SAF Executive Committee Meets

Louisiana Society of American Foresters State Chair, Niels DeHoop, met with committee and chapter chairs at Woodworth to discuss plans for the coming year.
The committee agreed to participate in the 2001 Teachers Tour to be held June 13 16.  This tour, conducted by the Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry, the Louisiana Forestry Association, and various timber industry folks, gives a selected group of teachers from around the state a close look at the timber industry and how trees are manufactured into various products.  The purpose is to demystify the forestry profession for teachers, showing them exactly how trees are harvested, processed, and regenerated.  SAF will contribute videos produced by the National SAF for each teacher, which shows different foresters in their jobs.  The video is called "Growing Trees for our Future".
In other business, the committee discussed plans for the Annual Meeting, to be held in Lafayette this year.  The theme selected for the meeting will be 'water'.  Presentations on water quality, streamside zones, Best Management Practices, groundwater, and the Mississippi and Atchafalaya water control structures will educate and inform foresters about Louisiana's close connection with its water.  A tour is being planned for the first day of the meeting.
A proposal to the National Office was drafted concerning potential revision of the Endangered Species Act.  The proposal includes an incentive program for private landowners who have endangered species on their property, either by direct payment or cost-sharing of conservation activities.  The proposed plan will be reviewed by the Policy Committee, chaired by Terry Haines.  Comments or questions may be sent to her at tkhforest@aol.com or phone calls may be directed to her at (504) 867-9164.

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Society of American Foresters, contact Bobby Sebastian, Membership Chair, at (318) 765-3554 or visit the SAF website at www.safnet.org.  Dues for new members are $65 per year.