Gov. Mills announces $20 million to support forest economy and rural communities
“The Council applauds Governor Mills’ Jobs and Recovery Plan Initiative focused on Maine’s forest resource economy,” said Patrick Strauch, executive director of the Maine Forest Products Council. “It’s critical to make all sectors of our industry whole after COVID so we can continue our efforts to build a more diversified and resilient economy as global demand for more climate friendly wood-based products grows. Governor Mills knows how important our forest industry is to rural Maine communities and our workers, and ...
What a fantastic experience, says new UMaine dean
By Jim Britt, Director of Communications, Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry On a northern Maine forestry tour Oct. 4, Diane Rowland, the newly appointed dean of the University of Maine College of Natural Sciences, Forestry, and Agriculture (NSFA) and director of the Maine Agricultural and Forest Experiment Station, was introduced to the the state's forestry community by ACF Commissioner Amanda Beal and Maine Forest Service (MFS) Director Patty Cormier. "What a fantastic experience," Rowland emailed tour organizers on Oct. ...
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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.
LUPC executive director gets ‘real insights' on MFPC tour
Executive Director Patrick Strauch was happy to oblige when Judy East, executive director of Maine’s Land Use Planning Commission (LUPC), expressed interest in touring forestlands owned or managed by MFPC members. “I appreciated Judy’s initiative and genuine interest in seeing the forests through our perspective, especially in the COVID environment,” Strauch said. The tour on Aug. 20-21, organized by Gordon Gamble, Wagner Forest Management; Hannah Stevens, Seven Islands, Chris Fife, Weyerhaeuser, and the MFPC staff, and had an ambitious itinerary.
Good news about logger safety!
The Maine Department of Labor statistics for the most recent year reports the incidence rate for occupational injuries and illnesses for the logging sector is one half that of the national average. MFPC thanks the Certified Logger Program (CLP) for its 30-year commitment to logger education and safety.
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.
What can drones do? A lot
In Maine's forests, drones (aka UAVs or UAS) are contributing to sustainable forest management plans, monitoring harvest operations, finding forest fires, tracking invasive insect infestations, search and rescue, and much more. Drone enthusiasts everywhere are finding new uses for them, including catching fish, washing windows, and selling homes 68 percent faster than houses without aerial images.
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.
Importance of forest products industry to Maine's economy
In 2018, 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.
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.”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. Read more.
See videos of Gov. Mills and other speakers at 61st Annual Meeting
Click here to access all videos.
Maine Forest products industry contributes $8.1 billion, 31,822 jobs
The Maine Forest Products Council commissioned an economic impact study that was recently completed by Megan Bailey, research associate for the Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center. The estimated overall annual (2019) economic contribution of Maine’s forest products sector, including multiplier effects, was an estimated $8.1 billion in output, 31,822 jobs, and $1.7 billion in labor income.
The total employment impact of 31,822 jobs in 2019 is equivalent to about 4 percent of the jobs in Maine — roughly 1 out of 25 jobs in the state are associated with the forest products sector. Read more.
Calendar of Events
MFPC Executive Committee Meeting
130th Legislature Second Regular Session
Outstanding! MFPC honors the best of 2021
Albert Nutting Award: Peter Triandafillou, Huber Resources, for his leadership, integrity, and long-term commitment to sustainable forest management. Read more.
Abby Holman Public Service Award: Albro Cowperthwaite for blending forestry and outdoor recreation with a minimum of user conflicts. Read more.
President’s Award: John Gray, MFPC treasurer, for dedication in supporting and enhancing the mission of the Maine Forest Products Council. Read more.
Outstanding Forester: District Forester Dan Jacobs for his skills, knowledge, and willingness to help others. Read more.
Outstanding Environmental Managers: Ken Gallant, Pixelle, and Tom Griffin, SAPPI, for dedication to protecting Maine’s environment. Read more.
Stay informed
Find your state legislators
The biggest challenge facing the Maine Forest Products Council is how to advocate on behalf of membership in the second session of the “virtual 130th Legislature.
It’s essential that members get to know their legislators, because your representative and senator want to know how legislation affects their constituents.
The first step is finding out who represents you in the House and Senate. Click here to find out.
