AFA Newsroom V9 No. 15, August 1, 2014

AFA Annual Meeting Fast Approaching 

Get ready to join your friends and fellow AFA'ers at the 2014 Annual Meeting. We will inform you and give you the chance plan for your next business year and review the industry successes, goals and concerns.

Take advantage of the fantastic Continuing Education opportunities over two days. Check out the dynamic schedule for PLM, CFE, CLE, and CPE related courses.

During the three days there are special activities planned for socializing with peers, friends and family. Play golf, go swimming, go shopping, or simply relax at the beach, but do join us for this wonderful working time and fellowship.

CONFERENCE AGENDA & BROCHURE
 

IP CEO John V. Faraci named RISI North American CEO of the Year
 

BOSTON -- Mr. John V. Faraci, CEO of International Paper, has been named the 2014 North American CEO of the Year by RISI, the leading information provider for the global forest products industry. The award will be presented to Mr. Faraci at the 29th Annual RISI North American Forest Products Outlook Conference.

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In Memoriam: James Hughes

Mr. James Hughes, a beloved member of the forestry family in Alabama has passed away. Many of us knew Mr. Hughes and thought the world of him.

AFA Director of Forestry Programs, Karen Boyd, had this to say about her recollections of Mr. Hughes: "I loved Mr. Hughes, and will miss him!  He was so kind and helpful. Once I had to cross four landowners within the boundaries of Bankhead National Forest to access a tract of timber. Mr. Hughes was the only reason I was able to get permission from everyone. He barely knew me, but went to bat for me, and convinced some very skeptical/anti harvesting people that I would not tear up their property."

Mr. James Hughes' Obit

AFC Sends Firefighters to help other states

Recently, seven Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) wildland firefighters from across the state left for fire-fighting details out West. Five were dispatched to wildfires in Oregon, while two were assigned to Washington State, which is dealing with one of the largest wildfires in its history. (UPDATE: At the July 29 AFC meeting, State Forester Greg Pate said that there are now 15 AFC employees helping fight fires out west). 

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Let the Bragging begin For the next sunburn classic

Break out the sun screen and get ready to RUMBLE as the date of the 2014 Third Annual Sunburn Classic is just weeks away.

As he always does, Tom Saunders will have big prizes for hole-in-one winners, including a massively beautiful Kenworth tractor rig supplied by Truckworx Kenworth and a Nissan Titan Pickup supplied by Jack Ingram Motors.

Download Brochure...

Home Starts surge after slow first quarter

Housing news continued to improve as pending home sales surged following a slow first quarter. Home prices also continued to move higher but at a more moderate pace, suggesting the extra push caused by investors may be slowing. Economic news, however, was mixed. Consumer confidence increased in response to improving labor market conditions. On the other hand, new estimates from the first quarter revealed a steeper decline in real GDP. Early indications are that real GDP will reverse course from a dismal first quarter and gains in housing will continue the pace set before the end of 2013.

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Service Awards $16.6 Million in Grants to Support Recreational Boating and Clean Water in 21 States

        --Southeast Region Gets $4.9 Million --

A total of $16.6 million in grants will be awarded to 21 states under the Clean Vessel Act (CVA) program, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced today.  In the Southeast, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, and South Carolina each received Funding.

Since the first CVA awards were made in 1993, the Service has awarded more than $200 million to states to fund construction, replacement, renovation and maintenance of facilities that assist recreational boaters in properly disposing of on-board septic waste. The program also provides information and education about the importance, benefits and availability of pump-outs. 

Another gun maker heading south

The large-scale exodus of gun manufacturers from states inhospitable to the Second Amendment continued this week, with Beretta USA announcing that it would be moving its Maryland operation to Gallatin, Tennessee.

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SFI Meeting Set in Canada

Washington (D.C.), Ottawa, ON – In celebration of Canadian Environment Week, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative® Inc. (SFI®), announced it will bring together stakeholders across a broad spectrum – from landowners to brand owners – to discuss and determine actions related to our most important issue globally – our forests. The SFI Annual Conference will be held September 16-18, 2014 in Montreal, Canada and will address green building, advancements in forestry research and other emerging forest issues that help shape North America’s future forests. Read Release

AFA Annual Meeting Tree Farm Auction Features two fantastic guns

The Alabama Tree Farm program auction at the AFA Annual Meeting will be providing chances on two fantastic guns  this year.

You can buy chances  on a Franchi Instinct L Shotgun in 12 or 20 gauge or a Browning X-Bolt rifle with a Zeiss scope in any standard caliber. 

Click here to review flyer...

2014 Regional Events and Field Days Set for october

The Alabama Natural Resources Council and the Alabama State Tree Farm Committee will be hosting the 2014 Regional Events and Forestry Field Days on Oct. 2 in Colbert County, Oct. 9 in Perry County and Oct. 16 in Coffee County. 

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SAVE THE DATE for 2015 Outreach Symposium and Awards Banquet 

The Alabama Natural Resources Council will be holding its Outreach Symposium and Awards Banquet on February 6, 2015 at the Marriott Prattville Hotel and Conference Center. Go ahead and pencil it in to your calendar. 

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Forestry Workshop Sept. 16, 2014 in Jasper

A forestry workshop will be held on Tuesday, September 16, 2014 in Jasper, AL.  The workshop topics will be current & future timber market, Longleaf vs. Loblolly, herbal/medicinal uses of forest products, beaver control and forestry BMP’s. CFE units and PLM hours will be available for attending the workshop.  There is no charge to attend. However, reservations are requested by contacting Katherine with the Walker County Soil and Water Conservation District at (205) 387-1879 ext. 1.

Capital and Delta Districts Hold Great Events 

The Piedmont District held its annual golf tournament on June 11 and had a great day as the threat of rain caused no problems on the course. State Log a Load Chair Janet Ison said that the Piedmont event raised $21,2000. Way to go and congratulations to Jeff Gossett and the whole Piedmont crew.

Remaining events for 2014 include:
• Sept. 19. Annual Kronospan Event at Silver Lakes, Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail. Contact: Jeremy Oliver at (256) 282-2559.
• Sept. 20. The Annual Archery Shoot sponsored by the Auburn University Forestry Club will be held at the Sportsman's Outpost in Waverly, Ala. Contact: Tom Gallaher, tgallagher@auburn.edu.  
• Nov. 7. Westervelt Sporting Clays & Skeet Shoot, at Westevelt Lodge near Aliceville. Contact: George Franklin at, (205) 562-5699 or Lydia Fields at (205) 562-5482.

Dr. Salem Saloom Honored for Longleaf Work

Dr. Saleem Saloom of Enterprise, Alabama, has been honored by the American Forest Foundation (AFF) for his continued work on longleaf pine restoration.

Dr. Saloom, his wife Dianne and their son Patrick, were honored in 2010 by winning the National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year award.

Read more...​

Don't Forget About Our Great New Books on Forestry

We now have two books that you can use to learn more about forestland management and the history of the forest products industry in Alabama. These books make outstanding gifts for birthdays, Christmas and any other gift-giving purpose. The book on the left, Green Gold: Alabama's Forests and Forest Industries, provides the first comprehensive history of forestry in Alabama, from when the Indians cleared forests for agriculture to the modern era.

The book on the right, Managing Forests on Private Lands in Alabama and the Southeast, is probably the best book every produced on managing forests for timber production and for preserving water and wildlife resources.      

If you are interested in owning either or both of these books, contact Liz Chambers at (334) 481-2135 or lchambers@alaforestry.org.