Forest Products 2021

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MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 29, 2021

GET TO KNOW MAINE’S LOGGING & FORESTRY PROFESSIONALS

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raveling through our great state, it’s easy to understand why the forestry industry is so vitally linked to Maine’s economy. In a 2017 study conducted by the University of Maine and the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center, it was noted that logging supports more than 9,000 Maine jobs either directly or indirectly. Which is why it’s easy to find professionals in this line of work all over our great state. We talked to a few of these hardworking individuals to find out what makes this business so special, how they got into it (not surprising, a love of the outdoors helps) and what advice they have to share with young people interested in the forestry industry. As we celebrate Maine Forest Products Week, we thank these folks and all those who help manage Maine’s forest resources.

WHAT MADE YOU INTERESTED IN FORESTRY?

Growing up in a logging family, it is something that I have always wanted to do. I enjoy doing something different all the time and the challenges that come with the day to day. I also enjoy the outdoors.

KODY TUTTLE

COMPANY HARVEST OPERATIONS MANAGER

WHERE ARE YOU FROM? New Limerick

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

Well, I grew up in the industry. My father has been in the business his whole life. I started with him right outta high school.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?

I love the forest industry and am very passionate about it. I also enjoy working with our crew — we have a really good group of people around us that make it really enjoyable.

WHY IS THIS INDUSTRY SO IMPORTANT TO MAINE?

CURRENT POSITION AND COMPANY YOU WORK FOR:

Company Harvest Operations Manager for K. A. Tuttle & Sons, LLC

From the equipment and fuel dealers, to the landowners and the mills, to the local coffee shop — it’s an industry that is important to the economy and heritage of every little town in Maine, and we are proud as loggers to be a part of this as the beginning of the supply chain. Each part, including loggers, needs to be successful for the industry to continue to prosper.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOU DO:

WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU SHARE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE FORESTRY INDUSTRY?

We have a cut-to-length operation along with a trucking company.

I would say you should love the outdoors and be someone who enjoys seeing the results of their work and always be willing to learn something new and be able to adapt to many different situations.

MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 29, 2021

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MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 29, 2021

MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 29, 2021

Stream Crossing Workshop Underway in Norway, ME

MASTER LOGGER STREAM CROSSING WORKSHOPS HELD IN VERMONT AND MAINE IN MAY Courtesy of The Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands

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he Northeast Master Logger Certification Program, a program of the Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands, held three hands-on Stream Crossing Workshops in Maine and Vermont in May, attended by more than 140 employees of Master Logger companies and students from technical high schools with forestry and logging programs.

Professional logging contractors in the Northeast routinely face challenges associated with streams and wetlands when conducting timber harvests and have great expertise when it comes to logging without impacting water quality on the job site and in waters downstream. Building and maintaining stream crossings that minimize runoff are an important part of that, and the trainings were an opportunity not only for loggers to refresh their skills, but to share their own experiences and ideas with the greater logging community.

“Certified Master Loggers take the job of protecting water quality very seriously, and these trainings are a great chance for them to improve their knowledge on the subject,” said Ted Wright, Executive Director of the Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands, which oversees the Master Logger program. “Loggers are the ones who have the hands-on experience building stream crossings and getting out in the field like this with others who share that experience is a great way to raise the bar for all.”

Trainings were offered May 20 in Randolph, Vermont; May 25 in West Paris and Norway, Maine; and May 27 in Island Falls and Sherman, Maine.

Trainings were free to Master Logger companies and generously sponsored by the U.S. Endowment for

Forestry and Communities. The trainings were conducted in accordance with CDC guidelines.

In addition to supplying loggers with new ideas and techniques they could bring to their work on future stream crossings, the trainings could be applied toward requirements of programs including the Society of American Foresters, Master Logger Certification Program, Certified Logging Professional (Maine), and the Vermont LEAP Program.

The field portion of each training was held at sites with real potential for positive impacts on local watersheds and water bodies. In southern Maine, for instance, the site selected was next to the Crooked River, a key tributary of Sebago Lake and a valuable trout and landlocked salmon fishery where preserving water quality during timber harvests is critical to both the fishery and the lake.

Loggers and others who attended the sessions gave positive feedback on the value and quality of the training.

“Great job, this is by far the best logger training I have ever attended,” Rob Greenier, forestry instructor for the Region 2 School of Applied Technology in Houlton, Maine said.

Prizes and giveaways included a temporary wooden skidder bridge awarded to a logging company at each training.

In addition to the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, partners in the training who provided materials, instructors or other support included Vermont’s Department of Forest, Parks, and Recreation; the Northern Forest Center, Eastman Trucking, Lincoln Farm Timber Harvesting; the Maine Forest Service, McLucas Logging

and Trucking; the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI); LP Building Products, and Treeline, Inc. The Northeast Master Logger Certification Program was created in 2001 by the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine (PLC) as the first in the world point-of-harvest certification program, offering third party independent certification of logging companies’ harvesting practices. In 2003, PLC created the Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands (TCNEF) to administer the program with the broader goal of “enhancing the health of working forest ecosystems through exceptional accountability” throughout the Northern Forest region.

There are currently more than 130 Master Logger companies in the Northeast and the number of certified companies is growing.

In 2019, the TCNEF received an FSC Leadership Award for its work with the Master Logger program.

In 2020, The Future Forest Economy Initiative — a cooperative effort of the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA), U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities, and the Northern Forest Center — announced it would be investing $250,000 to enhance markets for certified wood and to strengthen the supply chain for wood in the Northern Forest region through a grant to the Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands. The three-year grant award will enable TCNEF to expand the ranks of certified Master Logger companies in the region, with a focus on New Hampshire, New York, and Vermont. The Master Logger program improves logger performance, company financial stability, and workforce development and retention while increasing the supply of certified wood fiber.

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MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 29, 2021

WHAT MADE YOU INTERESTED IN FORESTRY?

MALLORY BUSSELL LICENSED FORESTER

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

I grew up in Parkman.

I now live in Chelsea, Maine.

CURRENT POSITION AND COMPANY YOU WORK FOR:

I am Operations Manager at Two Spruce LLC in Windsor and a licensed forester.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOU DO:

I am involved with all aspects of business management. I work with both the clients the crew to ensure project details are completed, manage permits/ regulations/contracting/payments/ billing/human resources/project scheduling, oversee timber harvesting projects, provide forestry consulting (property lines, management plans, timber assessments, project management), explore business opportunities, communicate with lenders and insurance. I also take promotional photography and any other tasks to keep the business running smoothly.

Growing up, my siblings and I spent as much time as possible outdoors. We loved playing in the woods. As I got older, I became more interested in what my dad did for work. My dad is an equipment operator for Madden Timberlands. During school breaks I would drive into the woods and visit the crew. The guys would always smile and stop for a minute to show me their machines and [explain] why they were doing the work like they were. I was hooked!

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

I decided to apply to the Forestry Program at University of Maine in Orono. I wasn’t entirely sure if forestry was the right fit for me, but I wanted to find out. I quickly realized I really enjoyed learning about the woods. Forestry itself wasn’t exactly what I was interested in though; I wanted to learn how businesses run. That was when I decided to add a Business Administration minor to the B.S. in Forestry. The two were a perfect fit for me.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?

It has changed over time! Working outside, meeting new people who love land like I do and being a key provider of jobs for a large number of families. Right now, what I enjoy most is working with people who believe what I believe—quality over quantity.

WHY IS THIS INDUSTRY SO IMPORTANT TO MAINE?

Maine is one of the most heavily forested states in the U.S. The products we derive from our natural resources provide the basic building blocks to society. If we don’t sustainably manage it for the future, who will?

WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU SHARE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE FORESTRY INDUSTRY?

The devil is in the details, pay attention. Understand how you add value to the overall goal and understand what is reasonable and what isn’t in any job you pursue. Be honest but be kind and take responsibility. Try everything and don’t let locations or distance stop you. Don’t stop learning. The more you experience, the more valuable you become. There is something to be learned from everyone and everything.

MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 29, 2021

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MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 29, 2021

MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 29, 2021

PLC OF MAINE HOLDS SAFETY TRAININGS FOR MORE THAN 800 MAINE LOGGERS AND TRUCKERS

Courtesy of The Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of Maine

The Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of Maine completed its annual Spring Logger and Fleet Safety Training series in late May, providing training over the course of three months to more than 800 loggers and truckers throughout the state of Maine for the first time using online classes that combined pre-recorded presentations with live Zoom discussions with instructors and fellow employees.

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eaching employees of more than 100 companies throughout Maine, the scale of the training — normally provided at more than a dozen allday events held across Maine — was unprecedented for the PLC, which successfully undertook aggressive efforts over the past year to maintain critical programs, charitable fundraisers, and member benefits such as the Safety Training Series despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The success of this training approach was due to extraordinary efforts on the part of our instructors, staff, and partners after it became clear early this year that the pandemic would not allow us to hold our traditional spring events,” said Dana Doran, Executive Director of the PLC. “To quickly create quality online training based upon a series of complex topics and coordinate that process with instructors and employers scattered across the state while simultaneously handling promotion, registration, and the live delivery of the finished product was a monumental challenge for all, but

everyone rose to the occasion and with the support of our generous sponsors we exceeded our expectations.”

In many cases, employees of logging and trucking companies viewed the trainings in socially distanced groups at their garages, where they could discuss the topics with their fellow workers. Many companies felt the convenience and added participation of this feature of the trainings was a plus. An additional benefit of the online approach was the creation of content which will continue to have value as safety resources to logging and trucking businesses going forward.

Logger training topics included saw safety, chemical handling, fall protection, hot work, bolt torquing, and drugs you carry. Fleet topics included wheel and hub safety, truck inspection, fault vs. preventability, and wheel-off training.

Additional training on CPR/First Aid/ Bloodborne Pathogens and Online Driving Dynamics was also available.

Sponsors for the training series included Acadia Insurance, Cross Insurance, Nortrax,

Maine State Trooper Shane Northrup in PLC Safety Training Video.

Barry Equipment, Chalmers Logging Insurance, Farm Credit East, MEMIC, Maine Trailer, Manac, United Insurance, Hale Trailer, the Northeast Center for Occupational Health and Safety, Traction Heavy Duty, and Sappi.

Maine’s loggers are a vital part of the state’s forest products sector, which is worth an estimated $7.7 billion annually.

The logging industry contributed an estimated $619 million to the Maine economy in 2017, supported more than 9,000 jobs directly or indirectly, generated $342 million in labor income, and pumped an estimated $25 million into state and local tax coffers.

Founded in 1995 with a handful of members who were concerned about the future of the industry, the PLC has grown steadily to become a statewide trade association which provides independent logging contractors and truckers a voice in the rapidly changing forest products industry. Board membership consists of only loggers, making it an organization that is run by loggers on behalf of loggers.

Learn more about the PLC at www.maineloggers.com.

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MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 29, 2021

ERIC HANINGTON

CO-OWNER OF HANINGTON BROS INC. & STEAD TIMBERLANDS LLC

WHERE ARE YOU FROM? Reed Plantation

CURRENT POSITION AND COMPANY DO YOU WORK FOR:

I am the co-owner, with my father Steve, of both Hanington Bros Inc. and STEAD Timberlands LLC. I am the third generation family member to own Hanington Bros, since its incorporation 63 years ago.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOU DO:

Anything and everything it takes to make sure the company is successful.

MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 29, 2021

WHAT MADE YOU INTERESTED IN FORESTRY?

When you’re born in the woods, raised in the woods, play in the woods and work in the woods, trees are something you become quite familiar with and it becomes a part of who you are.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

Due to child labor laws, I can neither confirm nor deny my age when I first started running a grapple skidder for my family’s business during my summer school vacation, but let’s just say, I was young.

When you’re a young man running heavy equipment, not much about it seems like work at first, well except for the fact you get up in the morning for work around the same time all your school age friends were going to bed.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?

There’s a lot of things about my job I enjoy. I enjoy getting to work with my father and mother on a daily basis. As a owner of a company our size, my priorities end up in other places but when I get the opportunity to fill in and run a piece of equipment or drive one of the trucks, it’s definitely something I cherish.

I love doing maintenance on the equipment, getting to work with my hands, making decisions to improve the equipment’s overall reliability and the personal satisfaction I get on a job completed well. I enjoy getting to walk woodlots with my father and see areas he clear cut with a feller buncher when he worked with my grandfather. Areas that when we walk through them are pretty well stocked and ready for another harvest. Or areas he partially cut on 30 years ago and now there are spruce two feet in diameter. I love knowing the multi generations of the woods and understanding how resilient the forest is and how actively harvesting it only improves its long-term sustainability.

WHY IS THIS INDUSTRY SO IMPORTANT TO MAINE?

A healthy and strong Maine forestry products industry plays a key role in the long-term success of both our state’s economy and our environment. Many of our rural communities depend on the good paying and highly satisfying jobs that the industry provides. Maine’s forest is extremely diverse in its make-up, and a forest that is actively harvested and managed only promotes future growth, increased carbon storage and promotes the right feed stock and habitat for many of the state’s wildlife. We’ve purchased wood lots that were not harvested and managed and to see a lot of the trees lost to disease or age and laying on ground coupled with no regeneration on the forest floor from lack of sunlight doesn’t not equal a healthy forest for Maine’s future.

WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU SHARE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE FORESTRY INDUSTRY?

I would tell them not to listen to the nah sayers. For far too long our country and society has put more emphasis and value on a four year college degree than on the people willing and able to work in a trade. Logging is a trade and it’s a trade our country is very dependent on. I wonder how many people in our society push students and their children to a four year degree and then are also willing to complain to somebody that they can’t find an electrician to come and work on their house or a HVAC person to come work on their heating unit in the middle of winter. Each industry plays a critical role in our society and whether you have a degree or not, each industry should be viewed in society as equal in their value and contribution as a whole. So if your passion is to become a logger, a trucker, a mechanic, don’t let anyone discourage you from that or make you think less of yourself because of it. Do what you’re passionate about and do it with the motivation of being the best, most dependable and most successful one doing it.

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MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 29, 2021

MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 29, 2021

EVOLVING TO DELIVER EVEN MORE INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS

Courtesy of the University of Maine

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or more than a century, the University of Maine has served forest-focused professionals and communities in Maine and beyond by educating students and practicing forest professionals, advancing sustainable forest health and management practices, and undertaking cutting-edge research, development, and commercialization to solve the issues and challenges facing our forest resources, industries, and society in an ever-evolving and increasingly complex world.

As Maine’s flagship research university, UMaine continually evolves to deliver a greater scope and depth of innovative solutions. We actively lead in the development of new and emerging manufacturing and commercialization technologies, employing world-class experts and investing in state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. More than 40 UMaine colleges, departments, research units and groups are directly involved or support Maine’s sustainable circular forest bioeconomy, serving as an informed resource and valued partner to Maine’s forest professionals, communities and citizens.

THE ROLE OF FORESTS TO MAINE’S IDENTIT Y Forests cover nearly 90% of the Maine landscape. The managed forests form the largest contiguous block of undeveloped forestland east of the Mississippi — a testament to Maine’s past, present and future quality of life and economic prosperity. A recent report by UMaine’s Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center documented that more than $8 billion in economic activity and 31,000 jobs in Maine were due to the forest products sector. Maine is known the world over as “the pine tree state,” reflected proudly in our state seal. The University of Maine diligently partners with Maine to address present challenges to a new future, while simultaneously acknowledging our heritage.

THE ROLE OF FOREST HEALTH TO MAINE Land management decisions significantly impact forest health, wildlife habitat and fire risk. Sustainable forest management focuses on managing vegetation, restoring ecosystems, reducing hazards, and maintaining forest health and diversity. Maine has an ever-evolving practice of active management to meet these goals through selective harvesting, removing fuel loads, mitigating invasive species spread, and natural forest regeneration. Harvesting less than 2% of the total forestlands annually with more than 90% being shelterwood and partial harvests allows for new growth and activity in the ecosystem while reducing

wildfire risks. UMaine’s School of Forest Resources and the Center for Research on Sustainable Forests (CRSF) train forest practitioners, advance the understanding and evolution of these best management practices, and lead longterm research studies on invasive species mitigation and analyses of modern global management practices. To further support landowners in the region, UMaine recently established a Spruce Budworm laboratory to provide testing services in the state.

THE ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY IN MANAGING MAINE’S FORESTS Advancements in technology have changed the way we manage our forests. While forest inventory plots and timber cruise surveys will always have their place with forest managers, modern and emerging technologies, including unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), highresolution satellite imagery, global positioning systems (GPS), light detection and ranging (LiDAR), artificial intelligence (AI) and geographic information systems (GIS) allow for digital forest assessment with unprecedented precision. The School of Forest Resources, the Center for Research on Sustainable Forests and the Wheatland Geospatial Laboratory train current and future foresters in these modern technologies, and provide analyses to assist landowners and policy makers in developing sound management plans, guiding land use, conservation, and making outdoor recreation decisions.

THE ROLE OF FORESTS IN CLIMATE CHANGE Scientists have identified carbon dioxide, primarily from the burning of fossil fuels, as a primary contributor to climate change. Growing forests act as a natural sink of this compound, accumulating carbon dioxide from the atmosphere through biosynthesis in a process called sequestration. As trees mature, this sequestration activity slows. When a tree dies and decomposes, this carbon is gradually released back into the environment, both into the soil and back into the atmosphere. For decades, UMaine faculty, staff and students in the School of Forest Resources have studied this movement of carbon in forest ecosystems through the Howland Research Forest in central Maine.

UMaine recently launched the Forest Carbon Economy (FORCE) initiative to better understand the balance between carbon sequestration with harvesting, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation, and biodiversity preservation, while defining the contribution of stored carbon in the products generated from the forest through their service life.

NEW ROLES FOR FOREST PRODUCTS IN SOCIET Y As society recognizes the impacts to the environment brought on by the Industrial Revolution, a new movement, coined the “sustainable revolution,” has emerged. Maine’s forests are poised to serve a key role in delivering these sustainable products in a global marketplace, with the University of Maine actively driving these advancements and training the future workforce through integrated programs, such as the new Sustainable Materials and Technologies initiative in the School of Forest Resources. The Forest Bioproducts Research Institute (FBRI) converts forest residuals into biobased crude oil, allowing renewable alternatives for anything currently made from petroleum. Scientists and engineers at the Advanced Structures and Composites Laboratory improve the performance of traditional building materials while advancing new materials like cross-laminated timber (CLT) and developing new building products through additive manufacturing on the world’s largest 3D printer. The Process Development Center (PDC) manufactures and uses nanocellulose in a wide array of applications never thought possible with wood, including medical implants and artificial bones. The New England Combined Heat and Power Technical Assistance Partnership works with businesses and communities throughout the region to implement combined heat and power (CHP) systems that use forest biomass, reducing fossil fuel imports and increasing the resilience of the electrical grid.

UMAINE’S ROLE IN A CIRCUL AR BIOECONOMY The transition of Maine’s future forest is happening now, and the University of Maine has a leadership role. To increase coordination and responsiveness on all forest-related activities, UMaine recently established Forest Economy, Sustainability and Technology (FOREST) across the University of Maine System to further advance collaborations with all stakeholders in Maine to meet the evolving societal demands of a sustainable forest bioeconomy. Our work is conducted directly with our students, preparing the next generation for a new future in a sustainable forest economy, with the knowledge gained in our discoveries shared with Maine’s citizens through our partnerships with agencies, industries and communities.

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MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 29, 2021

MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 29, 2021

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PLC LOG A LOAD GOLF TOURNAMENTS RAISE $109,047 FOR CHILDREN’S MIRACLE NETWORK HOSPITALS Courtesy of The Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of Maine

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he Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of Maine raised a record $109,047 at its two Log A Load For Maine Kids Golf Tournaments this fall, putting 2021 fundraising for Log A Load on track for a great year with the Annual Log A Load Auction still to come Oct. 29.

The tournaments, held Aug. 27 at Kezar Lake Country Club in Lovell and Sept. 17 at JATO Highlands Golf Course in Lincoln, raised $41,696 and $67,351 respectively for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in Maine.

The PLC partners with the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital (BBCH) and Northern Light Health Foundation to hold the golf tournaments. BBCH in Portland and Northern Light’s Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor are Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.

“It is truly inspiring to see how the support and generosity of our PLC Members, Supporting Members, partners and friends have grown these events into a major fundraiser for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals in Maine in such a short period of time,” PLC Executive Director Dana Doran said. “These are difficult times in the logging industry, yet this group always comes through and continues to devote an incredible amount of time, effort, and resources to the Log A Load cause.”

This year, the PLC dedicated the southern tournament to the memory of Randy Keenan of PLC Supporting Member Katahdin Fire Company, and the northern tournament to the memory of Sharon Hanington and her mother, Irma Hanington, both of Lincoln. The Hanington family were founders of the PLC’s Log A Load efforts and remain strong supporters of those efforts today.

The PLC’s Log A Load efforts have raised approximately more than $1.5 million since 1995.

Two years ago, the PLC expanded its fundraising efforts to hold two Log A Load golf tournaments each year, adding a new southern tournament thanks to the partnership with Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital.

The golf tournaments and the PLC’s annual Log A Load Auction – this year set for Oct. 29 at the PLC’s Annual Meeting in Bangor – raise the majority of the funds for the effort each year.

The PLC and the Northern Light Health Foundation (formerly Eastern Maine Health Systems Foundation) have partnered in the Log A Load fundraising effort since 1996.

Donations have gone to support research and training, purchase equipment, and pay for uncompensated care, all in support of the mission to save and improve the lives of as many children in Maine as possible. Eastern Maine Medical Center in Bangor is a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital and includes a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit that JATO Highlands Tournament has received support for years from the PLC’s Log A Load efforts.

Nationally, Log A Load for Kids is a leader in CMN Hospitals’ fundraising, raising more than $2 million annually through golf tournaments, fishing events, dinners, truckloads of log donations and other events. For more information, please visit www.logaload.org.

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MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 29, 2021

MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 29, 2021

2021 MECHANIZED LOGGING OPERATIONS PROGRAM GRADUATION HELD SEPT. 16 Courtesy of The Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of Maine

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welve graduates of Maine’s only college training program for operators of mechanized logging equipment were recognized Thursday, Sept. 16 at a ceremony held at the site where they spent weeks harvesting timber using sophisticated state-of-the-art machines like those they will encounter in the logging industry.

Students in the 12-week Mechanized Logging Operations Program (MLOP) spent the summer and early fall at the site, gaining hands-on logging experience and benefiting from the guidance of veteran logging instructors for an educational experience that is unmatched by any other logger training program in Maine and neighboring states.

Tony Madden, President of the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine (PLC), congratulated the students on their achievement and on their career choice.

“We welcome you all to the team of logging professionals, the training you have received in this program has given you many options,” Madden said. “You should have no problem finding work…my advice is to find work with a logging contractor that takes pride in their work, preferably a PLC contractor, in the long run, you won’t regret it.”

Tim Crowley, President of Northern Maine Community College (NMCC), said the program has been successful because of strong collaboration between the college, industry partners, and the PLC, and is a model for how programs will be developed in the future.

“It’s people working together, and this is the best example in the state of Maine,” Crowley said.

Graduates included: Andrew Hatchell of Readfield, Andrew McLaughlin of Bangor, Benjamin Carroll of Dixfield, Christopher Glidden of Carroll Plantation, David Lessard of Jackman, Dawson Chauette of Waterboro, Junior Tyler of Farmington, Josh Clark of Brewer, Nathan Bacon of Sidney, Nathan Hilton of Bryant Pond, Robert Stuart of Bridgton, and Colton Carlow of Peru. All who enrolled completed the program, giving this year’s cohort a 100% completion rate.

Most students in the program are hired by contractors even before graduating and this year is no exception.

This year’s class is the fifth since the certificate program launched in 2017.

The program, run out of NMCC, was jointly developed by the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine and NMCC with generous support from Milton CAT/CAT Forest Products, Nortrax Inc./John Deere, and other industry partners. Students gain broad knowledge of the most common mechanical systems found in modern timber harvesting equipment, and an understanding of the variables of timber growth, tree species, and markets. The program also includes a strong emphasis on safety.

Find more information at www.nmcc.edu/industry-customized-training/mechanized-forest-operations.

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MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 29, 2021

PLANNING AHEAD FOR A STRONG AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

TED WRIGHT

Courtesy of JD Irving

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR,

TRUST TO CONSERVE NORTHEAST FORESTLANDS

WHERE ARE YOU FROM? Originally Littleton, now Brunswick.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOU DO:

The Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands is a 501(c)(3) that was created in 2000 by the Professional Logging Contractors of Maine to provide third party certification of forest products through our Northeast Master Logger Certification and Forest Stewardship Council certificates.

Third-party certification means an unbiased party has reviewed harvesting practices on the ground to a recognized standard.

WHAT MADE YOU INTERESTED IN FORESTRY?

I got interested through a friend in high school.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

I cut wood around the family farm in high school & enjoyed it, so I decided to follow my passion at the University of Maine at Fort Kent Forest Technology program.

MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 29, 2021

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?

I enjoy working with logging contractors. They work extremely long hours, carry a lot of financial risk, are always dealing with issues that come at them, and oftentimes do not get the respect they deserve. I enjoy telling their story and sharing their work through Northeast Master Logger Certification to build that respect. Maine and the Northeast have some of the most professional loggers in the world.

WHY IS THIS INDUSTRY SO IMPORTANT TO MAINE?

It is a heritage industry that has been around for over 400 years.

Maine has a long, proud history of responsible harvesting. This is something we need to promote, we do it better than many other states or countries for that matter.

WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU SHARE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE FORESTRY INDUSTRY?

If you enjoy being outdoors and solving complex situations on a daily basis, then this is for you. There is also a lot of satisfaction in completing a harvest and coming back in 10 years and seeing the positive difference your harvesting has made, all while supplying consumers with a product they desire like paper, firewood and lumber.

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he woods in our lives have never played such an important role as they do today.

Their natural beauty, functional strength, and the homes they provide.

The air we breathe, the clean water we drink, and the habitat for plants and animals. The trails and trips we enjoy with family and friends. Without the woods, our lives would be sorely lacking.

A healthy and diverse working forest provides a sustainable source of wood fiber to make many of the wood products that are part of everyday life. Hardwood and softwood are used for lumber, and wood chips are used for pulp and paper. Sustainable forest management is at our core, so we plan 80 years ahead to ensure the future of this diverse wood supply.

As the world deals with climate change, we recognize that trees are nature’s air filter and that healthy growing forests are a big part of the solution. Growing four times the volume on planted areas means four times more carbon removed from

the atmosphere. This year, we planted 15.5 million trees across our operations in Maine and Canada and are committed to planting even more.

In addition to wood for mills, our team of foresters in Maine are also caring for wetlands, wildlife, plants and more, as well as renewing the forest. We set aside 25% of our lands for the primary purpose of conservation: that’s over 197,000 acres. In Maine, we began with 29 sites in the 1990s, and today, our voluntary program includes 265 award winning conservation areas, covering 17,873 acres. However, we are always looking to improve, so we collaborate with universities and environmental groups, and invest every year in forest research that includes moose, deer, and songbirds. Our team includes a full-time wildlife biologist and naturalist, and we’re proud to employ their expertise in our decisions. We value the ongoing training and guidance they provide for habitat and wildlife conservation, so we can do better every day.

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MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 29, 2021

GRANT INVESTS IN LOGGER CERTIFICATION TO SUPPORT GREEN ECONOMY

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Courtesy of The Trust to Conserve Northeast Forestlands

he Future Forest Economy Initiative is investing $250,000 to enhance

To date, the program has certified 120 companies that employ 1,500 people and produce 6

markets for certified wood and to strengthen the supply chain for wood in the

million green tons of wood each year. The Professional Logging Contractors of Maine

Northern Forest region through a grant to the Trust to Conserve Northeast

originated the program, now managed by the TCNEF, in 2000. More information on the

Forestlands (TCNEF).

Northeast Master Logger Certification Program is available at masterloggercertification.com.

HELPING LANDOWNERS ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS

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Wadsworth Woodlands, Inc.

adsworth Woodlands, Inc. is a forestry company based in Cornish, Maine whose objective is to help landowners achieve their goals of natural resource management through land management plans, sustainable and responsible

“Only a fraction of the forestland in our region is green certified,” said Joe Short, vice

The Future Forest Economy Initiative has $1,000,000 remaining to invest in projects that

president of the Northern Forest Center, which manages the Future Forest Economy program.

will expand the region’s forest economy by diversifying markets for wood and wood products

“Certifying logging companies through TCNEF’s Master Logger program will increase the

from the Northern Forest region. More information about the Future Forest Economy

Our mission is to continue growing a long-term forest management company in order to

volume of certified, sustainably harvested wood available to the region’s mills. Certified lands

Initiative, including instructions for submitting grant concepts, is available at nfcenter.org/

provide continuity to current landowners, as well as future generations. Wadsworth Woodlands,

alone are not enough to meet demand for certified wood in the region.”

FutureForestEconomy. Applications are considered on a rolling basis until all funds have

Inc. was established in 1994, and is a multi-generational family-owned business that has now

been awarded.

been in operation for 27 years and offers over 88 years of combined forestry experience.

The three-year grant award will enable TCNEF to expand the ranks of certified Master

harvests of wood products, and active forest product marketing. This ensures the

greatest return on your forestland investment, forest health, and promoting multi-use woodlands.

Logger companies in the region, with a focus on New Hampshire, New York and Vermont. The

In 2020, the Future Forest Economy Initiative awarded three grants that are driving

We proudly serve small and large landowners and have written land management plans for

Master Logger program improves logger performance, company financial stability, and

$1.7-million worth of investment in the region’s forest economy. FFEI awarded $450,000 to the

over 167,000 acres of private land as well as for Land & Conservation Trusts in Maine and New

workforce development and retention while increasing the supply of certified wood fiber.

Town of Ashland, Maine to expand markets for structural round timber, a mass-timber building

Hampshire. We believe that good forestry practices begin with good landowner relationships,

“TCNEF is excited about the opportunity to increase the ranks of third-party certified

product; $300,000 to a wood heat marketing consortium aiming to increase demand for wood

and that long-term sustainability is achieved through responsible resource management.

logging companies in the Northern Forest Region,” said Ted Wright, executive director

heating fuels by 50 percent in the region; and $97,840 to the Burlington (VT) Electric Department

We offer the convenience of being a full-service forestry company, utilizing the expertise of

of TCNEF. “Master Loggers have proven records of professionalism, stewardship, and

for design and pre-engineering to advance a wood-fired district heating system to serve the

our professional foresters who are licensed in Maine and New Hampshire. Our foresters are

stimulating local economies.”

University of Vermont Medical Center.

very diverse, having worked all over the great state of Maine from Fort Kent all the way to the

The Northeast Master Logger program is a performance-based certification for logging

Altogether, the four grant recipients and others are matching the Future Forest Economy

New Hampshire/Vermont border, and we pride ourselves on offering a wide range of

companies in seven Northeastern states: Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, New York,

grants with $1.1 million in matching funds, bringing the total investment in new wood uses and

experience, knowledge and technology coupled with excellent customer service. As with any

Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. It provides a unique third-party

marketing to $2.2 million.

vocation, we are always evolving and incorporating new technology and techniques, but are

certification of a logging company’s work in the woods rather than certifying the forestland, as other programs do.

For more information, visit www.northernforest.org and www.usendowment.org.

steadfast in remaining stewards of the forest.

It is so important to utilize a licensed forester in developing management objectives as well as providing guidance, and expertise to satisfy the landowners objectives for forest management and harvests. Our land management style focuses on uneven land management resulting in long term sustainability, and leaving behind the best growing stock to grow for future generations.

We specialize in Selective Timber Harvesting and utilize several different harvest techniques which include: Biomass Whole Tree Harvesting, Non-Biomass Whole Tree Harvesting, and Traditional Hand Crew. We facilitate and manage harvests from start to finish ensuring that the landowner’s objectives are met. We are a preferred supplier to the majority of local mills which allows us to guarantee the greatest financial return for the landowner’s wood products.

We utilize professional loggers who are both economically and environmentally focused, and create a healthy and improved forest stand poised to increase growth rates for the future.

This includes working with many Maine Master Logger companies that are dedicated to professional harvest planning and the application of logging techniques that protect soil and water resources, cultural heritage, wildlife, and forest aesthetics while still maintaining returns for landowners.

We offer all the timber harvesting, forestry consulting and land management services a landowner would need to successfully manage their woodlot and grow their timber investment. Our team consists of four full time foresters all with BS degrees in Forestry from the University of Maine in Orono. On a daily basis all of them are either meeting with landowners, inspecting woodlots, writing Forest Management Plans, cruising and assessing your timber, supervising harvests, amongst a plethora of other activities.

The foundation of our company is to create and maintain strong, lasting relationships with both our clients and the mills. We feel strong relationships go hand in hand with good forestry practices, and we are committed to serving the individual forestry needs of our clients and their woodlands. As professional foresters, our mission is to provide landowners with a wide array of economical forestry services and bring our expertise and experience to responsibly work with their woodland.

MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 29, 2021

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MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 29, 2021

MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 29, 2021

JEREMY SHAY ROADS COORDINATOR AND UTILIZATION FORESTER

WHERE ARE YOU FROM?

I’m from Danforth, and currently live in Hermon.

CURRENT POSITION AND COMPANY YOU WORK FOR:

Roads coordinator and utilization forester.

I work for American Forest Management.

TELL US ABOUT WHAT YOU DO:

In my Roads Coordinator role, I set up a budget for each road building season, broken down by project and contractor. I meet with our contractors each spring to provide a list of jobs that they will need to complete. I also send out a culvert bid package each year to various vendors to receive rates on culverts. I also help design and coordinate the installation of bridges that are installed on the land base.

For Utilization, we find the best market that is available based on tree species and tree quality to ensure the landowner is getting the highest value for the timber that is harvested. I inspect logs that the contractors have prepared to make sure lengths and diameter specifications have been met so the mills receive the right specifications.

WHAT MADE YOU INTERESTED IN FORESTRY?

I grew up as a logger’s son, so I knew I wanted to work in the forest industry since I was young. I knew first hand how close everyone is in the industry and how everyone looks out for one another. I enjoy being outside so I knew there was no better fit for me than to become a forester.

HOW DID YOU GET STARTED?

I graduated from the University of Maine at Fort Kent in December in 2012 and was hired by a great family company, H.C. Haynes Inc. After working for H.C. Haynes for five years, I decided to come to work for American Forest Management in September of 2016.

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT YOUR WORK?

I enjoy our team atmosphere and the willingness of other coworkers to lend a helping hand whenever needed. I also enjoy working outside and being able to work across our whole state from Machias to Greenville. I enjoy that every day is not the same and working with contractors to problem solve so we can both achieve the same goal.

WHY IS THIS INDUSTRY SO IMPORTANT TO MAINE?

This industry is so important to Maine because of the amount of people that work in the industry, from mills, contractors and land management companies. This industry is also important because we are the most forested state in the United States.

WHAT ADVICE CAN YOU SHARE FOR YOUNG PEOPLE INTERESTED IN THE FORESTRY INDUSTRY?

Advice I would share to young people interested in the forest industry: if you enjoy being outside and like to be part of a team, this industry might be a great fit for you.

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MAINE FOREST PRODUCTS • Bangor Daily News Special Advertising Section • October 29, 2021