Global Connections. Regional Roots. March 2018
To Create and Inspire Champions of Sustainable Forestry
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From Sara Wu, Interim Executive Director
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It is always a joy to meet up with World Forest Institute Fellow alumni years after they completed their fellowship. They return to us with stories of how they are making positive impacts back home and elsewhere, and it is a reminder of why the work we do here at the World Forestry Center can make a difference.
Dr. Gabriel Salako, a faculty member at Kwara State University in Nigeria, visited us in early March and gave a presentation on his most recent activities. Back in 2011, when he was participating in our International Fellowship program, Gabriel’s project was to find Northwest tree species suitable to transplant in the Mambilla Plateau, which—at an elevation of over 5,000 feet above sea level—is the highest plateau in Nigeria. Now Gabriel is trying to empower rural women in Nigeria whose livelihoods depend on the shea butter tree (
Vitellaria paradoxa
) grown on the plateau. Competing charcoal merchants are logging these trees as a cheap source of firewood, threatening the women’s economic base. Gabriel credits his time in the fellowship program with opening his horizons, and providing ideas on how to establish shea tree plantations and organize the women to lobby their state government to protect the trees. Gabriel’s visit left us feeling inspired by his accomplishments and his continued efforts to improve livelihoods of those who depend on forests. Gabriel may be based a world away in Nigeria, but in many ways his challenges are not so unlike our own, as we also face competing natural resource needs. It is one of the reasons why the Pacific Northwest—with its vast network of natural resource stakeholders managing under robust regulations for over two centuries—is in a unique position to offer the world our lessons learned, as well as our continued efforts to do better.
To date, our International Fellowship Program, which facilitates the exchange of knowledge in natural resource management between professionals in forestry, has offered a cross-pollination of successful practices between forty-five participating countries. I hope you will have a chance to meet some of this year’s cohort when they start their 2018 program in April (see article below). I think you will find that each Fellow has their own inspiring story to tell, and we are so fortunate to play a role in their futures as they strive to take some of what transpires in the Northwest to improve forestry beyond our borders.
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In this 2011 photo, Gabriel Salako talks with the founder of the International Fellowship program, Mr. Harry A. Merlo. The Merlo Foundation is the lead supporter of the International Fellowship, and Harry Merlo’s entrepreneurial spirit continues to influence our fellows around the world.
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Forestry Leadership Hall Spotlight
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In 1971, the World Forestry Center began a tradition of honoring those pioneers who have contributed significantly to the advancement of forestry. This month we are honored to spotlight Paul N. McCracken (1928-2011) and William “Bill” E. McPherson (1910-1994).
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Paul's contributions to the forest products industry have been of an international nature through his tenure as a longtime member of the Board of Directors of the World Forestry Center. He served four years as Chairman of the Executive Committee. This participation has provided the opportunity to visit and observe forestry practices worldwide. During his years on the Board, Paul has been a powerful advocate for building strong local, national, and international education programs at the World Forestry Center.
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The story of Bill McPherson’s life and career illustrates that, in the forest products industry, a person can achieve great things through hard work, determination, courage, and above all, concern for others. Bill was 48 years old when, with Paul N. McCracken, he became the co-founder of Tumac Lumber Company. For the next thirty-five years, Bill provided continuity of leadership while Tumac grew to become a nationwide and international distributor of lumber and wood products.
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When the two Macs, Paul McCracken and Bill McPherson created Tumac Lumber Co. (named for the two Macs, clever name created by Sally McCracken, Paul’s wife) in 1959 in Portland, Oregon, they laid the foundation for one of the most successful lumber and plywood wholesale companies in the United Sates. That foundation was based on uncompromising integrity and professionalism with customers and suppliers. Paul's and Bill’s integrity and vision continues to serve the company’s success today:
http://tumac.com
Paul McCracken supported his industry further through his participation with the North American Wholesale Lumber Association, rising to president in 1981. In 1998, he was given their highest honor, the John J. Mulrooney Memorial Award, and the following year the association’s Portland branch elected him Lumberman of the Year. Paul died in 2011 at the age of 83, but will always be remembered for his unassuming demeanor, and his genuine interest in people drew everyone to him. Paul was a longtime board member of the World Forestry Center serving as chairman of the Executive Committee for four years.
Bill McPherson supported the success of Tumac with his two decades of experience in the wholesale lumber business. He was principally responsible for the establishment, from the beginning, of a dedication to ethical business standards. His legacy endures as those standards have continued to be rigorously adhered to by the company. Bill was a member of the North American Wholesale Lumber Association, always advocating for wise forest resource management. He was an active member of Rotary International of which he was a Paul Harris Fellow, and of Hoo-Hoo International, the forest products industry’s oldest service organization.
Today, Tumac Lumber Company is headed by Chief Executive Officer Brad McMurchie and President Mark Williams. The company continues to be committed to ethical business practices and responsible interactions with natural resources, choosing global partners who support their core values to meet or exceed the strictest standards of environmental management.
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Left: Dave Halsey (Chairman of Patrick Lumber Company) poses by a painting commissioned by the two Macs- Paul McCracken (left) and Bill McPherson, Dave's grandfather.
Below: Older version of Tumac's logo
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We invite you to visit the Forestry Leadership Hall located on the second floor of the Discovery Museum. For more information
click here
.
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Christie Family Supports Forestry with Scholarship for Clatsop County Students
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John and Peg Christie were among the founding Charter Members of the World Forestry Center in 1971. They were passionate about the environment and sustainable forestry practices. We are pleased to share the news that a Memorial Scholarship Fund for the study of forestry and environmental sciences has been created in memory of John and Peg Christie. This scholarship fund is available through the nonprofit,
Astoria High School Scholarships, Inc. (AHSSI).
John worked for Weyerhaeuser in Klamath Falls, Oregon, and then the Oregon Department of Forestry in Astoria. He later taught forestry at Clatsop Community College. Both John and Peg were 4-H leaders in forestry and gardening, respectively. They encouraged young people to understand, enjoy, and respect plant life, and, in turn, respect themselves. They purchased and then managed the Big Walluski Tree Farm to be an efficient and profitable producer of timber, while also maintaining an environment hospitable to all plants and animals.
The Christies believed in the power of education for the opportunities it could provide individuals and communities. It is only fitting that this memorial scholarship fund be available to high school graduates throughout Clatsop County (Seaside High School, Warrenton High School, Astoria High School, and Knappa High School) who wish to pursue post-secondary education in forestry and environmental sciences. For more information, visit
www.astoriascholarshipfund.org
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World Forest Institute News and Updates
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Join us in welcoming our 2018 International Fellows
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This year WFI will be hosting five Fellows: Xuejiao Li from China, Jeen Bunnik from the Netherlands, Meei-ru Jeng from Taiwan, Thammarat Mettanurak from Thailand, and Tuan Phan from Vietnam.
They will spend six months learning about sustainable forestry practices in the Pacific Northwest. Our Fellows’ backgrounds and interests vary widely and include topics such as biochar, payments for ecosystem services, forest management, non-timber forest products, international forestry cooperation, and lumber and log trade.
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Read more about our Fellows
here
, and follow their learning adventures starting the first week of April on
Facebook
and on
Instagram
.
Thank you in advance to all of you, our stakeholders in natural resources management, for always being willing to share your knowledge with our international visitors. These international ambassadors can help spread the lessons of your work in natural resource management around the world.
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Mark your calendar, Tuesday, April 17 WFC is hosting a welcome reception for the Fellows. Event details below.
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Conferences and Convening
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The Era of Megafires comes to the World Forestry Center, April 11 from 6:00-9:00 pm
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Join us in Miller Hall on Wednesday, April 11, from 6:00-9:00 pm for a special multimedia presentation and panel discussion with Dr. Paul Hessburg, research landscape ecologist with the US Forest Service Pacific Northwest Research Station.
Hessburg will outline the risks that large wildfires – “megafires” of 100,000 acres or more – create for both forests and communities. His presentation will describe how current fire conditions are threatening wildlife habitat, natural resources, towns and cities, and human health. “A future without wildfire isn’t an option,” says Hessburg.
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Following the
Era of Megafires
presentation, a panel of local experts will join Hessburg to exchange different points of view in a lively discussion moderated by the City Club of Portland.
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Seating is limited and reservations are required, tickets are $5 each
- 6:00-7:00 pm: Reception and no-host bar
- 7:00-9:00 pm: Presentation and panel discussion
- A morning program for high school students is also planned
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The World Forestry Center is proud to be sponsors with:
City Club of Portland
The Nature Conservancy
North 40 Productions
Oregon Forest Resources Institute
US Forest Service
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International Fellows Community Reception
April 17 from 5:00-8:00pm
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Tuesday, April 17, from 5:00-8:00 pm
Discovery Museum at the World Forestry Center
Enjoy a casual evening with refreshments, light appetizers, and engaging conversation as we welcome this year’s Fellows. Visit the event's web page
here.
This event is free with registration.
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Weddings at the World Forestry Center
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For more information about the World Forestry Center, please contact Wendy Mitchell, Development and Community Relations Director,
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