May 2016
Sun Paper of China to break ground in Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson and Chairman Hongxin Li, founder of Sun Paper, signed an MOA stating that Sun Paper is set to locate in Gum Springs, AR. This pulp mill will bring 250 direct jobs, 1,000 indirect jobs and over 2,000 construction jobs over the next two and a half years. Sun Paper is set to break ground in early 2017. “Today’s announcement is exciting news for the timber and forest products community in Arkansas,” said Max Braswell, AFA executive vice president. “New markets for the abundance of wood fiber we have in Arkansas benefit forest landowners, loggers and can stimulate many related businesses. In addition, new infrastructure provides a real incentive for
forest landowners to continue investing in sustainable forestry, which means plenty of wood fiber for our much appreciated existing industry as well.” According to Arkansas Business, Sun Paper will generate up to $100 million for the timber industry in south Arkansas. The plant is Sun Paper’s first North American plant. Sun Paper is headquartered in China’s Shandong Provinc and ranks among the top 500 Chinese companies and one of the world’s top pulp and paper makers. The company employs approximately 10,000 people worldwide. AFA
Log A Load “Snack Shack” a success “Selfless giving unto others represents one’s true wealth.” – Jon M. Huntsman Donna Hoezleman and Karen Sommers of the Fiber Resource Division, are the masterminds behind the “Log A Load Snack Shack” at the Green Bay Packaging Chip Mill in Perry, Arkansas. As truckers come into the chip mill, they are required to check in at the scale house. As you can imagine, a day in the woods can be a long day. The “Log A Load Snack Shack” provides these truckers with snacks and drinks to get them through the day and in turn they are able to make a donation to Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH)! Many of the drivers come in with personal stories of how ACH has changed their life, their children’s lives or grandchildren’s lives. AFA
“I do remember right after we started the “Snack Shack” we had a log truck driver come in and give a $100 donation. He told
us about how Children’s had helped him when he was a child and he wanted to pay it forward,” Donna Hoezleman said. The “Snack Shack” began in 2015 and has already raised over $7,000 for ACH. The innovative program set a new single-day record on May 7, when drivers contributed $76. “All of the drivers are so generous,” Karen Sommers said. Drivers are able to purchase several different items at the “Snack Shack” including flags for their loads of logs. The law requires safety flags on all log loads, so the River Valley Log A Load Committee has capitalized on this and made flags with the Log A Load logo printed on them. In 2015, the River Valley region raised over $93,000 for Arkansas Children’s Hospital.
Enter for your chance to win AFA wants to give you the opportunity to win a $50 Bass Pro Shops gift card! All you have to do is go to www.facebook. com/arkforests/ and “like” our facebook page AND leave a review of how AFA has helped you or your company! We hope that your testimony of how AFA has helped you or your company through networking opportunities, education and advocacy will provide potential members with the chance to see what AFA is all about. The drawing for the Bass Pro Shops gift card will take place on June 16. *Minimum number of entries apply.
AFA Board Member receives appointment
AFA Board Member David Cawein recently received an appointment to the Arkansas State Board of Registration For Foresters by Gov. Asa Hutchinson.
David Cawein is currently the Vice President and General Manager of Green Bay Packaging, Inc. Pinecrest Lumber and Fiber Resource Divisions in Morrilton, Arkansas. He received his Bachelor of Science in forest management from University of Missouri in 1975. Mr. Cawein currently serves on the executive committee for AFA as the secretary. Mr. Cawein also serves on the executive committee for the Forest Resources Association. He takes pride in his community where he serves as the Finance Chair for the First United Methodist Church in Morrilton and also serves on the South Conway County School Counts Foundation. Mr. Cawein has been married to his wife, Mara, for 42 years. They have three children and thirteen grandchildren! In his free time, he enjoys spending time with family, running, cycling, duck hunting and golf. Congratulations, David! AFA celebrates with you on this prestigious appointment.
+ = AFA Calendar May 30
AFA Office Closed Memorial Day
June 9
South Central Log A Load Golf Tournament Glenwood
June 9
2nd Annual Tree Farm Conference Arkadelphia June 11 Log A Load Fish Fry Arkadelphia June 20-24 Teacher Conservation Tour Monticello June 22 Executive Committee Meeting AFA Office - Little Rock 10 a.m. July 19 Forest Practices Committee Meeting AFA Office - Little Rock 9:30 a.m.
Partners host congressional tour
S
taffers representing six of Arkansas’ congressmen made the journey to Camp Ouachita to learn more from key partners about the happenings of Arkansas forests.
The day started off with a walk in the Ouachita forest where Asst. State Forester Mark Cutrer and Steve Cole from the U.S. Forest Service gave an update on the state of Arkansas’ forests. Martin Blaney, AR Game and Fish Commission, discussed the correlation between forest health and wildlife with the congressional staffers. Blaney discussed a few issues that are causing problems among wildlife in Arkansas, including feral hogs and chronic wasting disease. Executive Vice President Max Braswell provided an update on a range of issues including the Clean Power Plan (CPP), new opportunities for wood products and H-2B workers. Arkansas has become one of the top destinations for outdoor enthusiasts. Representatives from Arkansas Parks and Tourism and the U.S. Forest Service explained the challenges that come along with the growth in the tourism industry. Representatives from Arkansas Forestry Commission and the U.S. Forest Service EVP Max Braswell talks with congressional staffers about a discussed the importance of prescribed fire variety of issues including CPP, new opportunities for wood products and H-2B workers. with the staffers as well as the partnership that the Forest Service and the Forestry Commission have to combat wildfires in the state. Later in the day, U.S. Forest Service representatives discussed expectations visitors have with when they visit a national forest. The Forest Service is renewing efforts among local agencies, non-governmental organizations, businesses and citizens to find a new mission for Camp Ouachita, a former Girl Scout Camp in Perry County, Arkansas. The Forest Service is looking to find a more sustainable way to manage the Camp. For more information, contact Bill Pell (bpell@fs.fed.us). Agencies and organizations in Arkansas have one of the best partnerships in the nation. Working together with these agenices provides our forests and wildlife with the best care, which is the goal of all of the partnering organizations. The congressional tour was made possible by the following organizations: U.S. Forest Service, The Nature Conservancy, Arkansas Parks and Tourism, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas Forestry Commission and AFA.
2016 Spring Board meeting recap
The AFA Board of Directors came together on May 12-13 in Morrilton, Arkansas at the beautiful Winthrop Rockefeller Institute. Sixty-one Board members and guests enjoyed guest speaker, Michael Hook, also known as “The Weather Ninja” on 103.7 “The Buzz” and KATV channel 7. Hook is a storm chaser and shared many exhilarating moments with the AFA Board of Directors during the Thursday night dinner. On Friday, May 13, the AFA staff provided the Board with staff reports. Executive Vice President, Max Braswell, provided the Board with a financial report of the association. State Forester Joe Fox gave the Board an overview of the happenings at the Forestry Commission. The AFA Board heard from Secretary of Agriculture, Wes Ward. John Wainscott, Program Committee chair gave an update on the progress being made for this year’s Annual Meeting. Dr. Matt Pelkki, Professor and Chair of the UAM School of Forestry and Natural Resources, gave the Board a ‘Forest Industry Economic Outlook.’ Following the Outlook, the board received a U.S. Forest Service report, as well as the 2016 Tree Farm Audit results and a report on ATPA Logger Training and Education. The meeting adjourned at 12:30 p.m. on the 13th with a total of 52 in attendance.
BE A PART OF THE Tree Farmer Conference JUNE 9, 2016 ARKADELPHIA
Hardwood Management
Tree Farm Update
Ross Foundation Tour
Harvesting Considerations
Wildlife Leasing Consideration
Herbicide Usage
4-Quart Solo Backpack Sprayer
GIVEAWAY MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN
REGISTER ONLINE HERE
www.arkforests.org/event/2016tfconference
“The Weather Ninja” explained the process of storm chasing to the AFA Board and guests on Thursday, May 12.
Executive Vice President Max Braswell reviews the 2016 budget with the AFA Board of Directors on Friday, May 13.
Annual meeting to cover lots of hot topics The 71st AFA Annual Meeting is just a few months away. The planning committee has worked hard to plan an agenda that you won’t want to miss. Registration is coming soon. This year’s meeting will cover a variety of topics including panels concerning forest and drinking water, the international presence that Arkansas’ forests have attracted and a Forest Biomass panel. Nominations for “Logger of the Year” can be made at http://www. arkforests.org/news/.