Wood building and forestry education explored at WFPA Annual Meeting

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – November 20, 2013
Contact: Cindy Mitchell, 360-791-9372

Wood building and forestry education explored at annual state forestry meeting

Wood should be the material of the future for many of the world’s buildings because it is an affordable, efficient and environmentally friendly building material, capable of displacing steel or concrete, said Joseph Mayo, the featured speaker at last week’s 105th annual meeting of the Washington Forest Protection Association.

Mayo, who works at Mahlum Architects in Seattle, said mid-rise and high-rise buildings are being constructed with wood around the globe, with interest quickly growing in North America. Washington, with its world-leading positions in timber, manufacturing and technology, can be a new center for the use of wood in the construction of large buildings. “We have all the pieces to make a real high-tech, green industry,” Mayo said.

Besides wood building, forestry regulations and forestry education were the themes of this year’s meeting Nov. 14 in Olympia. The WFPA, the trade association for the state’s private forest landowners, hosted 120 forestry professionals and public officials from around the state.

Among the other speakers were Peter Goldmark, the state Commissioner of Public Lands, who described the importance of improving the health of the state’s forests amidst climate change; and Thomas DeLuca, the Director of the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences at University of Washington, who discussed how UW is teaching the forestry leaders of tomorrow.

TVW was on hand to film the meeting, and all the discussions are available to view online. Links to specific speakers are below.

The WFPA gave its highest honor – the Stu Bledsoe Award for outstanding leadership – to Don Brunell, who is retiring in January after 28 years as President of the Association of Washington Business. Brunell was cited for his leadership in the business community and his commitment to forestry and natural resources issues.

Billy Frank, Jr., the chairman of the Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission for three decades, was honored with the WFPA’s Community Service Award for his work in managing natural resources and establishing successful working relationships.

We’re managing private forests so they work for all of us. ®

Ken and Bonnie Miller, who have owned a tree farm in Grays Harbor and Thurston counties for two decades, were recognized as winners of the 2013 Washington Tree Farmer of the Year award.

Click on the links for each TVW video:

  • Joseph Mayo, Seattle architect and featured speaker
  • Peter Goldmark, state Commissioner for Public Lands; and opening remarks by WFPA President Norm Schaaf and WFPA Executive Director Mark Doumit
  • Thomas DeLuca, Director of the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences at University of Washington
  • Panel discussion on “A New Direction in Washington” with Maia Bellon (Director, state Department of Ecology), Carol Nelson (Director, Department of Revenue), and Joel Sacks (Director, Department of Labor & Industries)
  • Panel discussion on upcoming legislative issues with Sens. Kirk Pearson (R-Monroe) and Christine Rolfes (D-Bainbridge Island) and Reps. Kathy Haigh (D-Shelton) and J.T. Wilcox (R-Yelm)

About the Washington Forest Protection Association

The Washington Forest Protection Association (WFPA) represents private forest landowners growing and harvesting trees on about 4 million acres in Washington State. Members of the 100-year-old association are large and small companies, individuals and families who practice sustainable forestry in Washington’s private forests. For more information, go to www.wfpa.org.

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