INSIDE THE SOCIETY
Have You Visited? Our New Website is Live
Be one of the first to experience the newly updated Forest Products Society website at www.ForestProd.org. Members and journal subscribers can now move more easily between research resources and other features. Not yet a member? Join today!
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Sustainable Disaster Relief Housing Conference Convened in Ottawa, Canada
The Sustainable Disaster Relief Housing Conference, held in Ottawa on October 27 and 28, examined housing crises left in the wake of natural disasters. Earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, drought, flooding, forest fires, and hurricanes all require a rapid response for housing solutions, but these solutions can be complicated by the severity of the occurrence and its location, climatic conditions, and other factors. Nearly 100 attendees heard speakers from aid agencies and suppliers of solutions who were involved in relief efforts following Hurricane Katrina (2005), the Indonesian tsunami (2006), earthquakes in Haiti (2010) and Chile (2011), and Japan's recent catastrophic events following this year's earthquake. Topics covered included building systems available; shipping, delivery, and erection considerations; and the financing and coordination of relief efforts. The conference was organized by the Forest Products Society Eastern Canadian Section and the FPS International Office. Presentations (in PDF format) from the conference are now available for viewing and download
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FPS Strategic Plan Development
Earlier this year, the FPS membership adopted a new Vision and Mission to guide the Society in the future. In order to implement the new direction, the Executive Board has established a task force to develop a long-term strategic plan. The strategic plan will place emphasis on the development of innovative partnerships, greater use of electronic media, enhancements to the marketing and branding of FPS, and development of new revenue sources aligned with the priorities implicit to the new Vision and Mission. Throughout the strategic plan development process, we will be seeking your feedback using the new website, online discussion forums, and a member survey. Stay tuned!
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New Compendium on Woody Biomass Utilization
 Woody Biomass - What is it? How can it be used? Is it a reasonable source of alternative energy? Will it help lower dependence on fossil fuels? What is its impact on climate change? What is its best use? These and many other questions were addressed at the 2009 technical conference sponsored by the Forest Products Society and held at Mississippi State University. This newly published conference proceedings includes more than 30 papers that cover topics ranging from woody biomass availability, physical and chemical properties of woody biomass, thermo-chemical conversion to transportation fuels and electricity, and the social, economic, and market issues that need to be considered when developing woody biomass and bioenergy policies. This book needs to be part of the library of every researcher, policy leader, and business person interested in the potential of woody biomass and finding sustainable utilization solutions. Available on book or CD. Members receive a discount. Get your copy today
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NEW Print Edition of Wood Handbook Available
Order your newly updated Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material today. Due to popular demand, the new edition has been reprinted. This widely referenced publication, updated for the first time this century, includes new content on wood as an environmentally responsible and sustainable building material; heat-treating and sterilization procedures for wood infected by invasive insect species; and a special color chapter on low-magnification micrographs of cross sections of commercial wood species. The book contains an electronic version of the handbook on CD. Order your copy now
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Section Highlight
Pacific Southwest Section Tours Simpson Strong-Tie
 In October, members of the Pacific Southwest Section enjoyed a personal tour of Simpson Strong-Tie's Connector Lab, where they watched corrosion tests in progress, viewed the wood supply and conditioning setup, and witnessed shear tests of some new fasteners (see a video). Their hosts shared an overview of the company and insights into their R&D branch, and provided a delicious lunch during which everyone enjoyed some networking time. Pacific Southwest Section Contact Information
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Research Roundup
Call for Papers: Buying into Sustainability and Wood & Biofiber Science and its Technologies from a Student Perspective to be presented at the IUFRO All Division 5 Forest Products Conference, July 8-13, 2012, Estoril, Portugal
Buying Into Sustainability
This technical session will cover efforts in industrial engineering to develop more sustainable products and processes in the wood products industry, including new materials with lower environmental impact; energy management; industrial waste management; lean thinking practices; reusable and recyclable products; implementation of environmental frameworks, such as ISO 14000; life cycle analysis applications in products, processes, or systems; certification programs integration with business goals; sustainable packaging design; and corporate responsibility initiatives. Case study research and industry experiences welcome!
This session is presented by the Department of Wood Science and Forest Products at Virginia Tech. The submission deadline for abstracts is December 15, 2011. Submit abstracts or questions to Dr. Henry Quesada.
Wood & Biofiber Science and its Technologies from a Student Perspective
Each oral and poster presentation will require a written paper so that oral and posters have equal weight in the published proceedings. A CD containing all session papers will be available for distribution at the session. IUFRO does have some funding available through the Young Scientist Program to supplement funds for students.
This session is presented by SWST and IUFRO D5.14.00 (Forest Products Education Session). The deadline for the submission of abstracts is December 1, 2011. Papers are due March 1, 2012. Submit abstracts to Rupert Wimme and Victoria Herian with a copy to Dave Cown.
Instructions on IUFRO conference submissions.
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