Summer 2005 - Association of Consulting Foresters of America, Inc.

More documents

Recommendations

Info

Page 2 NEWSLETTER The ACF Newsletter is published by the Association of Consulting Foresters of America, Inc. ___________ Executive Committee President Richard W. Courter Oregon President Elect Edward F. Steigerwaldt Jr. Wisconsin Directors James D. Chapin California (Continued from page 1) President Richard Courter presented the very first Chapter of the Year Award to Joe Grahame representing the West Virginia Chapter for their outstanding Chapter Chair Report. (See article page 4) The ACF Public Service Award was presented to Doug Williams in recognition for his help on the MOU between ACF and the USDA - NRCS. The recipients of the President’s awards were Steve Whitfield (for the second time) and Scott Milburn for their outstanding contributions to ACF. The banquet closed with storyteller Roger Wendlick‘s interpretation of explorer George Droulliard, complete with bear skin and hunting rifle, as he traveled with Lewis and Clark on their legendary trail. The weather was kind, the view unsurpassed, and best of all the old and new friends made for a great time for all, See you next year in Mississippi! Robert A. Drummond South Carolina Michael A. Nolan Arkansas Bret T. Vicary Maine Immediate Past President J. Tobey Wright Georgia ___________ National Office Lynn C. Wilson Executive Director Elizabeth J. Duncan Director of Chapter/Member Services Mary W. Dannahey Membership/Events Coordinator ___________ Frank M. Stewart III, ACF/RF Government Affairs The Association of Consulting Foresters (ACF) is the national organization for consulting foresters who work on this great nation’s 430 million acres of privately held lands. The purpose of ACF is to advance the practice of professional consulting forestry; to establish and maintain high ethical standards for its members; to improve the competency of and provide a forum for its members; and to promote and encourage stewardship of the forest resource. Look for familiar faces, highlights of the activities and field tour photos in the 2005 National Meeting Photo Gallery. This is located under the National Conference page on the ACF website. On this page you will also find some of the presentation materials that were given at the Technical Session on Monday. Dean Solinsky’s granddaughters with Roger Wendlick
SUMMER 2005 Page 3 Woody Biomass By Frank Stewart, ACF/RF – Director, Government & External Affairs As gasoline prices rise and the nation focuses on alternative sources of energy production, the use of renewable feedstock is getting attention. One of the energy sources being touted is woody biomass. Biomass, one of the most popular renewable energy sources, is plant material and animal waste used for energy, especially tree and grass crops, forestry (woody biomass), agricultural and urban wastes, and derives its power from the sun. Through the process of photosynthesis, chlorophyll in plants captures the sun's energy by converting carbon dioxide from the air and water from the ground into carbohydrates, complex compounds composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen. When these carbohydrates are burned, they turn back into carbon dioxide and water, and release the sun’s energy . Besides reducing dependence on traditional fuels with their finite availability, the production process and use of these energy products are an environmentally cleaner proposition than petroleum products. They are also renewable, abundant, and economically competitive. Even if none of the previous were fact, they address a national security concern – over-reliance on foreign sources of fuel – which has long been neglected. The formation of a new marketplace would help address the unhealthy reliance we have developed on foreign energy sources; viz, the U.S. produces two percent of the world’s petroleum and uses twenty percent. Because of the costs of developing the required infrastructure and cutting-edge technologies, many financial institutions and energy companies (potential and existing) are reluctant to make the necessary capital investments since the long-term future of alternative power is uncertain. To help guarantee a long-term market for woody biomass, incentives are recommended. An incentive based approach working within our market system would create new opportunities for forest landowners as segments of the forest products industry trend toward an off-shore future. At this writing, nineteen states have enacted laws to require alternative energy feedstock. A national commitment to incentives for energy production from alternative feedstock would provide energy-production investors with the security of knowing that the renewable energy market will exist on a long-term basis, and provide a certain market and more reliable investment for private forest landowners throughout the nation. SAD NEWS See you next year! Mary Ott, beloved wife of Les, passed away on July 26th. Les’ home telephone number is (740) 353-3109. Cards and letters should be sent to 2919 Willow Way, Portsmouth, Ohio 45662. After returning home from the National Conference, Tobey Wright, Executive Committee member and past ACF president, suffered a massive stroke. Fortunately, his strong will and positive attitude have served him well and his recovery is moving forward. He has returned home and has a good appetite. Tobey is saying a few words and trying to write with his left hand. He’s also able to stand but is not able to use his right leg or right arm. Therapy is three days a week and June helps with the exercises at home. June has given permission for those of you who want to check in to call her on her cell phone at (251) 454-1583 or at their home at (706) 776-8653. Please keep him in your prayers and thoughts for a speedy recovery.
Page 1: A SSOCIATION OF CONSULTING FORESTER
Page 5 and 6: SUMMER 2005 Page 5 Make Dead Sure Y
Page 7 and 8: SUMMER 2005 Page 7 CANDIDATES FOR M

Summer 2005 - Association of Consulting Foresters of America, Inc.

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?