Program Of Work for the South Carolina Forestry Association

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Program of Work

On January 18, the SC Forestry Association's Board of Directors approved this Program which will serve as a blueprint for committees in developing activities and projects for the year.

Top Action Items  

SCFA hosted the Governor’s Forestry Summit in 2004 to assist the forest industry in defining its role in the state’s new economic development strategy known as the SC Competitiveness Initiative. The SC Council on Competitiveness and several Working Groups -- including Agribusiness -- were formed to implement the Initiative. The Forestry/Forest Products Working Group was created March 4, 2005 under the umbrella of the SC Forestry Association. Four forestry subclusters were organized in May. In September, SCFA’s Board approved creation of a new Timber Harvesting Subcluster.

n Follow through on Subclusters of Forestry/Forest Products Working Group

4Economic Development: Compile more reliable data and statistics on the forest resource and manufacturing sector.

4Forest Biomass: Continue identifying biomass energy projects, grants, and other opportunities, like carbon credit trading, to expand markets for forest owners and industries.

4Environmental: Follow up on environmental concerns identified at Oct. 12 workshop.

4Forest Products & Research: Meet with Clemson University’s research and development faculty to identify research areas and opportunities.

4Timber Harvesting: Address top five or six wood supply chain issues identified at Nov. 9 organizational meeting.

n Maintain strong presence in the SC General Assembly

4Workers’ Compensation reform

4Tax reform

4Eminent domain

4H.4317 Green Building

4H.3978 Forester licensing

4Right To Farm Act -- proposed amendment

4Government restructuring -- SC Forestry Commission

4Monitor Governor’s and SC DNR’s proposed acquisition of timber land

n Forest Management: Monitor issues affecting management of privately owned forests, state forests, and national forests.

4Support efforts to strengthen application of prescribed fire.

4Develop land use and management policy on forest land acquired by the state.

n Environment

4Monitor regulations and proposals relating to water quality issues and forested wetlands.

n Communications

4SCFA website: Make more user-friendly and provide more timely information updates.

4SC Tree Farm Program: Continue standard communications support and add materials for Program’s 60th anniversary.)

n Host Annual Meeting: November 15-17, 2006, Grove Park Inn, Asheville, NC.

n Distinguished Service and Outstanding Logger awards program

Encourage members to nominate qualified candidates

n Conduct TOP training

4Three (three-day) TOP Programs

4Four TOP Refresher Workshops

4Four TOP Streamside Management Workshops

4Four TOP Logging Safety Workshops

4Five TOP Harvest Planning Workshops

Proposed:4Three TOP Logging Aesthetics Workshops

n Raise $60,000 for Log A Load For Kids

n SCFA/SFI Implementation

4Distribute newly revised A Landowner’s Guide to Forestry in South Carolina

4Continue maintaining SFI Training and Continuing Education Standards for South Carolina.

n Affiliate Outreach

Continue SCFA program for forest owners and the public through communication projects and county forestry associations

n Continue SC Forestry Foundation programs

4SC Project Learning Tree

4SC Teachers’ Tour

4SC Wood Magic Forest Fair

4Teaching KATE

4Scholarships to Clemson University students majoring in forestry

n SC FORPAC

4Set fundraising goal of $15,000

4Make contributions to SC FORPAC Board-approved candidates and incumbents