroom materials. To register for the school contact Charlotte Bornemeier at (501) 614-5085 or [email protected].
The objectives of the workshop are to provide training for a fire leader capable of accomplishing safe and effective prescribed burns that accomplish desired fire management objectives given the constraints of fire control, air quality, and liability considerations.
Completion of this workshop as an important component for fire leadership. Effective fire leaders continue to learn through experience and advanced training.
The workshop staff plans to have each participant involved in two prescribed burns (weather permitting) to illustrate and teach prescribed fire subject matter.
Classroom time will be used to introduce topics on fire planning, behavior, weather, monitoring, and ecology.
