10 things
AFA has done for its members lately...
1
Voice of Forestry. AFA’s vision is to be the respected leader and credible information source for all issues related to forestry. To build on this, AFA added “Voice of Forestry” to its logo this year and continues to expand its presence and influence with lawmakers and regulators, print, broadcast and online media outlets, social media platforms, forest landowners, educators and conservation partners.
2
Outreach. Executive Vice President Max Braswell has provided insight into the current and future state of the industry to a variety of publications, programs and forestry-related organizations. He has addressed issues ranging from Waters of the U.S. and Northern Long-Eared Bat to the 90th Arkansas General Assembly’s impact on forestry.
3
Advocacy. Effective public policy advocacy is the numberone value AFA can deliver to its members. The association delivered on that key result area during the 90th Arkansas General Assembly. The top priority was passing legislation that caps dues that may be assessed to timberland owners by a fire protection district. AFA also supported legislation that benefited the Arkansas Forestry Commission and UA Monticello School of Forestry and Natural Resources, established the Arkansas Unpaved Roads Program, strengthened the feral hog law, provided flexibility and new opportunities for forest products manufacturers, and added the association to the Rural Fire Study Committee. AFA and a multitude of partners coordinated the first-ever Forestry Day at the Capitol in February, distributed the ever-popular House and Senate legislative maps, and also hosted a legislative reception in Little Rock.
4
Congressional Outreach. AFA took advantage of the August Congressional recess to provide information on a long list of priority issues to members of the Arkansas delegation. EVP Max Braswell participated in small group sessions with Sen. John Boozman, Rep. Bruce Westerman and Rep. Rick Crawford to discuss issues ranging from Waters of the U.S. to Rep. Westerman’s Resilient Federal Forests Act. In addition, AFA touched based with staff members from the entire six-member delegation during the month to cover additional issues such as the Endangered Species Act, timber tax provisions and the President’s Clean Power Plan.
5
Representing Your Interests. The Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality recently confirmed that it plans to continue its advocacy for full carbon neutrality accounting for forest biomass as a renewable source of energy in any State Implementation Plan it submits under the President’s Clean Power Plan. AFA made that request more than a year ago when ADEQ and the Arkansas Public Service Commission developed and included supportive language in its comments on the proposed plan. The two agencies are holding a series of stakeholder meetings on the CPP, and AFA continues to communicate the need for forest biomass to be positioned as a “part of the solution” and a tool in meeting CPP requirements.
6
Networking and Learning. With more than 300 participants and support from 41 sponsors and 25 exhibitors, the 70th Annual Meeting, October 6-8, in Hot Springs, proved to be one of the most successful events in the AFA history. It provided an unparalleled opportunity for members of the forestry community to connect. A strong lineup of speakers featured ArborGen President and CEO Andrew Baum, Forisk President Dr. Brooks Mendell, a moderated panel on the Endangered Species Act and James “Dr. Deer” Kroll, a nationally known Whitetail deer expert. A social media contest and hashtag—#Arkforests2015—generated more than 100,000 meeting-related impressions on Facebook, Twitter and other platforms.
7
Community. The Arkansas Log A Load For Kids program has raised more than $7.5 million for Arkansas Children’s Hospital since 1993. In 2015, the program will contribute more than $510,000 in support of the Log A Load For Kids of Arkansas Emergency Department and Trauma Unit. In June, River Valley Log A Load For Kids Chairman Allen Farley received a Community Service Award from the Department of Human Services for his work with the program. Also, the Arkansas Society of Association executives recognized the Log A Load For Kids 20th anniversary communications campaign with an Excellence in Communications award.
8
Family Forests. The AFA Tree Farm Committee and Tree Farm Task Group are planning for the program’s future and developing ways to better engage the state’s 1,400+ Tree Farmers by providing increased communication, education and networking opportunities. Elements of this plan include the successful, inaugural Tree Farmer Conference, held on June 18; five inspector workshops around the state to provide training on the new Standards of Certification; a printed newsletter for Tree Farmers; and an email newsletter for inspectors. The 2015 Outstanding Tree Farm tour will take place on the Coley Family Tree Farm in White County on October 30. In May, more than 50 AFA members and guests toured ARTEX Ranch, Jim Woodruff’s Tree Farm near Elkins. This tour was featured on the Fayetteville National Public Radio’s Ozarks at Large program.
9
Enhanced Member Benefits. In the spring, AFA transitioned to a new secure online membership management system that offers a variety of benefits and streamlines the association’s internal processes. Key features include a customizable member profile, favorites, connections, group pages, file libraries, a career center and more. These tools will make connecting and sharing information—including referring new members—more convenient.
10
Forestry Education. Twenty-three educators participated in the Teacher Conservation Tour, June 15-19, in Hot Springs. In 2015, the AFA Education Foundation shared Project Learning Tree and forestry information with 3,200+ teachers, students and others. AFAEF also coordinated, sponsored or exhibited at 18 forestry workshops, clinics and conferences, reaching 1,106 landowners and natural resource professionals. In August, the Arkansas Wildlife Federation honored AFAEF Director of Forestry Education Rob Beadel as its Conservation Educator of the Year.