WWPA fall mgeting em phasizes envi ron rfrent

lQpeaking to the Western Wood tJProducts Association, Dr. James Bowyer warned that "in addition to (environmental) misinformation, the public has received a continuous sfrean of one dimensional and incomplete infomntion."

Addrassing the annual fall meeting at Coeur D' Alene, Id., the head of the University of Minnesota Department of Forest Products pointed out that positions presented by environmental groups rarely include the growing need for wood througbout the world, that gatbering and processing of all raw materials has environmental effects, and that effects associated with the harvesting and processing of wood products are slight when compared to all realistic altematives.

"Recycling," he sai( "though very important, is unlikely to reduce demand for primary raw materials below current levels."

His message was in line with environmental product programs the association unveiled at the Sept. 27-30 sessions.

Bowyer pointed out that the world's population is rising rapidly and materials demand is rising accordingly. "Wood," he said, "makes up about one-half of the nation's industrial raw material, yet requires but a small fraction of the energy the others need for their manufactute."

A lack of attention to rationality, realism or global or systenatic analysis has led to environmentally oriented thinking that is seriously flawed, Bowyer explained. He advised his audience to develop pro-active prograrns that capitalize upon the nanral advantages ofwood.

"Get out front by becoming knowledgeable about the environmental advantages of your products and promote those advanrages aggressively. Change practices where you don't have an environmental advantage. Link up with (forest to product) certification programs. Make sure the true, positive facts about North American forests and forestry are lxrown."

Bowyer urged the lumbermen to "take back the moral high ground we so readily conceded to extreme envilgnmsntali5ts. Remind people of the

lpfy a! a Glance

WWPAa market the environmental advantages of wood ... speaker urges lumbermen to "take back moral high ground" lost to extreme environmentalists ... survey and new brochure are first environmentally compatible sales aids.

critical role you are playing in providing affordable shelter to growing populations. Be forthright in pointing out that failure to develop domestic U.S. resources simply transfers environmental impact to other nations and probably magnifies them. And to do that is both unethical and immoral."

WWPA chairman John Shelk announced the development of new marketing priorities to tell the positive environmental story about lumber to customers worldwide. "Suddenly western lumber has an entire new set of marketing advantages it never before has exploited," he said.

WWPA's new marketing program will focus on maintaining current markets while at the same time taking advantage of ttre "green" marketing edge, marketing services committee chairman Tom Lovlien explained. "Wood is the only building material that comes from a renewable resource. It's also the most energy efficient, is fully biodegradable and helps clean the air as it grows. If we can make consumers aware of these properties, we will be able to achally increase demand based solely on our product's environmental compatibility."

The fall issue of Western Lumber Marketing rVews emphasized that environmentalism spells opportunity for lumber marketers and offered a number of sales aids including a survey and a brochure.

Western hardwoods promising

Hardwood is alive and well in the Pacific Northwest with current net annual growth exceeding removals, favorable demand and a two-thirds consumption increase expected by 2010.

A workshop sponsored by the Western Hardwood Association, USDA Forest Service and the Wood Products Center at the World Forestry Center, Portland, Or., Oct.7, stressed profit potential in the western hardwood industry, despite issues of availability and future supply.

Positive points cited: current net annual growth exceeds removal; alder log prices increasing more than 407o since 1980; inventory on private lands not affected by spotted owl reserves; harvest levels over the next 20 years at least as high as current levels.

A $780,000 federal appropriation will fund a Forest Service study and at least 20 other hardwood research projects over the next year. Speakers ftom Woodfold-Marco, Forest Grove, Or., Whinier Wood Products, Eugeng Or., Inland Wood Specialties, Spokane, Wa., and Down River International Forest Products, Woodland, Wa., cited high demand for hardwood products, particulady red alder.

DOMESNC HARDWOODS