National Hardwood Magazine - July 2019

NORTH AMERICAN FOREST

NORTH AMERICAN FOREST FOUNDATION BULLETIN NAFF’S APPROACH TO PROMOTING THE INDUSTRY PROVIDES LIFELONG LESSONS The NAFF’s new goals mesh with the old through a multi-generational approach to teaching the truth about trees and the forest products industry. We’re more than halfway through the year, and it’s come with many changes for NAFF. We have a new name, a streamlined website, and a more inclusive mission, but one thing hasn’t changed – NAFF is dedicated to promoting the benefits of the wood industry. We’ve always felt that one of the best ways to do that is through education. First impressions matter. Teaching children about trees, harvesting, transportation, and how wood products are intertwined with our lives provides them with the foundation they need to see the benefits the forest products industry delivers to our homes, businesses, and the environment. NAFF’s Forever Forest exhibit was curated to combine play with those lessons. NAFF’s Forever Forest exhibit travels throughout North America, spending three months at each museum. Since it was built in 2017, almost 9,000 students have visited with their teachers or chaperones, and more than 300,000 kids, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and friends have learned the truth about trees through the interactive exhibit features. The Forever Forest exhibit is spending the summer at Scott Family Amazeum in Bentonville, Arkansas. We estimate 63,000 attendees will enjoy a visit during its stay. The hands-on nature of the exhibit is wonderful in itself, but it also allows us to plant seeds throughout the communities it visits. Each location offers engagement opportunities. The Forever Forest exhibit has been featured in 19 print and broadcast stories. Each of those stories connected with readers and viewers who would otherwise not hear our message – making the exhibit an educational tool on so many levels. While we’re thrilled that our elementary-aged educational projects are so effective, the recent changes to the NAFF organization created the perfect opportunity to branch out into different age groups – with different educational goals. Throughout North America, unemployment numbers are dropping, and while that’s great for many reasons, we understand it’s had an effect on our industry. Finding qualified workers has become harder than ever, but if we’re able to connect with young adults to teach them about the variety of jobs available throughout the wood industry, and the affordability of attaining those jobs, we can drive recruits towards successful careers at successful businesses. To do that, NAFF produced a recruiting video to reach young people trying to decide on their career paths. The one-minute-long whiteboard video is available on the NAFF website, and we welcome everyone to use it in their recruiting efforts. We also offer licensing opportunities that allow businesses to brand the video with their logo, or add a customized voiceover to the ending. The NAFF’s mission is to support the forest products industry by delivering a message – wood is good. When we do that, and back our message with science-based facts and solid advice, we’re able to connect with multiple generations and create a legacy of learning the truth about trees in households across North America. For sponsorship opportunities, or to license the NAFF recruiting video for customized usage, call or email the NAFF at 901.860.4131 or jreith@northamericanforestfoundation.org. n BY JENNIFER REITH, CMP, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NORTH AMERICAN FOREST FOUNDATION, MEMPHIS, TN 38134 901-860-4131 northamericanforestfoundation.org 18 JULY 2019 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE

NHLA NEWS NHLA INSPECTOR TRAINING SCHOOL: THE TRADITION CONTINUES It has been a tough couple of years for the Hardwood industry, and it seems it just keeps getting a little bit harder ever month. But when times get tough, remember NHLA is always prepared to help, not only as an advocate, but as a service provider to help grow your business – even in the tough times. Last month I wrote about our new line of quality control services designed to increase sawmill profitability. The numbers speak for themselves – we are proud to say that we have already saved our Yield Analysis customers millions. This service is a solid return on investment, especially in a down market. The NHLA Inspector Training School is yet another value that can help save money and increase profitability. Nothing is more important than the quality of the lumber that comes off the chain, and an NHLA trained Inspector is the key to ensuring that your lumber is properly graded. The first class of the School began in a one-room garage of Nickey Brothers Lumber Company in Memphis. We are proud to say that many of the students in our first classes were WWII veterans. The permanent school structure was built in 1949. The new school opened in 1980 when NHLA headquarters was moved from Chicago Illinois to Memphis Tennessee. Since its inception the School has graduated over 7,700 students, many of whom moved on to own their own companies. The course is 12-weeks long and includes field trips and industry networking opportunities. In our last class, one student saved their family sawmill over 0,000, just by applying what he learned during the school week to mill operations. All that for a ,500 registration fee. The NHLA Inspector Training School offers the only Hardwood lumber inspector certificate program in the world. Since 1946, NHLA has not only trained over 7,700 students, the School has helped define their careers. We are committed to ensuring that every student that comes through the door the opportunity to achieve their goals. Many of our students come from alumni who are ITS graduates. These alumni know the ROI of the School and send their employees to complete the course. It is important to note that not every student that has gone through the School is sponsored by a NHLA member. America is finally starting to realize the importance of a trade education, and our independent students are realizing that an ITS education can lead to a rewarding and exciting career. It is not unusual for our independent students to receive over five job offers – and that is before they graduate! And, thanks to the Inspector Training School Education Foundation, scholarships are available for deserving students. The ITS school instructor Rich Hascher has trained the Please turn to page 72 BY LORNA D. CHRISTIE, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NATIONAL HARDWOOD LUMBER ASSOC., MEMPHIS, TN 901-377-1818 WWW.NHLA.COM JULY 2019 n NATIONAL HARDWOOD MAGAZINE 19