WVFA Mountain State Forestry Winter 2021-22

www.wvfa.org Winter 2021–22 | 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 We have had a great year in 2021 as an association. Membership is up significantly. We have some new programs for some of the smaller forest owners to improve their woodlots. We have made strides in building stronger relationships with legislators, business associations, and conservation groups throughout the state. This issue, we are focusing on community impacts made by groups that are affiliated with our association—groups focused on the value of West Virginia forests in the past and, more importantly, in the future. My point of featuring these groups is to emphasize we need many people and many groups to work together to make an impact and how important it is to build and maintain relationships with groups that may have a slightly different focus, but collectively we are building better communities. The Mountain Loggers Group, simply a group of community-minded people, has invested millions in their local community and institutions like the soon to open new WVU Children’s Hospital. Having attended their recent banquet, I was so impressed with the entire family involvement. The Cass Railroad, although often thought of as a unique example of a 19th century railroad, has a display that shows the past so we can understand how much the industry has changed. The designation of the Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area (AFNHA) is a significant national recognition by Congress of the region and its importance to the communities. WVFA has a seat on the AFNHA Board giving WVFA an opportunity to influence how this Heritage Area is developed over time. Our recent legislative reception was well attended by longtime friends and importantly by freshman legislators. We are so fortunate to have many younger legislators, in their 20s and 30s, entering the fray that are willing to listen and learn how forests and forest products are important in every county of West Virginia. These people are the future leadership, and we are blessed to have so many being anxious to help us. Lastly, but most importantly, the changes of West Virginia’s legislative districts will impact the next decade of elected leaders in state and federal legislative bodies. There will be opportunities to find candidates who will be supportive of our needs and help those incumbents who have helped us along the way as they engage in a new electorate. Because West Virginia is one of a few states with part-time Legislative Session that relies upon “citizen” legislators, people willing to step up and be the voice of their community, consider becoming one of the citizen legislators yourself. Eric Carlson Executive Director “This issue, we are focusing on community impacts made by groups that are affiliated with our association—groups focused on the value of West Virginia forests in the past and, more importantly, in the future.”