Global Connections. Regional Roots. November 2018
To Create and Inspire Champions of Sustainable Forestry
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From Joseph Furia, Executive Director
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I am often asked: “what does it mean to
create and inspire champions of sustainable forestry
?” It seems that examples often resonate much more than wordsmithed taglines and this newsletter is full of examples. Creating and inspiring champions of sustainable forestry is:
- Identifying and nurturing a community of fellows who are the next generation of forestry leaders such as our 2007 World Forest Institute fellow, Deepak Dorje Tamang, who was recently recognized by Cambridge University as a Change Maker for the Queen’s Young Leaders;
- Supporting emerging voices in forestry like that of Assistant Dean Dr. Thomas Easley who at the Hagenstein Lectures last month described how we can deepen society’s connection with forests and our understanding of forest management through a more inclusive, diverse and equitable forestry sector;
- Showcasing the history of forestry leaders such as Edward N. Murphy whose career reminds us of the often difficult journeys required to build these businesses and may inspire others to embrace the hard work ahead; and
- Engaging current forestry leaders on high priority issues such as the 30 organizations that participated in Cultivating Talent: Workforce Strategies for the Forest and Natural Resource Sectors – a symposium hosted at the World Forestry Center’s Cheatham Hall last month that brought together private and public employers, employees and consultants to address how best to secure and retain talent.
Thank you for joining us in these efforts.
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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 Edward N. Murphy and Murphy Company.
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Above: Veneer operations in Foster, Oregon
Below: Early 1900's Murphy Timber Camp
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In 1909, Edward Ninnian Murphy received a wedding gift from his brother-in-law, Pete Connacher, head forester at Weyerhaeuser. The gift was a timber parcel and Murphy Logging Company was born. A sawmill in Yacolt, Washington, to support timber operations followed in 1910. In 1917 he moved to Portland and formed Deer Island Logging Company. The company continued to grow, and Edward acquired Foss Timber and Lamb Timber Company. In the late 1920s, he acquired sawmills Peninsula Lumber Company and Monarch Lumber Company, both located in Portland.
Over the years, Edward continually educated four of his sons Harry, Ed, Peter, and Jack about the forest products industry. Jack was killed in a plane crash while timber cruising in 1947. The three remaining sons continued the operation as Murphy Timber.
Through the Great Depression and World War II, Murphy Timber continued to grow and expand, including operation of a sawmill in Grand Ronde, Oregon. In the late 1960s, the company decided to produce veneer with the purchase of plants in Florence, Swisshome, and Myrtle Point, Oregon. A boom in softwood plywood demand enticed leadership to lease its first plywood plant in Natron, Oregon, in 1981. Additional plywood plants in Milwaukie and Sutherlin were subsequently added.
In the early 1970s, Peter Murphy Sr. and his brothers sold Murphy Timber to the third generation of Murphys: Peter, Dennis, Kevin, and John. Through the recession and public timber issues of the ‘80s and ‘90s, the re-named Murphy Company ceased veneer operations but continued to merchandise logs and manufacture plywood at its mill in Sutherlin, Oregon.
In the early 2000s, John Murphy Sr. assumed the role of president and the company re-entered the veneer market with the purchase of its White City, Oregon plant in 2002. The company was upended in July 2005 when a fire destroyed the Sutherlin plywood mill. Fortunately, an opportunity arose in 2006 when Georgia-Pacific offered to sell the Eugene hardwoods plant. This acquisition provided an opportunity to retain key Sutherlin employees.
The Sutherlin fire was catalyst for change and the mill was ultimately rebuilt to produce laminated veneer lumber (LVL). The need for high-grade veneer for LVL production necessitated the purchase of the Elma, Washington veneer plant from Weyerhaeuser in 2007.
In 2010, seeing a need for softwood plywood production, the company acquired the Rogue River, Oregon plywood mill. The addition helped complete the integration of all grades of veneer into company production.
In a nod to the company's past, Murphy Company once again began acquiring timberlands in 2014 and added additional veneer operations in Foster, Oregon, in late 2017.
Today, Murphy Company operates veneer and conversion mills up and down the I-5 corridor in Oregon and Washington. John Sr. continues to guide the company, and like his grandfather Edward, he spends time with his son and future successor, John Jr., planning for the success of the next generation.
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Murphy Timber's sawmill operation in Grand Ronde, Oregon (1930's)
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Murphy's Engineered Wood Division in Sutherlin, Oregon, pictured after the 2005 fire that destroyed the Sutherlin plywood mill.
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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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World Forest Institute News and Updates
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WFI Alumni Update
Deepak Dorje Tamang, 2007-08 alumni from Nepal
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Deepak Tamang, our Nepalese World Forest Institute Fellow in 2007, is being recognized by Buckingham Palace for his work mentoring young entrepreneurs and leaders from forestry, agroforestry, agriculture, and small enterprises. He will attend a ceremony acknowledging his contributions as a Change Maker for the Queen’s Young Leaders (QYL). The QYL was established during the 50th Diamond Jubilee celebrations of HM Queen Elizabeth's accession to the throne under “The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust” and administered by the Cambridge University, Institute for Continuing Education (ICE).
The Change Makers were selected over a four-year period from 2015-2018. They undertook a yearlong project based on their discipline and were honored by Queen Elizabeth II in the presence of the Royal Family and former Prime Minister, John Major, the President of the Trust. As a group, the Change Makers’ advice and experience has positively impacted a total of 522 young minds from across the Commonwealth.
We congratulate Deepak Tamang, who exemplifies the World Forestry Center’s mission to create and inspire champions of sustainable forestry.
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Pictured above are the Queen's Young Leaders from 2018 with Queen Elizabeth II
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Summary of Events and Conferences
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Emerging Voices in Forestry
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From left to right: Nicole Strong, Dr. Thomas Easley, Mike Warjone, Zack Parisa, Dr. Edie Sonne Hall, Angie DiSalvo, and Joseph Furia.
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The third annual
Hagenstein Lectures
on October 14 in Cheatham Hall showcased six young professionals including Dr. Thomas Easley, new assistant dean at Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies in New Haven, Connecticut. Dr. Easley addressed the opportunities and challenges young people face pursuing a career in forestry, the importance of mentors and role models, and actions that can be taken to help the field be more inclusive, diverse, and equitable.
Mike Warjone, senior director of strategy for Port Blakely, and Angie DiSalvo, outreach and science supervisor for Portland Parks and Recreation, discussed the role forest management can play in local and global carbon balance. Zack Parisa,
co-founder and president of SilviaTerra, and Dr. Edie Sonne Hall,
founder and principal of Three Trees Consulting, shared their thoughts on
market-based solutions for better production and conservation outcomes using new data sources and advanced analytical tools.
Nicole Strong of Oregon State University moderated the Sunday afternoon event.
The event was presented by the World Forestry Center and the Society of American Foresters, and sponsored by Oregon Forest Resources Institute, Hopworks Urban Brewery, and Friends of Trees.
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Dr. Thomas Easley, Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies
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Mike Warjone, Port Blakely, and Angie DiSalvo, Portland Parks and Recreation
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New Symposium Tackles Workforce Challenges
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Erin Isselman, Executive Director, OFRI
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More than 30 organizations participated in World Forestry Center’s recent
Cultivating Talent: Workforce Strategies for the Forest and Natural Resources Sectors
symposium October 25 in Cheatham Hall.
Sponsored by the Collins Foundation and the Oregon Forest Resources Institute, this one-day event focused on workforce solutions and featured four keynotes, five panel discussions, and a networking reception. Themes for the day were
Employees of the Future
and
Employers of the Future
and featured discussions on communication, training, certification, apprenticeships, recruiting, wages, benefits, retention, inclusion, equity, and diversity.
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Panel discussion: Employees of the Future – Training & Certification
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Panel discussion: Employers of the Future – Executive Forum
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Fall is a perfect time to swing by the World Forestry Center Discovery Museum! Escape from the rain and explore our exhibits or grab some supplies for a hike. Remember, members always receive 10% off their Forest Store purchases!
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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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