2021
IMPACT REPORT
IMPACT REPORT
AFA 2021
2
PRESIDENT & CEO CHRIS ISAACSON During our 2019 staff planning session, we took a hard look at what we did well….and where we were lacking. Out of that process, we surfaced two areas of weakness. First, with more than 400,000 forest landowners and 54,000 forest industry employees, our grassroots network should be one of our greatest strengths. Having the potential to engage more than 450,000 individuals and mobilize them to action could be a powerful advocacy tool… yet, we were falling far short of that potential.
The second weakness was our external communication, those audiences that fall outside of the forestry community. Not only had we neglected external audiences, we had also failed to utilize social media tools that could allow us to cost-effectively expand our reach. As a result, we developed a strategy to change. While we were forced to hit the pause button in 2020, we hit fast forward in 2021 and haven’t slowed down since. The following pages provide a glimpse into the activities and impacts of AFA and our 15 affiliated organizations. Our greatest accomplishments in the legislative arena focused on what didn’t happen as we successfully opposed legislation that would, among other things, have eroded the integrity of our elections. Since it was an off-cycle year, our political activity was limited. We have continued to grow the reach and effectiveness of
our education and outreach programs. Forest certification through Tree Farm and SFI grew to include more than 5.1 million acres. Workforce development programs conducted by FWTI continue to expand, reaching more potential employees to promote forestry careers.
None of this would have been possible without your financial support and the hard work of hundreds of volunteers who trained teachers, flipped hamburgers, assisted landowners, and committed countless hours to serve on boards and committees.
Beginning on page 10, you can see the results of our renewed emphasis on grassroots and external communications. Through our Public Policy Seminar Series, Lucy Tour, Back the Blue Tour and Raptor Tour, we are bringing together public officials, AFA members, and community leaders to develop relationships, grow our network, and tell our story.
One final note of thanks to the Boards of Directors who serve the AFA, AFF and FWTI. Thank you for enabling me to hire one of the best staffs in the country. I have the pleasure of leading the most dedicated, energetic, enthusiastic, and creative group of professionals around. I am truly blessed to serve you with the most incredible staff and it is their hard work you will read about in the following pages.
2021 Woods to Goods Week is detailed on pages 12-13, providing a glimpse into an all-out blitz to increase the exposure of our industry and engage local communities. Finally, you can see some of the results of our increased focus on promoting forestry through social media on pages 16-17.
On behalf of our staff… THANK YOU. We trust that this report demonstrates that we ARE having an impact and that your investment is paying dividends.
IMPACT REPORT
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CONTENTS Introduction from AFA President & CEO
02
Organizational Overview
04
Government Affairs
06
Political Affairs
08
Grassroots
10
Woods to Goods Week
12
Supply Chain
14
Industry/Market Promotion
16
Forest Stewardship and Certification
18
Education
20
Forest Conservation
22
Workforce Development
24
Networking Opportunities
26
Information Opportunities
28
Insurance Programs
29
Member Awards
30
Our Team
31
“Why are we members of AFA? Because they SOLVE PROBLEMS. Whether it’s an effort by the Legislature to raise taxes or counties trying to infringe on landowner rights… AFA is always there, always watching, always protecting our interests.” - Al and Pat Nettles, Landowners, Monroe County
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ORGANIZATIONAL OVERVIEW Alabama Forestry Association serves as the administrative partner for related organizations, each having different goals, but unified by a shared vision of growing Alabama’s forests and forest industry.
Alabama Forestry Association (AFA) Monitoring and influencing local, state, and federal government policy and actions impacting Alabama’s forest community since 1949.
Alabama Forestry Foundation (AFF) Providing forestry education, protecting property rights, promoting forest resource conservation, and growing forest products markets since 1978.
ForestPAC Developing financial resources necessary to recruit, support, and elect conservative, pro-business leaders at local and state levels since 1995.
FedPAC Developing financial resources to support and elect Alabama candidates to federal office since 2008.
Forest Workforce Training Institute Multi-state non-profit foundation focused on workforce development for the forest industry since 2017; promotes forestry careers through ForestryWorks and provides training for workers to enter the forest workforce.
Alabama Loggers Council (ALC) Representing and promoting Alabama’s logging community and addressing wood supply chain challenges since 1992.
IMPACT REPORT
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Alabama SFI-SIC Promoting sustainable forestry in Alabama and serving as the State Implementation Committee for the Sustainable Forestry Initiative since 2002. Alabama Tree Farm Committee Managing the Nation’s first and largest Tree Farm program, working with family forest owners to provide education, and supporting wise stewardship of Alabama’s forest resources since 1941. ForestFund Providing workers compensation coverage to forestry and forest-related employers through the Alabama Forest Products Industry Workmen’s Compensation Self-Insurers Fund since 1970. Alabama Forestry Association Health & Welfare Plan Trust AFA Health & Welfare Plan
Providing access to affordable health, dental, and vision insurance to forest industry employers since 2019. Alabama Forest Economics Center Providing data and information to forest products companies and industrial development professionals about forest resources, workforce availability, and the economic impact of forestry in Alabama. Alabama Landowner Resource Center Providing education and information to Alabama’s forest landowners to help them evaluate their property, develop a plan, find needed assistance, and take steps necessary to accomplish their goals.
ALABAMA
FORESTS FOREVER
FOUNDATION
Alabama Forest Forever Foundation Providing financial support to increase awareness of forestry benefits through education and outreach programs since 1999. Alabama Log-a-Load for Kids Foundation Fundraising for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in Alabama since 2007. Southern Resources Alliance (SRA) Multi-state, cross-industry organization promoting and facilitating environmental regulatory reform since 2015. Alabama Forestry Council Providing a forum for networking and information sharing for leaders in Alabama’s forest community since 1941.
AFA 2021
IMPACT REPORT
AFA 2021
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Government Affairs Responsible Staff: Tom Saunders, AFA General Counsel / Director of Governmental Affairs
FOCUS Protect and improve the business, regulatory and legal environment for landowners and forest business owners to ensure profitable and sustainable operations.
GOALS • Monitor local, state and federal legislation and engage as needed. • Monitor local, state and federal regulatory actions and engage as needed. • Monitor court cases at the state and federal level and engage as needed. • Pursue legislation, regulatory reform and judicial action to maintain a favorable operating environment.
R E S U LT S LEGISLATIVE ACTION Legislation Supported —
Legislation Opposed —
Supported legislation that provided immunity to businesses for Covid policy implementation.
Opposed legislation that proposed delaying the implementation of the Literacy Act.
Supported legislation that restricted municipalities’ powers in police jurisdictions.
Opposed legislation that proposed automatic voting registration.
Supported legislation that provided supplemental salaries for teachers. Supported Attorney General Marshall on banning the federal overreach of enforcing vaccines and vaccine passports.
Opposed legislation that proposed curbside voting.
Opposed legislation that proposed expanding voting registration to the same day of election. Opposed the Massachusetts’s Attorney General led coalition that sued the Trump Administration for rolling back the number of federal endangered species and narrowed the meaning of “habitat.”
IMPACT IMPACTREPORT REPORT
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AFA AFA2021 2021
“AFA’S INFLUENCE IN MONTGOMERY IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR TIMBERLAND OWNERS AND FOREST PRODUCT MANUFACTURERS.” - Tom Bradley Bradley Forest Products
IMPACT REPORT
8
AFA 2021
Political Affairs Responsible Staff: Tom Saunders, AFA General Counsel / Director of Governmental Affairs
FOCUS Elect and support conservative, pro-business leaders who understand the environmental and economic impact of forestry and the forest products industry to the lives and well-being of Alabama’s citizens.
GOALS • Recruit electable candidates who have proven records as conservative, probusiness leaders in their respective communities. • Develop resources to fund campaigns of endorsed candidates. • Provide in-kind services including campaign management, polling, advertising and get-out-the-vote campaigns to elect endorsed candidates. • Educate elected officials on general governance and forestry-specific policies and legislation.
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R E S U LT S PINE
“FORESTRY IS A KEY
2021 May 20
CONTRIBUTOR TO THE ECONOMY OF MY DISTRICT AND I SUPPORT THE VALUES AND PRINCIPLES THAT AFA’S MEMBERS REPRESENT. LIMITED GOVERNMENT, FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY, PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS…WE ARE DEFINITELY ON THE SAME PAGE. - Senator April Weaver
2021 ForestPAC Contributions
$445,817
Chairman’s Club Members
27
ForestPAC Selwood Fundraiser
$33,000
Scofield Sporting Clays Fundraiser
$78,500
Political Expenditures
Jerry Carl Luncheon
Fundraiser TOTALS
Pinecone Open
$215,082
$156,000
ENDORSED AND SUPPORTED April Weaver for Alabama State Senate District 14 / Elected
$20,500
$24,000
ENDORSED AND SUPPORTED Kenneth Paschal for Alabama House of Representatives District 73 / Elected
ENDORSED AND SUPPORTED Kirk Hatcher for Alabama State Senate District 26 / Elected
IMPACT REPORT
AFA 2021
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Grassroots Responsible Staff: Anna Morgan Duke, AFA - Grassroots Coordinator
FOCUS To provide opportunities to build relationships between AFA members and Public Officials in order to promote knowledge of the forest industry.
PUBLIC POLICY SERIES
Event Summary The Public Policy Series is designed to provide a comprehensive focus on legal, legislative and regulatory issues affecting landowners and forest products manufacturers. Total Seminars
AFA Members Attended
4
151
Public Official Attended
Social Media Reach
265
7,493
I WALKED AWAY FROM THE PUBLIC POLICY SERIES WITH A GREATER UNDERSTANDING OF THE FORESTRY INDUSTRY AS A WHOLE, BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, I GAINED A BETTER APPRECIATION OF HOW VITAL THE ACQUISITION, CONSERVATION AND PRESERVATION OF ALABAMA’S 23 MILLION ACRES OF FORESTS IS TO OUR STATE’S ECONOMIC SUCCESS AND ENVIRONMENTAL WELL-BEING.” - Kelli Wise, Alabama Supreme Court Associate Justice
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LUCY TOUR SENATOR ROBERTS, THANK YOU FOR COMING AND READING TO OUR CLASS. AFTER YOU LEFT THE STUDENTS KEPT ASKING ME QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT ELSE WAS MADE OUT OF WOOD. YOU DEFINITELY LEFT A LASTING IMPRESSION. - Katie Seeger Brookwood Forest Elementary School
Event Summary
The Lucy Tour allows legislators to visit schools in their area to read Lucy Meets a Logger and educate the next generation about the importance of the forest products industry.
Total Tour Stops
Industry Professionals Involved
Public Officials Engaged
Students Impacted
27
25
22
1,859
Social Media Reach
Woods to Goods Boxes Donated
Featured Articles in Local Media
53,796
109
16
BACK THE BLUE Event Summary The “Back the Blue” tour is a joint effort between AFA and Elected Officials. The goal is to thank our First Responders for all that they do to keep our communities safe by providing them with a free lunch.
“I CAN’T THANK AFA ENOUGH FOR COORDINATING THIS DAY. WITH OVER 300 FIRST RESPONDERS ATTENDING, IT WAS A HUGE JOB AND THEY HANDLED IT LIKE PROS.” - Representative Jamie Kiel
Total Tour Stops
First Responders Fed
15
2,900
Industry Partners & Community Volunteers
Featured Newspaper Articles
65
13
Public Officials Participated
14
RAPTOR TOUR “WE LOVE BEING ABLE TO TEACH ABOUT THE CONNECTION BETWEEN FORESTRY AND RAPTORS AND ARE EXCITED FOR OUR NEXT STOPS!” - Southeastern Raptor Center
Industry Professionals Involved
7
Event Summary Auburn’s Southeastern Raptor Center, AFF, AFA Members and public officials bring this educational wildlife experience directly to schools to learn about birds of prey and active timberland management.
Total Tour Stops
5
Students Impacted
855
Public Officials Engaged
4
Social Media Reach
8,921
IMPACT REPORT
12
Woods to Goods Week 2021 Responsible Staff: Anna Morgan Duke, AFA Grassroots Coordinator Stephanie Fuller, FWTI Director of Promotions & Economic Development
October 17 - 23, 2021 alwoodstogoods.com
“THANK YOU ALABAMA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION FOR ALL YOU DO! THE WOODS TO GOODS TOUR WAS A GREAT WAY TO HIGHLIGHT OUR PRECIOUS NATURAL RESOURCE: WOOD! 49,000 ALABAMIANS ARE DIRECTLY EMPLOYED BY THE FORESTRY INDUSTRY! #JOBSJOBSJOBS” - Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, President Alabama Public Service Commission
AFA 2021
IMPACT REPORT
AFA 2021
13
10
110,038
17
Media Features
Social Media Engagement
Public Officials Engaged
116 Industry Professionals Engaged
319
7
9
8
Students Engaged
School Donations
Mill Tours
Log Site Visits
IMPACT REPORT
14
AFA 2021
Supply Chain Responsible Staff: Joel Moon, ALC Executive Director Ashley Smith, AFA - Director of Education
FOCUS Support all segments of the wood supply chain and work to remove barriers to the safe and efficient flow of wood from stump to mill.
GOALS • Monitor and address issues that create regulatory and operational barriers to safe and efficient wood flow. • Provide training and professional development opportunities for logging professionals. • Identify and address issues impacting profitability and sustainability of logging operations.
“THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND LACK OF IN-PERSON CONTINUING EDUCATION CLASSES, THE FACT THAT 75% OF ALABAMA’S TRAINED LOGGERS RENEWED THEIR PLM CARD IN 2020 AFFIRMS ALABAMA LOGGERS’ DEDICATION TO SUSTAINABILITY; THEIR COMMITMENT KEPT THE SUPPLY CHAIN ROLLING.” - Brady Adams, Canfor; Alabama SIC Logger Education Committee Chair
IMPACT REPORT
AFA 2021
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R E S U LT S ALABAMA LOGGERS COUNCIL
ALC ANNUAL MEETING
DISTRICT MEETINGS
Attendance 125 Sponsors 16
Meetings 17 Active Districts 4 Total Meeting Attendance 201
ALC EDUCATIONAL EVENTS
AFA ONLINE EDUCATION EVENTS
Attendance 326 Meetings 18
Events 12 Attendance 497
PROFESSIONAL LOGGING MANAGER (PLM) PROGRAM PLM EVENTS-SPONSORED Events 18 Total Event Attendance 329
PLM INITIAL TRAINING Number of Trainings Total Attendance
4 96
2021 LOGGER OF THE YEAR
Lowe Brothers Logging
Current Cardholders
1,374
In 2021 we launched AFA
Connect, a digital continuing education opportunity. The hour-long monthly sessions cover timely topics and provide participants with FREE continuing education credits (CFE/PLM).
IMPACT REPORT
16
AFA 2021
Industry/Market Promotion Responsible Staff: Jordan McCurdy, AFA - Director of Communications Ashley Smith, AFA - Director of Education
“THOSE OF US WHO MAKE OUR LIVING IN FORESTRY HAVE A GREAT STORY TO TELL AND THE ALABAMA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION IS THE MOST EFFECTIVE ORGANIZATION I’VE EVER SEEN IN TELLING THAT STORY.” - Rick Johnson, Partner, Tuskaloosa Forestry Service
FOCUS Increase awareness of the economic and environmental benefits of forestry; improve markets for renewable, sustainable forest products.
GOALS • Increase visibility of forestry and forest industry contributions to the Alabama’s economy. • Engage targeted public and increase support for forestry and forest industry. • Educate building and design professionals on the benefits of building with wood products. • Provide resources to industry and economic development professionals.
TOP FACEBOOK POSTS OF 2021
IMPACT REPORT
AFA 2021
17
R E S U LT S SOCIAL MEDIA Platform Posts Post Reach Followers
243
148
163
400,854
59,746
68,088
1,914
1,600
6,015
TOP TWEET OF 2021
TOP INSTAGRAM POST OF 2021 TOP FACEBOOK POST OF 2021
IMPACT REPORT
AFA 2021
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Forest Stewardship and Certification Responsible Staff: Cliff O’Rear, AFF – Tree Farm Program Administrator Ashley Smith, AFA – SFI-SIC State Coordinator
FOCUS Promote wise stewardship of Alabama’s natural resources and provide education opportunities to forest landowners to help them protect and improve their forests.
“WITH THE FOREST INDUSTRY COMPETING IN A GLOBAL MARKET, CONSUMERS WANT A QUALITY PRODUCT PRODUCED IN AN ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY MANNER. WHEREAS SFI PROMOTES SUSTAINABILITY ON A LARGE SCALE, AFA DOES A GOOD JOB OF ENCOURAGING AND ENDORSING TREE FARM CERTIFICATION ON A STATE AND LOCAL LEVEL TO ENSURE A STEADY SOURCE OF CERTIFIED MATERIAL FOR OUR DEMOPOLIS, ALABAMA FACILITY.”
- Jeffrey Holley Sumter Timber Company
GOALS • Conduct workshops and hands-on learning experiences for forest landowners. • Develop management plans and provide technical assistance to forest landowners. • Provide technical training to loggers and forestry professionals to increase their understanding of sustainable forest management. • Increase acres of certified forests by enrolling landowners in the Tree Farm Program.
IMPACT IMPACTREPORT REPORT
Tree Farm
147
Reinspe c tions C omple te d
152
New Tre e Far m Enrollme nts
50,120
New Tre e Far m Ac res
4,018
Ac tive Tre e Far ms
2,187,589
Ac tive Tre e Far m Ac res
3
Inspe c tor Training S essions
46
Inspe c tors Traine d
126
Ac tive Inspe c tors
AFA AFA2021 2021
19 19
Tree Farm Education
SFI
11
C ompanies Par ticipating
F ield Days/ Wor kshop
368
F ield Days/ Wor kshop At te ndanc e
Ac res C e r tif ie d
2,948,528
Logge r Training S uppor t
$56,996
L andowne r O u treac h S uppor t
$43,999
You th Education S uppor t
$14,046
Fores t C onse r vation S uppor t
$13,889
5
Lear n & Bur n De mons tration
34
145
Lear n & Bur n De mons tration At te ndanc e
Statewide Landscape Management Plan made available in June, 2021. in Proper Trainings 8 In-Person Implementation 160 Trained
Over 140 in attendance at ANRC Landowner Conference where Alabama’s Tree Farm awards were presented.
Over 300 in attendance at AFA Annual Meeting where Tree Farm Auction and Raffle were held. Tree Farm National Leadership Conference was virtual for 2021. SFI CONSERVATION EDUCATION 5 Events 202 Attendance
IMPACT REPORT
20
Education Responsible Staff: Ashley Smith, AFA – Director of Education
FOCUS Educate students, teachers, and business professionals about environmental, economic and operational aspects of forest management and forest products manufacturing.
GOALS • Train teachers and provide education resources to teach students about Alabama forestry. • Offer support for outdoor education experiences for students. • Provide forestry-related continuing education programs for natural resources professionals. • Provide professional development programs for young forest industry professionals.
AFA 2021
IMPACT REPORT
AFA 2021
21
R E S U LT S
FOREST LANDOWNER EDUCATION
PROJECT LEARNING TREE (PLT) Monica Ousley
2021 Alabama PLT Educator of the Year
14,399 TEACHERS TRAINED SINCE 1976
411
TEACHERS TRAINED IN 2021
Workshops and Field Tours
1,451
34
LANDOWNERS IMPACTED
CONTINUING FORESTRY EDUCATION TOTAL Participants
1,697
New Classes Added
FORESTS FOREVER FOUNDATION
4
35 Continuing Education Events
FAWN Grants Awarded
$2,000
Education Grant Funding Awarded
$128,000 Students Impacted
560
TEACHER CONSERVATION WORKSHOP (TCW) TEACHERS TRAINED IN 2021
71
“I CAN’T THANK YOU ENOUGH FOR OFFERING SUCH AN AMAZING SET OF WORKSHOPS.
5
I LEARNED SO MUCH THAT I CAN USE
PERSONALLY, AS WELL AS WITH MY TEACHER ED STUDENTS.” - Kelly McCain-Mosley, Samford University
TEACHERS TRAINED SINCE 1970
3,087
IMPACT REPORT
AFA 2021
22
Forest Conservation Responsible Staff: Joel Moon, AFF Director of Conservation Programs
FOCUS Promote and conserve the rich diversity of natural resources from Alabama’s healthy, abundant forests.
GOALS • Protect and improve habitats by working with family forest owners, thereby reducing the probability of Endangered Species Act listing of at-risk species. • Identify key at-risk species habitat and landscapes to focus conservation efforts. • Engage family forest owners to increase knowledge and awareness of forest management practices, conserving natural resources associated with their forests. • Facilitate access to assistance for implementing conservation practices. • Coordinate conservation efforts of state and federal partners with family forest owners.
“YESTERDAY GREG BREWER VISITED MY PROPERTY. HIS KNOWLEDGE, KINDNESS AND PASSION FOR GOD’S GREAT OUTDOORS WAS CONTAGIOUS AND WILL HELP ME BE A BETTER STEWARD OF MY FORESTS.” -Talladega County Landowner
IMPACT REPORT
AFA 2021
23
R E S U LT S CUMBERLAND PROJECT AREA
COASTAL PLAIN PROJECT AREA LANDOWNERS
4,353 25
100
SITE VISITS
2,987
35,354
ACRES IMPLEMENTING CONSERVATION PRACTICES
22
SHORTLEAF PINE ACRES 270
7,546
Planted
Improved Management
6,262
Since Project Start
5,037
ENGAGED
640
Burned
18,558
Since Project Start
17,676
Since Project Start
50
LONGLEAF PINE ACRES 422
18,479
Planted
14,139
Since Project Start
Burned
2,110
Improved Management
69,793
Since Project Start
15,502
Since Project Start
RIPARIAN FORESTS 135 Acres Improved
STREAMS 10 Miles Improved
FOREST CERTIFICATION
FOREST CERTIFICATION
6 Landowners Enrolled in Tree Farm / 5,717 Acres
31 Landowners Enrolled in Tree Farm / 9,596 Acres
IMPACT REPORT
AFA 2021
24
Workforce Development Responsible Staff: Stephanie Fuller, FWTI Director of Promotions & Economic Development Maggie Pope, FWTI Director of Education & Industry Relations
FOCUS
“WE WOULD LIKE TO
Create and maintain a reliable supply of qualified workers for Alabama’s forest industry.
THANK FORESTRYWORKS FOR GIVING THESE STUDENTS THE
GOALS
OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE FORESTRY CAREER
• Educate students about the benefits and economic impact of forestry and the forest industry.
DAY. FORESTRY AND LOGGING ARE AMPLE IN OUR AREA AND THERE
• Promote careers in forestry and the forest industry.
ARE A GREAT DEAL OF POSITIONS IN NEED OF
• Provide or facilitate training required for careers in the forest industry.
HARD WORKERS!!” - Timber Harvesting Company Owner
SOCIAL MEDIA Platform Posts Followers
INCREASE
of followers over 2020
157
114
133
2,659
1,363
296
42%
10%
141%
YouTube
973
79%
IMPACT REPORT
AFA 2021
25
Forest Worker CRI EDUCATORS
56
876
Educators Certified To Teach Forestry Worker *CRI
180
STUDENTS
301
Educators Engaged
Cumulative Certified
3,481
Educators Cumulative
* Career Readiness Indicator
CAREER FAIRS 66
Attended
5,651
5.036
Participating In High School *CRI Program Participating Cumulative
670 2,417
Certified Cumulative
FORESTRY CAREER DAYS
Total Attendance
18,780
Website Visits
34,748
People Reached Through Digital Marketing
4,450,377
7,642
1 In-Person Event
334
77,169
63 Drivers Referred Through Truck Driver Recruitment Program
397
VR Videos Partnership with Mississippi Forestry Association
Volunteers
DIGITAL MEDIA REACH Visits to Job Board
Certified In High School *CRI Program
Students Reached Cumulative Students Reached
R E S U LT S
State Affiliates: Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas Lucy Tour Partnership
Total Individuals Directly Impacted by ForestryWorks Educational Programs in 2021
TOTAL IMPACT
91 ,617
Individuals Directly Impacted In-Person by ForestryWorks since 2017
IMPACT REPORT
26
Networking Opportunities Responsible Staff: Liz Chambers, AFA - Senior Director of Administration
FOCUS Build and maintain vibrant networks throughout the forestry community to support members and member operations. Provide timely information and updates on issues impacting forestry operations.
GOALS • Provide local networking opportunities for forestry community peers, customers and suppliers. • Conduct AFA annual meeting for networking with elected leaders and statewide forestry community while gaining knowledge from national industry leaders.
ANNUAL MEETING
AFA 2021
IMPACT REPORT
R E S U LT S
‘‘
“AFTER MANY YEARS OF ATTENDING EVENTS AND SERVING ON THE BOARD, I’D HAVE TO SAY THAT ONE OF THE GREATEST BENEFITS OF INVOLVEMENT IN AFA IS THE PEOPLE I’VE MET AND THE BUSINESS RELATIONSHIPS THAT I’VE DEVELOPED. MY INVESTMENT OF TIME AND MONEY IN AFA HAS BEEN WELL-SPENT.” – Fred Stimpson, President (Retired) Canfor Southern Pine
REGIONAL RECEPTIONS
AFA 2021
27
ANNUAL MEETING Orange Beach // September 12-14 Attendees
Sponsors
Exhibitors
354
27
24
SPONSORS
7 Platinum, 2 Gold, 14 Silver, 4 Bronze
REGIONAL RECEPTIONS Auburn
Sponsors Attendance
8 113
Brewton
8 64
Mobile
4 53
Cullman
5 64
IMPACT REPORT
AFA 2021
28
Information Opportunities Responsible Staff: Jordan McCurdy, AFA - Director of Communications Jacquie Powell, AFA - Director of Member Services
FOCUS Provide timely, reliable and relevant information to AFA members and forestry stakeholders on issues impacting the forest industry.
GOALS • Publish weekly e-newsletters on time-sensitive issues impacting forestry and forestry operations. • Publish a quarterly magazine with in-depth coverage of industry members and activities.
R E S U LT S
Alabama Forests
Feature Profiles | Alabama FORESTS Magazine
4,332 Circulation
AFA Newsroom News & Press
Sent out every Wednesday to
5,197 subscribers
Timber Titans: Elmo Ziebach, O.M. Becton, Bob Sharp Logging Professionals: Skylar Clark, Heritage Timber Company; Stephen Clark, Pine Ridge Logging; Brian Lawrence, BL Logging, LLC; Lowe Brothers Logging, Inc. Public Service: Rick Pate - Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries, Governor Kay Ivey, Representative Steve Clouse, Dr. Larry Stutts Member: Sweet Water State Bank, B&G Equipment, Inc., Hancock Forest Management Group, Williams & Alabama 811
Quarterly Features |
President’s Column Dean’s Notebook Green Horizons
IMPACT REPORT
AFA 2021
29
Insurance Responsible Staff: Boyd Kelly, Forest Fund Administrator Liz Chambers, AFA - Senior Director of Administration
FOCUS Identify and develop risk management solutions associated with landownership, forest management activities, and forest operations for AFA members.
PROGRAMS Forest Fund -
AFA Hunting Club Liability -
Provide workers compensation coverage for e mployees of fores tr y and fores t- relate d business operations.
Provide compe titively - price d commercial general liabilit y coverage to landowners and hunting clubs.
•
Offer lowest rates available for clubs with 2,500 acres or less
•
Membership optional
•
288 Policies
•
$1,000,000 liability coverage with premiums starting at $250.
Provide access to af fordable health , dental and vision insurance for e mployees of fores tr y and fores t- relate d business operations.
•
433 Members
•
$7.0 Million Return of Premiums to Members
•
91 companies participating
•
933 lives covered
•
399 Members Receiving Dividends
•
10% average savings vs. similar plans
•
50% Average Return
•
$127 Million Dividends Returned Since 1990
AFA Prescribed Burn Liability Provide commercial general liabilit y coverage to private landowners who conduc t prescribe d burns on their personal proper t y.
AFA Health and Welfare Plan -
AFA Timberland Owner Liability Provide commercial general liabilit y coverage to landowners for risks associate d with owning and managing land.
•
Competitive pricing
•
89 Policies
“WE LOOKED AT WHAT I WAS CURRENTLY PAYING AND COMPARED IT TO THE AFA GROUP HEALTH PLAN AND REALIZED THAT THE AFA PLAN WOULD PROVIDE SIGNIFICANT SAVINGS.” – Russell County Logger
IMPACT REPORT
AFA 2021
30
Member Awards
1 Alabama Logger of the Year / LOWE BROTHERS LOGGING
1
2 Tree Farmer of the Year / TRICE & JOHNNIE NICHOLS 3 Legislator of the Year / SENATOR CHRIS ELLIOTT 4 Forest Resources Association National FRA Technical Writing Award / ANNA MORGAN DUKE, AFA
4 2
3
IMPACT REPORT
AFA 2021
31
M EET O U R T E A M
DAVID CARLISLE
LIZ CHAMBERS
President & CEO
Accounting Manager
Senior Director of Administration
ANNA MORGAN DUKE
ADAM EASLEY
JORDAN MCCURDY
Grassroots Coordinator
Controller
Director of Communications
CHRIS ISAACSON
JOEL MOON Executive Director, Alabama Loggers Council
JACQUIE POWELL
TOM SAUNDERS
Director of Membership
General Counsel / Director of
& Advertising
Government Affairs
ASHLEY SMITH Director of Education
IMPACT REPORT
AFA 2021
32
M EET O U R T E A M
CHRIS ISAACSON
WHIT CARROLL
President
Wildlife Biologist
JOEL MOON
BRAD NAIL
CLIFF O’REAR
Director of Conservation Programs
Regional Forester - North
Director of Landowner Programs
LEIGH PETERS
TYLER SIBLEY
Regional Forester - South
Fish and Wildlife Biologist
IMPACT REPORT
AFA 2021
33
M EET O UR T E A M
CHRIS ISAACSON President
GREG BREWER
RAY CLIFTON
Director of Workforce
Director of Training
Development
STEPHANIE FULLER Director of Promotions and
MAGGIE POPE Director of Education and
Economic Development
Industry Relations
KELLY DANIEL
BOYD KELLY
MIKE MOORE
Vice President - Underwriting
President / Fund Administrator
Vice President - Finance
IMPACT REPORT
AFA 2021
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TRAVIS VISITS A TREE FARM INTRODUCING THE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE TINY TIMBER CREW! The Forest Workforce Training Institute (ForestryWorks) is excited to announce the release of its second children’s book titled Travis Visits a Tree Farm. This book, authored by FWTI’s Stephanie Fuller, follows the main character, Travis, and his classmates as they take a field trip to a Tree Farm. At the Tree Farm, Travis and crew learn about the duties of a Tree Farmer and the many different ways forestland can be sustainably managed according to a Tree Farmer’s goals. ForestryWorks is excited to partner with the Alabama Tree Farm Committee and American Tree Farm System, using this book to promote the sustainable management and use of one of the Southeast’s most abundant natural resources through the Tree Farm Program. Travis will join Lucy from Lucy Meets a Logger (FWTI’s first children’s book) to form the Tiny Timber Crew. ForestryWorks is thrilled to continue expanding this group for years to come. Forestry education is forestry workforce development. As with Lucy Meets a Logger, all proceeds from Travis Visits a Tree Farm will be used toward funding educational and promotional tools through the Forest Workforce Training Institute (ForestryWorks). Both books are available for purchase at www. tinytimbercrew.org.
The American Tree Farm System is a program of the American Forest Foundation.
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2022 ALABAMA FORESTRY ASSOCIATION ANNUAL MEETING SEPTEMBER 11-13
THE PERDIDO BEACH RESORT ORANGE BEACH, ALABAMA
555 Alabama St., Montgomery, AL 36104
Telephone
E-mail:
(334) 265-8733
info@alaforestry.org
Fax: (334) 262-1258