News & Events

Don’t forget to register for ALC-Idaho’s 4th Annual Safety Conference. This year the half-day event will take place at the Moscow Best Western University Inn on Saturday, November 19.

Room reservations for Friday, November 18 can be made by calling 208-882-0550 and asking for the Idaho Logging Contractors room block. A room with 2 Queen beds is $ 124.99 + tax and with 1 King bed is $ 114.99. Reservations must be made by November 1 to secure a room and a rate.

Topics for this year include a refresher on how to contact State Comm in an emergency, the risks of complacency, OSHA inspection and citation trends and new regulations coming soon, how to recognize drug use and what to know about the increase in fentanyl deaths and what you need to do to stay safe, and more.

Registration and a FREE breakfast start at 7 a.m. The conference starts at 8 a.m. and concludes at noon. The conference is eligible for Idaho Pro Logger credits. This year’s door prizes include a Smith & Wesson 9mm M&P Shield EZ RANGE KIT and a Savage 110 30-06 with Bushnell 3-9×40 scope. View or download the event flyer HERE for more information and photos of the firearms.

Register online HERE.

Here’s your Weekly WrapUp of industry news! Stay informed! Stay Logger Strong!

CARBON CONUNDRUM: Researchers say unmanaged forests now emit more CO2 than they absorb. More HERE

STOKE THE FIRE: Faced with gas shortages, more Europeans are looking to wood to heat their homes this winter. More HERE

RECORD-BREAKING BRIDGE: The world’s largest timber-towered suspension bridge is opening this fall in Michigan. More HERE 

MARKET NEWS: Lumber prices are at a 2022 low as the housing market has cooled and mortgage rates soar. More HERE

TRUCKING CHALLENGES: Truck Loggers Association President Aaron Service asks: How much longer can contractors carry on with labor shortages, extreme weather, supply chain and permit issues? More HERE

Stay informed! Stay #LoggerStrong!

SIP ON THIS: A new Forest Service research report describes how extensively public drinking water systems rely on national forests and grasslands. More HERE.

TRUCK TO SUCCESS: Interested in becoming an owner-operator? Check out the Truck to Success Course, set for Oct. 24-27 in Blue Springs, Mo. More HERE.

LOOKS LIKE PLASTIC, ACTS LIKE PLASTIC: Canadian researchers have repurposed cellulose from scrap wood into a biodegradable film that mimics plastic. More HERE.

SHOOT TO WIN: Students ages 14-18 could win up to $1,000 in the Thru the Trees Forest Careers Video Contest. More HERE.

The Idaho Prescribed Fire Council is offering free online Smoke and Piles Training. Register online at IdahoRxFire.org

Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), James Risch (R-ID), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Angus King (I-ME), and Steven Daines (R-MT) introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing October 12th, 2022 as National Loggers Day. The Senate resolution highlights the many contributions and economic benefits of the logging industry in the United States.

“I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort with Senator Collins to spotlight the importance of logging businesses and workers who keep our forests healthy and support our Made in America forest products supply chain,” said Senator Baldwin. “Wisconsin’s logging economy provides good-paying jobs and revenue for rural communities and the National Park System. Healthy forest management also provides public recreational opportunities that make the Wisconsin way of life a national treasure. With this bipartisan Senate Resolution, we are showing our commitment to the loggers who work hard to advance what has been a cultural tradition in the United States for centuries.”

“Throughout Maine’s history, our forest products industry has supported good-paying jobs, driven local economies, strengthened rural communities, and protected our natural environment. I come from a six-generation forest-products family and know of no other enterprise that requires more faith in the future and respect for the past,” said Senator Collins. “I am proud to join Senator Baldwin in honoring the skilled and resilient loggers in Maine and across the country. I have strongly supported these hardworking men and women by advocating for workforce development programs and securing financial assistance during the pandemic, and I look forward to continuing to be a strong partner on issues to protect this resilient industry and its talented employees.” – American Loggers Council

Senate Resolution 789

Designating October 12, 2022 as “National Loggers Day”.

Whereas, the logging industry has served as an economic driver and cultural tradition in the United States for centuries;

Whereas, the logging industry creates rural jobs and provides revenue for local and state governments, and ;

Whereas, loggers provide renewable material for products used by Americans every day;

Whereas, loggers are the first link in the $300 billion domestic forest products supply chain;

Whereas, loggers are the means by which healthy forest management plans are accomplished;

Whereas, logging provides for healthy forests that maintain our vital animal habitats;

Whereas, logging provides for healthy forests which protect our watersheds;

Whereas, logging provides for healthy forests which sequester carbon;

Whereas, logging provides for healthy forests which provide public recreational opportunities;

Whereas, logging provides for healthy forests which reduce loss of life and property from wildfires;

Whereas, logging provides for healthy forests through regeneration, including planting 2.5 billion trees annually.

Download the Resolution HERE: National Loggers Day Resolution

Join Heather Heward from the Idaho Prescribed Fire Council for the Fall 2022 “Know Your Fuels, Know Your Fire” Workshop. The workshop aims to provide landowners and managers with training to understand their current fuel conditions and the ability to measure change after treatment. The workshop runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, at Turnbull Wildlife Refuge in Cheney, Washington.

Participants will meet local land managers and hear about the goals and objectives of a fuels treatment project. Topics explored during the workshop include the process of how to set up a plan for monitoring and review the methods for photo point, fire behavior fuel model selection, fuel loading, and basic stand measurements. Participants will then collect data, compile it and share it with the land manager.

Cost is $65 to attend, plus $60 for optional supplies (sampling frame/field guides). Register for the workshop HERE.

Recommended pre-work includes Introduction to the Photoload Sampling Technique and Understanding and Selecting Fire Behavior Fuel Models. Register for pre-work courses at https://wildlandfirelearningportal.net/

From the Idaho Pro-Logger Desk: Credit opportunities for the remainder of 2022 are limited, however there are still some opportunities out there! North Idaho College has a virtual option available, as well as our 4^th Annual Safety Conference, just to name a few. If you have any questions regarding any of these options, or if you saw another opportunity elsewhere and want to see if it would qualify for credits, send us an email with the class information prior to the class starting to julie@idahologgers.com .

North Idaho College Workforce Training Center: Effective Communication in the Workplace – October 4. Online. 3 IPL credits. Register here or call 208-769-3333

North Idaho College Workforce Training Center: Flagger Certification – Oct. 12, Nov. 9, Dec. 14. 6 IPL credits. All classes are being held at the Workforce Training Center in Post Falls https://www.nic.edu/websites/default.aspx?dpt=217&pageId=13400 or call 208-769-3333

4^th Annual ALC Safety Conference – Nov. 19 at Best Western University Inn, Moscow. 4 IPL credits. Register here.

University of Idaho: Forestry Shortcourse – Nov. 1, 8, 15, 29 and Dec. 6 and 13 at the University of Idaho – Post Falls Extension Office. 18 IPL credits (must attend all days). Call 208-446-1680 or email kootenai@uidaho.edu

For up-to-date info on Idaho Pro-Logger credit opportunities and other training, visit https://www.idahologgers.com/training-info/

Stay informed with our weekly industry news update:

PUBLIC LANDS:  Idaho County Commission Chairman Skip Brandt has been appointed to the National Association of Counties public lands steering committee. More HERE

HEADS UP, HUNTERS: Hunters using July Creek Road north of St. Anthony may experience increased traffic as a timber harvest gets under way. More HERE

TIMBER SALE: Idaho’s Department of Lands is auctioning 12.7 million board feet of timber on Sept. 22. More on the Second Goat Cedar timber sale HERE (Sign up for notifications on upcoming sales HERE)

THIN FOR THE WIN: Cal Fire says fuel reduction work limited Placer County fire’s spread. More HERE

CLT TRENDING: With inclusion in building codes and insurance coverage, U.S. builders may soon begin using cross-laminated timber more frequently in residential and commercial projects. More HERE

Stay informed! Stay #LoggerStrong!

OFF-KEY SINGER: Idaho resident and singer Carole King is calling for an end to commercial timber harvests on federal land, but it’s unclear what makes her an expert on forestry. Read more from Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities HERE 

TRUCKING SIMULATOR: A Truck Driving Simulator co-sponsored by the ALC-Idaho and Idaho Trucking Association is available to visit high schools. The goal is to encourage more high school students to enter the trucking industry. Read more HERE

REAL CONSERVATIONISTS: Know the difference between conservationists and anti-forestry advocates, writes Nick Smith/Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities. More HERE

MARKET NEWS: After a steep drop, North American lumber prices have somewhat recovered. More HERE

The Associated Logging Contractors of Idaho and Idaho Trucking Association have teamed to sponsor a Truck Driving Simulator to encourage high school students to consider a career in trucking.

DID YOU KNOW?

• Wages for Idaho’s trucking industry exceeded $2 billion in 2020, with an average salary of $47,034.
• One in 15 Idaho jobs is in trucking.
• Truck driving is one of the most in-demand careers.

The ALC-Idaho and Idaho Trucking Association are bringing the Truck Driving Simulator to high schools free of charge. This exciting program exposes students to a safe, virtual truck driving experience and also helps them understand how to share the road with trucks while in their own car.

In order to make efficient use of our resources, we require a minimum of 50 students per school. Students must be 15 or older to participate. If a school has fewer than 50 students, it may be possible to combine a visit with another nearby school.

To request the simulator for your school, visit https://idtrucking.org/simulator/

Questions? Call (208) 342-3521 or email office@idtrucking.org