April 2023 Issue <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Vol. 7 Issue 10

In this issue: 2023 resolutions adopted by OLC, planning is underway for next year, FNRL of Oregon 2023 convention and more photos from the 2023 OLC.

Three Resolutions Approved at the

85^th Annual Oregon Logging Conference

Three resolutions were approved at the 85^th Annual Oregon Logging Conference. Resolution Chair Jennifer Waggoner and her committee chose the resolutions, and each was presented during the OLC proceedings in February.

2023 Resolution No. 1 - Regarding Mature and Old Growth Policy on Federal Lands

A resolution by the Oregon Logging Conference Regarding Mature and Old Growth Policy on Federal Lands (abbreviated).

WHEREAS, on April 22, 2022, President Joe Biden signed Executive Order 14072, titled “Strengthening the Nation's Forests, Communities, and Local Economies” and directed federal agencies to pursue science-based, sustainable forest and land management, and to conserve America's mature and old-growth forests on Federal lands.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Oregon Logging Conference go on record in calling on President Biden, his departments and agencies to implement its 10-year wildfire strategy, to reject policies that would further limit forest management activities that help prevent the loss of forests and forest resources on Federal lands, and to work with the timber industry to sustain our regional forest products infrastructure and to restore the health and resiliency of our Federally-owned forests.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this resolution be provided to Oregon’s congressional delegation, Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, the Department of the Interior, the Chief of the United States Forest Service, and the Director of the Bureau of Land Management.

Click here for full text of resolution # 1

This resolution was presented by Nick Smith, Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities.

As a member of a multi-generation farming family, Smith has a passion for natural resources and rural communities. In 2013 he founded Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities, a non-profit, non-partisan grassroots coalition that advocates for active forest management on federally owned lands.

Smith has a background in public policy and communications, having worked in the Oregon Legislature in various capacities and having served several members of leadership in the House of Representatives.

Smith holds a BA in Journalism from Chico State and a Master of Public Administration from Portland State.

2023 Resolution No. 2 - Regarding Taking New Oregon Legislators to Logging Operations

A resolution by the Oregon Logging Conference Regarding Taking New Oregon Legislators to Logging Operations (abbreviated).

WHEREAS, there are 27 new State Representatives and State Senators in the Oregon Legislature.

WHEREAS, there has been great success in opening people’s minds about logging and forest management by taking them to the woods and showing them the abundance of trees, explaining rules and restrictions, demonstrating professional logging and reforestation processes.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Oregon Logging Conference will work to get every new State Representative and State Senator to the woods in 2023 to see the life cycle of managed trees including an active logging operation and stages of reforestation.

Click here for full test of resolution # 2

This resolution was presented by Oregon Representative Boomer Wright, who represents District 9 of the Oregon Coast from the north end of Yachats to the south end of Coos Bay. Representative Boomer (Duane) Wright has served in the Oregon Legislature since November 2020

Wright graduated from Crow High School and in 1972, received his bachelor’s degree in Education from Oregon College of Education. In 1982 Wright completed his master’s degree in Education and Certification as an Administrator at the University of Oregon. During his educational career, Wright has been a teacher, Vice-Principal, Principal, and Superintendent. He retired from education in 2002 and then worked at Selco Credit Union as a liaison for the Florence community for three years.

2023 Resolution No. 3 - Regarding Extreme and Detrimental Transportation Policies in the Oregon State Legislature

A resolution by the Oregon Logging Conference Regarding Extreme and Detrimental Transportation Policies in the Oregon State Legislature (abbreviated).

WHEREAS, Oregon is now the 6^th fastest shrinking state in the nation; and

WHEREAS, Oregon’s transportation policies are expensive and a major factor for families and businesses relocating to other states; and

WHEREAS, the national fuel cost increase was exacerbated in Oregon due to Oregon taxes and regulations and has been detrimental to Oregon businesses, especially to the logging industry, which is dependent on fuel to operate.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Oregon logging conference opposes Oregon state legislation impacting fuel, emissions, vehicle, transportation, highway infrastructure or transport-related tax that lacks sufficient business concurrence, incentives, alternatives and feasibility.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we also oppose bans, phase-outs and mandates related to transportation.

Click here for full text of resolution # 3

This resolution was presented by Alexis Jacobson, International Accounts Manager, BOSSCO Trading LLC.

Jacobson is the International Accounts Manager at the forage export company BOSSCO Trading LLC located in Tangent, Oregon. BOSSCO Trading LLC is an international agriculture export company that primarily exports grass straw and hay as supplemental feed for cattle raised in other countries.

As International Accounts Manager, Jacobson is integral in coordinating exports shipments, coordinating drayage trucking, making the schedule to which forage is compressed for containerization, managing export customer relations, and managing ocean carrier contracts and relationships.

86th Annual Oregon Logging Conference

Theme Under Discussion

2024 Oregon Logging Conference President Steve Henson and the OLC board will be selecting a theme and discussing program topics for the 86th Annual Oregon Logging Conference at its Spring board meeting in May.

Outside suggestions may be submitted to the Oregon Logging conference office in Eugene, OR, no later than May 10th, 2023.

We are already looking to next year to line up an Oregon Logging Conference not to be missed, the dates are February 22 to 24, 2024, so be sure to mark your calendar.

Meanwhile, here are a few more photos from the successful 85^th Annual Oregon Logging Conference machinery exhibits, education program and seminars sessions.

Aerial Drone photo of the 2023 OLC

Photos by of Mary Bullwinkel

OLCF Auction - Beautiful painting

End of Day First Day at OLC

Sun peaks over log loader

Link-belt Log Loader

Log Loader Competition

OLCF auction

Wooden Tigercat Model

Light snow on opening day

OLC Logo shop

Log Scalers in Training

Sunset at the end of the day

High Schools Skill Competition at the OLC Foundation's

5th Future Forestry Workers Career Day Event

Photos below by of the Register Guard photographer Ben Lonergain,

Weyerhaeuser foresters present Reforestation to students

Foresters talk about job opportunities

High School students compete at the career day event

Student receives instruction

on equipment

Student learns how to

operator a loader

Student shows his skills

in the bucking event

2023 OREGON FUTURE NATURAL RESOURCE LEADERS MEET AT

STATE CONVENTION

By Rex Lowther, Executive Director, FNRL

On April 21^st and 22^nd, Oregon FNRL hosted its 8^th annual State Convention in the beautiful Willamette Valley. This year’s event boasted the first banquet for FNRL, a tradition that will continue into the future. Records were broken this year as we had 19 schools represented and 224 students in attendance. Previously, the record was 12 schools and 183 students making the convention held in April of each year.

The event began a week prior at Clatskanie High School where the state timber cruising CDE was held. This year’s convention location did not have enough trees located nearby to host the timber cruising event. It was great that they were able to do that and make this year’s venue so much more accessible.

Friday began in the Atrium of Peavy Hall on the Oregon State University campus. Once logistics were in place, off the kids went to get their events going. The biggest change this year from previous years was the banquet. It was always a concern since so many of the students had other engagements in the evenings. This year we held the banquet at lunch during Friday’s events. From 11-1 all events shut down and students, advisors, honored guests, and others made their way to the CH2M Hill Alumni Center. Pig Out Catering laid out an amazing array of food.

During the banquet, several people were honored with different awards. The Business of the Year award was presented to Weyerhaeuser for all of their support over the years. Lori Loeffler, from Tillamook High School, was honored as the Educator of the Year. Timbre White, from Scio High School, received the top new teacher award. Duane Doyle, president of Peterson Cat, regaled the audience with stories of logging and his work with the Pacific Logging Congress.

After awards, the student business meeting was called to order by state president Joslynn Winters, from Scio High School. Several agenda items were addressed and voted on by the delegates from each school. The state officers were given an opportunity to say farewell and the new year’s officers were introduced. After a few words from executive director Rex Lowther, the audience was dismissed, and the students went back to complete the day's tasks.

Saturday morning, we found ourselves at the Powerland Heritage Park’s Pacific Northwest Logging Museum for the more physical activities. Students began at 9 am after the playing of the National Anthem. Choker setting, tree climbing, crosscutting, and many other events took place in front of several sets of bleachers for the first time ever. The weather cleared up for the event, boasting temperatures not seen in Oregon in over 6 months. It was a wonderful day to have the sunshine lighting up the area. At the conclusion of the events at 12:30 the log roll stand was brought in and a bracket of 26 individuals rolled against each other in true double elimination style. Once the champion was crowned, it was time to roll out the podiums. Six 36” rounds were placed by several volunteers and students graced those blocks as they were honored for their hard work.

“It was a truly special event,” said Lowther, event coordinator. “We wanted to really make it special for the kids and give them something they looked forward to each year. I feel like we accomplished that. There are so many people that worked to make it all come together, but nobody worked harder than my wife, Amy. Her skills in organizing events made my life so much easier. I told the audience Friday morning that all my good ideas were hers, and I was not joking. She is the one that suggested the lunch banquet.”

“The logging museum has wanted to host us for several years, and I am glad that we made it work. They went above and beyond, and the Powerland Park was a perfect location for Saturday’s events. There was so much room for everyone and several of the museums were open for people to visit. We are looking forward to continuing the partnership in the future,” said Lowther. Overall, it was the most successful convention. As always, there is room for improvement, but those are some tweaks. No major changes need to be made to continue to provide a quality event for our high school students. The third weekend in April, 2024 will be our next convention dates and we are all looking forward to the growth of this program.

Here's a few photos from the annual convention.