Planning continues for the 83rd OLC

September 2020 <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Vol. 5 Issue 3

In this issue Message from 2021 OLC President Scott Melcher, OLC announces Fire Relief Fund program, 2021 Exhibitor contracts available.

Easy Quick Links to the 2021 OLC program schedule, panel and seminar topics, social events, competitions, and other activities can be found on the last page of this newsletter.

MESSAGE FROM OLC PRESIDENT

SCOTT MELCHER

Optimism (noun) – hopefulness and confidence about the future or successful outcome of something.

It’s pretty damn difficult to be an optimist right now, in fact, for most of this year, it’s been tough! First the COVID-19 pandemic, then civil unrest protests and now the devastating fires here in Oregon, the Pacific Northwest and throughout the United States.

The very definition of optimism includes hope. Even thought it seems out of reach, I am trying to hold on to hope and keep the faith that we will survive this together.

Little did I know when the theme for the 83rd Annual Oregon Logging Conference was selected earlier this year, how much is would be providing guidance, as we navigate through these challenging times.

FAMILY – through everything that has happened this year, I have realized a deeper commitment to and appreciation of my family. It has risen to the top of the list of what’s important.

FRIENDS – Friends both within and outside the timber industry are amazing, unwavering, and always there to lend a hand no matter what.

FORESTRY – Watching the forests burn and watching loggers and other contractors lose equipment, shops, sawmills etc. is one of the hardest things I have had to do this year. This is my livelihood and it is heartbreaking to see what has happened. I know we will feel the impacts of this fire season for many years to come, and also know that in time, the forests will grow back.

We will all be part of the efforts to restore and repair the damage these fires have caused to our forests. Please join with me and the Oregon Logging Conference to continue to make a difference. (See article below on the OLC Fire Relief fund).

It is unlikely that we will have the 83^rd Annual Oregon Logging Conference at the Lane Events Center and Fairgrounds in February 2021. However no final decision has been made, but rest assured we are already brainstorming and discussing various options for holding some of OLC events and activities in a COVID-19 pandemic appropriate way.

We will be talking more about this in future issues of the OLC NEWS newsletter, on Facebook, and on our website.

We will get through this, just like other challenging times with "Friends, Family, and Forestry."

OREGON LOGGING CONFERENCE

STARTS A FIRE RELIEF FUND FOR

FORESTRY CONTRACTORS

The fires in Oregon and other states across the nation have been and continue to be devastating, destroying communities and resulting in the loss of lives. It is estimated that over one million acres of land in Oregon alone has burned…400,000 acres of private land and 600,000 acres of public land.

President Scott Melcher announced the Oregon Logging Conference has established a Repair & Recovery Fire Relief fund. This program joins a number of other programs already established (listed at the end of this article) to provide assistance to those who need it.

Assistance provided by the OLC Repair & Recovery Fire Relief fund will be under the guidance of a separate committee, chaired by OLC Board Member Heidi Leib. "It was Leib’s idea to explore creating the program to provide financial support to timber-related contractors impacted by the fires, as they struggle to get back on their feet," said 2021 OLC president Scott Melcher.

"As wildfires swept through our forests and towns and news of equipment burning up in it’s wake trickled in, it became evident we had a disaster that required all hands on deck,” Leib said. “With several relief efforts in place to help those who lost homes, there appeared to be an outstanding need to assist businesses within our industry that had lost logging equipment, tools and supplies to the fires,” she added. “These are the same people we would soon rely on to re-enter the burned forests for salvage and restoration efforts,” Leib said of the contractors who will be assisted by the OLC Repair & Recovery Fire Relief fund.

The OLC Repair & Recovery Fire Relief program would assist forestry contractors with insurance deductibles and costs associated with removal, repairing, and replacement of equipment, tools and supplies, damaged by recent wildfires.

"The plan is to reach out to lumber manufacturers, equipment manufacturers, retailers, suppliers, contractors, and individuals to ask for financial contributions to build the Repair & Recovery Fire Relief fund," Melcher said.

To make a donation or for more information, contact OLC Manager Rikki Wellman (firerelieffund@oregonloggingconference.com) at (541) 686-9191.

Here are some of the programs already established to assist those impacted by the recent wildfires:

Due to COVID-19 concerns, organizations like the American Red Cross are asking for monetary donations rather than material donations.

83rd Annual OLC

Program Being Readied

Even with the uncertainty of the 83rd OLC taking place in February of 2021, our program chairs and their committees continue to secure topics and confirm speakers for Thursday and Friday, February 25^th and 26^th sessions.

If held, registered companies and individuals can earn Professional Logger credits and three Forest Practice credits for attending these sessions.

The theme for the 83rd OLC is “Family, Friends & Forestry”, click here for the current 83rd Annual OLC Program and Schedule on the OLC website.

We continue to monitor the effects of covid-19 on large conventions and will keep everyone updated as a final decision is made on the 83rd Oregon Logging Conference.

Meanwhile plan ahead and reserve these dates on your calendar for the 84th Oregon Logging Conference, February 24th, 25th and 26th, 2022.

Exhibit Space Reservations

Being Accepted

The Oregon Logging Conference is continuing to monitor COVID-19 and its effects on holding the 2021 Conference in February of next year. That being said, we are accepting reservations at this time for both inside and outside booth exhibitors.

Renewal contracts were emailed to all exhibitors in late July, and completed contracts need to be returned to the OLC office now, to reserve the same booth location for the 83^rd Annual OLC.

New exhibitors may visit the OLC website to download the contract packet or click here.

The OLC will keep you updated on any decisions that will affect the 83^rd Annual OLC.

Questions? Email rikki@oregonloggingconference.com or call (541)-686-9191.

INDUSTRY HAPPENINGS AND NEWS

VIDEO CONTEST FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS. High school students are invited to create a video that provides information about the value of a career in the forest products sector. Read more.

A Look at Highway 126 After the Holiday Farm Fire. View Video.

Weyerhaeuser Donate to Red Cross Fire Relief Fund. Read More.

The men and women of the 'Hillbilly Brigade' - about 1,200 in all - came together to fight Oregon's biggest fire in a century. View Video.

Witness California's record blazes through the eyes of front-line firefighters. Read More.

Forest learning spreads far and wide. Read More.

Mass timber is the future of architecture. But can it survive a world on fire? Read More.

Carbon in Oregon's Managed Forests: Summary Report. Read More.

OSU scientists: Climate change, fuels buildup among causes of this month's catastrophic wildfires. Read More.

Computers help wood anatomists with wood identification. Read More.

Joe Newton from Lone Rock Resources discusses why a forest landowner uses herbicides to help establish the next generation of trees. Watch Video.