The Resilient Federal Forest Act of 2017 allows for the USDA Forest Service to streamline the process to use sustainable forest practices to help thin federal forest land, thus reducing the fuel that can cause catastrophic wildfires and threats of insect and disease infestation. Revenue produced from responsible timber sales also will help funding for the Forest Service.

"The Louisiana Forestry Association was greatly pleased by the Louisiana congressional delegation's support of the Resilient Federal Forest Act of 2017," LFA Executive Director C.A. "Buck" Vandersteen said. "This Act helps our federal forest partners manage the forest in such a sustainable way to reduce the risk of wildfire and insect infestation not only in Louisiana but across the whole United States. The Act also has provisions to help young people obtain jobs in the logging industry."

In addition to the expedition of sustainable management practices, the Act helps loggers by allowing relatives as young as 16 to operate heavy machinery in the woods, allowing them a chance to learn what is often the family business.

Mother Nature was kind during this fall's Forestry Awareness Week held at the Lake Kincaid East Boat Launch with cool temperatures and dry conditions.

More than 600 fifth-graders from around Rapides Parish ventured out to the woods to learn about forest and its importance to people and the economy.

Special thanks to Rayonier for its sponsorship of the event!

The Forestry community of Louisiana lost Harold LaHaye on Sept. 10, 2017. Harold, who retired in the mid-1980s, was on staff with the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry and handled environmental issues for the forest management division of the department.

Forest Herbicides: New Science & Product Updates is the theme for the Western Gulf Silvicultural Technology Exchange, slated for Thursday, Dec. 14 at the Louisiana Tech-Shreveport Center, 8028 Shrevepark Drive.The conference hopes to provide attendees with silvicultural strategies for success in pine and hardwood stands.The conference also counts as continuing education credit for SAF and Pesticide CEU if requested.

For more information, go to www.wgste.org.