August 2022 Issue <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Vol. 7 Issue 2

In this issue a message from OLC President Craig Olson on how planning is proceeding for the 85^th Annual Oregon Logging Conference, a charity is chosen for the Desserts for Dreams luncheon, and a few seminar topics have been selected for next year’s OLC.

Easy Quick Links to the 2023 current program schedule, panel and seminar topics, social events, competitions, and other activities can be found on the last page of this newsletter.

A Word From 2023 Oregon Logging Conference President Craig Olson

We’re excited about the upcoming 85th Annual Oregon Logging Conference and the planning progress which is being made.

Seminars, panel discussions, and hands-on presentation topics are being firmed up, along with speakers, panel members, and other presenters.

We’ve already reached out to one person to be the keynote speaker for the OLC in 2023 and hope to have more details soon. Other potential keynote speakers have been suggested and we will be following up with that as well.

The OLC theme of Green Trees Matter. Healthy Forests = Healthy Future ties in perfectly with our industry’s need to actively engage the next generation workforce. Healthy forests not only allow us to provide a raw material that our customers need to produce their products, but the financial and social benefits carry over to the communities and businesses that they reside in. It has been a focus for OLC and partners in our industry for the past several years, to reach out and connect with young men and women and encourage them to pursue careers in logging and forestry and other related fields.

The Oregon Logging Conference Foundation’s Future Forestry Workers Career Day (FFWCD), held annually in conjunction with the OLC, has connected with more than 2,500 high school students from over 100 high schools in Oregon and Washington. The 6th Annual FFWCD will be held on February 24, 2023, in the Livestock Arena at the Lane County Fairgrounds in Eugene.

Engaging the Next Generation will be a topic addressed at the OLC. Success stories will be shared from the Pacific Forest Foundation’s Adopt-A-High School program and the Natural Resources Leaders’ high school forestry program.

Another important topic I hope to have discussed is succession plans for contract logging companies. I’m worried that many companies, both small and large, do not have these important plans. At some point, the loss of infrastructure could impact our industries operations and constrain our ability to meet the needs of the consumer. We need to remain proactive and continue to strengthen the workforce that delivers our resource to market.

It’s going to be a Conference full of current and important issues being discussed and plenty of fun and social activities as well. OLC First Lady Kristi and I look forward to seeing you next year, February 23 – 25, 2023 at the Lane Event Center and Fairgrounds in Eugene.

WILDLAND FIREFIGHTER FOUNDATION SELECTED AS DESSERTS FOR DREAMS CHARITY

Motivated by the devastating fire season in 1994, founder of Wildland Firefighter Foundation Vicki Minor decided after the loss of 14 courageous firefighters on the South Canyon fire in Colorado, that she would start a campaign to raise money for the families of those who died.

Oregon Logging Conference First Lady Kristi Olson selected WFF as the charity to receive the proceeds raised at the OLC’s benefit Desserts for Dreams luncheon.

“This organization is very near and dear to our hearts,” Kristi said referring to her and husband Craig Olson, this year’s OLC president.

“A good friend of mine lost his life in this fire,” Craig said, speaking about the 1994 South Canyon fire in Colorado. “Scott Blecha was a classmate, a teammate and a friend from high School."

Blecha was one of the 14 firefighters who died after being overrun by the fire on Storm King Mountain, near Glenwood Springs, CO.

Kristi said she also discovered that another one of the firefighters who lost their lives in that fire, had grown up living in the same neighborhood as her dad and “bonus mom” in Dallas, Oregon.

“These connections and the sacrifices and bravery that all of the firefighters and families display makes WFF my choice,” Kristi said, “and I am honored to be able to direct the funds raised at the 2023 Desserts for Dreams to this Foundation.”

The mission of the Wildland Firefighter Foundation is to help families of firefighters killed in the line of duty and also assist injured firefighters and their families.

“This foundation helps unsung heroes,” Craig said, “those who protect our forests and communities. This foundation places the money where it needs to be.”

The Wildland Firefighter Foundation was officially formed in the spring of 1999 and is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization. For more information visit www.wffoundation.or g

The OLC Desserts for Dreams luncheon is scheduled to take place February 24, 2023, at 12:30 p.m. at the Graduate Eugene Hotel. It includes salads and delicious baked goods donated by local restaurants and bakeries.

100% of the proceeds raised will be donated to the Wildland Firefighter Foundation.

Tickets are $30 each and for more information, contact the OLC office at 541-686-9191.

SEMINAR AND PANEL TOPICS SELECTED

FOR 85th ANNUAL OLC

Oregon Logging Conference committee chairs continue to work selecting topics and speakers to address current rules and regulations, the latest technology in the industry, and forest practices.

Topics being considered will follow the theme Green Trees Matter. Healthy Forests = Healthy Future. Updates will be posted on the OLC website.

Again this year for the upcoming conference we will have a mill tour. Zip-O Log Mills Inc. has agreed to host the tour on Thursday, February 23, 2023. The tour will be limited to the first 25 people, for more information email events@oregonloggingconference.com or call 541.686.9191.

Business Advice Presentation Planned

This seminar will be presented on Friday, February 24, 2023, in the southwest meeting room of the Exhibit Hall.

CPA, CA, and partner and national leader of MNP’s Forestry & Forest Products Services Group in Canada Chris Duncan is scheduled to make a presentation at the Oregon Logging Conference.

Drawing on more than a decade of experience, Duncan has deep industry experience delivering business advice to logging contractors, value-added wood processors and other forestry industry related businesses.

Duncan helps his clients with assurance, accounting, and taxes, while delivering industry-specific services, such as developing rate models for forestry equipment, consulting on equipment purchase decisions, and developing business and tax plans for real estate development projects.

Duncan holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) in accounting, is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), and Chartered Accountant (CA). He is a member of the Truck Loggers Association and a columnist for Truck Logger BC magazine.

Finding the Next Generation Workforce

This seminar will be presented on Friday, February 24, 2023, in the southwest meeting room of the exhibit hall

Panelists will include Rex Lowther, Executive Director of Oregon Future Natural Resource Leaders and Roger Smith, owner of R. L. Smith Logging of Olympia, WA.

Lowther’s presentation will note how the next generation of workers are different. He said that when we speak of engaging the next generation, we need to be specific on what the desired results are. Lowther said worker retention is also important…what motivates employees, how to teach them, and the most effective ways to boost morale. He said the key is understanding what drives employees and how that varies across generations.

Smith will talk about "Recruiting the Future" and his involvement in the Pacific Forest Foundation’s (the Pacific Logging Congress’ educational foundation) Adopt a High School program. The program coordinates resource professional visits to schools, to connect with students one on one. The program was established because of the mounting difficulty in recruiting qualified and experienced workers in the logging industry and forestry. “Instead of waiting for workers to come to you, Adopt a High School brings you and your company to the students and employees of tomorrow,” Smith said. He said the industry cannot wait for younger employees to come forward, the need is to be proactive and reach out to them.

Hands On Seminar Presented by Ponsse

This seminar will be presented on Friday, February 24, 2023, in Ponsse's outside exhibit are.

Representatives will go over the latest technology which Ponsse will be introducing at the Oregon Logging Conference.

Earn Pro Logger Credits

Paid and registered members of the Oregon Logging Conference will be able to earn as many as 10 Professional Logger (Pro Logger) credits by attending panels, seminars, and other OLC presentations. These credits are applicable toward Pro Logger certification and fulfillment requirements outline in the Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

INDUSTRY HAPPENINGS AND NEWS

The Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI) board of directors has named Jim Paul. Read more.

ODFW seeks North Coast representative for the Salmon and Trout Enhancement Advisory Committee – Apply by Sept. 16. Read more.

A Coming Revolution in the Forest Products Industry. Read more.

How DNA is Transforming the Fight Against Illegal Logging. Read more.