In this issue: OLC keynote speaker selected, seminar and panel discussion topics being set, OWIT dinner and auction date announced, and sponsorship opportunities available. 

Randy Moore, the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, will be the keynote speaker at the 86^th Annual Oregon Logging Conference, in February 2024. 

“I am very excited, as President of the Oregon Logging Conference this year, in having Chief Moore as my keynote speaker at the conference,” OLC President Steve Henson said.

As the leader of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, Chief Moore oversees a workforce of more than 31,000 employees who sustainably manage 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands.

Chief Moore believes strongly that a leader must adapt and grow, but that there are some principles that always hold true: A leader must be fair, inclusive, and willing to listen to and trust his employees. He is committed to the Forest Service mission, distilling it to its core of improving forest and grassland conditions by bringing together partners from Tribes, state and local governments, communities, and nonprofit and private sector interests.

Under his leadership, the Forest Service cares for natural resources in ways that promote lasting economic, ecological, and social vitality for current and future generations.

Moore has been a catalyst for change throughout his career. He is committed to seeking new and better ways to address many issues, such as climate change, facing our ecosystems and our communities.

Prior to serving as Chief, he was the Pacific Southwest regional forester from 2007 to 2021, where he was responsible for 18 national forests in California covering 20 million acres. He also oversaw state and private forestry programs in Hawaii and the U.S.-affiliated Pacific Islands. Chief Moore has also served as regional forester for the Eastern region in Wisconsin, forest supervisor for Mark Twain National Forest in Missouri and a myriad of other roles throughout the agency. He began his 45-year career in 1978 with USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service in North Dakota and joined the Forest Service in 1981. 

Several interesting topics have been selected and knowledgeable speakers are being lined up for the 86th Annual Oregon Logging Conference, taking place in Eugene, OR in February of next year. As additional details become available, that information will be posted on the OLC website and will be included in future editions of the OLC NEWS newsletter.

Here is the current schedule: 

WEDNESDAY, FEB. 21st

Pre-Registration and Registration

Registration Meet & Greet: Wednesday, Feb. 21^st, Graduate Eugene

Hosted beer and wine. Sponsor: Wilcox & Flegel

Pick up your registration packet or get registered to attend the OLC

Registration: Thursday & Friday, Feb 22 & 23, Main Convention Center Lobby.

Sponsor: T-Mar Industries

Oregon Women in Timber Dinner & Auction

33^rd Annual Talk About Trees fundraiser

Wednesday, Feb. 21^st, Graduate Eugene

Call OWIT for tickets, 503-917-9205

THURSDAY, FEB 22nd

Seminars

Hands-On Seminar # 1 – Log Rollout

Scaling and quality of lesser species.

Moderator: Jacob Steensen, Southport Lumber Co., Coos Bay, OR

Logs will be hardwood and cedar, discussing quality and scaling issues, specific to these species.

Your Voice Your Vote - Unelected Boards and Commissions and how to influence them.

Moderator: Bodie Dowding, Pacific Fibre Inc.

Panelists:

• Will Tucker, Linn County Commissioner. Topic: Board of Forestry and the Adaptive Management Program Committee
• Kyle Williams, OFIC. Topic: How the ODFW Commission functions, recent actions taken, and ways to influence the Commission.
• Bobby Levy, District 58 State Representative. Topic: The Oregon Global Warming Commission.

Elementary School Tours

Lane Events Center and Fairgrounds

Sponsors: Oregon Logging Conference Foundation, Oregon Women in Timber, and Forests Today and Forever

Sawmill Tour

Northwest Hardwoods, Eugene, OR

Limited sign up to first the 25 interested OLC registered members. There is an additional fee for this tour. Shuttle will transport the group to Northwest Hardwoods. Contact OLC at 541-686-9191 for details.

THURSDAY AND FRIDAY, FEB 22nd and 23rd

Opening Session and Breakfasts

Thursday, Feb 23^rd, Wheeler Pavilion.

Sponsor: Tigercat

Oregon Logging Conference Foundation auction, OLC President’s Address, and Keynote Speaker

Friday, Feb 24^th, Wheeler Pavilion

Sponsor: Papé Machinery

Sawdust Bowls, Performance Hall, Convention Center

Thursday Sponsor: Sponsorship available

Friday Sponsor: Sponsorship available

FRIDAY, FEB 23rd

Seminar # 2 – Steep Slope Updates

Moderator: Matt Bliss, Roseburg Forest Products

Topics:

• ODF – Update on Implementation of PFA steep slope rules; successes, issues, concerns and outlook for 2024.
• Industry – Ground implementation of PFA steep slope rules; tips for efficient layout, operations, and safety.
• OR-OSHA – Updates on tethered logging variance program

Seminar # 3 – Washington Forest Practices Act

This seminar will have topics and speakers addressing Washington Forest Practices Act regulations currently in place.

Seminar # 4 – Advanced Driver Training, Camera in Vehicles/Telematics

Moderator: Paul Hadaller, Pacific Fibre Co.

Panelist:

• David Gaffney, Senior DOT Compliance Specialist for the Papé Group of companies. Topic: This course will provide advanced driver training for experienced drivers. This is a collision avoidance course with real world examples to provide useful information for drivers to make informed and educated decisions on roadways.

Seminar # 5 – Private Forest Accord Updates – Forest Roads and Riparian Areas

Moderator: Lefi Tausaga, Douglas County Forest Products, Roseburg

Panelists:

• Greg Erb, Oregon Department of Forestry. Topic: Forest roads rules/regulations, changes and enforcement. 
• Seth Barnes, Oregon Forest Industries Council. Topic: Implications for timberland owners and operators.
• Joe Schafer, Cascade Timber Consulting. Topic: Alternate plans and management strategies for operating under new guidelines
• Thomas Whittington, Oregon Department of Forestry. Topic: Riparian areas rules/regulations, changes and enforcement.

Exhibitor Hands-On Seminar # 2 – Truck inspection performed by representatives of Oregon Department of transportation, General Trailer outside exhibit area.

Moderator: Jake Thompson, Thompson Tree Farms

Future Forestry Workers Career Day (private event)

Livestock Arena, Lane County Fairgrounds

Sponsor: Oregon Logging Conference Foundation

High School Skills Exhibition (private event)

Livestock Arena, Lane County Fairgrounds

Sponsors: Nygaard Logging and Warrenton Fiber Co.

Desserts for Dreams Luncheon

Graduate Eugene Hotel

Fundraiser for Pets Assisting Veterans (PAVE)

This is a light lunch and desserts donated by local restaurants and bakeries.

Operators of the Year Presentation

The Oregon Department of Forestry will recognize the logging companies selected as Operators of the Year.

86^th Annual OLC Celebration Buffet Dinner and Dance

Friday, Feb 23^rd, Playwrights Hall, Graduate Eugene

Sponsors: General Trailer and Peerless Parts

Hosted beer and wine, buffet dinner, and dancing to live music from Bump in the Road.

FRIDAY AND SATURDAY, FEB 23rd and and 24th

OLC Log Loader Competition

Outside display area

Sponsors: Triad Machinery and Link-Belt

SATURDAY, FEB 24th

Fellowship of Christian Loggers Breakfast, Performance Hall Meeting room 1

Sponsor: Fellowship of Christian Loggers.

Call Fellowship of Christian Loggers for tickets, 541-315-8192

Family Day and OLC Open to the Public, Lane Event Center and Fairgrounds

Family fun and educational activities, Wheeler Pavilion

Sponsor: KEZI 9 NEWS

Chainsaw wood carvers, outside display area

The Oregon Logging conference would like to extend a sincere thank you to all sponsors of activities associated with the 2024 OLC. We cannot do this without you! The success of the conference would not be what it is without our generous sponsors!

We still have a few sponsorship opportunities available. Please call OLC the office at 541.686.9191 for details.

Jaime Yraguen, Basco Logging LLC, will be the auctioneer on Thursday and Friday mornings, February 22 and 23. The OLC Foundation will benefit from this auction, with 100% of the proceeds going to support scholarships to help deserving students with their tuition and go on to play vital roles in our industry's future. The auction will be held during breakfast each morning in the Wheeler Pavilion. SInce 1968, the scholarship program has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships. The OLC Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable foundation and donations and purchases are tax deductible. If you would like to donate to the auction, call the OLC office at 541-686-9191. 

Here are some of the donations to date. Additional items will be posted on the OLC website.

Thursday, February 22nd  

• $1,000 Gift card toward purchase of pickup tires, donated Superior Tire Service
• Stihl MS 362 Power Chainsaw, donated by First Strike Environmental
• Radiator Supply House Icebox Drum Smoker, donated by Radiator Supply House
• Oregon Women in Timber Champion Table for 10 at the Dinner/Auction for February 20, 2025, donated OWIT
• Seats Inc. – Legacy Series Leather Truck Seat, donated by TEC Equipment Inc.
• Wood Carving donated by Jay Peppard, Chainsaw Buzz
• Handmade Basket, with 24 cans of Albacore tuna caught in Newport, OR, and other great goodies, donated by NW Welding.
• Artwork from Claudia Lima

Friday February 23rd

• Something Great, donated by Pape’ Kenworth
• Wood Carving, donated by Wayne Lyon, Bears Bears Bears
• T800 Kenworth Log Truck & Trailer- Wooden Model with one of a kind 86^th OLC logo, donated by Skyline Models.
• ILIWA Safari, Picture & Hunt Safari, Donated by Iliwa Safari & Radiator Supply House
• AR 15 donated by Radiator Supply House
• Spill Kit, donated by First Strike Environmental
• $1,000 Gift Certificate towards purchase of tires, donated by O & M Tire Point
• Something Great, donated by Western Trailer Co.

The 33^rd Annual Oregon Women in Timber (OWIT) Talk About Trees Dinner and Auction will again this year be held in conjunction with the kick-off meet and greet and pre-registration and registration activities of the Oregon Logging Conference.

Since OWIT adoption of the Talk About trees program in 1991, the Oregon Logging Conference and the companies and individuals who comprise it have supported making this invaluable outreach possible to thousands of Oregon schoolchildren.

New this year is the opportunity to partner with OWIT and their program promoting science-based literacy for all Oregonians. Auction Sponsorships are available, ranging from $1,000 to $10,000. Silver Level sponsorships will include showcasing your company on the OWIT website, in promotional materials, on social media, in the auction booklet, plus verbal and visual recognition at the event. Sponsors will also receive dinner tickets to the event, ranging from two to a reserved table of 10, depending on the sponsorship level.

Platinum, Diamond, and Gold Level sponsors will receive the above listed perks, plus advertisements in the auction booklet, the size depending on the level of sponsorship.

Platinum and Diamond sponsors will also have the opportunity to have a pull up banner on display at the event, and Platinum Level sponsors can have a professional 30-second video of their company produced by JDavenport Photography that will be played at the event.

This new partnership opportunity is detailed on the OWIT Auction website page.

A greater attendance capacity at the OWIT Dinner/Auction will be available in 2024, thanks to the graduate Eugene hotel staff finding additional space for display of the silent auction items. The entire Playwrights Hall will be banquet seating.

Again, this year, OWIT is partnering with OLC to offer Partners in Education lapel pins. Proceeds are split equally between the Talk About Trees program and the Oregon Logging Conference Foundation. Only 100 pins are sold each year. The purchase of each pin comes with the satisfaction of knowing you’re supporting sound forestry education and opportunity, and a chance to win a $500 hotels.com gift card. Pins are available now and more information is available on the OWIT Auction website, Tickets and Sponsorship page.

OWIT looks forward to catching up with everyone at the annual dinner and auction fundraiser on February 21, 2024.

OWIT is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, so all donations are tax deductible. You can donate online and stay up to date on all things auction-related at https://orwit.ejoinme.org/2024. 

The inside exhibit booths are filling up fast for the 86th Annual gathering at the Lane Event Center and Fairgrounds in Eugene.

Limited booths are available for the 2024 conference. If you plan to participate as an exhibitor, please call the OLC office 541.686.9191 or email events@oregonloggingconference.com.

We look forward to another successful Oregon Logging Conference - Logging, Construction, Trucking and Heavy Equipment Expo.

Remember daylight savings ends at 2am on November 5th.

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