The United States Senate, led by Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and Mike Crapo (R-ID) have introduced the Timber Innovation Act (S. 2892). A House companion bill, H.R. 5628, has also been introduced and was led by Reps. Suzan DelBene (D-WA), Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA), Derek Kilmer (D-WA) and Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). Both bills would: Establish [read more]
Nanocellulose was in the spotlight during a recent Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing. U.S. Senator Angus King (I-Maine) highlighted work done at the University of Maine to support the forest economy and biobased industries, and emphasized the need for research and development institutions across the country to work together in support of American manufacturing [read more]
By: Jessica Hernandez On Wednesday April 20th, Congressman Bruce Westerman (R-Arkansas) and a bipartisan group of members of Congress launched the Working Forests Caucus. The caucus, which is co-chaired by Rep. Westerman and charter members Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Washington), Sanford Bishop (D-Georgia), and Collin Peterson (D-Minnesota) was created to promote the benefits of America’s working [read more]
With support from the Forest Legacy Program of the USDA Forest Service, the New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands is achieving goals outlined in its Forest Action Plan. The economy of Northern New Hampshire was anchored for generations by the pulp and paper industry until 2006 when the historic mill in Berlin closed permanently. [read more]
With support from the Forest Legacy Program of the USDA Forest Service, the Idaho Department of Lands is achieving goals outlined in its Forest Action Plan. In late 2014 the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), in partnership with the Trust for Public Land, acquired a conservation easement on 6,800 acres of working forest within northern Idaho’s McArthur [read more]
Wisconsin's high quality hardwoods, beautiful pines and skilled workforce helped the state secure the top ranking nationwide in wood furniture manufacturing employment. While other states saw wood furniture industry employment decline, Wisconsin manufacturers increased employment slightly, to 4,144 in 2013, up from 4,040 in 2011, according to data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics [read more]
By Leslie Robertson NASF Photo Fellow I started today with a tour of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) main office, meeting many friendly new faces and learning a little bit more about the organization. I then met with Dave Schmidt of the communications department and we drove to the Tiadaghton [read more]
The Forest Resources Association honored Anthony B. Andrews Logging Inc. (based in Trenton, North Carolina) as 2014 National Outstanding Logger on May 8th. FRA Chairman Tom Norris congratulated Anthony Andrews and his family and presented them with a special plaque, commenting, “On behalf of the FRA Board of Directors, it gives me great pleasure to [read more]
Steve Sinclair, State Forester for the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation has been named chair of a new Independent Standards Review Panel (ISRP) by the American Tree Farm System System® (ATFS) which will be comprised of a body of 14 forest stakeholders. The ISRP is charged with reviewing the American Forest Foundation (AFF)’s current [read more]
Last month, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed six members to serve on the Softwood Lumber Board. Each member will serve a three-year term. New appointments include manufacturers Charles W. Roady, Columbia Falls, Mont., and Danny White, Brewton, Ala., representing the U.S. West and South regions, respectively; and importer Don Kayne, BC, Canada, who will [read more]
