Global Connections. Regional Roots. September 2018
To Create and Inspire Champions of Sustainable Forestry
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From Joseph Furia, Executive Director
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September is my favorite month of the year. It is in this month that I spend the most time in the woods. High in the mountains, the elk’s high-pitched bugle bids farewell to the heat of Summer and welcomes in the chilled mornings of Fall. This place, at this time, feels like home.
Long ago I decided that if I cared how forests are managed then I must spend most of my time in the city. Society, most of which live in urban centers away from forests, will decide the future of forestry.
The founders of the World Forestry Center understood this over 50 years ago and sought to educate and inform society on the importance of forests and forestry whether through conferences, the international fellowship program, or museum exhibits.
Now, in my first month as this organization’s Executive Director, I stand on their shoulders and I seek to learn from their experience. Over the coming months I will be reaching out and listening to the community of the World Forestry Center. People are our greatest asset and, with your help, I believe this organization can continue to play a central role in the future of sustainable forestry for the next 50 years.
So, this October come to an event
(
The Hagenstein Lectures
are on October 14th and
Cultivating Talent
is on October 25th
),
drop by the Discovery Museum on a rainy day, and reach out and let us know what you are thinking. I look forward to it.
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Forestry Leadership Hall Spotlight
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In 1971, the World Forestry Center began a tradition of honoring those pioneers who have contributed significantly to the advancement of forestry. This month we are honored to spotlight A.A. "Red" Emmerson and Sierra Pacific Industries.
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Above: Red (center) with sons Mark and George in the early 1990s.
Below: The RH Emmerson & Son sawmill in Aracta, CA (circa 1960’s).
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A.A. “Red” Emmerson always believed he was “just an ordinary man who loves the lumber business.” That love and his deeply ingrained work ethic took Red from a Northern California sawmill worker in the 1940s to the formation of the RH Emmerson & Son business partnership with his father R.H. “Curly” Emmerson to the establishment of Sierra Pacific Industries. Today Sierra Pacific Industries is a third-generation, family-owned forest products company. Sierra Pacific is the largest US private timberland owner, and among the top US lumber producers and fastest-growing wood windows manufacturer.
SPI’s success can be attributed to Red’s foresight and perseverance, as well as that of his sons George and Mark who have also been at his side leading the company for more than twenty years. Sierra Pacific has more than 5,000 crew members in California, Washington, Wisconsin, and across the U.S. who are sustainably managing nearly 2 million acres of forests; operating 14 sawmills, seven renewable biomass cogeneration energy facilities and several millwork and other value-added facilities; and producing windows and doors.
A key part of SPI’s success has been the Emmersons’ commitment to continually invest in the sawmills, which keeps the company among the most efficient in the industry. Operations have begun at their new state-of-the art sawmill in Shelton, Washington – one of the largest stud mills in North America. They also reinvest in their existing mills, including a complete rebuild underway at their sawmill in Burney, California. SPI’s own fabrication and technology teams are building much of the equipment and operating software used in the company’s manufacturing processes.
SPI is providing this same level of innovation and dedication to the sustainable, long-term management of their forestlands. A team of professional foresters and researchers manage today’s forests to ensure SPI’s forests
provide timber, wildlife habitat, water quality, recreational opportunities, and other forest values not just for today, but for future generations. SPI is developing forest carbon projects; nearly 780,000 carbon credits were issued in 2017 and several more projects are in the pipeline.
In these pursuits, they remain committed to their people and operating communities. The Sierra Pacific Foundation has contributed nearly $10 million to local youth and community programs since its inception in 1979. In addition, the Foundation has awarded more than $7 million in education
scholarships. Red’s daughter, Carolyn Dietz, serves as Foundation president, following in the footsteps of her mother who led the foundation for many years.
The Emmersons are preparing future company leaders. Several members of the fourth generation are working in various positions across the organization. Sierra Pacific continues to develop their people and create career opportunities for those that demonstrate the same work ethic that Red has modeled since the beginning.
At 89, Red remains very engaged in the company and says he is “very optimistic about the future of Sierra Pacific.”
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The Emmersons today: Carolyn Emmerson Dietz, Red, Mark and George.
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SPI’s newest state-of-the-art sawmill in Shelton, Washington.
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We invite you to visit the Forestry Leadership Hall located on the second floor of the Discovery Museum. For more information
click here
.
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World Forest Institute News and Updates
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On October 2 another group of WFI Fellows will be concluding their Fellowship program! Farewell to our international visitors and best of luck on your future leadership endeavors.
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Now Accepting Applications for the 2019 World Forest Institute International Fellowship Program
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The Fellowship is a six-month professional development program designed to help take careers to the next level. F
ellows will join a global cohort of professionals in weekly study tours around the Pacific Northwest learning how natural resources are managed in this part of the world. We are looking for motivated professionals who want to explore, expand their knowledge and networks, and engage with others in forestry. Fellowships are open to any country, including U.S. citizens.
There is one scholarship available for an outstanding candidate for the 2019 program!
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Watch the video to hear and see more about the program from past fellows and the program manager, Shadia Duery.
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Calendar of Events and Conferences
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Emerging Voices in Forestry
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Sunday, October 14
1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Cheatham Hall, World Forestry Center
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The World Forestry Center and Society of American Foresters invite you to join us for The Hagenstein Lectures. We are honored to introduce Emerging Voices in Forestry, with speakers all under the age of 45.
Join us in welcoming these new leaders working at the forefront of social, economic, and environmental change. Craft beer, wine, food, new friends, provocative ideas, great conversation.
Event is FREE with registration, advance tickets required.
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Cultivating Talent: Workforce Strategies in the Forest and Natural Resource Sectors
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Thursday, October 25
7:30 am - 6:00 pm
Miller Hall, World Forestry Center
Cultivating talent in the forest sector is a critical, yet increasingly challenging priority, with various factors driving systemic changes in both the skill sets needed and the workforce demographic. Pending retirements, generational trends, the technological wave, and competition from outside forestry are changing the way we recruit, retain, and retrain our workforce.
This one-day event will showcase a spectrum of successful talent and workforce models from across the sector to connect the dots, narrow the gaps, and assist natural resource employers in securing and retaining the talent they will require in the future.
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(to take advantage of discounted rate, register before September 29)
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This event was made possible through
generous support from The Collins Foundation.
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For more information about the World Forestry Center, please contact
Wendy Mitchell, Development and Community Relations Director
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