Alabama Forests Fall 2016

Alabama

Fall 2016

FORESTS IN THIS ISSUE

Timber Titan Billy C. Bond Logger of the Year, Freddy Tidwell Former Governor Fob James Carr, Riggs & Ingram

WORK MORE. SPEND LESS.

ATTTALLA/GADSDEN ALLA/GAD (256) 570-1100

DOTHAN (334) 671-1040

OPELIKA/AUBURN (334) 749-3359

SHELBY COUNTY (205) 664-4833

TUSCALOOSA (205) 247-2800

BIRMINGHAM (205) 841-8601

HUNTSVILLE (256) 532-1776

OXFORD/ANNISTON (256) 831-4104

THOMASVILLE (334) 636-0420

TUSCUMBIA (256) 381-2771

CRESTVIEW (850) 682-6510

MOBILE (251) 626-5100

PANAMA CITY (850) 785-4007

DECA ATUR (256) 353-7721

MONTGOMERY (334) 215-5000

PENSACOLA (850) 471-6700

© 2016 Caterpillar. All Rights R Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, T BUILLTT FOR ITT,, their the eir respective logos, “Caterpillar YYellow ellow,” the “Power Edge” trade dress as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission. www.cat.com / www.caterpillar..com

Contents

Alabama Forestry Association, Inc. Chris Isaacson, Executive Vice President OFFICERS Chairman ............................................................Gray Skipper President.........................................................Vaughn Stough President-Elect......................................................Hank Bauer Secretary ...................................................Stephan Tomlinson Treasurer ..........................................................Tom Bradley III

Fall 2016 | Volume 60 | Numb er 5

Alabama

FORESTS

DISTRICT DIRECTORS Black Belt District ..............................................Doug Bowling Capital District.....................................................Jim Solvason Delta District ....................................................Frank Mozingo Longleaf District ..................................................Phillip Smith Mountain District...................................................Allen Keller Piedmont District................................................Chris Langley Valley District ................................................DeWayne Oakley Vulcan District.......................................................Trae Bonner Warrior District....................................................Rick Johnson Wiregrass District..........................................................Vacant

Communicating news & information of, about, and for the Alabama forestry community.

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ALC REPRESENTATIVE Chris Potts FOREST FUND REPRESENTATIVE Kevin Kennedy

FEATURES

FORESTRY LEADERS REPRESENTATIVE Vacant

Outstanding Logger of the Year

AT-LARGE DIRECTORS Al Bracewell Terry Bussey Ray Colvin David Leibold Ryan Mattei Patricia Moody Mena McGowin Morgan Lenn Morris Guice Slawson, Jr. Clay Thomas

Political Focus on Fob James

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Spotlight on Carr, Riggs & Ingram

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Timber Titan Billy C. Bond

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Freddy Tidwell

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The 2016 AFA Annual Meeting included a bus tour of the Port of Mobile, which the good folks pictured here attended. It was a great outing with participants enjoying the Port Authority's efforts in showcasing the wonderful state-of-the-art facilities Alabama has built up to handle exports and imports for Alabama companies and individuals. See the scrapbook page 35.

ELECTION: Proposed State Constitutional Amendments

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Annual Meeting Scrapbook

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Especially for our tree farmers/landowners:

ALABAMA FORESTS EDITOR Sam Duvall

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Green Horizons

GREEN HORIZONS EDITOR Leigh Peters

DEPARTMENTS From the Executive Vice President

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GRAPHIC DESIGN Marie Troy

Dean’s Notebook

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Log A Load Update

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Alabama Forests (USPS #025-358) is an official publication of the Alabama Forestry Association, 555 Alabama Street, Montgomery, AL 36104-4359 and is published five times a year. The AFA reserves the exclusive right to accept or reject advertising or editorial material submitted for publication.

Advertising rates quoted upon request.

Periodicals postage paid at Montgomery, Ala. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Alabama Forestry Association, 555 Alabama St., Montgomery, AL 36104-4395.

Wildlife & Outdoors

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Advertisers’ Index

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Correction Mr. Craig Blair, CEO of Resource Management Service, LLC was incorrectly referred to as the CEO of Resource Management Services in the brochure promoting the annual meeting. We regret this error and are glad to set the record straight.

On the Cover A nice buck in a stand of pines with a pine straw crown. It just doesn't get much better than that!

Photo by Tes Jolly

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ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

Connect with us on

and see what’s new on our web site alaforestry.org

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From Executive Vice President

Let’s Celebrate the Success of Our Industry s I write this column, Governor Bentley has just announced that Two Rivers Lumber Company plans to invest $65 million to build a state-of-the-art sawmill in Demopolis eventually creating 95 jobs. This comes on top of an announcement several weeks ago by Weyerhaeuser of plans to make a capital investment to upgrade its softwood lumber mill in Millport.

This is music to many landowners’ ears given the burgeoning inventory of sawtimber in most parts of the state.

It’s also very good news for jobseekers in an area of the state where unemployment remains stubbornly high.

While this is the “latest” announcement, it’s not the only example of an expanding forest products industry. Earlier this year, Kronospan in Calhoun County announced a $362 million multi-phase expansion adding 160 to 200 jobs.

The total tally of new and expanding forest products operations for 2016 will not be available for several months.

But a review of the 2015 Alabama Department of Commerce report shows capital investments by forest products companies of $917 million with 929 new jobs created.

If you look at this list of 43 announced start-ups or expansions, you’ll find the largest capital investments coming from Georgia Pacific (Brewton – $400 million and Perdue

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ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

Hill – $28 million), International Paper (Prattville – $308 million), Zilkha Biomass Energy (Selma – $50 million) and Louisiana Pacific (Thomasville – $20 million and Hanceville – $12 million). These investments are a solid indicator of the confidence that these companies have in Alabama and their commitment to grow their operations here.

Equally impressive were the companies that made smaller investments but created a large number of jobs. For example, Max Home LLC in Sulligent (upholstered furniture manufacturer – 200 jobs), Masterbrand Cabinets in Auburn (kitchen and bath cabinetry 126 jobs) and Franklin Homes in Russellville (factory built housing – 103 jobs). In addition to the jobs, this secondary forest products manufacturing created additional demand for wood and increased the valueadded contributions of forest products to our state’s economy.

Historically, forestry has been the #1 manufacturing industry. Although our rank fell to #2 as automobile manufacturing moved into Alabama, the forest products industry continues to invest more capital year after year than any other manufacturing segment.

Since 2010, the forest industry has invested an average of $400 million/year creating just under 1,000 new jobs every year.

Not only is the forest industry the most consistent job cre-

ator year in and year out, we do a better job than any other industry of sustaining local economies. Consider the following: trees grown by Alabama landowners, harvested by Alabama loggers, transported by Alabama truckers, processed by Alabama mills employing Alabama workers producing

Chris Isaacson

“Not only is the forest industry the most consistent job creator year in and year out, we do a better job than any other industry to sustain local economies.” products that are shipped around the world. Notice a common theme? Alabama’s forest industry stands alone in recycling dollars through Alabama’s economy at every stage of the supply chain.

Unfortunately, there remain areas of the state in need of additional forest products manufacturing to provide markets for an abundant, growing supply of timber. I field calls weekly from landowners, loggers and others about markets for timber in northwest Alabama to replace the demand lost when the Courtland mill closed. My friends at the Department of Commerce report there continue to be companies “kicking the tires” in this part of the state, but as yet there are no announcements.

Looking to the future, I am encouraged by three things.

First, existing forest products manufacturers continue to grow and invest significant

capital to keep their facilities productive and cost-efficient.

Secondly, as a result of their wise stewardship, Alabama’s forest landowners continue to provide an abundant, sustainable supply of timber to fuel a growing industry. Finally, I am convinced that Alabama remains the best state in the country with the best business environment for landowners to grow trees and companies to manufacture forest products.

Most of my columns are about the challenges and threats facing our industry.

This time, however, I wanted to dust off my “Chief Cheerleader of Forestry” hat and celebrate the success of our industry. Forestry has been and will continue to be one of the most powerful and sustainable engines that drives Alabama’s economy. As a member of Alabama’s forestry community — you can be proud of that! s 3

ELECTRICAL SAFETY STARTS WITH THE RIGHT CALL Barron Jefferson – Lineman, Power Delivery

More and more power lines are being buried underground. This poses a considerable threat for both construction workers and do-it-yourself homeowners. Even if you’re undertaking a seemingly harmless job, such as digging a hole for a new fence, the risks are still there.

You’ve probably heard the “Call before you dig” mantra many times.

But take it to heart, nothing good happens when a shovel plunges into a live power line.

The number to call is easy to remember: 811. Call, preferably 48 hours in advance of your project, and the representative will notify all the appropriate utilities. Pretty easy.

Soon after the call, various technicians will come out and put colored spray paint in the places where there are lines. At right is a chart to explain which one is which.

Please take this simple step before digging. It’s easy. And it’s free. You’ll save a lot of headaches—and maybe even your life.

Color codes for marking underground utility lines White

Proposed excavation

Pink

Temporary survey markings

Red

Electric power lines, cables, conduit and lighting cables

Yellow

Gas, oil, steam, petroleum or gaseous materials

Orange

Communications, alarm or signal lines, cables or conduit

Blue

Purple

Reclaimed water, irrigation and slurry lines

Green

Sewers and drain lines

Before you dig:

Dial 811

In an emergency, call: 1-800-888-APCO (2726) For more electrical safety tips, visit AlabamaPower.com/safety.

Potable water

© 2016 Alabama Power Company

Here are a few very important things you should know about underground power lines and how to work safely around them.

Dean’s Notebook

Auburn Oaks Legacy Continues ery few would have imagined that descendants of the original Auburn Oaks, harvested from acorns collected

by School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences (SFWS) faculty and students, would be planted along the new concourse extending from Toomer’s Corner to Samford Hall at Auburn University. Well it has happened this spring!

The descendent oaks, now approximately 15 years old and 15 feet tall, were harvested in 2001 under the direction of SFWS faculty member and current Associate Dean of Academic Affairs, Scott Enebak. With Enebak’s leadership, Forestry Club and Wildlife Society members cultivated acorns from the original trees and sold more than 3,600 “Baby Auburn Oaks” to alumni and friends around the country to benefit SFWS students through the school’s Toomer’s Oak Leadership Award scholarship.

Among those sold, one of the “baby” descendant oaks was planted by U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, a 1981 Auburn graduate, on the grounds of the U.S. Capitol. The oak was planted in a designated location in keeping with the original 1874 landscape design by Frederick Law Olmsted.

News in 2011 of the lethal poisoning of the original Auburn Oaks exhausted all but a select supply of the trees. As a result it was decided by the school and Auburn’s Facilities Management unit that 10 trees would be reserved for planting along the brick walkway that now winds from Toomer’s Corner to Samford Hall.

On September 9, representatives from the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences gathered with Auburn administration and donors for a dedication ceremony of the descendant Auburn Oaks, which

The sign in the descendent oak reads: AUBURN OAK DESCENDENT PLEASE DO NOT ROLL KEEP SAMFORD PARK BEAUTIFUL KEEP ROLLING ON THE CORNER #TWOTREESONETRADITION

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ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

culminated with the unveiling of the trees named in honor of loved ones through their philanthropic gift to the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences.

The family of the late Auburn University President William Walker were the first to make a donation to have one of the descendant oaks named in memory of Walker, who died in 2007. They attended the planting of the trees earlier this year and spoke of the special meaning of the oaks.

“My dad and I wanted to do something special for my mother-in-law and my husband, Forrest, for Christmas,” said Brooke Walker, President Walker’s daughter-inlaw who had the idea to honor the former university president and advocate for the planting of the original Toomer’s Oaks.

“So when this came up we thought it was something special that we could do.”

At this time 6 of the 10 trees currently planted at Samford Park have been named. In addition to the Walker family, other Auburn friends and alumni who named a tree in recognition of a $50,000 philanthropic gift to the school included Rennie Bickerstaff and family; Mayford D. Williams; Curt Levan; Darryl, Dianne and Christina Rosser; and Charles L. Dyas, Sr. Auburn Oaks contributions support an endowed fund for excellence benefiting the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences educational mission. The fund provides support for new scholarships; expands faculty members’ instructional, research, and outreach efforts; and enhances the various programs that provide students with the knowledge and hands-on experience they need to be successful in their chosen careers.

For Enebak, the dedication was a rewarding conclusion of the 15-year effort to preserve the trees. “I am pleased to see the descendants are returning to Samford Park where their parents stood for over 80 years,” Enebak said. “As they grow, their branches will drape over the walkway creating a beautiful canopy for future generations of the Auburn Family to enjoy.” s

Dean Janaki Alavalapati, Auburn University 5

Timber Titan of Alabama’s Forest Industry Editor’s Note: In Greek Mythology Titans were a race of immortal giants of incredible strength. Today, “titans of industry” refers to individuals who made an incredible impact on the development of a particular industry. This article chronicles the life of Forestry Titan Billy Bond.

Billy C. Bond From the Farm Team to the Big Leagues

By Sam Duvall

MONROEVILLE

Diversity is an overworked word in today’s politicallycharged vernacular which has come to mean the difference between various categories of people and the need for inclusiveness. ut the word diversity is more diverse than that. It also defines the breadth of the various stages of development in a person’s life and career. This latter definition of diversity applies to Billy C. Bond.

In his long, distinguished and yes, diverse forestry career, Billy Bond has played most positions in the field of forestry from planting trees on the family farm as a youngster, to working with landowners, building sawmills, managing huge divisions of forestry companies, to rebuilding a railroad and becoming its president. He also had corporate staff responsibility for the wood supply of a pulp mill in Spain and directed efforts to find locations for and build pulp and paper mills in South America. And to close out his stellar career, Billy had to procure almost 5 million tons of wood a year for the largest wood-using facility at one location in the world, without a single acre of company-owned timberland. Along the way he also picked up a law degree and was admitted to the Alabama Bar. In all of these situations, Billy Bond excelled. He was also inducted into the Alabama Foresters Hall of Fame at Auburn University in 1998.

Billy was president and board chairman of the Alabama Forestry Association (1976-77) and played a major role in getting the AFA building in Montgomery built, serving as vice chairman of the AFA Building Committee alongside the chairman and his good friend, the late Dwight Harrigan.

B

Standing in tall cotton and inspecting an ear of corn from his farming operation is young Billy Bond.

Inset: This was Billy during the time he served as president of the Alabama Forestry Association and helped push through the project of building the AFA Building in Montgomery.

Born on a Farm During the Depression Considering his humble beginnings, Billy Bond’s life proves

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the America story that goes: If you work hard, keep your nose clean and apply yourself, you can build a remarkable life.

Born on a Mississippi farm in the Depression era of 1933, Billy was raised primarily by his paternal grandparents, particularly by his grandfather M. E. “Melvin” Bond, Sr. who made his career as a logging superintendent for the Great Southern Lumber Company. In the late 1930s the Great Southern “cut out” and Mr. Bond moved to his farm located about five miles from Columbia in the Petty community.

Billy described his grandfather as an astute gentleman who taught him a good work ethic, and rules of personal conduct to live by, e.g. “your word is your bond,” “treat everyone with respect,” “be self-reliant,” and “you are accountable for your actions.”

“These principles have served me well in my personal life and in business. My grandmother, Mary Ann, was a fine Christian woman who laid the foundation for

Top right: Billy as a 17-year-old airman in the U.S. Air Force.

Above left: S/Sgt. Billy Bond teaching young airmen how to zero and fire the M1 .30 caliber carbine during the buildup in the Korean War. my Christian faith. When I was naughty she would make me sit while she read the Bible to me and prayed that God would, ‘make Billy a better boy.’ Needless to say, I would rather have had a spanking. I spent most of the summers at the farm and at age 13 my family circumstances changed

ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

and I chose to live full-time with my grandparents,” Billy noted.

In addition to inheriting his granddad’s work ethic, Billy was also a conscientious student. In his senior year at Improve High the Columbia Progress offered a full-paid scholarship at Pearl River Junior College to the senior who sold the most subscriptions to their paper. “At that time I had a little 1936 Ford and I hit the road,” Billy recalled.

“I think I sold more subscriptions than all of the rest of them put together!”

On graduating from Improve High School in 1950, with his scholarship in hand, Billy started at Pearl River Junior College that fall.

“Things were going pretty good but the Korean War (1950-53) was heating up and some of my friends were enlisting. I was just a seventeen-year-old kid and had an itch for adventure and signed up for four years in the Air Force.”

Billy had served in the Mississippi National Guard, joining at age 16. He laughed recalling that after joining the Air Force his old National Guard unit was called up and spent eighteen months in Maryland. Because of this prior service, Billy was plucked from basic training to be “permanent party” at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. So instead of the snows of Korea, Billy served his entire enlistment in the cacti and mesquite thickets of south Texas training other young men how to make war.

The Pony Express Dismount!

Billy has known Evelyn Stringer all of his life. She was a pretty young girl and school classmate who lived about five miles from his grandfather’s farm. To woo her Billy, by his own admission a “showoff,” would ride his horse to Evelyn’s home and, “do the Pony Express dismount while riding down the lane to her house.” Lucky for him Evelyn’s father, Ben Stringer, appreciated good horsemanship.

Billy and Evelyn celebrated their sixty-

fourth wedding anniversary this past August. “Evelyn is the love of my life. She has been a wonderful mother to our children and a wonderful helpmate to me and her support has been a key factor in my successes,” Billy acknowledged.

“When we were married, I was an airman first class in the Air Force. Looking back, I marvel at young love and the confidence she had in me since I had Billy and his beloved wife of 64 years Evelyn.

The Bonds, from left to right, Jennifer, Billy (in cowboy hat), Evelyn and Mark. less than three hundred dollars for us to start on. Apparently everyone was not that optimistic. Years later I learned that Mrs. Stringer, bless her heart, was overheard to say the morning of the wedding ‘Lordy, I don’t know what they will do. That Bond boy can’t plow a straight row!’ ” Billy recalled, with a chuckle.

Their marriage produced a son Mark, a registered forester and married to Dianne.

Their children are William and Mary Carson, both students at Auburn University.

In keeping with family tradition, William is a sophomore majoring in forestry. Mary Carson is a senior majoring in communications and minoring in nature-based recreation, which is taught in the School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences.

Billy and Evelyn’s daughter, Jennifer Amundsen, is the program director for Camp Smile-A-Mile, a program that

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Timber Titan Billy Bond provides a haven for children with cancer.

Jennifer and her husband Mark have two daughters, Taylor and Avery, and a son, Johnny. Taylor is a sophomore at Auburn University.

Inspired to Go into Forestry by Grandad and Planting Trees as a Kid “I was inspired to become a forester by my grandfather’s tales of cutting the virgin timber, railroad logging and using eightwheeled log wagons pulled by oxen and draft horses. Also I had watched the 1,000 pine seedlings I planted as a 4-H Club project grow into pulpwood size trees,” Billy said.

“Upon discharge from the Air Force I arrived just in time to attend the spring semester at LSU. I planned to go for a master’s degree at LSU and go to Yale for a doctor of forestry degree and maybe teach. In my senior year I was awarded a scholarship for the master’s program and I had some G.I. Bill left.

“So, in my senior year I wasn’t even interviewing for a job. But Vernon J. Knight, chief forester for Kimberly Clark at Coosa Pines, came to an LSU seminar.

Vernon talked to one of my professors and described what he was looking for and the professor told him, ‘I think you ought to interview Billy Bond.’”

When the professor suggested he talk to Knight, Billy responded, “Well okay, but you know I’m set up”; referring to his plans for advanced studies and a possible academic career.

“Vernon Knight was a very persuasive fellow,” Billy recalled. “He told me, ‘just come over to Coosa Pines, visit with us and see how you like it. Maybe you might consider coming to work with us.’ ”

First Major Forestry Job: Kimberly Clark “So Evelyn and I went to Coosa Pines. I was very impressed with the company and they made me such a good offer, I took the job. So much for my lofty plans for an academic career!

“Evelyn and I moved to Sylacauga. I worked for Kimberly Clark for eight years; starting as a research forester. Kimberly

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Clark had a very progressive industrial forestry program complete with a tree nursery. My first assignment was to assist in grafting loblolly pines for inclusion into a genetically superior seed orchard,” said Billy.

After about six years Billy was selected as an understudy to a vice president and was told to report to the corporate office in Neenah, Wisconsin, in two weeks. “I was elated. It looked like my big opportunity to work my way up in corporate management,” Billy remembered. When the move didn’t take place due to an executive reorganization at the corporate office, Billy considered quitting his job and going to Cumberland Law School where his application had been accepted.

But Billy deferred law school when he was assigned to a 90,000-acre land management district and picked up responsibilities for wood procurement, rounding out his forestry experience that would be very important to his future success.

Billy recalled. “Two weeks later, Gary called and made me the offer, which I accepted.” So at age 32, Billy went to work for Hammermill in 1965, and he and Evelyn moved to Selma.

“When I got there we didn’t even have a paperclip! Gary had rented an office in the side building at the old Albert Hotel in Selma. It was downstairs where the Union troops had quartered their horses” when they occupied Selma during the Civil War, he noted.

Three generations of Bonds in the wood business, patriarch Billy Bond, son Mark Bond and grandson William Bond. The three are standing by some large hardwood logs harvested at Holewood, the Bond family Tree Farm located near Pine Orchard, Alabama, named after the Bond family's ancestral homeland in Cornwall, England.

Then Came Hammermill After two years in his new job Billy started thinking about law school again.

But as often happened when he became restive another interesting offer came Billy’s way. He received a call from Gary Heinemann, manager of the Northern Timberlands Division of Hammermill Paper Company based in Erie, Pennsylvania.

“Gary said, ‘We’re going to build a pulp mill in Selma, Alabama, and establish a woodlands operation. I need somebody who knows southern forestry to head up the land management operation. You have been recommended to me and I want to come down and talk to you about it.’

“He came to my house in Sylacauga.

We talked a couple of hours and he left,”

“Gary came down and stayed five years.

I hired some great young foresters and we bought 240,000 acres of land and set up a classic industrial timber management program. We built a tree nursery capable of growing 20 million tree seedlings per year and established a genetically superior seed orchard.

“When Gary returned to Erie as an assistant vice president, I became southern timberlands division manager at age 37.

We launched Hammermill into the lumber business and built world class sawmills at Maplesville, Alabama, in 1975, and Moundville, Alabama, in 1981.

Meanwhile in 1974, after attending law school at night, Billy got his law degree

ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

from Jones Law School in Montgomery. He took the exam and was admitted to the bar in January 1975.

“I didn’t have any intentions of practicing law. I was 42 when I passed the Alabama Bar and couldn’t afford the pay cut I would have had to take to practice law,” he noted.

But Billy found the study of law to be a great asset in his forestry career. “The law is a great study in logic. That way of thinking and analyzing things was a tremendous help to me,” he said. “It also kept other

mately 75 miles between Erie, Pennsylvania, and the company’s Lockhaven Paper Mill. “After rebuilding the rail line we named it the Allegheny Railroad and I was named president and CEO,” Billy said.

Billy had an office in Selma and one in Erie, Pennsylvania, to which he commuted every third week or more often if his responsibilities required it. He laughed, “I was 53 years old and sitting on top of the world.”

Then, as Billy characterized it, “a funny thing happened on the way to the forum!”

From Hammermill to IP

This is the cabin Billy had built at Holewood.

lawyers from intimidating me. In all of my dealings and forestry arrangements, I’ve never had a lawsuit against my company because I was able to avoid legal entanglements.”

At Hammermill, Billy was made corporate vice president of the Northern and Southern Timberlands Divisions and the Forest Products Division, as corporate reporting officer. “I was also reporting officer for the centralized corporate purchasing for all of the Hammermill divisions, and for the company’s truck fleet,” he said.

Hammermill had 27 divisions and wholly-owned companies spread over the Northeastern U.S., the South and also the Grays Harbor Paper Company located in Washington state. At the time Hammermill was ranked 242nd in the fortune 500 list of U.S. corporations.

Hammermill purchased the abandoned Conrail Railroad tract running approxi-

ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

That [not] funny thing was a corporate takeover attempt by Paul Bilzerian, a corporate raider.

With the company in play, International Paper Company stepped in, outbid Bilzerian and bought Hammermill.

“I was in a dilemma of whether to take my ‘golden parachute’ or work for IP. I felt obligated to stay and try to make sure that all the people reporting to me would have a job if they wanted one. Shortly after job placements were over I was stripped of my title and operations.

“My new assignment was that of regional manager of logging and fiber for the five pulp and paper mills and three sawmill located in Mississippi and Alabama. I was slated to move from Selma to Hattiesburg. Evelyn and I placed a deposit on a garden home on a nice lake just outside of Hattiesburg,” he said.

“Before we moved to Hattiesburg my good friend Dwight Harrigan called me and invited me to lunch where he offered me the position of president of Harrigan Lumber Company. I had always admired Dwight and considered him to be one of the finest men you could meet.

Then Comes Harrigan Lumber Company “I accepted Dwight’s job offer and moved to Monroeville while Evelyn and Jennifer remained in Selma for Jennifer’s senior year in high school.

“During my three years at Harrigan, we completed the first phase of a plan to rebuild the mill by replacing the obsolete chip-nsaw and installing the latest concepts and technology. In the late 1980s the lumber market was in a terrible slump. Some mills went into survival mode, cutting production or temporarily shutting down.

But Dwight continued to run his mill for the benefit of his employees. I learned a good lesson from Dwight,” Billy said.

As before in Billy’s life, just as he was hock deep in a project another opportunity came along.

In 1990 George Landegger, the chairman of Parsons & Whittemore, was building the Alabama Pine Pulp Mill and the Alabama River Newsprint Company Mill on the site already occupied by the Alabama River Pulp Mill. When completed it would be the largest wood consuming site in the world, requiring 4.6 million tons of wood annually.

With Dwight’s Blessing, Billy Goes to Work for George “As I stated before, at that time the lumber market was in the pits and sawmills were losing money hand-over-fist and I was a pretty expensive guy. So after talking to Dwight, and with his blessing, I went to work for George Landegger as president of Alabama Woodlands, Inc., a Parsons & Whittimore-owned company, charged with supplying the mills with a sustained wood supply,” Billy said.

Always liking a challenge, Billy got one when he teamed up with Landegger. He had to acquire the round wood equivalent of 4.6 million tons of wood a year without any company-owned woodlands.

“It looked like an impossible job,” Billy said. “Especially considering that within a 75 mile radius around Claiborne there were seven other pulp and paper mills in operation at that time.”

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Timber Titan Billy Bond But for Billy, the impossible was just another hurdle to jump, so he jumped it.

Drawing primarily from non-industrial private landowners in the region, Billy kept wood flowing to Landegger’s mills in good weather and bad.

“From the time ARP started up, the woodlands division worked to develop good relationships with wood suppliers, especially the private landowners. The wood was always available and there were never any stoppages or outages for wood.

To expand the wood supply we built three outlying chip mills located in good wood resource areas,” Billy recalled.

Alabama River Woodlands paid out more than $100 million a year to landowners and loggers to feed the voracious appetite for wood the Claiborne complex demanded. At the peak the mills received 650 truckloads of wood per day. Rail deliveries and setting up planned truck routes kept wood moving and eased bottlenecking problems.

Billy loved working for George Landegger. But in 2000, at the age of 67 and with a recent diagnosis of prostate cancer, he retired as president of Alabama River Woodlands, Inc., closing out his long and distinguished career in the wood business. Landegger continued to run his huge complex until Georgia Pacific made him an offer he couldn’t refuse and he sold it all in 2010.

Since his retirement, Billy has continued battling the prostate cancer he has had “for about 19 years.” Recently, he made a “quality of life” decision to stop taking advanced medications and rejected chemotherapy. He also has COPD and is constantly attached to an oxygen tank.

You might think a man in his position would be morose. If so, you would be wrong. Billy was enthusiastic and voluble and in extremely good spirits the day of this interview and in subsequent conversations since.

Billy is at peace with his decision and his life. “I appreciate the prayers from many

friends and my family,” he said, smiling.

Evelyn treasures every moment she has with the man who, as a high-spirited youngster, rode his horse down the lane to her house and performed the “Pony Express dismount” to her delight.

“I had unusual opportunities for which I am grateful,” said Billy. “I had the opportunity to work with some of the finest people in the world. I married my childhood sweetheart and have wonderful children and grandchildren. I came up working on the farm, picking cotton and I have always considered that to be an important part of who I am. All in all, I’ve had a good long ride and a real interesting life for a boy who grew up on a farm in Mississippi during the Depression.”

Our hats are off to Billy Bond for his many contributions to the wood industry and for providing us with an object lesson in how hard work and resilience are still the best foundation for an outstanding life! s

Logging Professional Profile We believe loggers should be celebrated for the part they play in the wood fiber supply chain of keeping wood flowing to the mills.

Freddy Tidwell A Logger from the Beginning

Freddy Tidwell says he was,“destined to be a logger, from the beginning.” His father, Wallace, owned a logging operation and Freddy started helping in the woods when he was 11 years old.

He and his younger brother also worked after school and during the summers. As his father’s business grew, Freddy was trusted with more responsibilities.

n graduating from high school in 1984, Freddy became a coowner and business partner in his father’s company, Wallace and Son’s Logging. Over the next eight years their operations expanded, adding their first cutter and a grapple skidder. In 1987 Freddy began managing all operations and two years later changed the company name to Tidco.

Freddy learned early that market conditions continuously change, and from 19891992 Tidco faced financial adversity.

However a highlight of these years occurred in June of 1992, when Freddy married his beautiful wife, Cyndi.

In August of 1993 he ventured out on his own, forming F&C Logging, LLC. With only one skidder, one loader, two trucks, three trailers, and one employee, F&C Logging’s beginnings were modest. In 1997 F&C bought its first new cutter and began contracting with Bankhead Land and Tim-

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ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

ber. In March of 1998 Freddy bought his first new skidder and started to grow the business. Later that year he added a new loader with a delimber and began contracting with Louisiana Pacific in Hanceville.

Since then F&C Logging has grown steadily, contracting with various timber companies including Jasper Lumber, Soterra, and Molpus Timberlands. In addition Freddy also purchased private tracts.

Freddy’s operation grew exponentially over the years as he gained knowledge from colleagues, made smart investments in machinery, and used superior business practices. His wife of 24 years, Cyndi, and two children, Amanda and Grant, are his highest motivation. Freddy is devoted to his family and his work and it shows in all aspects of his life.

For Tidwell, Safety Is Job 1 Over the last 24 years F&C Logging’s top priority has been safety. Although log-

Photo by Joel Moon

By Joel Moon, ALC Director

ging is a very dangerous profession, no accidents have occurred on any of Freddy’s job sites. During this period his company experienced only one serious trucking accident. Freddy adheres to strict safety standards which his workers are expected to follow on each job. Crew members must wear hard hats, safety glasses, and reflective safety vests when on the job site. Each machine is equipped with a fire extinguisher, and a first aid kit is readily available at all times.

To maintain this outstanding safety record, monthly meetings are held. Weekly check-ins occur between Freddy and individual employees to address any issues that may arise during the week. Issues regarding safety of employees or maintenance of the machines are corrected immediately. Amanda is responsible for maintaining compliance with ALDOT, FMCSA, and OSHA standards.

F&C Logging follows SFI guidelines on 11

Logger Freddie Tidwell

Randy Baggett, greasing up the cutter.

Freddy’s crew, from left to right, Micah Brewer, Joel Gray, Randy Baggett, Freddy Tidwell, Joe McGrew, David Butler and Justin Tidwell.

Three of Tidwell’s truck drivers, left to right, Mark Norris, Tommy Townsend and Phillip Johnson.

12

F&C Logging skidder pulling a load up the hill.

all harvest sites. When Freddy attended his initial PLM training he quickly realized that his crew “was already doing many of the practices being described.” The training helped him understand the importance of PLM standards.

The crew specializes in 1st thinning but also does select and clear-cuts.

Freddy’s primary goal is quality first and second thinning’s, while adhering to all state BMP’s and following SFI protocol.

Keith Plott of Louisiana Pacific has high praise for Freddy’s work, “They are extremely conscious of basal area requirements and residual stand damage. It is not uncommon to see Freddy or his cutter operators with a prism checking basal area.”

John Manasco of Molpus Woodlands group says of F&C, “Freddy’s attention to the details of BMP’s and aesthetics is also carried out in the close-out work on each harvested stand. All roads are maintained and water diversions are used to leave a good quality road. Loading decks are stabilized and all slash is distributed throughout the stand along skid trails. Beyond the

woods, Freddy is an active voice for the logging profession and often offers insight and advice during professional meetings.

He wants to improve the perception of the logging profession now and in the future.”

On road building, Freddy says he, “likes to build them right to begin with.” He frequently ditches roads where water flow might be an issue and is skilled at constructing broad based dips, which he uses instead of water bars. Each tract is important to Freddy and he always strives to guarantee that the landowner is satisfied with the job his company performs. This attention to quality is readily apparent on the tracts he has harvested through the years.

Trailer Drop Yards Near Major Markets One strategy to maximize production and assure all loads are delivered during periods of quota is to establish trailer drop yards near major markets. This allows Freddy to haul during non-peak delivery times. A substantial percentage of his mill deliveries occur overnight. This increases efficiency and enhances safety for hauling operations.

Freddy spends considerable time closing out a tract. If the area is on a severe slope the roads and skid trails are seeded and mulched with hay to prevent erosion, with slash and debris scattered appropriately.

Maintaining a good relationship with the local community is a top priority for ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

Freddy. When possible, all roads are placed out of sight from county and state roads to improve aesthetics. If county ordinances require notification or other authorizations are needed, they are obtained well before entering a site. Checking in with local authorities and officials ensures that all legal and professional standards are being met. It also builds relationships with local communities. This high standard stems directly from the crews consistently meeting the expectations set for them by Freddy.

Behind most successful business owners is a team of like-minded individuals working to grow the business. With the help of his Cyndi, Amanda, his son Grant, and 10 employees, F&C Logging owes its success to the entire team. Cyndi and Amanda are responsible for general office procedures, using QuickBooks Pro to handle all payroll, invoicing, accounts payable/ receivable, accounting, cost-analysis, and record keeping.

Freddy appreciates each employee and the job he or she does, understanding that success starts and ends with capable employees working together. He tries to exceed the needs of his employees, which drives them to do their best.

F&C uses audits to maintain and certify high performance. The audits include safety, environmental performance, and FMCSA, OSHA and DOT compliance.

Harvest operations on Molpus-managed property undergo a third party SFI audit.

As stated earlier, Freddy is devoted to his family. Amanda recently graduated

from the University of Alabama with a degree in marketing, after graduating from Winston County High School in 2012.

Grant is a junior at Winston County High School and is the president of FFA. He also serves on the forestry judging team for the chapter and has received high scores in FFA competitions. Always interested in forestry, Grant plans to continue that passion by studying forestry at Auburn University after he completes high school.

Freddy with wife Cyndi, daughter Amanda, and son Grant

As a small business owner in a small town, Freddy Tidwell understands the importance of supporting his community and local businesses. He is an officer in the Double Springs Jaycee club and has made a significant impact on his community.

Freddy has been a little league baseball coach for 11 years and was president and vice president of the local league for two years. Supporting his local schools is one way Freddy recognizes the importance of education.

Freddy obtained his Professional Logging Manager certification in 1997, and has kept it current through continuing education. He is a member of the Alabama Loggers Council, American Loggers Council and the Alabama Forestry Association.

Freddy is also a past Alabama Loggers Council Vulcan District Director.

Freddy Tidwell has always been quick to help other loggers by providing financial advice, and teaching about the importance of PLM certification. He also encourages young folks to enter the logging profession.

About this, Keith Plott said: “Freddy has been a mentor to younger loggers, often using them as subcontractors to help them gain experience and exposure. He often uses his own trucks to help them move their wood. Freddy has developed a system to analyze logging cost per ton for his logging operation. He knows to the dollar what it costs to run each piece of equipment per ton of wood moved. He put this system on a spreadsheet and taught equipment cost analysis at a recent logger continuing education class. He also made the spreadsheet available so other loggers could use it in their own businesses.”

From the beginning, Freddy’s focus on all aspects of his operation has earned him an excellent reputation for safety, quality harvesting, well-constructed roads, a strong environmental ethic and exceptional business management.

Freddy Tidwell is an exceptional logger making him an ideal recipient of the Outstanding Logger of the Year award. s

McKinley & Lanier Forest Resources, Inc. 507 Energy Center Blvd. Suite 303 Northport, AL 35473 Phone: 1 (800) 247-0041 • Fax: (205) 344-6950 www.mckinleyandlanierforestresources.com

Land & Timber Management Services Forest Management • Timber Sales • Land & Timber Appraisals Forest Inventories • Harvest Scheduling GIS and GIS Mapping • Real Estate Sales • Estate Division

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A Profile in Public Service Editor’s Note: This regular feature profiles an individual engaged in the political arena.

Fob James Served as Governor for Both Major Parties

By Tom Saunders

B

ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

The James Educational Foundation Act During his first term, the Legislature assisted him in passing an education reform package known as the James Educational Foundation Act. This important legislation required local school systems that were not already at the minimum level of support to raise local property taxes to 10 mills, increased the number of credit hours in base academic subjects for graduation and empowered the state superintendent of education to take control of schools that scored poorly on national achievement tests.

Acknowledging that there was a great deal of politics in the state’s education system, he said he was stunned at the political downfall of the once mighty Alabama Education Association. “Paul Hubbert and I probably didn’t agree on anything from a

Images courtesy of Alabama Department of Archives and History, Montgomery, Alabama

lue skies, bright sunshine and a crispness in the air greeted former Governor Forrest Hood “Fob” James, Jr. as he sat down recently for a bowl of gumbo at the Pier in Fairhope, Alabama. James, now in his eighties, might be a little slower afoot, but the wit and intellect that distinguished his career are quite intact.

“A couple of years ago, I took a grandchild to Montgomery to show him around.

I couldn’t believe how much it had changed; there was enough office space around the Capitol to now house two state governments,” James opined.

Time has been kind to James who holds the distinction of being the only Alabamian elected governor as both a Democrat (1979-1983) and a Republican (1995-1999).

While many accomplishments marked his two terms, he considers efforts to improve education, especially K-12, to be his best work. “The main reason I ran for office in the first place was the fact that we were always last in education. As the head of a company (Diversified Products) that employed over 1,500 people, we were always looking for capable employees.

Opelika was going through an industrial growth period at the time and there weren’t enough workers to go around. We were sending buses and vans to surrounding counties to bring people in to work for us. I was amazed that some of them couldn’t read or write.”

Governor James carried a sapling with its roots showing around with him in his campaign and even had it featured in his official gubernatorial portrait. To Fob it signified the importance of voters’ roots in their community and state. He also solicited “grass roots” Alabamians’ support for his campaign.

“With their help [speakers Joe McCorquodale and Jimmy Clark], we were able to cut the size of government and consolidate state agencies. We didn’t lay anyone off, but as they retired, we didn’t replace them.” — Fob James philosophical standpoint. But he was a good man and he sure knew how to run a political organization,” James said.

Promoting sound fiscal policy has always been a fundamental principle of the Alabama Forestry Association. James’s work in this area is probably his most important legacy to the state. Since its inception, the state has adopted only a few systemic measures to promote fiscal

responsibility and James was responsible for two of them. Forming the Alabama Trust Fund (initially the Alabama Heritage Trust Fund) to protect revenues from offshore oil and gas production in perpetuity and the Budget Isolation Resolution, requiring a three-fifths vote of the legislature to consider legislation before the passage of the appropriations bills, are accomplishments that have stood the test of time.

15

Profile on Fob James second term, for his stance on state’s rights. He refused to accept federal funds from the U.S. Department of Education’s Goals 2000 program because he believed the money would lead to increased federal involvement and control over the state’s

All-American as a halfback. “Coach Jordan was a great influence on me. Tough as “I was lucky to work with some great nails but a Southern gentleman” is a great legislators during my tenure. Joe description that would also fit James.

McCorquodale and Jimmy Clark were two In 1955, before entering his senior year of the most conservative speakers [of the at Auburn, Fob eloped with the school’s Alabama House of Representatives] that homecoming queen, we have ever had Bobbie May Mooney and they were a of Decatur, with whom pleasure to work he has four sons. with. At that time, He received a civil the speaker, other engineering degree in than the governor, 1957. Following his was probably the tenure at Auburn, most powerful Fob played profespolitical position sional football in in the state,” Canada with the James noted.

Montreal Alouettes “With their help, in the 1956 season we were able to cut then entered the Army the size of governfor two years as a ment and consolilieutenant in the U.S. Fob taking the oath of office January 15, 1979 Wife Bobbie and Fob in the sunroom of the Governor’s date state agencies.

Corps of Engineers. mansion We didn’t lay anyIn 1962, he one off, but as they schools.

His longest and most publicized founded Diversified Products Inc., a manuretired, we didn’t replace them. You’ve battle with the federal government came facturer of fitness equipment known for got to remember, those were tough ecoduring the controversy surrounding the the plastic-disc barbells filled with “Orbanomic times, and we were constantly in posting of the Ten Commandments and tron,” which DP patented. The company proration.” Proration occurs when the the offering of a daily prayer in the courtname had been changed to “Diversified state’s revenues do not meet the expectaroom of a little known judge from Etowah Products Corporation” after originally tions of the legislature’s appropriations County, Judge Roy Moore. being called Health-Disc Inc. In addition to and cuts have to be made equally across physical fitness equipment, the company state agencies. manufactured ballasts and counterweights James Disagreed with Action During this time, James implemented for farms, industry and trucking. James Taken Against Roy Moore a 10% spending cut, but was still able to founded DP in his basement and, over the “I am disappointed in what recently institute an aggressive program to improve next 15 years, the company grew to happened to Judge Moore. To have an unthe state’s highway system by earmarking employ 1,500 people with plants in Opeelected group of folks bring these charges fuel taxes and a bond issue supported lika, Los Angeles, and Toronto, with sales against him is just not right. If I were still by income derived from the Alabama there, we would be working on legislation of about $1 billion annually. James served Trust Fund. to change the process. I’m not saying as the CEO of DP until it was bought by “Of course, it wasn’t long after we left whether he was right or wrong. But one the Liggett Group in 1977. that the size of state government began to thing is certain, the process is not right,” grow again. I don’t understand how this James said.

First Elected as a Democrat current group (of government officials) Governor James’s roots developed the After serving briefly as a member of the continues to let things get bigger. We have man that he was to become.

He was born State Republican Executive Committee, record tax revenues today, but it seems in Lanett, Alabama, in 1934. After graduaJames switched to the Democratic Party in they can’t get a handle on things and for tion in 1952 from Baylor School, a private 1977 as he began developing plans to run goodness’ sakes, why in the world is the high school in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for governor. Upon the announcement of state still in the liquor business? There are James played football (1952–1955) at his candidacy, he was given little chance of lots of things they could do to cut costs.

Auburn University for head coach Ralph success. George Wallace was ending his We need some real leadership.”

“Shug” Jordan. In 1955 James was named third term and most political experts James was also known, especially in his

Fob Got by with a Little Help from His Friends

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ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

thought the next governor would be either former governor Albert Brewer, Lieutenant Governor Jere Beasley or Attorney General Bill Baxley; known collectively as “the three B’s.” In the Democratic primary of 1978, James surprisingly led Baxley by over 85,000 votes as they headed to a runoff where he won by an even greater margin. He then defeated Cullman County Republican Probate Judge Guy Hunt by a 5-1 margin.

In 1982, James decided not to run for re-election, opening the door for George Wallace to return to office for his fourth and final term. James did run in 1986 and 1990 but was beaten in the Democratic primaries (Guy Hunt became the first republican governor to be elected since reconstruction in those two terms). Fob switched back to the GOP in 1994 and defeated state Senator Ann Bedsole in a runoff and then went on to beat incumbent Gov. Jim Folsom, Jr. in close general election, benefitting from a national republican landslide that gave the GOP control of congress for the first time in 40 years.

Some of his more well-known and provocative statements included the suggestion that lobbyists were like French poodles who occasionally needed a “kick in the ass” and a recommendation that a “good butt-whuppin’ and then a prayer” was a potential solution to teen crime. James also remarked once that he wished the state’s government ran as well as the Waffle House which he frequented.

In 1998, James ran for a third term in a hotly contested Republican primary with Montgomery businessman Winton Blount III, who criticized James for his close ties with the Christian right. James won the primary but lost to then Lt. Gov. Don Siegelman in the general election.

Since retiring from politics, Governor James has maintained a quiet life in Fairhope and has worked with his sons in several businesses. s

A Delta District Event Destination The beautiful Deerfield Golf Club at Chatom, Alabama, was built and is owned by Chuck Reynolds and his family. Deerfield GC is where they hold their annual Log A Load for Kids golf event. A tentative date of May 18, 2017 has been set for the next Delta District event hosted by the Reynolds family next year.

Over five decades and millions of acres of experience www.larsonmcgowin.com Main Office: Mobile, Alabama / 251.438.4581

ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

13th Annual Charlie Hughen Memorial Sporting Clay & Skeet Shoot

A

s far as we know at this writing, the 13th Annual Charlie Hughen Memorial Sporting Clay & Skeet Shoot that will be held Friday, November 4 at the Westervelt Lodge in Aliceville will be the closeout event of 2016. It will feature Thompson Tractor as the new lunch sponsor this year. The photo above shows a participant in last year’s event cutting loose on one of those pesky sheets. s 17

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ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

Associate Member Spotlight Associate Member Spotlight highlights associate members who are invaluable to AFA. Through their dues and sponsorships, associate members fund AFA’s grassroots activities, including regional receptions and outreach to our members, prospective new members and other interested parties. Please learn more about our associate members and support

Carr, Riggs & Ingram Cultivates Logging Success

them so they will continue to be an integral

© Bigstockphoto.com

part of our association.

ith timber prices down and mills operating on strict quotas, today’s logging industry is not for the faint of heart. A financial advisor with deep expertise in the logging industry can make the difference between a logger achieving a healthy profit margin and having to shutter the business.

“In the timber business, you need an accounting firm that really knows the ins and outs of the industry,” says Steve Posey, co-owner of Posey-Kilcrease Inc., a Brantley, Alabama-based timber buying and logging company. For nearly 26 years, Posey-Kilcrease has relied on the accounting, tax, and forestry industry knowledge of CRI, a CPA and advisory firm with offices in nine states throughout the South.

Posey still remembers the sense of comfort he felt knowing CRI was standing beside the firm during an IRS audit more than 20 years ago. “It gave me peace of mind to know that I had someone going to bat for us who knew the logging industry very well,” Posey recalls.

So in 2004, when he and his co-owner, Taylor Kilcrease, were evaluating the costs and benefits of bringing their logging operations in-house, they knew just whom to call.

W

Incorporating the Logging Business: Rooted in CRI’s Guidance The benefits of the new venture seemed fairly self-evident. By bringing on board the logging crews and equipment of independent loggers who had been struggling to stay afloat, not only would Posey-Kilcrease take control of a greater portion of the supply chain, but they also would keep those workers employed locally. For these community-minded business owners, the move made intuitive sense.

But did it make sense financially? To answer that question, they turned to their team of CRI advisors.

The CRI team worked closely with Posey to estimate all the costs involved in putting together that first logging crew.

The upfront cost of purchasing the loader, skidder, cutter, delimber, 18-wheeler, bulldozer, and other equipment — a $1.1 million investment — was just the start. They

“It gave me peace of mind to know that I had someone going to bat for us who knew the logging industry very well.” —Steve Posey

ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

19

Associate Member Spotlight

also factored in salaries, ongoing maintenance (including a full-time worker to keep all that heavy machinery in operation) and fuel costs. Of course, there is the high cost of insuring the risky business of cutting and hauling timber — from general liability to workers’ compensation to truck insurance.

On the upside of the cost-benefit calculation were favorable tax depreciation laws. For the better part of the last 20 years, Congress has made the purchase of heavy equipment and other fixed assets a winning proposition by allowing owners to write off much of that equipment cost in the year it is placed in service.

Between 0% equipment financing, the ability to write off those costs in the first year, and smart cost management, that first logging crew quickly started generating strong profit margins.

In fact, it proved so successful that Posey-Kilcrease now has two full-time logging crews. But Posey and Kilcrease don’t take anything for granted. Before adding each new crew, they checked in again with their CRI advisors for an updated financial analysis and profitability projection.

“CRI was very helpful in analyzing our financial performance,” Posey says. “One thing we looked at was how often we were turning over inventory.”

Ongoing analysis of financial ratios allows Posey-Kilcrease to roll with market fluctuations, such as roller coaster fuel prices. Before getting into the logging business, they factored in off-road fuel costs of up to $1.40 per gallon, which was an

makes you successful—bringing in people who know better than you do. You can’t be stubborn and try to do it all yourself.”

Scanning the “Forest” of Upcoming Federal Regulations

aggressive estimate at a time when that fuel was less than $1 per gallon. But even when prices soared above $3 a gallon, the logging division maintained its profit margins. One step that has helped manage those fuel costs is setting up discount arrangements with fuel suppliers.

Multistate operations often incur additional costs. Because Posey-Kilcrease cuts and hauls timber between Alabama, Florida, and Georgia, the company must pay the Interstate Federal Transportation Agency (IFTA) tax, which apportions tag fees based on mileage in each state. With a regional footprint that includes every state that touches Alabama, CRI is uniquely positioned to help Posey-Kilcrease manage their state and local tax compliance.

In fact, CRI has been a partner in the success of Posey-Kilcrease’s logging operations every step of the way. “It has been very beneficial for Posey-Kilcrease to have gotten into the logging industry. It was a risk worth taking,” Posey says. “Through strategic planning with our accountants, we have been able to plan ahead, and that’s what

“Through strategic planning with our accountants [CRI], we have been able to plan ahead, and that’s what makes you successful… . You can’t be stubborn and try to do it all yourself.”—Steve Posey

20

Posey appreciates CRI’s role in keeping him apprised of — and on the right side of — evolving regulations.

“Government regulations change so much. As a business owner, I can’t spend all my time figuring out what those are,” Posey says. CRI informed the company early this summer about the new overtime rules going into effect December 1, which roughly double the previous base salary level.

As a result of the new law, several Posey-Kilcrease employees may have to be converted from salary to hourly and paid overtime. CRI quickly leapt into action analyzing those employees’ total hours to help Posey-Kilcrease set a rate of pay that is fair for all parties.

“This is something I would not have known about if CRI hadn’t been looking out for me so I could be in compliance and we could do things the right way,” Posey says. “I always want to take care of my employees, because without my employees, this business could not run.”

A Strategic Partner that Facilitates Growth With CRI as a strategic partner, Posey-Kilcrease is well positioned for future growth, even in a challenging timber market.

“To survive in the logging industry today, you have to be a good business person,” Posey says. “It used to be that, as long as you could get the wood out of the woods, you would be successful. But the environment has changed. To me, one of the greatest assets is to have somebody who knows the logging industry to do strategic thinking along with you. It gives you peace of mind because you know you are operating at your optimal best.” s ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

NEWS & VIEWS

My Favorite Time of Year y favorite time of year is here! I have always enjoyed fall as my favorite of all seasons. It signals many things and brings lots of changes. I always reflect back on teachings from Daddy, and well, this writing brings no different message.

Daddy always said, “Son, when you see those little yellow butterflies flying around everywhere, fall is usually within a few weeks of showing up.” He never had any other explanation of where they came from, what their name was, where they were going, and I never questioned him. As I begin to grow older, and finally grow up, I have much more appreciation not only for the valuable teachings but the spark to make me appreciate all of life’s treasures. Thanks Daddy!

Those “little yellow butterflies” are actually commonly referred to as cloudless sulphurs. I think they get their name from their beautiful, vibrant, yellow color. They are about two and a half inches to three inches in size. They show up in the fall and spring due to the fact that they are actually migrants. They are not the only migrant butterflies. In addition to the cloudless sulphur, the list includes the red admiral, common buckeye, American lady and long-tailed skipper, to name a few.

However, the cloudless sulphur displays the most spectacular of these seasonal movements. The cloudless sulphur enjoys feeding on nectar from plants with red-colored blooms. Late-blooming plants that are great sources of nectar for resident and migrating butterflies in your yard include goldenrod, aster, swamp sunflower, liatris (blazing star), zinnia and salvia. The cloudJoseph Berger, Bugwood.org

M

ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

less sulphur migrates about 12 miles a day and rarely stops to rest or feed during its migration. The majority only migrate to areas in south Florida and overwinters there. Come spring of the year, they will begin migration back north and stop off in Alabama to lay their eggs on plants like partridge pea, sickle pod senna and other closely related plants. The northward migration is noticeable but not nearly as eye-catching as their fall trek.

Fall is a time for winding down, an end to some cycles, a time to reflect back. I am reflecting back on the fact that I have had the opportunity to serve as your Tree Farm chair for the past two years. I have enjoyed working with other committee members, two Tree Farm coordinators, traveling to two leadership conferences, and mostly meeting landowners all over this state. I hope to continue serving each and every one of you while helping you attain or maintain your Tree Farm Certification. We (the Tree Farm Committee) have been active completing mandatory audits, completing required inspections, offering inspector trainings, hosting field days, awarding and recognizing landowners as well as volunteers, attaining grants to help

build and clean-up our program, and attempting to procure funding necessary to grow the Tree Farm Program in Alabama.

With your help and support, we will continue to blaze ahead of all our neighboring states and hopefully set an example of how a volunteer based organization can thrive and continually grow.

I am proud to be a part of such a great committee as we strive to help landowners manage their property, maintain certifications, grow toward certification, educate fellow landowners, and demonstrate such a strong passion for good stewardship of the land. I hope each of you find time this fall to relax and enjoy the little things with which we are all blessed. Until next time, your friend, your forester, your chairman. s

Tim Browning, RF #1874 Alabama Tree Farm Chairman

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Green Horizons he state of Alabama ranks fifth in the nation and is first east of the Mississippi River in species diversity, including 144 species found nowhere else on earth. It also ranks fourth in the nation of species at risk of extinction. In the Cumberland Plateau region of Alabama, which makes up fifteen percent of the state, there are 55 species federally listed as endangered, including the red cockaded woodpecker, Cahaba shiner and green pitcher plant.

There are also 15 listed as threatened and six candidate species under review for listing. Nonnative invasive species have a significant impact on species at risk and the Cumberland Plateau region is susceptible to many including chinese privet, mimosa, and kudzu.

The region offers many recreational opportunities through federal and state lands like the Bankhead National Forest and within it the first federally designated wilderness east of the Mississippi, Little River Canyon National Preserve. The preserve is known for the only river that forms and flows nearly entirely on the mountain and for the Walls of Jericho, the Grand Canyon of the South. The preserve is one of many tracts owned by Alabama’s Forever Wild Land Trust. Other important areas include the Black Warrior Wildlife Management Area, Wheeler National Wildlife Refuge, Skyline Wildlife Management Area, and Lake Guntersville State Park. These areas are more attractive, productive and easily managed when adjacent private lands are also managed in a sustainable manner.

The forest products industry in the Plateau counties employ over 28,000 workers manufacturing lumber, oriented strand board, packaging, pilings and poles.

These mills and associated businesses generate nearly $138 million in taxes and account for two and one half percent of the region’s total workforce so many of the region’s communities and families are dependent on healthy working forests.

The American Forest Foundation and its partners will complete three landowner marketing campaigns beginning in the

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The Cumberland Plateau of Alabama Promoting Sustainable Forest Management and Shortleaf Pine Restoration to Family Forest Owners

The Cumberland Plateau of north Alabama is one of the more scenic and ecologically important regions of the state. The region consists of sandstone plateaus and ridges with carved limestone, shale and dolomite canyons and valleys. Sixty-one percent of the region is forested with loblolly-shortleaf pine, oak-hickory, and oak-pine types.

The pines typically remain in areas where periodic disturbances of fire occur particularly on the drier upland sites, however where fire has purposely been excluded, they have succeeded into oak-hickory stands. Forests in the Cumberland Plateau play an important role to the area ecologically, socially and economically.

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ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

winter of 2015 and over two years will continue to engage family forest owners in sustainable forest management with an emphasis on riparian forest improvements, prescribed fire and shortleaf pine management.

Once engaged, landowners will receive offers for additional information, site visits from professional foresters and wildlife biologists. Landowners accepting one of these offers will receive monthly email communications with educational information and promotions to landowner events and other opportunities like costshare. Landowners will receive invitations to at least three technical education programs and three landowner field days.

The Foundation’s partners include: Alabama Forestry Commission, Alabama Forestry Association, Alabama Treasure Forest Association, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources,

ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences, Alabama Cooperative Extension System, American Forest Foundation, and Natural Resource Conservation Service.

Cumberland project partners will work with landowners to restore 1,300 acres of shortleaf pine, enhance over 2,500 acres of shortleaf habitat, and engage 600 private landowners through technical assistance improving economic, recreational and ecological values of the region.

The team recently hosted a training program for foresters in the region and had 75 attend whose companies manage 7 million acres in the region participated. While the goal is to restore 1,300 acres of short-

leaf, we are currently working with landowners to restore over 3,000 acres. All signs indicate significant interest in the project will lead to success.

For more information on the Alabama Cumberland Plateau Project contact: Chris Erwin, Director, Woodland Conservation, American Forest Foundation, 202-480-4038,

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Green Horizons

Gopher Tortoise Conservation & Forest Management Renee Raney, Georgia-Alabama Land Trust/Conservation Education Institute, shares information about gopher tortoises with natural resource professionals at a recent education program at the Wehle Land Conservation Center in Bullock County, Alabama.

The gopher tortoise (Gopherus polyphemus), a land turtle found in the Southeastern United States, descended from tortoises originating in western North America nearly 60 million years ago. Historically at least 23 tortoise species existed in North America, but currently only five species remain.

In Alabama, the gopher tortoise is found in the lower third of the state, where these docile reptiles play a major role in their ecosystem.

Understanding this species, its habitat needs and applying special conservation practices may increase survivability for this species of concern.

Keystone Species

Habitat

Keystone species are thought to be vitally important to the health of an ecosystem. Removal of a keystone species can lead to reduced survival rates for many other species. Gopher tortoises serve as a keystone species of the longleaf pine ecosystem. Gopher tortoise burrows provide critical habitat for approximately 360 different species of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates that spend all or a portion of their lives in active or abandoned gopher tortoise burrows.

Covering approximately 60% of Alabama, the Coastal Plains physiographic region is the state’s largest. In well-drained, deep sandy soils, gopher tortoises make their homes. With stubby, strong elephantine back legs and front claw like feet adapted for digging, hard-shelled gopher tortoises burrow into the ground seeking shelter from extreme temperature fluctuations, fire, and protection from potential predators. Gopher tortoises easily excavate burrows (approximately 6 feet deep and 18

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feet long) in sandy soil. Ideal gopher tortoise habitat includes sandhills, flatwoods, dry prairies, xeric hammocks, longleaf pine forests, pine-mixed hardwoods, and coastal dunes.

These terrestrial turtles live their entire lives (approximately 40-80 years) on land, foraging predominately on grasses, forbes, fruits, and other non-woody plant material growing close to the ground. Dew and moisture content in forage plants provide most of the water tortoises needs for survival. Because the plant material on which they feed grows best in ample sunlight beneath an open tree canopy, gopher tortoises tend to live in fairly open pine or mixed pine-hardwood stands. A gopher tortoise can use multiple burrows within a single season, and will remain in the same general area for decades if habitat conditions remain suitable.

Best Management Practices Sustainable forest management considers future generations in current decision-making. Forest landowners can positively contribute to the conservation of gopher tortoises through best management practices.

The most beneficial and cost-effective habitat maintenance activities include prescribed burning and timber thinning. These management tools increase the amount and diversity of ground cover used for gopher tortoise forage and provides open, sunlit sites for tortoise basking and nesting.

Thinning, a planned silvicultural management tool, reduces the number of trees ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

Gopher tortoises serve as a keystone species of the longleaf pine ecosystem.

and the basal area in a stand. While landowners typically use thinning for the concentration of available site resources to the remaining trees for increased economic returns, overall stand health and wildlife implications are additional considerations.

Prescribed fire proves beneficial in managing certain invasive species, controlling pests, providing access, and/or improving aesthetics. By increasing the diversity of grasses, forbes, legumes, fruits/seeds, stimulating forage production, and creating openings in closed canopy forests, prescribed fire benefits gopher tortoises.

Many resources are available to assist landowners in prescribed burning: • http://www.aces.edu/pubs/docs/A/ ANR-0331/index2.tmpl • www.goodfires.org Vegetation management such as mowing, mulching or shredding, roller chopping, and herbicides can be utilized to create a suitable habitat for gopher tortoises.

Site preparation provides favorable conditions for pine survival and growth, but burrow system protection and forage plants maintenance are key. Root-raking, bedding, and piling (heavy mechanical site preparation methods) should be avoided on sites with evidence of gopher tortoises.

Ensure that site preparation methods best match site conditions. Improving stand maps may limit inappropriate activities in gopher tortoise habitat.

For questions concerning forest management activities, seek professional foresters and wildlife biologists to provide technical assistance for wildlife considerations.

To List as Endangered or Not According to the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) 7 Year Listing Plan, USFWS is scheduled to re-evaluate the status and make a determination on whether or not to add the gopher tortoise to the federal list of threatened and endangered species throughout the eastern portion of the range (Ala., Ga., Fla., S.C.). The gopher tortoise is a state protected species in the eastern portion of the Alabama range and federally listed as Threatened in Mobile, Washington and Choctaw counties of Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. Determination will be based on best available science, meaning population location, size, and habitat condition.

If you have a question about gopher tortoises on your property, please contact Ericha Shelton-Nix at Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 334-242-3469 or ericha.shelton-nic@dcnr.alabama.gov. Working together, we can help collect information that may preclude the gopher tortoise from being listed.

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Contact Information Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, 334-242-3465 www.outdooralabama.com Alabama Forestry Commission, 334-240-9300 www.forestry.state.al.us

ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

Ryan Mitchell, wildlife biologist with The Longleaf Alliance, explains how harvesting activities can safely occur with consideration of the gopher tortoise burrow. This photo was taken in Midway at the Wehle Land Conservation Center during a landowner workshop, focusing on managing timberland in the Coastal Plains.

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Green Horizons

Silent Auction & Raffle a Success! he Alabama Tree Farm Committee held its 30th Annual Silent Auction and Raffle at the Alabama Forestry Association Annual meeting. This year’s fundraiser was a great success, raising over $5,000 for the Alabama Tree Farm Program. These funds promote the efforts of Tree Farmers and volunteer inspectors across the state.

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Generous Donations

Thank you to our generous donors!

Timberland Silvicultural Services Inc. Superior Forestry Service, Inc. Tom Thompson John McMillan AA Nettles SR Properties LTD True South Lamar Dewberry John Boutwell Dennis & Charlene LeBleu Alabama Farm Credit Alabama Ag Credit

This year’s donations included 2 guns, 2 Yeti coolers, a framed Toomer’s Trees print, handmade wooden cutting board, rolling pin, and biscuit cutter, fossils, a 2-night stay at the Perdido Beach Resort, and so much more.

The pleased winners of the Yeti cooler raffle, Chris and Elizabeth Langley on the left, pose with Scott McCall from Alabama Ag Credit and Alabama Tree Farm Chairman Tim Browning.

The Raffle A 60-qt. Yeti cooler, donated by Alabama Ag A few of the many tempting auction items await bids.

Credit, was one of two items raffled off at this year’s event. The winner of this cooler was Chris and ElizaTim Browning with Judy Graves of Swamp Fox beth Langley.

Agency, Moss Point, Miss., winner of the Henry Also raffled off at Golden Boy .22 rifle. the breakfast on Craig Dennis of Jasper Lumber Co. putting his Tuesday morning, was a gift certificate for a name in the hat for the cool Yeti cooler raffle.

Henry Golden Boy .22 riffle. The winner of the gun was Judy Graves. landowners across the state without your The Alabama Tree Farm Committee would support. like to thank all those who donated items, If you are interested in donating an item bought raffle tickets, and bid on our fantastic for next year’s auction, please contact us at items. The Tree Farm Program could not help treefarm@alaforestry.org. It’s never too early!

Come out of the rain & study awhile at alaforestry.org/cfe 28

ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

Alabama Tree Farm Committee Black Belt District Bart Adams (334) 410-0608 Capital District Walter Cartwright (334)-240-9324 Delta District Benji Elmore (251) 275-3283 Longleaf District Mike Older (334) 222-0379 Mountain District Todd Langston (256) 434-4712

State Chairman Tim Browning (205) 367-8232

Piedmont District Amy Gaddy 256-447-1006 Valley District Johnnie Everitt (256) 383-4376 Vulcan District Jason Dockery (256) 734-0573 Warrior District Tim Browning (205) 367-8232 Wiregrass District Heather Wierzbicki (334) 855-5394

Tree Farmers—

Tree Farm #:

Board Development Chair Tom Carignan (334) 361-7677

Outreach & Education Chair Allen Varner (334)-240-9308 Certification Chair Lamar Dewberry 256-396-0555 At Large Directors Tim Albritton (334) 887-4560 John Boutwell (334) 365-9221 Don East (256) 396-2694

n 2016, the American Tree Farm System marks its 75th anniversary, and we hope you will join in celebrating this milestone. Sharing the successes of Tree Farm helps raise the profile of our family woodlands and woodland owners. ATFS would not be the program it is today without the people who helped mold it along the way. Tree Farmers, inspectors, volunteers, community leaders, and forest partners all have a hand in the Tree Farm system. Please consider sharing your stories of these individuals that have overcome challenges or done something incredible in the name of forest stewardship. Send your stories and pictures to lpeters@alaforestry.org. s

Is Your Tree Farm Information Current?

Tree Farm County:

GPS coordinates if available:

Tree Farm Name:

Tree Farm Organization (if LLC, etc.)

Contact Name:

Contact Address:

Phone:

Cell Phone:

Email:

City/State: ZIP:

Non-contiguous tracts?

Y

N

If yes, how many tracts?

Forested acres change?

Y

N

If yes, estimated forested acres:

Please return to Alabama Tree Farm Committee 555 Alabama Street Montgomery, AL 36104

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ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

Chris Isaacson (334) 265-8733 Doug Link (251) 564-6281 Salem & Dianne Saloom (251) 867-6464 Charles Simon (334) 222-1125 Jim Solvason (334) 372-3360 Carolyn Stubbs (334) 821-0374

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We Need to Hear From You!

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Vice Chairman Lamar Dewberry (256) 396-2485 Financial Committee Chair Heather Wierzbicki (334) 855-5394 Awards & Recognition Chairs Paul Hudgins (334) 376-9114

Email: treefarm@alaforestry.org Phone: 334-265-8733

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e r u t a N o t s id K g in t c e n Con Nature is a grea great at teacher! T Try ry this outdoor activ a activity ity – it’ it’ss safe, fun, and ed educational. ducational.

Project Learning T TreeŽ reeŽ activ activities children’ss creative and critical thinking skills ities build children’ environment while they learn what the env ironment needs to remain healthy and sustainable.

Renewable o or r Not? Not? Renewable

Children often do not know which resources are renewable and nonrenewable. Use this activity to learn what these terms mean and discover why sustainable use of natural resources is so important.

Nonrenewable Nonrenewable

Background Natural resources are the raw materials used for housing, clothing, transporting, heating, cooking, and so on. They include the air we breathe, the water we drink, the land we farm, and the space we use for living and recreation.

We can organize them into two categories: renewable and nonrenewable resources.

Renewable resources are naturally occurring raw materials - or forms of energy - which can be replenished through ecological cycles and/or sustainable management practices.

Examples include the sun, wind, falling waterr,, and trees.

Nonrenewable resources are those raw materials supplied by the Earth and its processes WKDW H[LVW LQ ÀQLWH RU OLPLWHG DPRXQWV 2QFH XVHG WKH\ FDQQRW EH UHSODFHG ([DPSOHV include oil, gas, and coal.

5HYLHZ WKH YRFDEXODU\ WHUPV DERYH E\ ÀUVW KDYLQJ FKLOGUHQ WU\ WR FRPH XS ZLWK WKHLU RZQ GHÀQLWLRQV 7KHQ WRJHWKHU WU\ WR FDWHJRUL]H WKH UHVRXUFHV EHORZ DV HLWKHU UHQHZDEOH 5 RU QRQUHQHZDEOH 1

Geothermal/Hot springs _____ Sand _________ Wind _________ Water ________

Tides __________ _________ Trees _________ __________ Tuna __________ _________ Gold _________

Corn __________ 2LO BBBBBB BBBBBB Coal __________ Sunshine ______

To apply this knowledge, know go for a short walk outside; consider a walk around the neighborhood or even a visit to your own backyard. List as many items as you can that are made from renewable natural resources. Make a separate list of all the items made from nonrenewable natural resources. Use the chart in the sidebar to UHFRUG \RXU ÀQGLQJV

Looking at your 2 lists, answer the following: • What renewable resources could be used to replace nonrenewable ones? • What advantages and disadvantages might there be for using renewable resources in place of nonrenewable ones? • Under what circumstances, umstances, if anyy,, would a renewable resource not be renewable?

PL LT improves children’s environmental awareness, critical thinking skills, and academic performance. • Attend a workshop near you to receive PreK-12 PLT activities, ideas, and materials. • Encourage your child’s school to incorporate outdoor door learning and PL LT T. • Contact your Alabama PLT State Coordinator: SOW@alaforestry.org, 334-481-2128

www.plt.org

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Summary of Proposed

State Constitutional Amendments to appear on the 2016 General Election Ballot EDITOR’S NOTE I: There will be 14 Constitutional Amendments with statewide application and 20 CAs on the ballot with local application, which means they are only voted on in the county to which the amendment applies. With that in mind, the AFA has gone over these proposals and taken either a position in support of or opposition to the amendment, or a “no position” on the proposals. AFA has not taken a position on the county-only amendments, preferring that local voters decide those matters for themselves. SD

Statewide Amendment 1: Establish procedures to ensure that no more than three of the members of the Auburn University Board of Trustees shall have terms that expire in the same calendar year and to add two additional at-large members to the board to enhance diversity on the board. (Proposed by Act 2015-217).

AFA: NO POSITION

county or the political subdivision and county or counties in which the political subdivision is located, who vote on the amendment. (Proposed by Act 2015-44).

AFA: OPPOSE Statewide Amendment 4: To authorize each county commission in the state to establish, subject to certain limitations, certain programs related to the administration of the affairs of the county.

(Proposed by Act 2015-220).

AFA: OPPOSE

Statewide Amendment 2: Would prohibit any monies from the State Parks Fund, the Parks Revolving Fund, or any fund receiving revenues currently deposited in the State Parks Fund or the Parks Revolving Fund, and any monies currently designated under law for use by the state parks system from being transferred to any other public account, fund or entity or used for any purpose other than the support, upkeep, and maintenance of the state parks system. Proposal would also provide exceptions to the requirement that all state park system land and facilities be exclusively and solely operated and maintained by the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.(Proposed by Act 2016-145).

AFA: SUPPORT

Statewide Amendment 6: To become operative January 1, 2017, to repeal and replace Article VII, Impeachments. (Proposed by Act 2015-199).

AFA: NO POSITION

Statewide Amendment 3: Revise the procedure for adoption of local constitutional amendments to provide that a proposed constitutional amendment the Legislature determines without a dissenting vote applies to only one county or a political subdivision within one or more counties shall be adopted as a valid part of the constitution by a favorable vote of a majority of the qualified electors of the affected

Statewide Amendment 7: To provide that the employees of the Office of Sheriff of Etowah County, except for the chief deputy, chief of detention, chief of administration, chief of investigation, director of communications, and food service manager, shall be under the authority of the of the Personnel Board of the Office of the Sheriff of Etowah County. (Proposed

by Act 2015-97).

AFA: NO POSITION

ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

Statewide Amendment 5: To repeal and restate the provisions of Article III of the Constitution of Alabama of 1901 relating to separation of powers to modernize the language without making any substantive change, effective January 1, 2017. (Proposed by Act 2015-200).

AFA: NO POSITION

Statewide Amendment 8: Establishes in the state Constitution that Alabama is a “Right to Work” state to keep private employees from having to join labor unions if they don’t want to do so.

(Proposed by Act 2016-86).

AFA: SUPPORT Statewide Amendment 9: To provide that a person who is not over the age of 75 at the time of qualifying for election or at the time of his appointment may be elected or appointed to the office of Judge of Probate of Pickens County. (Proposed by Act 2016-120).

AFA: NO POSITION Statewide Amendment 10: To provide that any territory located in Calhoun County would be subject only to the police jurisdiction and planning jurisdiction of a municipality located wholly or partially in the county. (Proposed by Act 2016-144).

AFA: SUPPORT Statewide Amendment 11: To permit cities and counties, notwithstanding any existing constitutional restrictions, to utilize tax increment district revenues collected within a Major 21st Century Manufacturing Zone and other moneys to incentivize the establishment and improve various types of manufacturing facilities located or to be located in such Zone, and to validate and confirm the Major 21st Century Manufacturing Zone Act, Act No. 2013-51. (Proposed by Act 2016-267).

AFA: NO POSITION 31

State Constitutional Amendments Statewide Amendment 12: To authorize the Legislature by general or local law to provide for any municipalities in the county to incorporate a toll road and bridge authority as a public corporation in the municipality for the construction and operation of toll roads and bridges in the municipality and to authorize the authority to issue revenue bonds to finance the projects. (Proposed by Act 2016-274).

AFA: SUPPORT

Statewide Amendment 13: To repeal any existing age restriction on the appointment, election, or service of an appointed or elected official, with the exception of persons elected or appointed to a judicial office, currently imposed by a provision of the Constitution or other law; and to prohibit the Legislature from enacting any law imposing a maximum age limitation on the appointment, election, or service of an appointed or elected official.

(Proposed by Act 2016-429).

AFA: NO POSITION

Statewide Amendment 14: To propose an amendment to Amendment 448 to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, to ratify, approve, validate, and confirm the application of any budget isolation resolution authorizing the consideration of a bill proposing a local law adopted by the Legislature before November 8, 2016, that conformed to the rules of either body of the Legislature at the time it was adopted. (Proposed by Act 2016-430).

AFA: NO POSITION

sos.alabama.gov EDITOR’S NOTE II There are another 20 amendments “of local application” that will only “appear on the ballot in the county of application.” The AFA has not taken a position on these amendments. If you are interested in these, just log onto the Secretary of State website (sos.alabama.gov), click on the Elections tab at the top of the page. On the next page, click on the 2016 General Election Proposed Constitutional Amendments tab, and review the list. The counties where these amendments apply include: Autauga, Baldwin, DeKalb, Fayette, Henry, Houston, Jefferson, Lamar, Lauderdale, Madison, Marion, Monroe, Montgomery, Shelby and Winston. (Baldwin County has five amendments and Shelby County has two. The rest only have one proposed amendment.) s

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ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

Wildlife & Outdoors

Hunters Beware of Changes to the 2016-2017 Hunting Season

By David Rainer, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

he Alabama hunting seasons for 2016-2017 are significantly different from the past, with changes in season dates for several popular species and adoption of the mandatory reporting of deer and turkey harvests through the Game Check system.

Alabama Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division Director Chuck Sykes has been on a tour of the state to help hunters become familiar with the changes for the upcoming seasons with specific instructions on how to comply with the Game Check requirements.

Sykes cautioned hunters about where they get their information on the upcoming seasons because of an abundance of misinformation that is being spread by uninformed individuals.

“Please ask one of our officers or biologists, or go to the outdooralabama.com website, or pick up one of the hunting and fishing digests that are available all over the state,” Sykes said.

“And, no matter what you’ve heard, you cannot hunt over bait this year. That legislation didn’t pass. The House passed it, but it didn’t make it through the Senate.

So the regulation is still that supplemental feed must be at least 100 yards away and out of the line of the sight of the hunter through natural vegetation or naturally occurring changes in the terrain. Make sure all of your hunting partners know the truth. We don’t want them to get a citation due to misinformation.”

Speaking of Game Check, the Alabama Conservation Advisory Board unanimously passed the proposal which went through the legislative review process and became effective July 19. “Starting in October, hunters will have to report their deer and turkey harvests,” Sykes said.

Sykes said 60 to 80 percent of hunters

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ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

who have attended the 30+ seminars he has conducted across the state have a Smartphone, which is the easiest, most reliable way to report the harvest. The second way is to go online to outdooralabama. com and follow the prompts. The third way is to call 1-800-888-7690.

Those who do not use the app must write down the kill information on their harvest records before the animals are moved and then must obtain confirmation numbers from Game Check within 48 hours. Harvest information for both bucks and does is required this year.

Even hunters who are exempt from having a license, those 65 or older or 15 and younger or residents hunting on their own property, still have to report their harvests.

Those hunters should go online and obtain a HELP (Hunter Exempt License Privilege) number. It is free, like the HIP permit required to hunt migratory birds, but it will be required to access Game Check.

After hunters accesses Game Check with a hunting license or HELP number, the required information is the county where the animal was taken, whether the turkey was an adult or jake, whether the deer was a buck or doe, the date and whether it was taken on public or private land.

Sykes also recommends that hunters get a Conservation ID number that will shorten the online reporting process and reduce the errors of entering hunting license numbers.

Because the Game Check system is mandatory, WFF was able to expand the hunting seasons for deer. The gun deer season was extended statewide to Feb. 10.

There will be no December closure for the upcoming season.

“Archery season in the South Zone will start on Oct. 15 instead of Oct. 25 like it

has been the past couple of years, but the first 10 days will be buck-only to stay in line with our fetal data.”

Another change for deer season is in Zone C, where hunters had requested a reduction in the number of antlerless hunting days. (To view map, log on to: http://www.outdooralabama.com/deerseason-zone-map) The antlerless season in Zone C on private or leased land is Nov. 19-Nov. 27 and Dec. 23 through Jan. 2. On open-permit and public land, the antlerless season in Zone C is Dec. 23 through Jan. 2.

“If you hunt in that area or own property in Zone C and have a bunch of deer on your place get with our technical assistance guys and sign up for the Deer Management Assistance Program. If you need to harvest more does, they’ll write you a permit,” Sykes said.

Dog deer season is set for Nov. 19-Jan. 15 statewide, except for Talladega National Forest, which will have a reduced number of days and dog deer hunting must end at noon.

Legal shooting hours for deer were also clarified. Instead of “during daylight hours,” the regulation now reads 30 minutes before sunrise until 30 minutes after sunset. s

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2016 Annual Meeting

Scrapbook

1

he 2016 Annual Meeting featured good friends, great fellowship and, of course, the beautiful sugar white beaches of Orange Beach! In addition, the programming was top notch! Our thanks to all attendees, sponsors, exhibitors and program presenters!

Everybody working together is what makes this annual event so wonderful and successful.

See you again next year!

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1 Alabama Forestry Association EVP Chris Isaacson fields questions for annual meeting keynoter Senator Richard Shelby. 2 Lieutenant Governor Kay Ivey and AFA member Pat Nettles visit between presentations in Continuing Ed program. 3 Alabama State Representative Mike Holmes and his wife Sheila enjoying themselves at AFA reception. 4 Checking out the wares at the Tree Farm Auction were, left to right, Al Bracewell, Craig Dennis, Roy Beall and Joey King. 5 Catching up on forestry issues are, left to right, James McKinnon and Dave Donaldson of Westervelt, and AFA EVP Chris Isaacson. 6 Auburn Forestry School Dean Janaki Alavalapati and his wife Renuka make a handsome couple at AFA reception. 7 AFA staffer Liz Chambers and Betty Benvenutti enjoying the reception. 8 AFA EVP Chris Isaacson (right) introduces the outstanding panelists for the AFA’s main event, from left to right, Ted Seraphim, CEO of West Fraser; Jim Porter, President of WestRock Paper Solutions; Craig Blair, CEO of Resource Management Service, LLC; Mark Crosswhite, CEO of Alabama Power Company and panel moderator, Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange.

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ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

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A FA A n n u a l M e e t i n g 2 0 1 6 9 Mike and Dianne Griswold make for a colorful couple at the Sunday reception.

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10 Former longtime AFA EVP and current Alabama Commissioner of Agriculture, John McMillan (right) talks politics with Alabama Power employees Preston Cauthen and Jason Davis.

11 Attorney General Luther Strange kept the conversation lively during AFA CEO panel discussion.

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Program Presenters 14

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18 12 Attorney Cannon Lawley, of Huie Fernambucq & Stewart, discussed Landowner remedies under the Endangered Species Act. 13 Attorney Jim Noles, of Balch & Bingham, talked about the emerging issues for landowners and the forest industry due to recent listings under the Endangered Species Act. 14 John McGuire of Westervelt gave a presentation of real examples of how to mitigate the issues related to EDA listings. 15 John Pait, VP of sales and marketing for ArborGen discussed advanced genetics in forestry. 16 International trade specialist Katya Quintero talked about how the Panama Canal Expansion Project would help increase trade between the nations that use the canal. 17 Attorney Neil Johnson, of Hand Arendall, discussed issues surrounding the use of drones by forestry companies. 18 Ray Robbins of Westervelt, shows one of the drones being used by his company to observe and keep track of the company’s forest lands.

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ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

Golfers 19 Danny White of T.R. Miller Mill Company sends one downrange.

20 The 2016 Sunburn Classic included teammates Brian Ross, Paul Walker, Lee Davis and Jeff Stevenson.

21 First Place—Hank Bauer’s team finished first place gross again this year. Making up the winning team were, left to right, Wil Newberry, Dave Pruet, Matt Russell, and the big guy himself, Hank Bauer. Congratulations guys. Will you make it three in a row next year?

22 Teammates, left to right, Preston Cauthen of Alabama Power Company, Herbie Peters of Weyerhaeuser, Bobby Brag of Jamison Money Farmer and Monte Simpson of Weyerhaeuser. Monte also had the longest drive of the day.

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23 Enjoying their day on the links were, left to right, teammates Jarrod Wadsworth of Forestry Solutions, Bill Harris AFA staffer, Leonard Robinson also of Forestry Solutions and David Andress of Tuskaloosa Forestry Services, LLC. 24 Having a great time on a really hot day on the links were teammates, Ray Colvin of Westervelt, Dave Donaldson of Westervelt, Richard Strager of Pinova Solutions and Danny White of T.R. Miller Mill Company.

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ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

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A FA A n n u a l M e e t i n g 2 0 1 6

Exhibitors 1

2 3

4

The beaches were mighty fine for the AFA’s annual beach bash.

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1 Always supportive of AFA are the great guys at Taylor; Derick Metts left and Donnie Woodruff. 2 Johnny Thompson (left) mans the booth for his company Landmark Spatial Solutions, LLC. 3 Skip Williams sets up his Williams Forest Chem, LLC display. 4 ArborGen and Resource Management Service, LLC share the prime real estate at the end of the exhibition corridor at AFA meeting in Orange Beach. 5 Catching up on business are, left to right, Cory Collins of Molpus Woodlands Group, Jason Abrams of Alabama Ag Credit and Jim Tollison of Alabama Farm Credit.

Clay Furrow 334-830-1861

Jeff Jordan Office

251-238-0196

334-636-4356 blacksheepwoodlands@yahoo.com

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Jason Furrow

John Newsom

334-608-4361

251-589-9504

ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

SAFETY

Site Visits ◆ Training ◆ Video Library ◆ Bulletins ◆ OSHA Compliance Accident prevention is the key to controlling the cost of workers’ compensation. ForestFund offers a wide range of services designed to make your workplace safer. The process starts with a site visit from experienced loss control professionals. Your employees are educated through training sessions that are supplemented by frequent bulletins and an extensive video library. Our highly trained staff emphasizes Drug Free programs, continuing education and OSHA compliance.

ForestFund is in its fourth decade of providing safety compliance training and education for employers and employees who harvest, transport, manufacture, buy or sell forest products. Sure there are other programs that provide workers’ compensation coverage, but do they measure up to ForestFund ZKHQ LW FRPHV WR 6WDELOLW\ 6DYLQJV 6HUYLFH DQG 6DIHW\" 0DNH WKH FDOO WR ¿QG RXW *HQHUDO Liability quotes are also available.

For a quote, call Kelly Daniel at ForestFund: (334) 495-0024

Index to Advertisers AGRICULTURAL LENDING Alabama Land Banks Associations s AlabamaAgCredit.com.............................22 First South Farm Credit – South Division s firstsouthfarmcredit.com.........................18

LANDOWNERS (COMPANIES, INDIVIDUALS & TRUSTS) Westervelt Company s westervelt.com ..............32

LOGGING CONTRACTORS Black Sheep Woodlands s CONSULTANTS—FORESTRY blacksheepwoodlands@yahoo.com .............38 F&W Forestry Services s fwforestry.net..............40 Mid-Star Timber Harvesting, Inc. Larson & McGowin s larsonmcgowin.com..........17 s midstartimber.com..................................14 McKinley & Lanier Forest Resources, Inc. LOGGING EQUIPMENT s mlforestresources.com............................13 Thompson Tractor DEALERS – WOOD SUPPLIERS s thompsontractor.com ......Inside Front Cover Choctaw Land & Timber PRINTERS s choctawlandandtimber.com....................38 Craftmaster Printers s craftmaster.com.............40 FINANCIAL SERVICES SEEDLINGS Trustmark Bank s trustmark.com .......................18 ArborGen LLC s arborgen.com............................10 FORESTRY EDUCATION International Forest Company Alabama Forests Forever s interforestry.com.......................................2 s alaforestry.org .........................................34 Meek’s Farms & Nursery s meeksfarmsForestry Continuing Education nurserys.com.........................Inside Back Cover s alaforestry.org/cfe ...................................28 Rayonier s rayonier.com.....................................14 Project Learning Tree s plt.org............................30 Weyerhaeuser s weyerhaeuserseedlings.com ....32 Whitfield Farms & Nursery FOREST PRODUCT MANUFACTURERS s whitfieldpineseedlings.com ....................13 Cooper/T.Smith s coopertsmith.com .....Back Cover Jasper Lumber Company s jasperlumber.com ....14 UTILITIES Southern Company s INSURANCE alabamapower.com/safety.............................4 ForestFund s alaforestry.org...............................39 Southern Loggers Cooperative The Witherington Insurance Group s southernloggers.com...............................14 s witheringtoninsurance.com.....................40

where ideas

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Craftmaster is proud to be an approved provider of SFI certified papers.

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STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, AND CIRCULATION Publication Title: Alabama Forests Publication Number: 025-358 Filing Date: 9/19/2016 Issue Frequency: Quarterly & Directory Annual Subscription Price: $30 Complete mailing address of known office of publication: 555 Alabama Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 Full name and complete mailing address of publisher, editor and/or owner: Alabama Forestry Association, 555 Alabama Street, Montgomery, AL 36104 Editor: Sam Duvall, Managing Editor: Liz Chambers Known bondholders, mortgagees and other security holders owning or holding 1 percent or more of total amount of bonds, mortgages or other securities: None Tax status: Has not changed during preceding 12 mos. Issue date for circulation data below: October, 2015Aug 2016 Extent and nature of circulation Avg. no. copies each No. copies of single issue during preceding issue published 12 months nearest to filing date Total number of copies Paid circulation (1) Mailed outside-county paid subscriptions stated on PS Form 3541 (2) Mailed in-county paid subscriptions stated on PS Form 3541 (3) Paid distribution outside the mails including sales through dealers and carriers, street vendors, counter sales and other paid distribution outside USPS® (4) Paid distribution by other classes of mail through the USPS Total paid distribution Free or nominal rate distribution (1) Outside-county copies included on PS Form 3541 (2) In-county copies included on PS Form 3541 (3) Copies mailed at other classes through the USPS (4) Distributed outside the mail Total free or nominal rate distribution Total distribution Copies not distributed Total Percent paid

4134

4315

4017 0

4311 0

0

0

0 4017

0 4311

200 0 0 0 200 4217 0 4217 95.3%

200 0 0 0 200 4511 0 4511 95.6%

Publication of Statement of Ownership Printed in the fall 2016 issue of this publication.

Signature and title of editor, publisher, manager or owner: Sam Duvall, Editor

I certify that all information furnished on this form is true and complete. I understand that anyone who furnishes false or misleading information on this form or who omits material or information requested on the form may be subject to criminal sanctions (including fines or imprisonment) and/or civil sanctions (including civil penalties).

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“We are not the new kid on the block. We have been handling the insurance for the forest products industry since 1969. If you want your insurance agent to be around when you have a claim, call us.”

1200 Elba Hwy., P.O. Box 448, Troy, AL 36081-0448 Office: (334) 566-1477 • Fax (334) 566-7986 Email: wig@troycable.net • AL WATS: (800) 239-1477

FORES FORESTRY F ORESTR TRY RY SOLUTIONS SO S SOL OL LUTIONS UT T ONS T AT TH THA AT MEET MEET M YOUR YOU Y O RO OUR OB OBJECTIV OBJECTIVES. BJE ECTIV VES VES. S. Fifty Fifty ifty Years Year Y ears ear rs and a d Growing an Grro Gr owin wing g www.fwforestry.net www.ffwf wfor orestry or est stry y.net ett BROCK MA MAY AY Y Hamilton, AL 205.952.9369

TT.R. .R. CLARK LaFayette, AL 334.864.9542

ALABAMA FORESTS | Fall 2016

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