Forestry forum planned at Bangor restaurant

BANGOR – The Forest Resources Association Inc., Northeastern Technical Division, will hold an Industrial Forestry Forum from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, April 5, at Pilots Grill.

After a 5:30-6:30 p.m. cash bar social hour, dinner will be served from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Sandy Brawders, executive director of Professional Logging Contractors of Maine, will be the guest speaker from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. He will speak on the Master Logger Program.

The growing trend in green certification of landowners and forest product companies is inspired by the belief that it is only a matter of time before the customer demonstrates a willingness to pay a premium for products derived from responsibly managed forests.

Not to be left out in this potential market windfall, logging industry leaders have recently conceived a new program called the Master Logger Program. Unlike a logger-training program, however, the Master Logger Program is about recognition of a logger’s actions on the ground. MLP-certified loggers would have demonstrated their commitment to sustainable forestry by adhering to 12 guiding principles that protect water quality, wildlife habitat, forest regeneration and a host of other values. The ultimate intent of the MLP is to provide loggers with another means to distinguish themselves in their relationships with landowners, foresters and mills.

The first “cohort” of 35 Maine loggers has already been signed up and is undergoing field audits within the next few months. A graduation ceremony is expected in July.

The Industrial Forestry Forum is open to everyone and Forest Resources Association membership is encouraged, but not required. Dinner costs range from $16.50 to $20, depending on choice and is paid for at the door. For information, contact Patrick Hackley, division forester, at 622-3705.

The forum will be underwritten by Georgia-Pacific Corp.