2008 News Archive
The Hama Hama Tree Farm, managed by David Robbins and his family, has been named the 2008 Washington State Tree Farmer of the Year, recognizing his exceptional commitment to enhance his forest land. The award was announced on April 25, 2008, in Mt. Vernon, Washington, at the Annual Meeting of the Washington Farm Forestry Association, which is a co-sponsor of the Washington Tree Farm Program.
Jill Reynolds was hired as WFPA’s new Executive Program Assistant. She started April 4, 2008. She comes to WFPA with more than 30 years of experience from working with the State of Washington. Reynolds worked as Executive Assistant to the director of Washington’s Lottery, along with other positions in state agencies such as Department of Social and Health Services, Fish & Wildlife, and Community Trade and Economic Development to name a few.
“I really enjoyed working in natural resources and I’m excited about this opportunity here at WFPA to get back in it,” Reynolds said.
She will provide services ranging from performing general office support to providing high-level administrative expertise and assistance to WFPA Program Directors. Responsibilities include scheduling, correspondence, meeting planning and management, office and telephone reception, research and information searches and office support.
On March 23, 2008, The Longview Daily News published an opinion-editorial by WFPA Executive Director, Mark Doumit. It is titled, ‘It’s Time for Fact-Finding, Not Finger Pointing’ and is in regards to the December 2007 southwest Washington storm events.
Governor Chris Gregoire’s office presented WFPA with a proclamation declaring March 11, 2008, “Washington Forest Protection Association’s 100th Anniversary Celebration” Day.
On February 27, a family displaced by the devastating 500-year storm of Dec. 2007 received a donated triple-wide manufactured home from Port Blakely Companies through the Homeward Bound Coalition in Meskill, WA. The Homeward Bound Coalition was formed to replace homes for families displaced by the Lewis County flood. Lead partners include private forest landowners of the Washington Forest Protection Association, Stillaguamish tribe, Seattle’s Center for Spiritual Living and the Lewis County Fire District #16.
In a special to the Seattle Times, WFPA Executive Director, Mark Doumit, writes an opinion-editorial titled, ‘Flood victims interested in helping, being helped — not finding a scapegoat’. This piece talks about the devastating flood events in southwest Washington in December 2007.
Here are some facts and information in regards to the December 1-4, 2007 storm events that took place in southwest Washington.
TVW presents Washington Business in Focus, a series of six episodes, each approximately ten minutes in length, designed to highlight how specific types of business fits into Washington State’s larger economic picture. Washington Business in Focus is produced with the support of the Association of Washington Business. The Forest Products segment highlights the State’s second largest manufacturing industry and how it’s a high-tech global concern. Find out how those changes affect everyone from Weyerhaeuser to small private forest owners.
In December, WFPA gave an overview of Governor Gregoire’s climate change process and highlighted the positive outcomes from the Forestry Technical Work Group High Priority Policy Options.
The Small Forest Landowner Office, within the Washington Department of Natural Resources, has a new program known as the Long-Term Forest Practices Application. This program allows small forest landowners to apply for a long-term application that is valid for up to 15 years. This new application is expected to ease the paperwork burden and allow for more flexibility. There are three meetings for forestry consultants regarding the long-term forest practices application and they are on January 8 in Everett, January 9 in Spokane, and January 10 in Chehalis.