News & Events

Mark your calendars for this spring’s 2024 LEAP Update and 3-Day LEAP courses.

The Logger Education to Advance Professionalism (LEAP) program is a nationally acclaimed University of Idaho Extension program. It began at the request of loggers who want to improve their skills, document and market their services and communicate more effectively with family forest owners and managers. Credits are available to participants to fulfill continuing education requirements of the Idaho Pro-Logger Program.

Please note that you must register through the University of Idaho. Registration and additional details will be available soon at https://www.uidaho.edu/extension/forestry/programs. Below are dates and locations for this spring’s LEAP courses.

LEAP Update Course:
March 5 – Lewis-Clark State College Williams Conference Center, Room 801-899, 4th Street, Lewiston, Idaho
March 6 – Coeur d’Alene
March 7 – Bonners Ferry

3-Day LEAP Course:
April 23 to 25 – Moscow, Idaho
April 30 to May 2 – Post Falls, Idaho
Possible third class TBD

Questions? Please contact the UI Extension nearest to you:
Moscow/Lewiston – (208) 885-7718
Kootenai County – (208) 292-2525
Boundary County – (208) 267-3235

The Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association (C-PTPA) is offering Equipment Operator Fire Training from 8 a.m. to Noon April 10, 2024. There will be a light work capacity test (1 mile walk in 16 minutes) to follow the classroom instruction. Training will be held at the Best Western Lodge at River’s Edge, 615 Main St., in Orofino, Idaho.

Register at https://cptpa.com/ by April 5. A flyer with additional information is available HERE.

TAG TIME: Idaho Truckers Encouraged to Change Vehicle Tag Expirations. MORE HERE

HEATED DEBATE: Should the U.S. keep old trees around to store carbon or cut them down? MORE HERE

SMOKE AND FIRE: Risch, Crapo, Daines push Biden administration to protect communities from dangers of wildfire smoke, increase active forest management. MORE HERE

SPOKES-BEAR: Smokey Bear turning 80 years old in 2024. MORE HERE

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NORTH IDAHO: Thousands of Northwest jobs could come from new Forest Service plan. MORE HERE

FOREST PLAN: Nez Perce Clearwater National Forest shrinks Great Burn Wilderness. MORE HERE

RESPITE: Why this year’s quiet U.S. wildfire season could be one of our last. MORE HERE

NEZ PERCE-CLEARWATER NATIONAL FORESTS: Forest Service unveils its game plan. MORE HERE

COMMENTARY: Who makes public land laws, Congress or the president? MORE HERE

THIRTY MILLION DOLLARS: Canada lynx recovery plan for populations in Lower 48 released for comment. MORE HERE

FINAL RULE: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announces North American wolverine receives federal protection as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. MORE HERE

PUBLIC LANDS: Salmon-Challis National Forest Supervisor named. MORE HERE

WILDFIRE POLICY: Have we run out of time? MORE HERE

CONSERVATION EASEMENTS: Inland Empire Paper Co. seeking millions from feds to maintain ‘working forests’ as development pressure builds. MORE HERE

USDA: Forest Service seeks public comment on proposed policy for monitoring health of national forests and grasslands. MORE HERE

EVERGREEN FOUNDATION: Timber Wars Redux. MORE HERE

OPINION: Idaho LAUNCH is Putting Idaho Students First. MORE HERE

Are you struggling to find and retain the best entry-level talent for your business? Do traditional hiring and interviewing methods leave you frustrated and dissatisfied with the results? The Forest Resources Association has the solution you’ve been searching for. Registration is now open for FRA’s virtual seminar: “Recruiting and Retaining Entry-Level Employees in a Manufacturing and Industrial Environment: A New Approach for Continuous Results.” During the two-hour session you can learn the most effective strategies for creating ideal candidates, discovering the best talent, and reimagining the interview process. The webinar begins at 11 a.m. PST/Noon MST on Tuesday, December 5. Participation is limited, so register today at https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0tcuigqj8uG90M2fRweCLvKrg5DZCkQBn3#/registration

This training qualifies for Idaho Pro-Logger credits!

VIDEO: A multi-generation logging family committed to sustainability, productivity and regeneration. MORE HERE

DRIVERS NEEDED: There’s a high demand for truck drivers in Idaho; jobs that can pay up to 6-figures. MORE HERE

WILDFIRES: Gray and Oregon Road fires were among the most destructive in Washington history. MORE HERE

AWARENESS: American Loggers Council launches a nationwide campaign to promote a positive image of logging and logging businesses. MORE HERE

NOW HIRING: Sun Mountain finalizes purchase of R-Y Timber. MORE HERE

ALC-Idaho has opened registration for 2024 Logger First Aid & Safety Training. Please encourage your entire crew (and their spouses) to attend this valuable class. OSHA and the State of Idaho Logging Safety regulations require that all workers in the woods participate in Logger First Aid & Safety Training every year. This class is also a required component of the Idaho Pro-Logger continuing education program.

Several classes are being offered throughout the state between March 5 and April 10 with morning and afternoon options for many dates and locations.

Check-in for morning classes is at 7:30 a.m. with training from 8 a.m. to noon. Check-in for afternoon classes is at 12:30 p.m. with training from 1 to 5 p.m. Pre-registration is required. (See below for a step-by-step registration guide).

If you arrive later than 15 minutes after the class starts, you are welcome to stay, but you will not be issued a certificate of completion. Also, if you do not pick up your certificate at the end of class you will not be listed as completing the class.

Pre-register HERE. You can also call Jolene or Julie at (208) 667-6473 or email jolene@idahologgers.com or julie@idahologgers.com.

FIRST TIME USERS, PLEASE READ: If this is your first time logging in to our member training page, you will need to click “Log In” and then select “Forgot Your Password.” Enter your work email address and you will receive an email with a user name and temporary password. You will be able to reset your password once you log in. If your email address is not recognized, you can either register as a member of the public or email Jolene at jolene@idahologgers.com for user name and password assistance.

TIMBERLAND OWNER: Manulife raises $224.5 million to buy forests for carbon. MORE HERE

MANLEY JOBS: Teacher’s YouTube series provides hands-on learning for forestry jobs. MORE HERE

HEALTHY FORESTS: The Forest Service’s carbon dilemma: Carbon capture on national forests or sustainable forestry? MORE HERE

HONEST ASSESSMENT: Truck driver destroys entire EV narrative in under 2 minutes. MORE HERE