Westerman introduces federal forests act Bill aims to reduce wildfire threat, improve forest management
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.S. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Hot Springs) introduced the Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2015 on June 4. The bill, H.R. 2647, would provide protection to the national forest system by implementing proactive management standards intended to lessen the threat of wildfires and other risks. Read it online at goo.gl/bWQLX6. “For far too long, our nation’s forests have been fighting a battle for survival. The conflict is not with logging but with the effects of reactive versus proactive management which has resulted in costly confrontations with wildfire, disease, and insects,” Westerman said. “This bill would utilize tools already available to the U.S. Forest Service and provide protection to America’s forests by reducing the risks of wildfires through proper management techniques.” The bi-partisan bill, co-sponsored by Reps. Ryan Zinke (R-Montana), Glenn Thompson (R-Pennsylvania), and Ann Kirkpatrick (D-Arizona) received praise from House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Rob Bishop, who also noted Subcommittee on Federal Lands Chairman Tom McClintock’s work on the legislation. “I commend Reps. Westerman, Zinke and McClintock for their leadership in introducing the Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2015, and look forward to moving this bill forward,” Bishop said.
June/July 2015
Online buyers’ guide provides resources
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FA is partnering with Strategic Value Media—a leading nationwide provider of print and digital media solutions to national, state and local trade and membership associations— as the exclusive publisher and advertising sales agent for the online AFA Buyers’ Guide. The association is looking forward to providing its members with this exclusive, easily accessible, year-round, valuable resource, expected to be become available this fall.
targeted, industry-specific buyer group. The guide will be accessible through the AFA website at www.arkforests.org in October. We encourage you to take advantage of this exceptional opportunity to highlight your products and services. To learn more about advertising your products or services in the guide, please email afaadvertise@svmmedia.com.
“This comprehensive guide offers access to a vast network of industry suppliers,” said Max Braswell, AFA executive vice president. “We’re pleased to offer such a needed resource, which will greatly assist natural resource managers and forest landowners in making educated purchasing decisions throughout the year.” The guide features updated and expanded company and product listings in addition to other valuable information relating to the forestry industry. It will provide users with an efficient way to browse for goods and services and offers forestry suppliers and companies exceptional visibility by showcasing their products and services to a
AFA Online Buyers’ Guide mock up.
Sponsors, exhibitors coming on board
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ore than 250 people are expected to participate in the 70th AFA Annual Meeting, October 6-8, at the Arlington Hotel Resort and Spa in Hot Springs. This conference is the largest networking and education event in the forestry community. Businesses and organizations can support the meeting as a sponsor and/or exhibitor. Confirmed sponsors and exhibitors: Premier ArborGen Diamond Deltic Plum Creek Platinum International Paper
Silver Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation Arkansas Forestry Commission Brazeale Lumber Company Southwestern Energy Weyerhaeuser Premium Seedlings Bronze Neeley Forestry Service Exhibitors Arkansas Forestry Commission Construction Safety Products Landmark Spatial Solutions Pearl River Nursery Weyerhaeuser Premium Seedlings
Contact Jennifer Johnson at jjohnson@ arkforests.org or (501) 374-2441 for more information.
CALENDAR June 25 Central Arkansas Log A Load For Kids Golf Tournament Harbor Oaks, Pine Bluff July 3 AFA Office CLOSED in Observance of Independence Day July 28 Forest Practices Committee 9:30 a.m. - AFA Office August 1 Drew County Log A Load For Kids UA Monticello August 10 Program Committee 10 a.m. - Hot Springs August 27 Executive Committee 10 a.m. - AFA Office September 12 River Valley Log A Load For Kids Russellville September 7 AFA Office CLOSED in Observance of Labor Day October 6-8 70th AFA Annual Meeting Hot Springs
Witness reward program activated in Green Bay Packaging equipment theft
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ecently, two pieces of fire fighting equipment were stolen from a Green Bay Packaging facility in Clinton—a 2000 GMC fire truck and trailer and a 2009 Deere 450J dozer. The dozer was recovered in Pulaski County, but as of press time, the fire truck was still missing. Up to $5,000 is offered as a reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of persons willfully involved in this crime. If you have information regarding this incident, call the Arkansas Forestry Commission (AFC) 24-hour dispatch center at (501) 332-2000 or call the Van Buren County Sheriff’s office toll free at 1-866-480-6201.
For more information about this program, look online at www.arkforests. org/?page=witnessreward.
Farley honored for Log A Load work
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he Community Service Awards (CSA) ceremony was held Friday, June 12, at the Arkansas Governor’s Mansion. River Valley Log A Load For Kids Chairman Allen Farley, with Green Bay Packaging, received an individual award for his work with Log A Load For Kids. Since 1993, Log A Load For Kids has raised $7.46 million for Arkansas Children’s Hospital. The River Valley chapter has raised more than $623,000 since 2009. KARK Channel 4 will broadcast the event on July 31, 6:30-8 p.m. Ten individuals and two companies from around the state received CSAs. Read more about Allen’s work and see a video that tells his story at goo.gl/IA1tlj. For 38 years, the Arkansas Community Service Awards program has recognized individuals and businesses for their dedication and commitment to supporting volunteerism throughout Arkansas. The awards are sponsored by the Department of Human Services-Division of Community Service and Nonprofit Support, KARK Channel 4, The Governor’s Office and Duncan Law Firm.
River Valley Log A Load For Kids Chairman Allen Farley (center), with Gov. Asa Hutchinson (right), wife Tracy and daughter Aspen, at the Community Service Awards ceremony. Farley received a Community Service Award for his work to raise money for Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
Award nominations sought October 17 Central Arkansas Log A Load For Kids Sheridan
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ach year, the AFA Annual Meeting wraps up with an awards breakfast, highlighting individuals who have contributed to the state’s forestry community. The nominations process is open for the
following awards: Logger of the Year (must be an AFA member), Forestry Educator, Log A Load For Kids Volunteer and Communicator of the Year. If you would like to nominate one or more individuals for an award, contact the AFA office at info@ arkforests.org or (501) 374-2441 by June 26.
UAM broadens scope, changes name of forestry school
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rkansas’s only school of forestry has a new name to go with a broadened, updated academic direction. The School of Forest Resources at the University of Arkansas at Monticello has been renamed the School of Forestry and Natural Resources, according to a recent announcement by Dr. Philip Tappe, dean of the school.
geospatial science, and natural resources management.
The name change was made to coincide with a new curriculum that provides students with broad options for studying natural resource management while also maintaining excellence in forestry education. According to Tappe, the changes are being made to “better reflect the role and mission of our academic program and to provide more educational options for persons interested in natural resource management.”
Founded on September 1, 1945, by Yaleeducated professor Henry H. “Hank” Chamberlin, the original forestry school was a two-year program that expanded to a four-year baccalaureate degree in 1950. By the 1960s, the program was producing leaders in the forestry industry at the state, regional and national level, including F. Dale Robertson, former chief of the U.S.D.A. Forest Service, O.H. “Doogie” Darling, forest lands manager for GeorgiaPacific Corporation, Larry Nance, deputy state forester of the Arkansas Forestry Commission, and Frank Wilson, owner of Wilson Brothers Timber Co.
“The school’s new name and program direction bridge the strengths of the existing forestry, spatial information systems and wildlife programs to new opportunities in natural resources communications and environmental sciences,” noted Dr. Jimmie Yeiser, provost and vice chancellor for academic affairs. “These changes should be attractive to a broader range of students and reflect the contemporary scope of our program offerings.” Currently, the UAM forestry program offers two baccalaureate degrees – the bachelor of science in forest resources with emphasis in
“We want to create a broader vision of forestry and natural resources education,” said Tappe. “Our overall goal is to prepare future leaders for wisely managing our renewable natural resources and maintaining a vibrant forest environment.”
either forestry or wildlife management, and the bachelor of science degree in spatial information systems with specializations in either land surveying or geographic information systems. The school also offers a master’s degree in forest resources. Beginning with the fall 2015 semester, the School of Forestry and Natural Resources will offer the bachelor of science degree in natural resources management with options in forestry, wildlife management and conservation, geospatial science, environmental science, and communications in natural resources. The school will also offer a B.S. in land surveying as well as a two-year associate of science degree in land surveying technology. The master of science degree in forest resources will have four emphasis areas: forest science, wildlife ecology and management,
Sign in to AFA system to access new benefits
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n March, AFA went live with a secure, online membership management system that provides new and enhanced membership benefits via the AFA website at arkforests.org. To sign in to your account, enter the email address that you have provided to AFA. If you have not provided an email address, a unique username has been created for you. For your convenience, your username is in the mailing address block on the back page. A password is also required. It is case sensitive and must be entered exactly as it appears: ARForestry1 Key features include a customizable member profile and the ability to set up a blog, favorites, connections, group pages, file libraries and more. These tools will make connecting and sharing information— including referring new members to AFA—
more convenient. Some of these features are ready immediately and others will be rolled out in the near future. After logging in, please review and update your profile. At this time, you can change your username and password and upload a profile photo. Under the Manage Profile section, you can to review and renew your membership information and pay securely via credit card. Also, you can access the online membership directory, where you can search for members by name, business name or city. The member directory is on the About AFA tab. If you have any questions or technical problems, please contact Jennifer Johnson at jjohnson@arkforests.org or (501) 3742441.
In 1981, the School of Forest Resources added a major in wildlife management and in 1984 received national accreditation from the Society of American Foresters. In 1987, the Arkansas Forest Resources Center (AFRC) was established by the UA Division of Agriculture on the UAM campus to work in conjunction with the School of Forest Resources to enhance research and extension programs. In 1994, the AFRC became a UA Center of Excellence.
Member news >> Peter Prutzman, president of Kingwood Forestry Services in Arkadelphia, has been reappointed to the Arkansas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board. The appointment expires January 15, 2018. >> Four Southern Forest Product Association-member sawmills are recipients of the Sawmill Safety Award, recognizing outstanding safety records during 2014 • Division I – Almond Brothers Lumber Co.. Coushatta, Louisiana • Division II – Weyerhaeuser Company, Holden, Louisiana and Millport, Alabama • Division III – Anthony Forest Products, Urbana, Arkansas