12 The Mainline News, Events, Reminders It is a completely free program, and it incorporates hands on activities to engage students. OWIT has trained facilitators across the state that deliver the program, which is aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards. On a yearly average, 140,000 students, teachers, and parents participate in the Talk About Trees program. Because of this reach, fundraising for Talk About Trees continues to be one of the main activities for OWIT. Attendees enjoyed lunch, a mimosa bar, two fascinating speakers from OWIT, networking with friends, and participated in a hands-on activity that is used by Talk About Trees in the classroom. Attendees also generously donated beautiful raffle baskets, which were raffled off, with all proceeds going to fund the Talk About Trees program—this raised over $1,600 to continue this important work! Planning for the 2026 Women’s Network & Learn Lunch is already in the works. Please plan to attend, and reach out with speaker ideas or your raffle basket donation details to: AOL Staff Rachel Hultgren, [email protected] For more information about Friends of Paul Bunyan Foundation and grant application link, go to: https://oregonloggers.org/page/ FOPBFAboutUs t educational projects. The Foundation has also given financial assistance for research, and other projects at Oregon State University. Foundation efforts have reached many thousands of students and others interested in the sustainable growing, harvest, access, recreation, and protection of managed Oregon forests. FPBF grant recipient Oregon Women in Timber (OWIT) was invited to speak about how their grant was used to fund their award-winning forestry education program Talk About Trees. The program gives an overview of forest ecology, management practices, and forest uses. If you missed the 2025 Women’s Network & Learn Lunch at AOL Convention, make plans next year to attend this informative and interactive event! This event provides an overview each year of AOL’s own Friends of Paul Bunyan Foundation and its charitable grant recipients. The Friends of Paul Bunyan Foundation (FPBF) is a non-profit private charitable organization, with AOL as its sole member. The Foundation is now starting its 28th year of operation and has made 157 grants totaling $857,872. These grants have been made for forestry and logging education in many schools statewide, as well as organizations engaged in K–12 forestry Women’s Network & Learn Lunch at AOL Convention Featuring Oregon Women in Timber—Talk About Trees ›By Kathy Ballard, Business Operations Manager
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