NON PROFIT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID LITTLE ROCK, AR PERMIT #2686

1213 W. 4th Street Little Rock, AR 72201 www.arkforests.org (501) 374-2441 May 2021 Westerman Leads Bipartisan AFA to Host 76th Introduction of the Trillion Trees Act Annual Meeting By: House Committee of Natural Resources introducing the Trillion Trees Act of 2021. Both In-Person,

“Despite incredible improvements in Virtual technology, trees are still the most large- scale, cost-effective and environmentally- friendly carbon sequestration devices we have,” said House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-AR). “Growing more trees to pull carbon from the atmosphere, scientifically managing our forests to he Forestry Association (AFA) mitigate catastrophic wildfires, and Rep. Bruce Westerman explains that trees are is excited to announce that our 76th incentivizing the use of wood products some of the best carbon sequestration devices Annual Meeting will be taking place as renewable resources provides a T we have. in person this year at the Embassy Suites in comprehensive, practical solution to the Rogers. n mid-April, House Committee on climate issues we’re facing today. I’m a Natural Resources Ranking Member licensed forester, and I’ve spent years AFA’s Program Committee, which helps plan Bruce Westerman (R-Arkansas) was studying the best way to utilize forests to I each of our annual meetings, has been hard joined by House Minority Leader Kevin improve our air and water quality, wildlife at work since the start of 2021to finalize McCarthy (R-California), House Committee habitats and much more. The Trillion plans, and confirm various speakers. on Agriculture Ranking Member Glenn Trees Act accomplishes all of those goals. ‘GT’ Thompson (R-Pennsylvania), House These are the kinds of free market-driven The committee hopes to have registration Committee on Appropriations Ranking environmental solutions that conservatism information mailed to members soon. Member (R-Texas), House is all about, ones that incentivize economic Sponsorship and exhibitor information has Committee on Energy and Commerce growth without sacrificing a healthy, Ranking Member Cathy McMorris Rodgers recently been mailed. If you did not receive (R-Washington) and 67 other members in continued page 2 it, visit https://www.arkforests.org/ event/2021AnnualMeeting to download a copy of the form. Thank you to this year’s Foresters for the Future Scholarship premier sponsor, Farm Credit of Arkansas, Announced for supporting this year’s event. By: Arkansas Department of Agriculture We are all very excited to see our members he Arkansas Department of website at https://www.uamont.edu/ and friends again after going virtual in Agriculture’s Forestry Division and the academics/CFANR/index.html. 2020. As of right now, we do not have any at Monticello extra safety precautions that we will be T taking. If that changes, we will make sure to (UAM) are pleased to announce a new “Arkansas has nearly 19 million acres of scholarship opportunity, Foresters for the forests with over 12 billion trees,” said State let everyone know so you can be prepared. Future. The scholarship will provide $4,000 Forester Joe Fox. “This scholarship is a per semester, for four years, to an incoming wonderful opportunity for a future forester So, mark your calendars for October 5-7 freshman pursuing a forestry degree at to obtain a quality education and move into and keep an eye on future AFA publications UAM’s College of Forestry, Agriculture, and a dynamic and rewarding career field.” as we begin to release more information Natural Resources. about the event. If you have any questions, The scholarship program was established by please feel free to call the AFA office at (501) Applications will be accepted through June Act 399 of the 2021 Regular Session of the 374-2441. 15. Students interested in the scholarship Arkansas General Assembly. The underlying can find more information on the UAM continued page 3 Trillion Trees Act, con’t. Foresters for the Future Scholarship Announced, con’t. of deforestation. This legislation gives CALENDAR legislation, House Bill 1389, was sponsored vital skills to benefit the state.” System Center of Excellence, brings every American and their communities the by Representative and Senator together interdisciplinary expertise through chance to be a part of the solution, and sets Ben Gilmore and was signed into law by “For the last several years, retirements in a partnership between the University of an example for the rest of the world.” OF EVENTS Governor Hutchinson on March 17, 2021. the forestry profession have outpaced Arkansas at Monticello and the University June 10 the recruitment and preparation of the of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. “By ramping up active management and 11:30 a.m. - WOW Lunch & Learn: “As the only professional forester in the next generation of forestry professionals. The College and Center are headquartered tree planting, healthy forests will play an Arkansas Legislature, I have had the The Arkansas Foresters for the Future at the University of Arkansas at Monticello Feral Hogs important role in the climate discussion as privilege of representing several concerns Scholarship provides more than just campus, but their programs range statewide they become even stronger carbon sinks,” Zoom that affect our forest industry. One of financial support for students pursuing with the mission of developing and said House Committee on Agriculture the current concerns is the shortage of their passion for a career that allows them delivering teaching, research, and extension Ranking Member Glenn ‘GT’ Thompson (R- June 17 students pursuing forestry degrees,” said to work outdoors and make a difference in programs that enhance and ensure the Studies show that restoring 1 trillion new trees PA). “While we continue to bring climate 8:00 a.m. - Central Arkansas Log a Load Representative Bragg. “The goal of Act how our future forests are managed,” said sustainability and productivity of forest- globally would sequester 205 gigatons of solutions to the table, the Forest Service, for Kids Golf Tournament 399 is to provide a sustainable supply of Dr. Robert Ficklin, Interim Dean and Director based natural resources and agricultural carbon. working together with states, and private foresters in Arkansas for an industry that is of UAM College of Forestry, Agriculture and systems. Academic programs are delivered Malvern Country Club thriving environment. I’m proud to landowners, must use every tool available to poised for growth.” Natural Resources. by the College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Malvern introduce the Trillion Trees Act again this promote forest health and resiliency. I thank Natural Resources through the University Congress, and I’m grateful to my colleagues my colleague, Ranking Member Westerman, UAM and the Forestry Division hope the The Arkansas Department of Agriculture of Arkansas at Monticello. Through the on both sides of the aisle who have joined for his leadership on this creative legislation. June 24 scholarship will entice students to pursue is dedicated to the development and University of Arkansas System Division of the effort.” I look forward to working with him to 10:00 a.m. - Emerging Leaders Program: forestry as a career. UAM expects to implementation of policies and programs Agriculture, research is administered by the advance this proposal and other natural Forestry Economics graduate 13 students with forestry degrees for Arkansas agriculture and forestry to Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, climate solutions within the jurisdiction of this year, their largest class of foresters in keep its farmers and ranchers competitive and extension and outreach activities are The Trillion Trees Act is a bipartisan bill, AFA Office/Zoom supported by more than 30 stakeholder the Agriculture Committee put forward this several years. According to the United States in national and international markets coordinated by the Arkansas Cooperative Little Rock groups, that will solidify the United States week by our Republican colleagues.” Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average age while ensuring safe food, fiber, and forest Extension Service. as a global leader of the One Trillion Trees of foresters in 2020 was 47. products for the citizens of the state and Initiative to conserve, restore and grow 1 “We owe it to generations to come to be June 25 nation. Visit agriculture.arkansas.gov/. The University of Arkansas at Monticello trillion trees worldwide. responsible stewards of our environment— 11:30 a.m. - The Art and Science of Food “Foresters play a pivotal role in the state’s The Arkansas Department of Agriculture offers all of their programs to all eligible as well as our economy,” said House Plots Landowner Zoom economy, and UAM is proud to have trained offers its programs to all eligible persons persons without regard to race, color, sex, Committee on Appropriations Ranking so many alumni who excel in the profession regardless of race, color, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, national Studies show that restoring 1 trillion new Zoom trees globally would sequester 205 gigatons Member Kay Granger (R-TX). “The Trillion nationwide,” said Dr. Peggy Doss, UAM sex, age, or disability and is an Equal origin, religion, age, disability, marital or of carbon, an amount equivalent to two- Trees Act is sensible legislation that Chancellor. “The creation of this scholarship Opportunity Employer. veteran status, genetic information, or thirds of all manmade emissions remaining will lower carbon in our atmosphere July 5 means it will be even more attractive and any other legally protected status, and in the atmosphere today. by planting and protecting our forests, AFA Office Closed affordable for students to get connected The College of Forestry, Agriculture and are Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity creating American jobs along the way. to the forestry industry, particularly in Natural Resources, and the Arkansas Forest Employers. The Trillion Trees Act uses a three-pronged Planting a trillion trees would cut roughly July 13 Arkansas, where we hope to retain their Resources Center, a University of Arkansas two-thirds of all the man-made carbon approach of regeneration, management 10:00 a.m. - AFA Executive and utilization to grow more wood and emissions that have been created since the Committee Meeting store more carbon globally. Industrial Revolution. As a conservation- Witness Reward Program Available to Provide Security to minded Texan, I’m proud to be part of this AFA Office/Zoom You can visit https://www.arkforests.org/ incredible bipartisan effort that encourages Little Rock AFA Member’s Property page/Media to see the bill in full. all Americans to responsibly grow, use, and rkansas Forestry Association (AFA) enforcement personnel, Arkansas state this time, landowners received $442,773 in members may not know that one of law gives the Arkansas Department of restitution. preserve our nation’s rich natural resources.” July 15 Each of the individuals who joined their membership benefits includes Agriculture – Forestry Division the authority 11:30 a.m. - WOW Lunch & Learn: A Westerman during the introduction had “To win the future we must embrace bold the Witness Reward Program to help you to appoint employees as certified state As an AFA member, you can obtain signs the following to say about the bill and its ideas and result-driven climate solutions,” Stand Development Patterns in when a crime occurs on your property. law enforcement officers to investigate and stickers of the Witness Reward Program impact on the future of the country. said House Committee on Energy and Bottomland Hardwoods dumping, wildfires, timber theft, and to post on your property. Commerce Ranking Member Cathy Zoom Timber theft, arson, illegal dumping, logging equipment theft and vandalism. “The United States has led the world in McMorris Rodgers (R-WA). “The goal of along with logging equipment theft If you are interested in obtaining these, and vandalism are significant threats to Each Forestry Division district office please call the AFA office at (501) 374-2441 reducing emissions in the past decade,” planting a trillion trees is an ambitious Please Note: said House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy one that has the ability to change the Arkansas’s economic and environmental has rangers and foresters who handle or send an email to [email protected]. Please visit our calendar at arkforests.org for (R-CA). “From technology to investments world by sequestering 205 gigatons of health. Crimes like these generate annual misdemeanor dumping and fire cases. in infrastructure, American leadership will carbon while supporting jobs, healthy more information on any of the above Zoom losses of hundreds of thousands of dollars It also has three full-time criminal If you have any information regarding any make it possible to reduce emissions around forests, and advancements in clean energy. meetings. to landowners and the timber industry. investigators who look into misdemeanor illegal activities like the ones mentioned the world. The same is true for conservation. Eastern Washington’s forests are part of the and felony cases statewide. in this story, you can call the ADA 24-hour We can build on our success in reducing solution for delivering results for the next For meetings held at the AFA Office, please AFA is committed to reducing the number reporting line at (501) 225-1598. of cases through the Witness Reward Chief of Law Enforcement with the Arkansas emissions by planting trees around the generation.” park on the street or in one of the area lots world and better managing our forests Program, which provides rewards up to Department of Agriculture (ADA) Billy You can also file a complaint online. To -- do not park in the Arkansas Chamber of here at home. I am proud to cosponsor $5,000 for information leading to both the Black said in their 2020 Fiscal Year, law find a link to that reporting system, visit the Trillion Trees Act because it provides Commerce parking lot. arrest and conviction of those involved in enforcement officials closed 62 timber theft arkforests.org/page/witnessreward. actionable solutions to achieve cleaner air, these crimes on our members’ property. cases, one equipment theft case, 27 illegal reduce wildfires, and reverse the effects Along with traditional local and state law dumping cases, and 20 fire cases. During