About the
South Carolina Forestry Association
Opines

Marking 40 Years As "The Voice Of Forestry"

The Association's leadership over the years has held true to the vision established by its founders and worked to keep this organization strong and vigilant amidst change and challenge

As the SC Forestry Association enters its 40th year of service, it’s appropriate to glimpse back at people and events that shaped our history.

Prior to the Sixties, leaders like State Forester Charles H. Flory and West Virginia Pulp and Paper Company’s Cam Niederhof, who chaired the SC Legislative Forestry Study Committee, were adept at resolving issues.

There were groups involved as well. The Foresters Council of SC, a broad group of forestry leaders, dealt with a variety of more technical forestry issues. The SC Tree Farm Committee actively promoted forestry to private forest owners. The Society of American Foresters addressed the needs of foresters. But there was no group that embraced all forest interests and sometimes tensions arose.

As challenges became more formidable, it became apparent that a more diverse, unified organization was required to address issues of the late Sixties such as:

n Developing an equitable system of forest taxation by reforming the state’s ad valorem

property tax system,

n Expanding reforestation on four million idle acres,

n Increasing forest productivity through better management practices, and

n Improving forest protection from wildfire and disease.

On Nov. 30, 1967, a dozen senior forest industry managers and consulting foresters met in Columbia, SC to discuss ways to enhance the forest industry’s relationship with private landowners and improve the level of forest practices in the state. Their conclusion: establish a broadly based state forestry association.

A follow-up meeting with 30 attendees was held Jan.17, 1968. Participants elected Morris Morgan, Catawba Timber Co., chairman, and recommended he appoint a five-man committee with representatives from lumber, pulp and paper, other forest interest groups, and landowners to study formation of an association.

Among those present were Niederhof and Carl A. Brown of International Paper. Their assistants, R. Scott Wallinger and Robert J. Beason, were assigned to the Organizational Committee chaired by consulting forester Don Handley. Hal W. Kirven of Darlington Veneer Co., Inc. agreed to serve and attorney and private forest owner Henry Savage offered to provide legal counsel.

After studying associations in other states, the committee prepared a draft charter, bylaws, budget, membership dues structure and an array of suggested programs. Their proposal was approved June 5, 1968 by the larger group. Initial pledges of financial support were secured and a slate of officer and director nominees was identified.

The SC Forestry Association’s organizational meeting was held Dec. 5, 1968 in Columbia, SC. Sixty-nine members and guests were present, representing a cross section of the state’s forest interests. They adopted bylaws, a resolution and charter, budget, membership fee schedule, and elected officers and directors. The Petition for Incorporation of the Association was made to the Secretary of State and the Charter was issued Dec. 13, 1968.

The Association has grown to over 2,800 members since 1968 but has never wavered in its commitment to member service and providing leadership to advance forestry in the Palmetto State. It is achieving the goal of bringing the forest interests of South Carolina together in one organization to work together on behalf of the state’s forests and forestry.

Watch for upcoming issues of the Carolina Forestry Journal and annual magazine for more features on historic milestones.

 

Editor's note: Comments do not necessarily reflect the views or position of the SC Forestry Association.

 
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