Spr ing 2022 WVFA Mountain State FORESTRY
5 | Message from the Executive Director 6 | Message from the President Featured News 8 | Monongahela National Forest: Project Update 10 | Legislative and Regulatory Update 12 | 2022 Snapshot of Forest Carbon in West Virginia West Virginia Loggers Council News 18 | WVFA Board Members Receive Outstanding Technical Writing Award 20 | WVFA 2020 Logger of the Year Named FRA Regional Outstanding Logger Tree Farm News 23 | 2022 ATFS Regional and National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Nomination Guidelines and Form 25 | Sustainable Forestry Initiative Launches 2022 Standards PAGE 26 Membership Application • Membership Application • CONTENTS BOARD OF DIRECTORS John Holstine, President...............Holstine Forestry Joe McNeel, 1st VP ....................... Appalachian Hardwood Center Aaron Plaugher, 2nd VP...............WestRock Kayla Springer, Secretary/Treasurer Curt Hassler, Past President Anthony Raines................................Rainco Forest Resources Ben Spong......................................... Appalachian Hardwood Center Brian Booth.......................................Allegheny Wood Products Buddy Downey................................WG Downey Consulting Clifton Moyers..................................Weyerhaeuser Dan Parker.........................................Tillinghast & Neely Gary Claypool..................................J.P. Hamer Lumber Gary Keaton....................................... Lyme Mountaineer Timberlands Jamie Dever.......................................Landmark Forestry Jared Simpson..................................Allegheny Wood Products Jeff Knollinger....................................Red Oak Timber Company Kirby Funderburke..........................Individual Lance Fairchild.................................Weyerhaeuser Mark Shreve......................................Weyerhaeuser Mark Wilson......................................Allegheny Wood Products Matthew Lane...................................Coastal Timberlands Rich Flanigan....................................Natural Resource Partners Ron Sammons.................................Sammons Logging Ronnie Sites......................................LC Logging Travis Facemyer...............................Facemyer Lumber Terry Jones.........................................Rich Mountain Forestry Tyler Carp...........................................Allegheny Wood Products West Virginia Forestry Association, Inc. 2008 Quarrier St., Charleston, WV 25311 681-265-5019 | [email protected] PUBLISHER LLM Publications Grandt Mansfield........................................Advertising Sales 503-445-2226 | [email protected] Spencer Seastrom.....................................Design & Layout STAFF Eric Carlson............................................... Executive Director Kayla Springer. ......................................... Accounting Manager Ed Kraynok................................................. Program Manager © 2022. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced or distributed electronically or mechanically, either in whole or in part, without the express written consent of the West Virginia Forestry Association. The advertisers assume complete responsibility to use any or all brand names, trademarks, guarantees, and statements which appear in their advertisements. 2022 Snapshot of Forest Carbon in West Virginia 12
www.wvfa.org Spring 2022 | 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 As we complete another legislative session, I am reminded of the challenges to put the complexity of forestry and manufacturing forest products into easily understood messages for legislators and their constituents to understand. Respecting that a legislator must vote on a range of issues, it is very helpful to spend time with each of them to gain their trust that we are both knowledgeable and trustworthy. You are the people we represent, and the range of needs move from forest property taxes, workers’ compensation, roads and bridges, workforce shortfalls, invasive species management, regulatory issues of air, water, endangered species, solid waste, renewable products, and the list builds. We had some big and important legislative goals this year on improving workers’ compensation, dealing with managed timberland property taxes, and preserving the Board of Registration of Foresters. A new issue has emerged related to forest carbon that has legislators discussing what role the public should play in developing policy. If we are successful, we will position the forest owners and industry for the future. You might be surprised how little most legislators know about the forest products industry in our state. With dozens of new legislators elected every two years, it is a process that never ends. The key to building trust and credibility is to be factual, be willing to listen carefully to all perspectives, and to find a pathway that is best for our needs. The best time to talk with a legislator is before a vote on a specific bill of concern. Therefore, when we send an alert, please respond. Please use our messaging points because consistency demonstrates a strong cohesiveness. It is also an election year, so we will be sending out a candidate questionnaire to all the candidates to give them the opportunity to let us know their thoughts on key issues. As we did two years ago, we will post all responses on the website at www.wvfa.org so the public can decide for themselves which candidates are worthy of their vote. Eric Carlson Executive Director “The key to building trust and credibility is to be factual, be willing to listen carefully to all perspectives, and to find a pathway that is best for our needs. The best time to talk with a legislator is before a vote on a specific bill of concern. Therefore, when we send an alert, please respond. Please use our messaging points because consistency demonstrates a strong cohesiveness.”
6 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry | Spring 2022 www.wvfa.org It was nice to see a good turnout for the 36th Annual A. B. Brooks Memorial Forestry Symposium on February 1, and it was refreshing to go back to an in-person format. We had a very good slate of speakers covering some interesting topics. I would like to take this opportunity to thank our speakers and all of those who attended. I also want to thank Eric Carlson and Kayla Springer for organizing the event. One topic of interest was forest carbon markets. These markets aren’t new, but they’re making an impact on West Virginia forests of late. Many of TIMOs and REITs, who collectively own hundreds of thousands of acres of forest in West Virginia, have been engaged in forest carbon projects for many years, but now forest carbon programs have been created for the small, non-industrial forestland owner. These programs are affecting how our forests are managed and could have an impact on raw-material sourcing in the future. Today’s forestland owner is faced with a myriad of choices regarding forest management. Along with timber production, considerations may be as broad as implementing a forest carbon program or a stream mitigation banking program to hunting and recreational activities. Does it make sense to diversify your forest management activities? If so, what should you be doing? How do you receive the highest return on your investment? And then there are external factors such as state and federal regulations, taxes, and economic conditions that will change from time to time. Being an active forestland owner can be very complex in today’s world indeed! With that said, if there are any WVFA members reading this and you have some ideas regarding forest management (or other) topics that we can cover at our upcoming annual meeting or any speakers that you think would be beneficial to the program, please contact Eric or me and we would be happy to consider them. Enjoy all that the spring season has to offer. “Today’s forestland owner is faced with a myriad of choices regarding forest management. Along with timber production, considerations may be as broad as implementing a forest carbon program or a stream mitigation banking program to hunting and recreational activities. ” John Holstine Board President M E S S A G E F R OM T H E P R E S I D E N T
F E A T U R E D N E W S 8 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry | Spring 2022 www.wvfa.org MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST PROJ ECT UPDAT E The Clubhouse Ridge Stewardship sale, managed by The Nature Conservancy, removed non-native red pine to encourage the growth of native red spruce. Monongahela National Forest, West Virginia, October 11, 2018. (USDA Forest Service photo by Kelly Bridges)
F E A T U R E D N E W S www.wvfa.org Spring 2022 | West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry 9 MONONGAHELA NATIONAL FOREST USES TIMBER harvest as a tool to enhance and restore ecological processes across the forest and stimulate rural economic development while helping to meet the nation’s timber needs. Balancing ecological and economic benefits, timber sales are a part of the Forest Service’s multiple-use forest management plan for providing the greatest good to local communities. The six-month schedule of timber sales for October 2021 through March 2022 is posted on the forest’s public website (link below), and includes details about upcoming sales and sales already awarded. The schedule for April through September will be posted on or after April 1. A new bidder checklist was recently added to the website, along with guidance on converting quantities from CCF to MMBF. In 2019, Monongahela National Forest began implementing a watershed-based order of entry schedule to enhance opportunities for stakeholder input and provide an efficient NEPA review and decision-making process for forest projects. This strategy supports implementation of the 2006 Revised Forest Management Plan in a balanced way across the forest and provides opportunities for aligning projects with the interests of partners and stakeholders. With this strategy, the forest can sustain two large-scale NEPA projects simultaneously, one on each zone. You can track projects on the forest through the schedule of proposed actions database at the link below. This website provides information about opportunities for commenting on planned or proposed projects on Monongahela National Forest. The proposed actions in the plans aim to improve forest health and age class diversity, wildlife habitat, and stream and riparian corridors, through the creation of early successional habitat, timber management, prescribed burning, and stream restoration, and are supported by the Forest Plan. For information about timber sales on Monongahela National Forest, contact Natural Resources Team Leader Kirk Piehler at [email protected]. Explore your national forest online at https://www. fs.usda.gov/mnf/ and follow us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/MonongahelaNF. Timber Sales Oct ‘21–Mar ‘22: www.fs.usda.gov/detail/mnf/home/?cid=FSEPRD542047 Project Progression: www.fs.fed.us/sopa/forest-level.php?110921 “The proposed actions in the plans aim to improve forest health and age class diversity, wildlife habitat, and stream and riparian corridors, through the creation of early successional habitat, timber management, prescribed burning, and stream restoration, and are supported by the Forest Plan.” Logs stacked and ready for transport at the North Cove Heli sale landing site near Dyer, Monongahela National Forest, April 3, 2019. (USDA Forest Service photo by Kelly Bridges) Stacking logs on the North Cove Heli sale near Dyer, Monongahela National Forest, April 3, 2019. (USDA Forest Service photo by Kelly Bridges)
F E A T U R E D N E W S 10 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry | Spring 2022 www.wvfa.org THE WEST VIRGINIA 2022 LEGISLATIVE SESSION has ended. We have spent countless hours meeting with legislators and their staff on issues and proposed legislation such as workers’ compensation and tort reform, licensing foresters, forest carbon markets, and managed timberland tax program. Our weekly updates have helped to motivate you as a member to reach out to legislators, so they hear directly from constituents. Thank you for your time and energy. It has made a difference. We took on some big and important issues this year. Our goal was to protect the private property rights of our members, provide a favorable regulatory framework for the wood supply chain, and to allow the free market to determine the outcomes, with a minimum of government intervention. We are also engaged in federal issues because they also impact you. We maintain membership in several national associations— Forest Resources Association, National Alliance of Forest Owners, The Hardwood Federation, and the Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers Association—so we can keep apprised of the important and emerging regulatory changes. Below are some key issues we are constantly monitoring. Legislative and Regulatory Update Water of the US The Biden Administration is proposing to roll back water quality regulations to the pre-2015 regulations that were unclear in defining water of the US. This leaves states like West Virginia vulnerable to interpretations of ephemeral stream that would be serious concerns on timber harvesting and landowners. WVFA has joined dozens of national and state associations to comment on this proposal. Endangered Species The federal 4th Circuit Court of Appeals recently reversed a decision by a lower court validating the proper application of the Endangered Species Act by the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) concerning the Mountain Valley pipeline in West Virginia. While this decision impacts many forest owners, it also raises concerns regarding similar USFWS consultations on forest harvesting in the Monongahela National Forest. Having a regulatory process that is predictable is important for all forest owners and operators.
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12 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry | Spring 2022 www.wvfa.org ABOUT 25 YEARS AGO, I VISITED A FOREST IN BELIZE where US and Canadian energy companies were paying a landowner not to harvest trees. The idea, which was borderline radical back then, was that carbon emissions from energy generation in North America would be “inhaled” as carbon dioxide (CO2) by trees in Belize, essentially offsetting the impact of the pollution. Fast forward to today, where that same idea has taken root in West Virginia and across Appalachia, in a big way: nearly a million acres in West Virginia alone are now enrolled in forest carbon projects. New programs and types of forest carbon projects are opening up opportunities for more landowners, including those with very small holdings, to participate in forest carbon markets which diversify revenue potential. The basics: trees are made of wood and wood is a form of stored carbon, like coal or gas. About half of wood’s dry mass is carbon, regardless of tree species. Through photosynthesis, trees take in carbon dioxide, retain the carbon, and release oxygen back into the atmosphere. Much of that ‘sequestered’ carbon is stored as wood, comprising the bole and branches of trees, the support system that enables trees to grow up and out to harvest even more sunlight. The average acre of mixed hardwood forest in West Virginia can sequester 3–5 tons of carbon (or, CO2 equivalent) per year. These tons then comprise carbon offsets —that are sold as carbon credits—which are used to mitigate the impacts of burning fossil fuels. Currently, there are three main types of forest carbon projects in the US: Afforestation/Reforestation, Avoided Conversion, and Improved Forest Management. Afforestation/Reforestation projects rehabilitate degraded lands through tree planting and other silvicultural practices to restore forest cover. Avoided Conversion projects aim to keep standing forest carbon stocks intact, preventing the conversion of forests to other land uses. Improved Forest 2022 Snapshot of Forest Carbon in West Virginia
F E A T U R E D N E W S www.wvfa.org Spring 2022 | West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry 13 Management (IFM) projects are by far the most common project type in West Virginia. IFM projects recognize typical forest management practices in a region and then aim to “improve” upon them for achieving carbon objectives. The primary means of increasing carbon sequestration through IFM projects is by deferring timber harvests, thereby extending rotation lengths. For the last decade, most forest carbon projects required a commitment of 40–100 years; to withdraw before then triggered significant financial penalties. Today, however, new forest carbon programs are emerging with much shorter time frames, some requiring enrollments as short as one year. With longer-term commitments, land can be bought and sold and the forest carbon project requirements stay with the property. A common misconception about forest carbon projects is that they all prevent harvesting. Some do, such as Avoided Conversion projects. However, IFM projects, which are most relevant to West Virginia, allow landowners to choose one of four courses of action: 1. Do not cut but sell the volume of annual forest growth as carbon offsets; 2. Cut and sell the volume of annual forest growth as timber, into forest product markets; 3. Some combination of 1 and 2, selling some timber and some carbon offsets; or 4. None of the above, no obligation to cut trees or sell anything. Note that the decisions center around a forest’s annual growth, which is already widely accepted as the basis for sustainable forest management of any kind. Forest carbon projects unlock markets that provide optionality for landowners to generate revenue from different sources, sometimes concurrently. The markets for forest carbon credits, like many other facets of climate change mitigation technologies, are evolving rapidly. There are two broad categories of markets, based on the methodologies used in developing the project: compliance and voluntary. The US compliance or regulatory market is dominated by California’s program with the state’s Air Resources Board (ARB). Carbon-emitting companies located in California are compelled by state law to reduce their CO2 emissions or offset them with carbon credits. Then, there are more diverse voluntary markets, with varying sets “For the last decade, most forest carbon projects required a commitment of 40–100 years; to withdraw before then triggered significant financial penalties. Today, however, new forest carbon programs are emerging with much shorter time frames, some requiring enrollments as short as one year.”
F E A T U R E D N E W S 14 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry | Spring 2022 www.wvfa.org of rules and requirements. Large corporations are one example of a buyer purchasing voluntary carbon credits to offset their carbon footprints to address stakeholder/shareholder interests. Until recently, credits within the ARB system commanded higher prices. Now, however, that is changing quickly as demand for forest carbon credits begins to exceed the available supply (Figure 1). While both ARB and voluntary credits may range between $8–$15 per ton today, prices are projected to rise to $50–$70 by 2030 (Figure 2). Do carbon credits compete with timber? Sure, that’s the point after all, deferring harvests while storing carbon on the stump. Until recently, however, carbon prices generally were lower than any forest products prices on a per cord or per ton basis, minimizing financial incentives to avoid cutting timber. Now that is changing as carbon prices rise to levels that compete with the lower ends of conventional timber markets. For example, $8/ton for carbon credits is approximately equivalent to about $25/cord for pulpwood (min. 5” dbh). So, as carbon prices go above this level, a landowner may make the rational decision to harvest less pulpwood and instead sell carbon credits. At $50/ton, carbon begins to compete directly with hardwood sawtimber (min. 12” dbh). These are exciting times for foresters and forest landowners, especially in West Virginia where growth rates in natural forests are robust and carbon sequestration is high. While the concepts of forest carbon as a management goal and a marketplace have been around for decades, it’s only in the last few years that they have begun to take off in the Appalachian region. No doubt there will be new and interesting changes as forest carbon projects and markets grow and evolve in West Virginia and beyond. 0 20 40 60 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 Offset Credit Price Forecast (US$) FIGURE 1 Category 2 (High Quality Avoidance) Avergage: 54.20 2020 2022 2024 2026 2028 2030 Category 2 (High Quality Avoidance) Avergage Category 1 (Removal) Average Category 1 (Removal) Average: 61.46 FIGURE 2 0M 5M 10M 15M 20M 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 2022 2024 2026 2028 2030 Supply & Demand (Foresty Offsets) Forestry Retirement: 23.57 Forestry Issuance: 9.40 Forestry Retirement Forestry Issuance
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F E A T U R E D N E W S 16 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry | Spring 2022 Advertise in WVFA Mountain State Forestry! Advertising in Mountain State Forestry is an opportunity to build awareness for your brand, create new purchasing opportunities, and promote the image of your company. Give your company the best chance to reach this exclusive target audience of presidents, CEO’s, and key decision makers in West Virginia’s Forestry industry! ADVERTISING RATES STARTING AT $190! • WVFA members receive special discounts. •
T R E E F A R M N E W S WV Loggers Council c/o WVFA | 2008 Quarrier St., Charleston, WV 25311 | 681-265-5019 | [email protected] By Hellohowareyoudoing (talk), CC BY-SA 3.0, en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=22517204
W V L O G G E R S C O U N C I L N E W S 18 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry | Spring 2022 www.wvfa.org CURT HASSLER, JOSEPH MCNEEL, AND JORDAN THOMPSON, with WVU AHC, Morgantown, WV were recently named the second-place winners in the Forest Resources Association’s Appalachian Region Technical Writing Award competition for 2021. This annual award recognizes the best Technical Releases published and posted on FRA’s website. Curt, Joseph, and Jordan wrote Technical Release 20-R-29, An Assessment of the Current Log Grading, Scaling, and Procurement Practices in the Appalachian Hardwood Industry. Their Technical Release describes the research conducted with over 60 sawmills in six states. The Technical Release documents how the hardwood industry, in the absence of a standardized industry-wide log grading system, conducts grading and scaling operations for hardwood logs in the Appalachian region. The research will help identify common grading and scaling measurement protocols that could be used in the development of a regional hardwood log grading and scaling system. Curt Hassler WVU AHC, Joe McNeel WVU AHC, and Jordan Thompson, WVU AHC (not pictured) are winners of FRA’s Appalachian Region 2nd Place Technical Writing Award for 2021. The Appalachian Hardwood Center (AHC) was established by legislation in West Virginia to provide the hardwood industry a world class research and development facility. WVFA Board Members Receive Outstanding Technical Writing Award Pictured from left to right: Jeff Jenkins FRA, Curt Hassler, WVU AHC, and Joe McNeel, WVU AHC. Not pictured: Jordan Thompson, WVU AHC. Want to Read the Assessment? FRA members can find it in the members-only login area of www.forestresources.org
W V L O G G E R S C O U N C I L N E W S www.wvfa.org Spring 2022 | West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry 19
W V L O G G E R S C O U N C I L N E W S 20 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry | Spring 2022 www.wvfa.org THE FOREST RESOURCES ASSOCIATION and STIHL Incorporated honored Chad Nicholson, owner of Nicholson Logging LLC, at the Copper House Restaurant in Fairmont, West Virginia, as the Appalachian Region 2021 Outstanding Logger. Nicholson Logging is a family owned and operated, multigenerational business. Chad Nicholson is a 5th generation logger and purchased the business five years ago from his dad. The business has five employees, including his dad, uncle, and brother. Nicholson Logging uses HBN Trucking to haul all his production. Chad’s brother owns and operates that business. Chad has a degree from West Virginia University in Graphic Design and developed his unique company logo. The logo is printed on t-shirts, stickers, and signs. Chad places the stickers on all his logging equipment to mark the locations of fire extinguishers, first aid kits, fuel spouts, etc. Nicholson Logging works with foresters at Allegheny Wood Products to harvest timber from private landowners, averaging four loads per day, including sawlogs, peelers, and veneer. They are 100% mechanized and their equipment spread includes a Komatsu 430L Feller Buncher with an intermittent Quadco head, JD 648 Grapple Skidder, John Deere loader, and a John Deere 700 dozer. Chad Nicholson is a member of the West Virginia Loggers Council, the West Virginia Forestry Association, and the Forest Resources Association. The FRA 2021 Appalachian Region Outstanding Logger Award prizes—a cherry and walnut wooden crosscut saw plaque from FRA, a STIHL MS 462 chain saw gift certificate, and a $250 check provided by STIHL—were presented to Chad Nicholson by FRA Appalachian Region Consultant Jeff Jenkins at the at the WVFA Area 1 meeting at the Copper House Restaurant in Fairmont, West Virginia on December 16. The Nicholson Logging nomination was submitted by Mike Moran with Weyerhaeuser and Eric Carlson the Executive Director of the West Virginia Forestry Association. WVFA 2020 Logger of the Year Named FRA Regional Outstanding Logger From FRA Chad Nicholson, owner of Nicholson Logging, LLC awarded as Appalachian Region 2021 Outstanding Logger. “The FRA 2021 Appalachian Region Outstanding Logger Award prizes—a cherry and walnut wooden crosscut saw plaque from FRA, a STIHL MS 462 chain saw gift certificate, and a $250 check provided by STIHL—were presented to Chad Nicholson by FRA Appalachian Region Consultant Jeff Jenkins at the at the WVFA Area 1 meeting at the Copper House Restaurant in Fairmont, West Virginia on December 16.”
F E A T U R E D N E W S www.wvfa.org Spring 2022 | West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry 21 W V L O G G E R S C O U N C I L N E W S 21 West Vir inia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry | Spring 20 2 www.wvfa.org WV Tree Farm Committee | 2008 Quarrier St., Charleston, WV 25311 | 681-265-5019 | [email protected] Keeping You Informed
T R E E F A R M N E W S 22 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry | Spring 2022 www.wvfa.org
2022 ATFS Regional and National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year Nomination Guidelines and Form Every year the American Tree Farm System (ATFS) recognizes exceptional Tree Farmers with the Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year award program. Tree Farmers are at the core of this network of land stewards and very often go above and beyond what is required of them as a landowner. This award recognizes those that take this high bar even further and is presented at the annual ATFS National Leadership Conference. Due Dates Submit your nomination form, photo, and additional materials via email by March 31, 2022. Email form to [email protected] with the subject line “Tree Farmer of the Year Nomination for ATFS.” Evaluation The Regional and National Tree Farmer of the Year evaluation process is completed by a committee of state level Tree Farm leadership, with administration help by the national ATFS Staff. A first round of judging selects two finalists from each region that will be visited on their property by members of the selection committee. From there, the four selected Regional Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year are again voted upon to select the National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year. More information on the voting process and each round of selection can be found here. Judging for the Regional and National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year award will be based on this completed form and accompanying documents. Up to two pages of additional information may accompany the nomination form. All nominations should accompany a high-resolution photo of the nominee. All nominations must be submitted using this form and all word limits must be followed. Additional formatting is not allowed. Nomination form should be submitted as a Word document. ATFS reserves the right to share information from this nomination form, as well as the nominee’s photo, on www.treefarmsystem.org and other American Forest Foundation publications. Nomination Guidelines Any current, active Tree Farmer may be nominated. Former National Tree Farmer of the Year winners are not eligible. The nominee does not necessarily have to be the state’s current Tree Farmer of the Year. There is no restriction on how many nominations a state can submit; however, a state committee may choose to submit at their discretion. States can also re-submit a past nominee if that Tree Farmer is not a former national award winner. In addition to the nomination form, states may submit additional materials and information to help support their nomination; these materials can include newspaper articles, photos, testimonial, etc. Additional information may not exceed two pages. FI LL OUT REVERSE SIDE
State Year 2022 Name of Tree Farmer being nominated Address (Street, City, State, Zip) Phone Email Nominated by (name and email) Forester name and contact information (if not the nominator) What is the Tree Farmer’s story? ATFS recommends this section be written as a narrative. Elements to include: how and why they joined the American Tree Farm System, why they are particularly proud of their Tree Farm, challenges they have faced and how they have overcome these challenges, recent (within last 5 years) management activities, and how their forester, state committee, ATFS staff, or others associated with Tree Farm have helped them on their journey to becoming an outstanding Tree Farmer, etc. What makes them outstanding? DEADLINE: State nominations must be received on or by March 31, 2022. SUBMIT NOMINATION FORM AND PHOTO to [email protected]
T R E E F A R M N E W S www.wvfa.org Spring 2022 | West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry 25 THE SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY INITIATIVE (SFI) has launched revised standards for 2022. The revised standards are a result of a two-year process that reached out to industry, environmental, and social interests. The revised standards add some new requirements. The most relevant is the SFI Climate Smart Forestry and the SFI Fire Resilience and Awareness Objectives. These will require companies to monitor and demonstrate how they are meeting the detailed criteria and indicators used by the SFI Auditing process. Companies are audited by third parties on a regular basis to assure the public compliance with all the SFI Standards. In West Virginia, The SFI State Implementation Committee oversees that role of SFI certified companies. A priority of the SFI SIC is logger training and landowner outreach. West Virginia has over 340,000 acres that are SFI Forest Management certified and SFI Fiber Sourcing includes over 2.2 million tons of harvested wood that becomes SFI certified paper and wood products. You’ve no doubt seen the SFI label often on many paper products assuring the consumer these companies are complying with the SFI Principle and Standards for sustainable forest management here in West Virginia. SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY INITIATIVE LAUNCHES 2022 STANDARDS “The revised standard add some new requirements. The most relevant is the SFI Climate Smart Forestry and the SFI Fire Resilience and Awareness Objectives. These will require companies to monitor and demonstrate how they are meeting the detailed criteria and indicators used by the SFI Auditing process.”
26 West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry | Spring 2022 www.wvfa.org Membership Application Name_ ________________________________________________________ Company_ _____________________________________________________ Address_ ______________________________________________________ City___________________________________________________________ State___________________________________ Zip_ __________________ Phone (Home)__________________________________________________ (Work)_ _________________________________________________ (Cell)____________________________________________________ (Fax)____________________________________________________ Yes! I want to receive my correspondence by email ___________________________________________________ Membership Category (See column to the right) ______________________________________________________________ Amount Enclosed _______________________________________________ Sponsors Name _ _______________________________________________ (only current WVFA members are eligible for sponsor benefits) New Member Signature __________________________________________ Email Address_ _________________________________________________ (for eNewsletter and alerts) Credit Card Payment Visa MasterCard AmEx Name on Card__________________________________________________ Card # Exp. Date Billing Zipcode Security Code Authorized Signature Membership Category & Annual Dues Amounts INDIVIDUAL $60 WOODLAND OWNER $0.05 per acre for the first 25,000 acres & $0.0165 for each additional acre ($60 minimum) CONSULTING FORESTERS $85 (one forester in firm) $50 (for each additional forester in firm) SAWMILL $155/MMbf ($75 minimum) MANUFACTURING $150 plus $3/employee DIMENSION, MILLWORK, CABINETMAKERS $150 plus $3/employee WHOLESALES & DEALERS $180–$1,000 BROKERS $500 LOGGERS $110 (+$25 per additional crew) (dual membership in WV Loggers Council & WVFA) PLYWOOD, VENEER, AND MANUFACTURED BOARD MILLS 0–10.5 MM sq. ft. = $300 More than 10.5 MM sq. ft. = $0.30 per thousand sq. ft. of previous year’s production STEWARD $800 beyond appropriate category dues SUSTAINING $1,200 beyond appropriate category dues STUDENT $20 SUPPORTING $500–$1,000 (any business not meeting another membership category) NON-SAWMILL, OUT-OF-STATE CONVERTING FACILITY SOURCING WOOD FIBER MATERIALS IN WV $0.01 per ton consumed Send this form to: West Virginia Forestry Association, Inc. 2008 Quarrier St., Charleston, WV 25311
www.wvfa.org Spring 2022 | West Virginia Forestry Association Mountain State Forestry 27 M A R K E T P L A C E YOUR AD HERE See below how you can advertise
West Virginia Forestry Association 2008 Quarrier St Charleston, WV 25311
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