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| A Message from Our Executive Director |
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"We are lousy communicators." These were blunt words from the former prime minister of Sweden addressing a room full of nearly 2,000 forestry professionals. And he was right. Foresters, when they say anything at all, like to speak accurately about a complex subject, and often this makes the subject pretty boring to the general public.
Throughout my 5-day attendance at the World Forestry Congress held in the Republic of South Africa, I was bludgeoned with a torrent of facts, a windstorm of numbers, a sea of statistical data. The parade of distinguished speakers spoke about the millions of hectares of forest planted (or destroyed,) the tons of carbon sequestered (or released), and the millions of cubic meters of wood used for firewood or pulp mills. It numbed the brain. The numbers told me that we are indeed facing a complicated issue, but statistics couldn't really provide a contextual anchor for my story-oriented mind.
What does it even mean to say, as one panelist did, that "... by 2040, humans will need 20 billion cubic meters of wood for all our needs." Did I hear that right? Is that even possible? I can barely conceptualize a cubic meter, let alone 20 billion of them. It's no wonder that the public can make very little sense out of today's forestry principles and practices. With one well-placed photo of a devastated forest clear-cut, no one is going to listen to statistics about how many acres of trees were replanted last year or to a litany of benefits from using wood.
Our challenges may be complex, but our message needs to be clear and relevant. Every single person on the planet benefits from forestry. Growing trees and
using trees is essential for humanity's survival. We are forced to use trees and then grow more. No other option is sustainable.
A marketing guy from M&C Saatchi Abel threw it out to us, "Forestry is about growing hope!" It may be our last best hope.
Today our global message needs to be framed less in dry numerical terms and more in hopeful stories about planting for the future and stewarding our resources for the long-term. The basic foundation upon which forestry stands is the anticipation of a better life for all, the conviction that the tree we plant today will be used to sustain a brighter tomorrow.
Now, more than ever, we need a positive vision for our future, a basis for the legacy we want to live into. Growing Hope. That's what foresters do.
Eric Vines
Executive Director
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World Forest Institute News
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Seventh Fellow Joins the WFI Fellowship in 2015
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| Enkeleda Pjetri is WFI's first Fellow from Albania! |
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We are excited to welcome our seventh and final Fellow for the 2015 WFI Fellowship Program, Enkeleda Pjetri from Albania. Enkeleda is a Community Solutions Program Fellow sponsored by IREX, the International Exchanges and Research Board, and the US Department of State. With a background in forest engineering and a M.S. degree in Forest Policy and Economics, Enkeleda has several years of experience in working with local NGO's in Albania. During her WFI program, she hopes to learn best practices in forestry and in the sustainable development of natural areas. She will be in Portland until December.
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Save the dates for upcoming presentations from our international research Fellows!
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As our Fellows work through their fellowship projects and finalize their research, we will work to share their knowledge with the public. Mark your calendar with the following dates and be sure to join us here at the World Forestry Center for some very interesting presentations on a diverse range of natural resource topics and engage in some enlightening discussion. The schedule of events is below and if you needed any more reason to come - there will also be some light food and beverages available - all for free!
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WFI Fellows on a recent visit to the home of Oregon Woodlands Cooperative President Neil Schroeder to learn about marketing strategies for local non-timber forest products.
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Upcoming Talks
Wednesday, October 21. Sarita Lama, Nepal
Topic: An Overview of Forest Management Systems in the PNW and the Lessons Drawn for the Nepal Forest Sector
Wednesday, November 11. Robert Mijol, Malaysia
Topic: Exploring the Opportunities of Payments for Ecosystem Services within Forest Reserves in Sabah, Malaysia
Wednesday, November 18. Qingxin Liu, China; Enkeleda Pjetri, Albania and Carol Koh-Taiwan
Topics:
- Research Project Processes (Mr. Liu)
- Opportunities for Ecotourism in Forest Reserves in Albania (Ms. Pjetri)
- Urban Bird Conservation (Mrs. Koh)
Visit our
Speaker Series webpage
for more information on upcoming talks.
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WFI says farewell to two Fellows
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| Stuty Maskey took her economics and policy knowledge out into the field to see firsthand how our forests are managed. |
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It's always hard to say goodbye to the exceptional international researchers that grace our organization every year. For brief periods of time we are lucky enough to intimately learn about a new place, a new culture, or gain personal anecdotes about a place we may already be familiar with. Such is the case with Miguel Sanchez from Bolivia and Stuty Maskey from Nepal. Both have been here for about six months and although they are not the first Fellows to represent their respective countries in the WFI Fellowship program, we have certainly learned as much, if not more, from them as they have from us.
Miguel finished his project in early September and will return home to La Paz to implement some of the strategies he learned during his Fellowship about forest nursery operations. Stuty Maskey also finished in early September and prepared a PowerPoint presentation on her findings about the impact collaborative governance can have on natural resource management. Both hers and Miguel's presentations can be found on our website
here. We hope you'll take a look and learn something new too!
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| Miguel Sanchez explored forest nursery operations throughout the region. |
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International Educators Institute
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Global Leaders Gather for Summer Institute
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LEFT TO RIGHT: Senior Advisor Liz Langford, Healesville, Australia; World Forest Institute Fellowship Program Manager Shadia Duery; Chun Ju Rola Lin, Taipei, Taiwan; Troy Hammon, Fishers, Indiana; Jiadong Ye, Vancouver BC, Canada; Sarita Lama, Siraha, Nepal; Erin Morgan, Forest Grove, Oregon; Darren Hendrickson, LaGrande, Oregon; Will Bollwerk, Salt Lake City, Utah; World Forestry Center Executive Director Eric Vines; Tianli Qiao, Shanghai, China; Miguel Sanchez Fajardo, La Paz, Bolivia; Chao Nien Koh, Taipei, Taiwan; Subhash Chander, Haryana, India; Robert Mijol, Sandakan, Maylasia; Quingxin Liu, Beijing, China; Stuty Maskey, Kathmandu, Nepal; Allan Sowards, Nacogdoches, Texas; Jenn Berry-O'Shea, Bend, Oregon; Dawn Hammon, Fishers, Indiana; Heather May, Olympia, Washington.
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Since 1996, the World Forestry Center has invited experienced leaders in education, natural resource management, and strategic communication from around the globe to meet in Oregon to tour our forests and explore new ways to collaborate and "advance teaching and learning about the world's forests."
The Class of 2015 arrived July 12. Led by Senior Fellow Rick Zenn and assisted by Liz Langford of Australia and Shadia Duery, the group visited sites on Mount St. Helens, Warm Springs Indian Reservation, Bull Run Watershed, and the Mount Hood National Forest to meet local experts and discuss content topics ranging from climate change to supporting rural economies. Leadership development and best practices models were reviewed and discussed daily in large and small groups.
"I teach 200-250 students a year..." said Dr. Allan Sowards of Stephen S. Austin State University in Texas, "...and they will ALL benefit from what I have learned. The planning and preparation for this type of experience was exceptional."
Heather May a research scientist based in Olympia, Washington commented: "Making connections with colleagues around the world and realizing how similar we are, that we share the same struggles, gives me hope. Unbelievable connections and insight from some of the most brilliant people I ever met."
National award winning teacher Dawn Hammon from Indiana shared, "I didn't just learn and hear about the environment, I was standing in it, on top of it. Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens were larger than life."
Subash Chandler from Haryana, India said, "We in India are a great forester fraternity, so the things I learned will be shared through many organizations around the country. All the topics covered were useful to me. It was a week full of knowledge that gave me ideas to work on for a year."
Local teacher Darren Hendrickson from LaGrande, Oregon said, "This week was wonderful. I feel privileged to see and experience these models of learning. I have never participated in a workshop that gives such a good perspective on the forest and ways to make changes in my program. Thank you, thank you, thank you."
IEI is supported by grants, donations, and fees paid by participants. A special thank you this year goes out to the Paul and Sally McCracken fund at Oregon Community Foundation, Gray Family Foundation, Washington County Small Woodlands Association, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, American Forest Foundation, and the Oregon Forest Resources Institute.
Many thanks to our hosts and volunteers: Dr. Ed Jensen, Sue Baker, Bonnie Glendenning, Bill Wood, Suzie Slockish and family, Todd Cummings, Mark and Dawn Smith, Erik Lease and Brian Bradac, Lisa Veino and Lauren Holwege, driver Patricia Sweet, and the great staff of the Menucha Conference Center. Administrative support was provided by Chandalin Bennett and summer intern Jiadong Ye from University of British Columbia School of Forestry.
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| Kim Smith, Ph.D. Coordinator, GPSEN/RCE Dept of Sociology, Portland Community College Sylvania |
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Charles Hopkins
UNESCO Chair at York University Toronto, Canada |
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Kyoko Shiota
United Nations University |
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Come Celebrate United Nations Day 2015!
"UN 70: Strong UN, Better World"
Thursday, October 22, 2015
Time: 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
World Forestry Center, Cheatham Hall
4033 SW Canyon Rd., Portland, OR 97221
Can We Create a "Sustainable" Future? It's Still Possible!
2015 is considered a watershed year. With this year's World Forestry Congress in South Africa, the release of the
United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and
UNESCO's Global Action Program, and the upcoming Climate Change talks in Paris, the time is ripe to envision a sustainable future and highlight actions in our own communities that are making a difference.
Join Charles Hopkins, the UNESCO Chair on Education for Sustainable Development,
Eric Vines, the Executive Director of the World Forestry Center,
Kim Smith, the Coordinator of the Greater Portland Sustainability Education Network, and
Kyoko Shiota, from United Nations University, to explore how to truly "think global, act local." Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of the vanguard, to find out how Oregon and Washington are helping lead the way in regional, national, and international programs and discover how you can engage in your own communities.
The time has never been better to recognize that we are all in this together!
Sponsored by:
Cosponsored by:
This event is FREE but registration is required.
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Regents Professor
Steven W. Running,
Director, Numerical Terradynamic Simulation Group
Dept. of Ecosystem and Conservation Sciences
University of Montana
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UN Climate Change Conference Report
with Dr. Steven Running
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Time: 4:00 - 6:00 pm
World Forestry Center, Miller Hall
4033 SW Canyon Rd., Portland, OR 97221
Tickets: $5 Student; $10 General
The World Forestry Center, The Nature Conservancy, and the Pinchot Institute will hold a public lecture reporting on the UN Climate Change Conference being held in Paris, France. Dr. Steven Running was a chapter Lead Author for the 4th Assessment of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change which shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007. He received his M.S. in Forest Management at OSU and his Ph.D. in Forest Ecophysiology at CSU (Colorado).
He is now a Regents Professor of Forest Ecology at the University of Montana, where he has been since 1979.
Dr. Running will be "on the ground" at the World Forestry Center while the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change will be taking place in Paris:
http://goo.gl/zNJFNe. He
will talk about the latest climate negotiations, and the specific role global forests have in the Earth climate system.
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| World Forestry Center Board Update |
Remembering Orcilia Zúñiga Forbes
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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Orcilia Zuñiga Forbes. Orcilia was a World Forestry Center Board Director from 1981-1991 and again from 2002-2006, serving as treasurer. In 2012 she was made an Honorary Board Member. Our deepest sympathies go out to her daughter, Eryn and her son, Bryan, their spouses and her grandchild.
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Leadership Hall Spotlight
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Henry "Hank" Swigert To Be Honored
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Henry "Hank" T. Swigert, son of Earnest G. Swigert, will be inducted into the World Forestry Center's Leadership Hall in 2016. Following in his family's tradition of leadership, Hank served as chairman of ESCO Corporation, the Portland Chamber of Commerce, and the influential Associated Oregon Industries. He has been a director and ardent support of the World Forestry Center. Like his father, Ernest G. Swigert, Hank built a career of serving the forest products industry, mining industry and others. Under Hank's leadership, Portland-based ESCO Corporation manufactured stainless steel wire rope fittings, hydraulic skidder grapples, tough steel alloy sawmill chain, and sophisticated corrosion-resistant digester components for the production of pulp and paper.
The Induction of Henry T. "Hank" Swigert into the Leadership Hall is funded by the ESCO Foundation, WFC Board Members, colleagues, family and friends. If you would like to be involved please call Wendy Mitchell, Director of Development, 503-488-2111.
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Trees, especially those harvested for lumber and other wood products, are not like flowers. They cannot simply be picked by hand and placed in a vase. It takes rugged individuals and rugged machinery to dislodge them and move them to areas more suitable for processing. Forestry practices depend on such rugged machinery to make it safe and efficient to accomplish this. And we can thank Earnest (Ernie) Swigert for his dedication over a lifetime to manufacturing some of the finest logging and sawmill equipment ever made.
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Ernie, who degreed in metallurgy at Harvard, grew up under the tutelage of his pioneering father, C.F. Swigert. This was the man who ran ESCO, the company that built most of the first bridges across Portland, Oregon's Willamette River and constructed the piers for San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge - a tough act to follow. ESCO had already proven to the logging industry that its manganese steel casting products were ideal for rigging equipment. Ernie became the company's top salesman and then moved on to become president of what would soon be known as the Hyster Company. Logging foremen used to call out "Hoist'er!" while using the winches produced by Ernie's company. Hence the name of the company. Although the new company was launched in 1929, just as the Great Depression was just getting underway, Hyster flourished. And by 1965, under Ernie's guidance, it had established international manufacturing operation in The Netherlands, Scotland, Australia, Canada, Belgium, South Africa, and Brazil. On its 50th anniversary, Hyster was employing over 8,000 workers, and annual sales exceeded $400 million. Along the way, this company essentially developed the world's first forklift. Originally intended as a straddle carrier with powerful forks for the lumber industry, it proved to be invaluable in other industrial applications.
In 1961 Ernie Swigert became Chairman of the Board at Hyster, a position he maintained until his retirement ten years later at the age of 79 when, still dedicated to serving the needs of the lumber industry, he became a founding member of what is now the World Forestry Center. Having been elected president of the prestigious National Association of Manufacturers back in 1958 (the first Pacific Northwesterner to be so chosen), he was inducted into the Oregon Business Executives Hall of Fame in 1978 and two years later became the first recipient of the Associated Oregon Industries' Pioneer Award. He died in 1986 at his home in Portland, a courageous and revered leader whose invaluable contributions to the timber and forest industries will not be forgotten.
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Look Who's Sponsoring This Year's Premier Timberland Investing Event
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50th Anniversary Gala
"Eat Dessert First"
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The World Forestry Center's magical 50th Anniversary celebration
"Eat Dessert First" on February 6, 2016, will delight the taste buds with flavor provided by Chef Aaron Barnett of St. Jack restaurant.
The product of a lifetime of study and passion, St. Jack is an ode to the bouchons, or esteemed cafes of Lyon, France, and rustic French cuisine.
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Celebrate Your Wedding at the World Forestry Center
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| Magness Memorial Tree Farm |
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Thinking of an outdoor wedding?
We are now offering a wedding package at Magness Memorial Tree Farm - a perfect location for forest themed nuptials for smaller groups (75-100). Limited space is available so book now for Summer 2016!
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Learn More About The World Forestry Center
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Connect With Us!
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Visit Us:
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We are located in Washington Park at:
4033 SW Canyon Rd
Portland, Oregon 97221
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GENERAL INFORMATION
Michelle Coumarbatch
Office Manager
503-228-1367 x100
OFFICE OF DEVELOPMENT
Wendy Mitchell
Director
503-488-2111
Amber Morrison
Manager
503-488-2122
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
Zakary Johnson
Database Administrator
503-488-2134
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EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Eric Vines
503-488-2119
Rick Zenn
Senior Fellow
503-488-2103
Reade Weber
Special Projects Manager
503-488-2107
EVENT SERVICES
Jennifer Kent
Director
503-488-2117
Angie Garcia
Manager
503-488-2101
Chuck Wiley
Facilities & Maintenance Manager
503-488-2138
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FINANCIAL DIRECTOR
Darlene Boles, C.P.A.
503-488-2112
WORLD FOREST INSTITUTE
Sara Wu
Director
503-488-2130
Chandalin Bennett
Senior Programs Manager
503-488-2137
Shadia Duery
Programs Manager
503-488-2110
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PUBLIC PROGRAMS
Mark Reed
Director
503-488-2102
Rob Pierce
Education Director
503-488-2118
Louise George
Visitor Services Manager
503-488-2114
Liam Hassett
Tree Farm Manager
503-625-7471
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