Innovation is Fueling Maine’s Forest Products Industry
Sen. Susan Collins: Throughout Maine’s history, our forest products industry has helped drive local economies and sustain rural communities. As the economy changes, this vital industry is evolving to meet the challenges of the 21st century. I have seen firsthand this evolution around our state in recent months. In addition, they are the hosts for our increasingly important recreation economy and uphold the Maine tradition of public access to private lands.
Let's celebrate our $8 billion industry!
“Maine's Working Forest: Take Another Look” will be the Council’s focus as we celebrate Maine Forest Products Week October 20-26 in conjunction with National Forest Products Week. This is a terrific opportunity to let our neighbors across Maine know the industry is rebounding and that forest industry impacts are felt in every county across our state.
Do you recognize the boy in this logging truck?
This youngster is about to take part in a 1984 parade through Augusta in honor of National Forest Products Week. Today he is president of one of Maine's best known forest products companies.
PLT and SFI celebrate Earth Day with Girl Scouts
The Girl Scouts of Maine extended an invitation to PLT and SFI to celebrate Earth Day with them at L.L. Bean in Freeport. "My impression of the Girl Scouts is that they were a very engaging and interested group," said Pat Sirois, SFI Maine coordinator."Despite the sometimes heavy wind and rains, they stood there eager to learn that it’s OK to harvest a tree and that bigger is better when it comes to stream crossings."
Intro to mechanical engineering
We often hear that students in northern Maine may no longer see job opportunities in the forests, with wood and with wood products. If that's true, it may be because students don't heard about the wind turbines, bridges, composites, pulp and paper, health and engineering research. Fortunately Project Learning Tree's statewide network includes outstanding teachers who seek to bring the best of Maine to their students.
A full house at MFPC's Legislative Breakfast
At the MFPC breakfast Jan. 29, legislators heard reports from MFPC members on key sectors of the industry, including pulp and paper, sawmils and logging, and got a copy of our new Special Report, Understanding public access to working forests.
KMF Forum
About 60 Participants attended a Keeping Maine's Forests (KMF) recreation forum at MFPC Nov. 9, which was designed to encourage a conversation between landowners and those who depend on access to private land so that everyone is aware of existing and emerging issues, and also to foster stronger relationships.
Outstanding! The best of 2018
Each year, the Maine Forest Products Council asks its members to select outstanding individuals from the forest products community who excel in their professions. Find out what Brian Souers, Mark Doty, Jim Nicols, Vern Labbe, Ken Laustsen, Sarah Medina and Robert Linkletter are doing right.
Importance of forest products industry to Maine's economy
Last spring MFPC added one question to the Critical Insights on Maine survey, a comprehensive, statewide public opinion survey of registered voters, which has been documenting the attitudes, perceptions, and preferences of Maine’s residents for more than 20 years. “On a scale from 1 to 7, how important to Maine’s economy is the state’s forest products industry? (1 not at all important to 7 very important).”
What's up with Maine's white pine?
Ken Laustsen, biometrician for the Maine Forest Service, reported on the status of white pine at the MFPC Board meeting Nov. 9, saying “Eastern White Pine is still ranked statewide as #3 in total live merchantable volume and #1 in sawtimber volume,” Laustsen said. “Over the last 20 years, concerns have been occasionally raised about the status and prospects of this species.The presentation addresses both issues, looking at the forest type’s core area and the broader statewide trends.”
After a dark decade, secondary wood manufacturing rebounds
Secondary wood manufacturing once played an enormous role in Maine’s rural economy, with mills in many towns across the state. Then from roughly 1998 to 2008, a flood of imports put many mills out of business. In 2003 alone about a dozen closed. But the survivors learned how to survive in global markets and their industry is now growing again.
Check out Maine's budworm website
A new spruce budworm website, designed to be a comprehensive communications outreach tool and resource for the coming outbreak in Maine, has been launched by a statewide task force.The website provides facts about the natural cycle of the budworm, current information regarding the approach and potential impacts of the next outbreak, an historical backdrop, and interactive maps on current outbreak status and citizen science. It also includes an interactive Q&A on the site, and the ability to request experts to ...
Amazing lynx photos
MFPC just sent comments, reports and photos regarding the Canada lynx status review. Foresters working for a number of MFPC members in the northern forests are seeing a lot of lynx. Even if you just want to look at the great pictures of beautiful lynx, this report is worth a look.
Maine's 'Battle of the Budworm'
Most Mainers barely recall the last spruce budworm infestation, when the northern forests turned red as they came under attack. Nor do they realize how budworm has shaped Maine’s history, economy, laws and culture. But those who lived through the 1970s outbreak are watching with dismay as another outbreak heads our way. They vividly remember the devastation, including moth flights “so severe that they literally had to be scraped off the road with snow plows.”
Join us!
Since 1961, the Maine Forest Products Council has been the voice of Maine's forest economy, including landowners, paper mills, sawmills, wood pellet plants, biomass energy plants, loggers, truckers, primary and secondary wood processors, and related service industries. The primary purpose of the Council is to provide a supportive economic and public policy climate for the forest products community and promote a healthier, more vital forestry sector.About MFPC
Since 1961, the Maine Forest Products Council has been the voice of Maine’s forest economy. The MFPC represents the diverse needs of Maine’s forest products community. Our members are landowners, loggers, truckers, paper mills, tree farmers, foresters and lumber processors, but they are also bankers, lawyers and insurance executives. We feel we represent anyone who has an interest in seeing the Maine woods remain a viable, sustainable resource.
We serve our community by gathering information, bringing groups together to discuss concerns, hosting events, conducting tours and helping people find common ground.
We represent our members at the Maine Legislature, across the state, in Washington D.C. and across the nation.
The MFPC Board is very active, and holds weekly policy teleconferences during each legislative session to discuss legislation of interest and arrive at a position.
Thank landowners for recreation opportunities
Forest products industry has much to celebrate!
After some of the toughest years in the long history of Maine’s forest products industry, a new, stronger forest economy is emerging. Just a back-of-the-envelope tally shows investments of about $1 billion is revitalizing our industry. Read more.
Calendar of Events
There are no events to displayOutstanding! MFPC honors the best of 2019
Alex Ingraham presents Nutting award to John McNulty.
Albert D. Nutting Award: John McNulty, retired, Seven Islands
Abby Holman Public Service Award, Steve Schley, retired, Pingree Associates
President’s Award: Dr. Aaron Weiskittel, University of Maine
Outstanding Manufacturer: ND Paper
A 59-year-old mystery
Why has Maine, with one of the nation’s oldest forest product industries, only celebrated Forest Products Week twice in the past six decades? And why did the state celebrate in 1984 and 1985?
The 34-year gap between celebrations came to light because the Maine Forest Products Council (MFPC) asked Gov. Janet Mills to proclaim Oct. 21-26, 2019 as Maine Forest Products Week. Read more.
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As Baby Boomers retire, jobs are opening up in Maine’s forests. Do you have what it takes to work in the largest contiguous privately owned working forest in the U.S.? Decide after you’ve watched this video.
With thanks and appreciation for the Pacific Forest Foundation, creator of the original, award-winning “This Is My Office” video, which inspired our Maine version.