Global Connections. Regional Roots. September 2019
To Create and Inspire Champions of Sustainable Forestry
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From Joseph Furia, Executive Director
The World Forestry Center is focused on the future of forestry.
That future is being shaped by some major external forces. Population growth, climate change, catastrophic wildfires, demographic shifts, and emerging technologies have and will continue to fundamentally change forestry as we know it.
Whether these changes are realized as risks or opportunities depends on who is willing to come together, engage in important conversations on complex issues, and to imagine and invest in what is possible.
That is where the World Forestry Center comes in. To shape a society that values and takes action to support the economic, ecological, and social benefits of forests, we’ve started to think about our organization’s work in three parts: Professionals, Public, and Place.
We have programs to drive problem‐solving by current and future forestry professionals. We create events and experiences that connect the public to their interdependence on forests. We steward a place that supports a community of sustainable forestry champions.
This month, much of our energy was focused on professionals. We held our 15th annual
Who Will Own the Forest
? conference. As one of the largest timberland investment conferences in the world, this event has allowed for problem-solving by professionals for 15 years.
Who Will Own the Forest
? brings timberland managers, investors, and others together to build community, be inspired, and have those important conversations.
With that in mind, we made a few strategic changes this year. We focused on big issues and moved them up in the program to energize attendees. We tightened the agenda, but increased the opportunities to connect and converse. The resulting event felt energized. Anecdotally, I heard from a lot of people about the changes. Most were positive. Some were skeptical. But everyone was talking.
The future of forestry may be uncertain. But, here at the World Forestry Center, we see that as an opportunity. Getting people talking is just the start.
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Fifteenth
Who Will Own the Forest?
Conference Highlights Climate, Megatrends Influencing Forest Investment
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On Wednesday, September 18, the World Forestry Center welcomed nearly 400 professionals to our Washington Park campus for the 15th annual
Who Will Own the Forest?
conference.
This year, the two-day event began with its first-ever keynote address, sponsored by
Freres Lumber
. Eric Corey Freed, Founding Principal of organicARCHITECT and Sustainability Disruptor at Morrison Hershfield, offered his dynamic take on the risks and rewards of a timber future.
“You’re not in the timber business,” said Freed. “You’re in the most-valuable-and-renewable-commodity-on-Earth business.”
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The program continued with sessions on the global megatrends influencing forestry, including climate change and shifting demographics. “Climate change presents new risks and opportunities for investors in forests,” said World Forestry Center Deputy Director Sara Wu. “These issues are only growing in importance."
Another first was the session on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the forestry industry. The panel discussion, moderated by MaryKate Bullen, the Director of Sustainability & Communications at New Forests, included
World Forestry Center Board Member
Thomas RaShad Easley, Assistant Dean for Community and Inclusion at Yale University School of Forestry and Environmental Studies, and Bettina von Hagen, CEO
of EFM.
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WORLD FOREST INSTITUTE NEWS
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International Fellows Share Findings at
Forestry Lightning Talks
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Earlier this month, the World Forestry Center's eight International Fellows presented the findings of their independent research projects to an audience of over 100 friends, colleagues, and program supporters.
This free, public event represented a culmination of the Fellows' six-month research projects. Each of the eight natural-resource professionals presented a ten-minute overview of their area of study, research findings, and
how they plan to implement what they've learned after the Fellowship.
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Pictured left to right: Zhongyuan Ding (China), Richard Banda (Malawi), William Maiden (UK), Shadia Duery (International Fellowship Program Manager), Fen-Hui Chen (Taiwan), Ana Kanoppa (Brazil), Temitope Dauda (Nigeria), Romain Matile (France), Rodolfo Vieto (Costa Rica)
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For those unable to attend, you can watch videos of the Fellow's talks below:
Romain Matile (France)
Ana Kanoppa (Brazil)
William Maiden (UK)
Richard Banda (Malawi)
Zhongyuan Ding (China)
Temitope Dauda (Nigeria)
Rodolfo Vieto (Costa Rica)
Fen-Hui Chen (Taiwan)
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The World Forest Institute International Fellowship Program is generously sponsored by the Harry A. Merlo Foundation.
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Sunday, October 20, 2019
1pm - 5pm, doors open at 12pm
Cheatham Hall, World Forestry Center
Please join us for the 2019 Emerging Voices in Forestry Hagenstein Lectures. Meet ten young leaders in forestry, all under age 45, working at the forefront of social, economic, and environmental change.
Enjoy lively conversation, provocative ideas, craft beer, wine, and food.
Tickets are $10.
We expect to sell out, so please reserve your seats early.
The Hagenstein Lectures are presented by the
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Emerging Voices Host: Jeremy Felty
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ACT I
Wildfire Moneyball: Analytics for the New Normal
Conversation with Christopher Dunn
Hosted by Jarred Saralecos
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ACT II
Women on Fire
Conversation with Amanda Rau and Anjel Tomayko
Hosted by Fran Cafferata Coe
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ACT III
Forestry 2040: Action Required
Conversation with Terry Baker, Ara Erickson, and Andr
é
s Holz
Hosted by Abe Wheeler
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TREEmendous Second Saturday Spotlights
the Importance of Bugs
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On October 12, visit our Discovery Museum for the next event in our TREEmendous Second Saturday series:
Bugs - Friends of the Forest.
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The Bug Chicks
will be at the Museum from 11:30am-1:00pm. They'll have live insects on display, as well as preserved specimens, microscopes, and other interactive tools to teach visitors about bugs and their relationship to the forest.
Volunteers from the
Xerces Society
will also be onsite with information about the importance of invertebrate conservation.
All activities are included with Museum admission and free for Museum Members.
Mark your calendars for every second Saturday as the Discovery Museum hosts hands-on learning opportunities for forest fans of all ages. Dive into a particular topic and learn more about trees, forests, and how they relate to our everyday lives.
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The World Forestry Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit. We are proud to recognize
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For more information about the World Forestry Center,
please contact Tyler Quinn, Director of Communications at 503-488-2128
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