AFA NEWSROOM - January 31, 2025

Auburn University Architecture Students Explore Alabama's Dedication to Sustainable Wood Innovation

AFA, AFF & ForestryWorks® with the support of the AL Sustainable Forestry Initiative, recently teamed up with the AU College of Architecture, Design and Construction to host students from the AU School of Architecture on our annual Sustainable Wood Building Products Tour.

The day began with a visit to an active logging site, guided by experts from Green Diamond, Smurfit Westrock, AFA & AFF - where students witnessed sustainable forestry practices in action. Next, they headed to SmartLam, gaining valuable insights into the manufacturing of cross-laminated timber (CLT) and glulam—two cutting-edge materials transforming sustainable mass timber construction.

This immersive experience showcased wood’s incredible potential as an eco-friendly, versatile material, inspiring the next generation of architects to integrate sustainable design into their future projects.

Don’t miss the action! View the full tour in our Flickr album by clicking the link below!

Take a Look!

Commentary: SC Paper Mill Closures Threaten Timber Industry and Conservation Goals

International Paper’s announcement of the impending closure of the Georgetown paper mill follows on the heels of the closure of the WestRock paper mill in North Charleston as well as other shutdowns and reductions in paper manufacturing across the Southeast. While some may celebrate fewer trucks on the road or the fading of a mill's distinct odor, a healthy forest products industry is imperative for the conservation of special places, a hallmark of South Carolina’s values and culture.

In short, if you find the green spaces made possible by our state's forests important, it’s time to listen.

2025 Public Policy Seminar

The Public Policy Seminar was just the start of all the great things to come in 2025! We had the largest turnout yet at this year’s seminar. We are so thankful for all of our speakers who make our seminar so fun and educational. We are also thankful for the public officials who take the time to understand our industry’s issues and needs. We are excited for the upcoming legislative session and we look forward to being a part of the great things Alabama will continue to accomplish!

Special thanks to our sponsors:

Seminar sponsor: Alabama Policy Institute

Policy sponsor: Americans for Prosperity- Alabama

Session sponsors: Alabama Community College System

& Resource Management Service

See More From The Grand!

AFA Connect

February 20, 2025

Join AFA Connect at 11:00 am CST on Thursday, February 20, 2025, to learn about the Alabama Drought Reach Program from Program Manager Brianne Minton. The Alabama Drought Reach Program focuses on increasing drought communication and impact reporting in Alabama, with the hopes of improving overall drought literacy throughout the state. Brianne also works as the liaison between the Alabama Office of the State Climatologist and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. Earn one CFE/PLM hour.

U.S. Housing Starts Outlook, Q1 2025 Update

The U.S. economy is currently on stable footing. Inflation remained close to 3% in 2024, down from its post-pandemic peak of over 7%. Unemployment rose only 3 tenths of a percentage point throughout 2024, remaining close to 4%. In response to growing signs of disinflation and an uptick in unemployment, the Federal Reserve lowered interest rates in the second half of 2024. However, the price of 30-year fixed home loans remains high at around 7%. Despite this disconnect between the Fed’s policy rate and mortgage rates, the housing sector proved resilient. Housing starts in 2024 totaled 1.364 million units (1.3% higher than Forisk’s year-end estimate and 0.7% lower than our Q1 2024 outlook), representing a 4% drop from 2023.

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!

Click on an image below to learn more about that county's upcoming Learn & Burn and secure your spot today!

Calhoun County

February 24th - 28th

Henry County

February 24th - 28th

Shelby County

March 3rd - 7th

Walmart’s New Home – Massive Timber Project Shatters Records

It’s official. Walmart’s “Home Office,” North America’s largest mass timber campus ever constructed, is officially open for business. The enormous project—which used more than 1.5 million cubic feet of timber in its construction—even resulted in the world’s largest retailer acquiring a major share in a mass timber factory to bring the Arkansas headquarters to life.

“Today marks a moment I’ve been dreaming about for years,” said Cindi Marsiglio, the Senior Vice President of Walmart’s Corporate Real Estate division, adding that after lots of planning, groundbreaking ceremonies and hard hat tours, “we’re celebrating the opening of our New Home Office campus in Bentonville. And wow, what a place it is."

Online CE Available For PLM & CFE

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

AFA Online Education