AFA NEWSROOM - July 3, 2025

Dothan Firm Makes Cross-Laminated Timber to Bring Strength and Warmth to Buildings

SmartLam North America, in Dothan, can produce 84 million board feet of glulam beams and columns each year.

You may not know what biophilia is, but you’ve probably experienced it. The term means that humans tend to seek connections with nature.

It’s not a word you expect a corporate executive to use, so when SmartLam North America CEO Derek Ratchford brings it up, you can’t help but be intrigued.

SmartLam makes wood construction products at two locations — Dothan and Columbia Falls, Montana.

Full Story Here

AFA is proud to announce its endorsement of Senator Tommy Tuberville for Alabama Governor

“I am grateful to be endorsed by the Alabama Forestry Association,” said Senator Tuberville. “During my time in the Senate, I have worked to support Alabama’s foresters and producers who were hit hard by the Biden administration’s unnecessary regulations that made prices skyrocket. As governor, I will work to cut ridiculous red tape, reduce inflation, and get government out of the way.” The Primary Election will be held Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

2025 AFA Annual Meeting

Registration is OPEN -

Rooms Are Going FAST!

September 7th-9th

We’re heading back to Perdido Beach Resort this September - and we’ve got the whole place to ourselves. From September 7–9, it’ll be wall-to-wall forestry folks, reconnecting and relaxing in one of our favorite spots on the coast.

The Perdido Beach Resort is ALREADY down to extremely limited availability - you must call the hotel directly to make reservations 251-981-9811

It’s all coming together. Are you in?

AFA Annual Meeting

Interested in Sponsoring?

No worries if you’re not locked in yet—there’s still time. Head to the Annual Meeting site to check out our full list of 2025 sponsorship opportunities.

Looking to add a little extra fun to your time at the beach during the AFA Annual Meeting?

Check out these exciting “Fun for a Cause” opportunities hosted by the Alabama Forestry Foundation during this year’s AFA Annual Meeting! Whether you're teeing off for education or tearing into shrimp Sunday night at AFF's Low County Boil after the opening reception, every ticket supports AFF's mission to grow the next generation of Alabama's next of forest stewards.

Click each graphic below to learn more. You can add these events when completing your meeting registration or you can also purchase tickets separately!

September 7th

Sunday Night - AFF Low Country Boil Fundraiser - after the AFA Annual Meeting Opening Reception - Shuttles available to and from the Gulf State Park Pavilion.

September 8th

Monday Afternoon -

14th Annual Sunburn

Classic Golf Tournament

Shuttle available to and from the Peninsula Golf &

Racquet Club.

AFA Connect

Resumes

August 21, 2025

Mark your calendar to join us for AFA Connect on Thursday, August 21, 2025, as the Forest Workforce Training Institute shares their presentation on ForestryWorks®. No AFA Connect programs will be held in June or July. Happy Summer!

Secure Your Spot

Valued for timber and wildlife, oaks (Quercus spp.) face many regeneration challenges in the eastern United States. Decades of fire suppression have produced favorable conditions for tree species that grow well in humid climates, such as maples, and less favorable conditions for species that thrive under drier conditions, such as oaks. The Hoosier National Forest in southern Indiana noticed a lack of oak advance regeneration in the 2010s, when long-term research showed that clearcut harvests performed in the 1980s, which were intended to regenerate oak, were now more dominated by red maple, tulip tree, poplar, and black cherry.

AFF & Partners are Hosting Upcoming Events Across the State

Curious about how Prescribed Fire can enhance the health of your woodlands? The Alabama Forestry Foundation and its partners invite you to register for upcoming Learn & Burn events. Keep checking back - we will be adding more events across the state!

🔥 Hands-on learning

🌿 Expert insights

📍 Multiple locations – more counties coming soon!

Visit our events page to learn more about that county's upcoming Learn & Burn and secure your spot today!

Events Calendar

What’s the Story With April 2025 Southern Pine Exports?

April 2025 Southern Pine lumber exports (treated and untreated) were up 22.7% over the same month in 2024 at 57.4 MMBF and up 34.8% over March 2025, according to April 2025 data from the USDA’s Foreign Agriculture Services’ Global Agricultural Trade System.

Year-to-date exports, however, are running 4% behind the same period in 2024 at 179.7 MMBF.

View the Full Article

Online CE Available For PLM & CFE

Still need CFE hours? Check out AFA's online CE Classes available for CFE & PLM credit.... 2024 Bundle (5 Hours) is still available. Click the link below to see all the classes available.

AFA Online Education