E-Washington State SAF Newsletter: January 2010
Hello WSSAF members. Did you survive the 17 days of the exciting Winter Olympics games from Vancouver, BC? Below is a brief update on WSSAF activities, I hope to provide updates on a monthly basis from now on.
PNW Forestry Leadership Conference was held January 28-30 at Pack Forest near Eatonville. A total of 81 attendees from WA, OR and IESAF received top presentations on developing leadership skills, fund raising, membership recruitment and retention, working with the media, how to hold successful meetings and field days and even how to negotiate with elected officials. In addition, a great field day at Pack Forest was enjoyed by 44 people. Each of the outstanding presentations is now available for viewing as PDF PowerPoints on the joint OR-WA SAF website. I would like to thank Green River CC Student Chapter for their great support and attendance, UW Pack Forest as well as sponsorship from International Forestry Consultants, Port Blakely Tree Farms and West Fork Timber Co.
Grays Harbor College located in the Twin Harbors region of Aberdeen-Hoquiam is in the process of submitting petition for establishing a new student chapter. Todd Bates, the lead instructor has 30 students in the Forest Technology Program and they are excited about the future of forestry.
In the coming weeks you will be hearing about WSSAF's 2010 Action Plan and budget. It is the intention of WSSAF to focus our energy on the following:
- Expanding opportunities for member engagement in WSSAF
- Recruiting/Retaining WSSAF members
- Getting more WSSAF funding
- Expanding WSSAF recognition, and
- Pursuing working forest policy
WSSAF Executive Committee recently approved the 2010 budget that will involve a major fund raising effort, not only to operate and meet our obligations in the "black", but to expand our outreach efforts. Stay tuned for more information on our efforts and how you can help WSSAF.
Like Many WSSAF members I provided comments to the goals and actions for the Washington DNR Strategic Plan. I attended the public meeting in Tacoma and met Lenny Young, Department Supervisor, Chuck Turley, Deputy Supervisor of Regulatory Programs and Margaret Barrette, Community Relations Manager. I commented on the process that seemed to be pre-determined and voiced my concern that the traditional activities of Trust Land Timber Management and Wildfire Management were not listed DNR Strategic Goals. Young and Turley commented to me that Trust Land Timber Management and Wildfire Management will continue to be the backbone of the DNR's future and with their help I prepared information for the plan's preface that will state that. I was also supplied files with internal and external comments and if anyone would like to view please contact me.
One Voice for Working Forests is a new WA Forest Industry Blog to establish a coalition in support of the "principles" for maintaining working forests. Cindy Mitchell of WFPA views this as a site where people can learn about the working forests point of view. More information available here.
Remember to circle the dates May 12th-14 for the 2010 WSSAF Annual Meeting to be held in historic LaConner in Skagit County. nnual meeting chairs Paul Wagner and Ken Osborn have a great program with regional presenters from not only Washington, but also from our neighbors to the North in BC. Registration materials will be out soon.
Nominations are being sought for WSSAF Forester of the Year. This unique and highly acclaimed WSSAF Forester of the Year Award is to recognize our members who have made a significant contribution to the WSSAF and to the profession of forestry. This may be done in two ways: (1) For doing a super fine job in organizing an event such as the annual meeting, or a field trip; fund raising; work on the WSSAF educational exhibit; or accomplishing a short-tem project that is above and beyond the call of duty during the past year, (2) Service over a longer period of time for working with SAF and contributing to its growth or (3) Or, a combination of both items 1 and 2. For nominations before April 15th contact Bill Horn ().
Nominations are also being sought for the prestigious WSSAF Chapter of the Year Award. For more information contact Morrie Boles ().
WSSAF Position Statements as well as a list of WSSAF officers are now up to date on the OR-WA SAF website.
Finally it is with a sad note, that I acknowledge that long time WSSAF member and current Policy Committee Chair Gretchen Nicholas is leaving Washington for a new employment opportunity with the US Forest Service FIA Group in Portland. Good Luck Gretchen and thanks for your years of service to WSSAF.
I am seeking interested volunteers to take Gretchen's place as Policy Committee Chair; please contact me if interested.
Thanks,
John Walkowiak (), Chair WSSAF
253.320.5065
Officers and Committee Chairs for 2010
Chair John Walkowiak () or (), 360.570.3206 Work or 253.320.5064 (cell)
Chair-elect Adrian Miller (), 360.705.9284
Treasurer Chuck Lorenz (), 360.951.0117
Secretary Tom Hanson (), 425.820.3420
Member at Large Bill Horn (), 253.770.0485
Past Chair Doug St. John (), 425.452.5702
Historian/Archivist Steve Ricketts (), 360.385.1554
Communications Chair Don Hanley (), 206.414.3492
Continuing Forestry Education contact Ellie Lathrop (), 360.274.3044
Education Chair Kevin Zobrist (), 425.357.6017
Membership Chair Nancy Peckman (), 360.446.3834
Policy Chair Gretchen Nicholas (), 360.902.1360