December 2020 Issue <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Vol. 5 Issue 6
In this issue: details (as of now) of February 2021 activities including panel discussions and seminars, all to be pre-recorded, a fundraiser dinner for the OLC Fire Relief Fund, and new this coming year, plans for a traveling sawdust bowl!
Happy New Year!
We Wish You A Healthy & Prosperous

83rd Oregon Logging Conference
Modified Program
At this time it appears all OLC seminars and panel discussions will be pre-recorded and then available for viewing. Information on how to register to view the videos and receive Pro-Logger credits will be available soon. Visit www.oregonloggingconference.com for updated details...coming soon!

Better Ideas/New Technology in Logging (2 Pro-Logger credits)
Moderator Terry Mann, L & L Inc., Sutherlin, OR
Speakers and topics:
  • Angela Lewis, Therapeutic Associates, Eugene, OR – Physical Therapy;
Preventative Maintenance for Equipment Operators
  • John Livingston, Heavy Equipment Instructor, Shasta College, Shasta,
CA – Shasta College Heavy Equipment Construction Operations, Heavy Equipment Logging Operations, and Commercial Truck Licensing programs.
  • Kushiah McCullough, Tigercat, Brandtford, Ontario, Canada – Tigercat
180 Swing Yarder.
  • Matthew Flood, John Deere Product Marketing Manger, Precision
Forestry – Insights into the Latest Applications of Precision Technologies in the Forest Industry and the Growing Need for Precision Solutions and how they will Drive Efficiencies in Logging Operations.
 
The Three C’s of Logging Safely Around High Voltage Facilities (1 Pro-Logger credit)
Moderator Matt Bliss, Roseburg Forest Resources, Vaughn, OR
Speakers:
  • Bruce Bashor, Line Foreman, Bonneville Power
  • Jennifer Stromborn, Natural Resources Specialist, Bonneville Power
This presentation covers the three C’s (communication, coordination, and cooperation) of logging around high voltage facilities. Proper communication and a well-coordinated plan are essential to ensuring everyone makes it home safe at the end of the day. The presentation also provides a brief introduction into the behaviors of electricity, working guidelines for multiple types of logging activities, and what to do in case of emergency situations.
 
Your Voice, Your Vote Counts (1 Pro-Logger credit)
Moderator Jim Dudley, Swanson Group, Glendale, OR
Speakers and topics:
  • Kyle Williams, Director of Forest Protection, Oregon Forest & Industries
Council – 2021 Oregon legislative session industry and forestry-related updates
  • Todd Stoffel, Timber Unity – Update on Timber Unity’s activities during
the 2021 sessions and share how to get involved
  • Nick Smith, Healthy Forests Health Communities – Industry and forestry
updates at the federal level, in congress and what’s happening with the new administration.

Hands On Seminar – New Product & Practices for Cable Assist Logging (1 PL Credit)
Moderator: Jason Vaughn, Modern Machinery Eq., Eugene, OR
  • Dale Ewers is the owner of DC Equipment and Moutere Logging in New
Zealand. He will discuss grapple carriages and winch assist machines for steep slope logging as well as rigging techniques to optimize grapple carriage use, reducing the need for crew on the ground.

Oregon Forest Practices Seminar (3 Pro-Logger credits)
Moderator Bodie Dowding, ODF, Salem, OR.
Speaker and topics:
  • Nick Hennenmann, ODF – Participating in Forest Practice Act Changes.
  • Randy Silberngel, retired Freres Lumber – Fish Passage MOA, Important
Changes Effecting Industry.
  • Thomas Whittington, ODF Private Forest Division – Fish Passage Coordination on Non-Federal Forestland.
  • John Krause, ODF – Tech Notes and Where to Find Them.
  • Scott Swearingen, ODF – What ODF Private Forest Division is Working
on and Why.
  • Seth Barnes, Oregon Forest Industries Council – Senate Bill 1602
  • Keith Baldwin, ODF Forest Practices – Salvage and Restoration After the
2020 Wildfires.

Coming soon, details on how to register to view the pre-recorded seminars and panel discussions and receive Pro-Logger credits will be available soon on the OLC website and in future newsletters.
Guess The Net Scale Goes Virtual
This event will be held virtually this year. Visit the OLC website to view a video showing the load of logs (posted soon!) and then submit your guess. For other virtual events, visit www.oregonloggingconference.com/program/
OLC's Famous Sawdust Bowl
Hits The Road
There will be a fun, new way this year to enjoy the popular Oregon Logging Conference Sawdust Bowl, or should we say Sawdust Bowls. During the month of February, 2021 we have scheduled more than half a dozen sawdust bowls in several communities, so we can come together in small numbers and celebrate. You are welcome to attend one or all of them.
 
OLC President Scott and Wendi Melcher will literally get the party started with the first Sawdust Bowl to be held Friday, February 5th at the Woods Roadhouse in Sweet Home, OR.

Traveling Sawdust Bowl Schedule and Locations (Locations, dates, and times subject to change. Scan the QR code in this article for updated information)

  • 7:30pm - 8:30pm, Friday, February 5, 2021
The Woods Roadhouse, Sweet Home, Oregon

  • 7:30pm – 8:30pm, Friday, February 12, 2021
The Waterhole, Prineville, Oregon

  • 7:30pm – 8:30pm, Saturday, February 13, 2021
Common Block Brewing, Medford, Oregon

  • 7:30pm – 8:30pm, Friday, February 19, 2021
Walt's Pourhouse, Coos Bay, Oregon

  • 7:30pm – 8:30pm, Saturday, February 20, 2021
The Dirt Road Brewery, Philomath, Oregon

  • 7:30pm – 8:30pm, Friday, February 26, 2021
Backside Brewery, Roseburg, Oregon

  • 7:30pm – 8:30pm, Saturday, February 27, 2021
Hop Valley Brewing, Eugene, Oregon
Fundraiser Dinner Planned for
OLC Fire Relief Fund
A fundraiser dinner is planned for Saturday, February 6, 2021, from 6:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Sweet Home Supper Club in Sweet Home, OR. Tickets will cost $100 per person, attendance will be limited to 100 people, and proceeds will benefit the Oregon Logging Conference Repair & Recovery Fire Relief Fund.
 
This will be a one-time event held in conjunction with the Oregon Logging Conference and is taking the place of the Desserts for Dreams charity luncheon, which will hopefully return with the 84th Annual OLC in 2022.
 
The wildfires that burned across Oregon and the Pacific Northwest in 2020 caused significant damage and loss. It will take months and possibly years to realize the complete extent of the damage, estimated to be over $100 million in equipment loss alone.
 
To help the Oregon timber industry recover, the Oregon Logging Conference established the Repair and Recovery Fire Relief Fund and this dinner is a fundraiser to benefit those efforts.
 
Money from the Fire Relief Fund will be allocated to help defray costs of removal, repair, and replacing of equipment, tools, and supplies. The Fund is managed by the Oregon Logging Conference, a 501(c)6 non-profit organization, and donations are tax deductible. Federal Tax ID # is 93-6030143.

Anyone interested in making a donation can make checks payable to the Oregon Logging Conference Fire Relief Fund, and mail to Oregon Logging Conference Fire Relief Fund, P.O. Box 10699, Eugene, OR 97440.
 
For more information contact Oregon Logging Conference Board Member Heidi Lieb (heidilieb@bc.com or 503-457-8527) or OLC Manager Rikki Wellman (firerelieffund@oregonloggingconference.com, 541.686.9191)
Resilience 2020! Is Theme for
Oregon Women in Timber Auction
Usually held in conjunction with the opening night of the Oregon Logging Conference, in 2021 there will be no gathering for dinner, and Oregon Women in Timber (OWIT) will hold both the silent and live auctions online.
 
This will be the 30th Annual auction and proceeds will benefit the Talk About Trees program. 2020 presented many challenges for OWIT members and the Talk About Trees program. The auction theme speaks to the strength that the award-winning program will continue to provide free forest education to students in pre-school through 8th grade.

Bidding on the silent auction will be available from Saturday, February 20, 2021 to Saturday, February 27, 2021. The virtual live auction will be held Wednesday February 24, 2021, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. For information visit www.orwit.org or call 503-831-1593. Watch for an auction registration to be posted on January 1st to the OWIT Facebook page and OWIT website.
 
OWIT has members throughout Oregon who will gratefully pick-up donations. To make arrangements, contact info@orwit.org. All donations and auction purchases are tax deductible, as OWIT is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization.
 
OWIT will continue to partner with the Oregon Logging Conference to raise money for the Oregon Logging Conference Foundation scholarship program (see article below) and the Talk About Trees program, through the sale of 2021 commemorative lapel pins. These “Partners in Education” lapel pins will be available for $100 each.
Scholarship Applications
Now Available From
Oregon Logging Conference Foundation
Scholarship applications are now available from the Oregon Logging Conference Foundation (OLCF) for the 2021-2022 academic year and can be easily downloaded by clicking here. Applicants must turn in completed paperwork to the OLCF office by April 1, 2021
 
The Oregon Logging Conference Foundation scholarship guidelines are that applicants must be studying in the following areas: Forest Engineering, Forest Management, Forest Operations Management, Heavy Equipment Maintenance and Welding, Resource Management, Diesel Mechanics, or other Forest/Timber areas of study.
 
Each year the OLCF awards 10 or more scholarships, ranging from $1,000 to $3,000. Since 1968, the Foundation has awarded more than $975,000 in scholarships to students who have and are studying forestry and logging.
 
For more information on the scholarship program, call (541) 686-9191.
INDUSTRY HAPPENINGS AND NEWS
  • New COVID and Economic Stimulus Package Has a Lot for Forest Products Industry. Read more.

  • Oregon Women In Timber host Virtual Silent and Live Auction Benefit for "Talk About Trees. Read more.


  • Photos of lookout tree on Ochoco National Forest in Oregon. Read more.

  • A Brief History of the Chainsaw. Read more.

  • Salt River Project announces plans to fund restoration projects. Read more.

  • Before railroads, logging was often constrained by access to water, like a river or lake, where logs could be floated to a sawmill. Read more.

  • Feds release plan to reduce massive wildfires in US West. Read more.

  • After the fires, timber industry faces ‘generational’ losses and longer-term supply questions. Read more.
  • Who planted a giant smiley face of trees? Read more.

  • Oregon proposes salvage logging 3,600 acres of wildfire-ravaged Santiam State Forest. Read more.


  • British Columbia scientists develop a biodegradable face mask. Read more.

  • Did you know the first iPhone wasn't made by Apple? Read more.

Publisher - Editor - Writers
Mary Bullwinkel - Freelance Writer
Rikki Wellman - Conference Manager
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