WVFA Mountain State Forestry Fall 2020

www.wvfa.org Fall 2020 |  West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry 5 M E S S A G E F R OM T H E E X E C U T I V E D I R E C T O R PARTNERSHIPS Over 77% favor partnering with business groups and 69% favor partnering with environmental groups. This validates our partnering with the WV Business and Industry Council, and the WV Chamber of Commerce, and leaves the door open to work more with environmental groups. The article in this issue from the Conservation Fund depicts a start through the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. NEW INITIATIVES We tested some ongoing initiatives and possibly to expand in the future. The Log-A-Load program that provides much needed help to Children’s Hospitals, supported solely through the Mountain Loggers Group in northern WV, was favored by 79%. A Captive Workers’ Compensation Insurance program was favored by 69% and considering few loggers responded, indicates support to move forward. An interesting response was 67% favor a WV Landowners Council, with 57% favored expanding the WV Tree Farm program. SUPPORTING THE ASSOCIATION’S FINANCES We asked a question trying to tease out how we should obtain the financial support needed to operate the association. A significant number of respondents favored continuing the current dues structure or possibly some modification while launching an aggressive membership campaign. We will be using this valuable insight from our members in the months ahead. ELECTION 2020 The second step we took was to develop a Candidate Questionnaire for candidates seeking legislative office election in the general election this fall. We simply wanted to solicit general policy positions from candidates. This helps our members and others understand each candidates’ thoughts about their understanding of key issues that impact the forest industry and forest owners. All responses are posted on the www.wvfa.org website. Read them closely. These two steps are critical to shaping our direction for the future and the need for a strong advocacy message. West Virginia forests annually provide over $3.4 billion in economic activity (as recently as data is available). We know the pandemic has impacted this activity as it has all businesses in the state. What will be the future for West Virginia’s forests? We know is the forest resource is still growing, forest owners will harvest that resource, and the forest industry must be ready with skilled loggers, truck drivers, mill operators, foresters, and all the other skilled craftsman using forest products to fulfill society’s demands for products. We will need improved roads, bridges, and railroads. Our message is simple, we need infrastructure. We need both technical training and higher education programs. Most of all. we need people in our elected offices, who understand these needs and can help to shape the future of West Virginia to enable natural resources industries to flourish. WVFA must provide that pivotal information to help build the case for these investments. To maintain a regulatory framework that relies on using best management practices to protect our water quality. To keep out elected officials at all levels well informed as to the constantly changed business climate and how public investments and polices can impact West Virginia’s forest and forest products industry. I am looking forward to being a part of making this happen. 78% 69% 57% Favored Youth Programs and Project Learning Tree Favored Partnering with Environmental Groups Favored Expanding the WV Tree Farm Program