2008 annual meeting: forests in transition
Two exciting updates to our annual meeting! (Download the pdf registration form here)
- The two candidates for Lands Commissioner, Doug Sutherland and Peter Goldmark, will make an appearance, one at a pre-conference ice breaker and the other for the Thursday banquet.
- The UW College of Forest Resources is holding an Alumni and SAF Coffee Hour (with pastries) 7:00 to 7:45am Thursday morning before the conference. Dean Bare will share information about the College. All registered participants are welcome.
Get these dates on your calendar. The Southwest Washington chapter is hosting the Washington State SAF annual meeting May 28, 29 and 30 at the Little Creek Casino and Resort south of Shelton. Just minutes from Olympia, you will be impressed with this new 120-room hotel and convention center. A hosted icebreaker will kick off the meeting on Wednesday evening. Exhibits and posters will be on display. Stay late to catch up with friends and enjoy the hors d'oeuvres or head for the casino to test your skills...and...uh...oh yes, luck.
Thursday's Conference
Forests in Transition explores new opportunities for foresters in today's changing environment for the profession in Washington. Presentations will move beyond business-as-usual toward opportunities and challenges in our immediate future. Jay Manning, director of the Department of Ecology will deliver the keynote address. Speakers like Patti Southard, King County Greentools and Dan Stonington, Cascade Land Conservancy will provide examples of new opportunities growing out of new challenges. State Forester Vicki Christainsen; Rene Ancinas, Port Blakely Tree Farms; Kevin Boling, Forest Capital Partners and others will discuss an array of thought-provoking land management approaches. There will be specific examples of successful strategies from both within our area and from the outside. We also expect the two presumed candidates for Lands Commissioner, incumbent Doug Sutherland and challenger Peter Goldmark to make appearances, one at a pre-conference ice breaker and the other for the Thursday banquet. Overall, you can expect a balance of information on how forestry in Washington is part of a much larger discussion on land use. The full list of speakers and topics is available here (pdf).
Forestry Tour
The tour on Friday features a stop at Ralph Munro's historic tree farm on Mud Bay. The highlight will be a visit to an ancient archaeological site interpreted by anthropologist Dale Cross and Squaxin Island tribal cultural resource director Rhonda Foster. The tour then moves on to Green Diamond Resource Co. for an in depth look at public use and liability for a private landowner. The most unusual stop on the tour will be the site of the Goldsborough dam removal and stream restoration that opened up miles of salmon habitat in 2000. Travel times are short and the group will be divided so expect more on-the-ground experience.
Spouse and Guest Program
Transport your spirit to the Tuscan countryside. Thursday will feature a luncheon and wine tasting at the award winning Walter Dacon Winery. In addition to a delicious menu of sweet and sour chicken or vegetarian ravioli, guests can sample among four full-bodied red wines and two crisp whites. Vintners Ann and Andy Anderson will explain the process which transforms Washington grown grapes into their version of liquid ambrosia. These fabulous wines will be available for purchase. This event is limited to 20 participants so register early!
After the winery experience, and for all registered guests, join a free 3:00 pm workshop at the Casino and learn to play and win at Texas Hold'em or tackle Blackjack with ease. Serious practice at the gaming tables will follow.
On Friday, join the field tour or start a relaxing day at 10:00 am with a guided tour of the Squaxin Island Tribal Museum. Hear the legends and history of the tribe while viewing the beautiful artistry of a Native American culture. There is a small fee at the door for this event.
All of these events are within 5 minutes of the hotel.
Through-the-woods Bike/Run/Walk
Register and join us for a recreational mountain bike ride, a relaxing jog, or a brisk hike! On Wednesday afternoon before the icebreaker you can join your fellow SAF participants for a self guided tour through the Green Diamond Tree Farm. We'll provide the maps, course markers and T-shirts. Bring your mountain bike, jogging shoes or hiking boots to the conference and get off of the pavement. We guarantee sunny weather! Please bring a helmet if you're cycling. If you need a bike, let us know; we've got a few spares.
Registration Information
Contact SAF NW office, Lori Rasor () at 503.224.8046. Hotel reservations can be made by calling 1.800.667.7711. Download the registration form here (pdf).
wssaf annual meeting contacts
Need more information about the WSSAF annual meeting? Contact the appropriate member of the annual meeting team:
General Chair: Peter Heide (), 360.705.9287
Program Committee: Adrian Miller (), and John Walkowiak ()
Exhibits: Wes Wasson (), 360.249.3710
Poster Session: Connie Harrington (), and Tom Terry ()
Sponsorships: Mike Mosman (), 360.596.9418
WSSAF Foundation Raffle: Peter Heide (), 360.705.9287