December 2006 WFI Update available for download

The December 2006 WFI Update is now available for download from:
http://wfi.worldforestrycenter.org/WFIupdate12.06.pdf

In this issue, find articles on:
*New Fellows from Lithuania, Mexico, and China
*Seol Woong Lee returns to Eagon
*Program Manager visits WFI Alumni in China
*Recent events

Thanks,
Angie, WFI Program Manager

Winter Mill and Forestland Tour

IMG_4471
Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

In December Fellows took a 4-day road trip through southern and central Oregon to explore several wood products mills. The first stop was Roseburg Forest Products, where we visited their Roseburg stud mill and engineered wood products mill. A trip to the Hinkle Creek Watershed study area completed the introduction to this vertically integrated wood products company. The second company visited was Jeld-Wen Windows and Doors, where Fellows first viewed their Bend ponderosa pine millwork facility. After the raw material is sawn, much is manufactured at the adjacent factory into high-end windows and doors.

Click here for photos of:
Roseburg Forest Products
Jeld-Wen
Tumalo State Park
Idleyld Lodge
Susan Creek Falls
Lava Lands
Diamond Lake

Coho Rendesvouz

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Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

Peter Hayes of Hyla Woods hosted Fellows at their annual tree farm event, Coho Rendesvouz. The event celebrates the return of the salmon to the forest, as well as the holiday season. Fellows hiked, looked for spawning fish, and cut Christmas trees. Click on Cris for more photos.

Starker Forests

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Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

Dick Powell of Starker Forests introduced Fellows to the forestry business in the Pacific Northwest. Dick explained the history and philosophy behind Starker, a family owned forestry business. Fellows then visited the Philomath Log Yard and Hull Oakes Lumber Mill. Click on the Fellows for more photos.

Program Manager Visits WFI Alumni in China

So many photos! Such an amazing trip!
http://web.mac.com/jds2/iWeb/China/China%20homepage.html

Thanks to WFI’s Chinese alumni, WFI Program Manager Angie DiSalvo had the opportunity to visit China in November. Her three-week adventure involved promoting the WFI Fellowship Program, as well as time to visit with past participants and experience China.

Dr. Yanping Zhang of the Chinese Academy of Forestry’s Research Institute for Resource Insects hosted Angie in Yunnan Province. In the capital of Kunming she participated in the International Neem Conference, learning about the neem propagation, plantations, and products, which was the subject of Dr. Zhang’s Fellowship project. Successful meetings were held with SW Forestry College, RIRI, and Zhongke Biological Company. Angie was met by WFI Australian alumnus Tony Scherl, and together they toured Yunnan cities of Dali and Xishuanbanna with Dr. Zhang’s wife. Yunnan is famous for its spicy food, minority cultures, and diverse array of plant life. Chinese hospitality lived up to its reputation, and Angie and Tony were amazed by their gracious hosts.

Moving to the capital city of Beijing, Xiaoli Wang and the State Forestry Administration were most helpful in arranging meetings and tours. Angie also visited with WFI alumnus Jialu Xie and International Educators Institute alumnus Hehe Zhang. Angie met with Hehe’s working group, China’s first environmental NGO, Friends of Nature. Of course, a trip to the Great Wall, shopping, and having Peking Duck on Thanksgiving day were in order as well. There was much talk swapping stories of life in Portland.

After the work portion of the trip was completed, Xiaoli accompanied Angie and husband Jon to SE China to visit Hangzhou, Nanxin, and Shanghai for some rest and recreation. This region of China is famous for its small water towns, beautiful gardens, and booming commerce.

The best part of the trip for Angie was trading places – Angie’s job involves giving tours and guiding Fellows through a foreign environment, and it was humbling to be on the receiving end of this hospitality. It was a wonderful experience to see Fellows “in their element” and to gain a first-hand appreciation for their dedication to their careers and families. Although the return flight to Portland was a sad one, these new memories and connections made a lifelong impression.

October WFI Update Available for Download

The October 2006 WFI Update is now available for download from:
http://wfi.worldforestrycenter.org/WFIupdate10.06.pdf

In this issue, find articles on:
*"Who Will Own the Forest? 3" Summit
*Fellowship Hosts
*East Coast Forest Tour
*Recent Events

Thanks,
Angie, WFI Program Manager

August WFI Update Available for Download

The newest WFI Update is now available for download at: http://wfi.worldforestrycenter.org/WFIupdate8.06.pdf

In this issue, find articles on:
*Farewell to Kyungtae Park, Jasjit Walia, and Pei-jung Wang
*Welcome to Seol Woong Lee
*Fellows visit Merlo Corporation Ranch in eastern Oregon
*Wallowa Resources visit in eastern Oregon

thanks,
Angie, WFI Program Manager

Merlo Corporation Ranch

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Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

WFI benefactor Harry Merlo invited Fellows to learn about forest restoration in east forests on his ranch near Pendleton. Fellows spent three days in the field with manager Rex Christenson learning about game management, restoration, reforestation, and cattle ranching. Click on the group photo for more pics.

Hopkins Demonstration Forest

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Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

Manager Tim Lichen toured Fellows around Hopkins Demonstration Forest, a 140-acre demonstration forest open to the public for self-guided exploration, tours, workshops, and education programs. Click on Tim Lichen for more photos.

9th Annual International Educators Institute

The International Educators Institute (IEI) is an intensive 8-day study tour that brings together some of the most successful classroom teachers in the US and abroad to the World Forestry Center to exchange information about utilizing best practices in forestry education. This year's group included participants from India, Australia, Taiwan, Russia, Brazil, China, Korea, Norway, Mexico, New Zealand, South Carolina, Oregon, and Idaho. Past participants have called this unique educational opportunity the highlight of their professional career. Participants have taken home countless new techniques and resources and made many new friends for life. Participants in IEI return to their classrooms with new tools, new inspiration, and an active global network of colleagues and resource specialists. Click on the group photo for more pictures.

Hoyt Arboretum

Hoyt Arboretum, one of WFC's neighbors in Washington Park, hosted Fellows to discuss ways to collaborate. Hoyt Arboretum's plant collection is made up of just under 10,000 individual trees and shrubs, representing nearly 1000 different species. Their purpose is to grow the broadest possible range of woody plants from around the world. All of the plants have labels with the scientific and common names, and the geographic origin of the species. With Fellows coming from many different regions of the world, the opportunities to work together are endless.

Bull Run Watershed

Bull Run Watershed 007
Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

Fellows visited with watershed educator Briggy Thomas at the Bull Run Watershed. The Bull Run, located east of Portland near Mount Hood, provides exceptionally clean, unfiltered water to the City of Portland and is the primary water source for the city. The Bull Run watershed is co-managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the City of Portland under special legislation known as the Bull Run Act, Forest Service regulations and formal agreements between the two agencies. The Bull Run Act requires the Forest Service to consult and coordinate with the City on plans and activities for the watershed. Click on the photo for more.

Oregon SAF President meets Fellows

Oregon Society of American Foresters president Lena Tucker met with Fellows to discuss SAF. The Society of American Foresters (SAF) is the national scientific and educational organization representing the forestry profession in the United States. Founded in 1900 by Gifford Pinchot, it is the largest professional society for foresters in the world. The mission of the Society of American Foresters is to advance the science, education, technology, and practice of forestry; to enhance the competency of its members; to establish professional excellence; and, to use the knowledge, skills, and conservation ethic of the profession to ensure the continued health and use of forest ecosystems and the present and future availability of forest resources to benefit society.

Wallowa Resources and Eastern Oregon

Fellows spent four days exploring the far northwest corner of Oregon in Wallowa County. One and a half days were spent with Diane Snyder, Executive Director of Wallowa Resources. This community based non-profit works to provide economic opportunities for the community that are in line with ecological restoration goals. Fellows participated in a tour of WR projects along with the Board of Directors of Sustainable Northwest. Additional highlights of the trip featured the Mount Howard Tram, exploring the story of Chief Joseph, and discussing issues in rural communities. For more photos, click on the group photo above.

June 2006 WFI Update Published

The newest issue of WFI Update is now available for download at:

http://wfi.worldforestry.org/news.htm

The newest issue features:
*welcome to Pei-Jung Wang, new Fellow from Taiwan
*Farewell to Xiaoli Wang from China
*Recent field tours
*Visits to Greenwood Resources and Longview Fibre
*Special visit from Korean alumnus In Chul Jung

Thanks,
Angie DiSalvo
WFI Program Manager

Dinner with Harry

Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

Harry Merlo, the "Father of WFI", hosted fellows at his home for a wonderful evening of food and wine. Click on the group for more photos.

Farewell, Xiaoli!

Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

After a year in Portland, it was time to say goodbye to Chinese Fellow Xiaoli Wang. Of course, what better way to celebrate than with Xiaoli's famous cooking? Xiaoli and housemate Michele hosted a wonderful potluck dinner, complete with dumping and spring roll making lessons. Over 250 dumplings were made! Click on Xiaoli and Sara for more photos.

Longview Fibre Company

Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

Jay Holland, tree farm manager for Longview Fibre, toured Fellows around land he manages near the Tillamook. In addition to ordering perfect weathe, Jay showed Fellows some amazing sites, including active cable logging systems, helicopter flying of cedar for shakes and shingles, and salmon stream habitat restoration. Click on Pei-jung for more photos.

Fellows meet with Jim Brown

Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

Jim Brown, former State Forester for Oregon, met with Fellows to discuss his experiences working for ODF and the state. His extensive career spanned an important period in Oregon's forests. Jim noted that the biggest changes in forestry that he has seen over time included forester's roles becoming more politicized, federal land management moving from providing a wide variety of services to only environmental services, the increased use of public involvement, wood supply becoming more global, and the development of the sustainability concept.

Mt. Hood National Forest

Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

Fellows visited with Natural Resources Staff Officer Lisa Norris at Mt. Hood National Forest. Lisa shared her experiences working with the USFS and gave an excellent overview of operations at Mt. Hood. The Mt. Hood NF is uniquely located near the urban center of Portland, and received a large number of visitors each year. Managing for multiple resources and uses is a challenge, but obviously one that Lisa greatly enjoys.

Greenwood Resources Tour

Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

Fellows visited with Greenwood Resources in April. Greenwood runs a tree improvement program for hybrid poplars, and researcher Dr. Brian Stanton toured Fellows through the improvement and breeding process. Richard Shuren and Rick Stonex explained the growing, harvesting, processing, and marketing of poplars. Click on the poplars above for more photos.

Fellows visit Tillamook Forest Center

John Turland and Jasjit Walia at the mai n entrance
Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

The Tillamook Forest Center opened in April and Fellows toured the new facility along with small woodland owners during the Oregon Small Woodlands Association annual meeting. The Tillamook Forest Center is located at the heart of the Tillamook State Forest, and is the region’s newest interpretive and educational center. The center showcases the legacy of the historic Tillamook Burn, as well as the monumental reforestation efforts that left a permanent imprint on Oregon history while also shaping sustainable forest management today. For more photos, click on Jasjit and John.

Kyungtae Park presents on Korean Forestry

Kyungtae introduced Korea, Korean forestry, green building advances, and Eagon to WFC staff and guests. We learned that since the 1960s South Korea has developed very rapidly. Korea is one of the most densely populated countries in the world and nearly 20 million of the country’s 48 million citizens live around the capital city of Seoul. Recently, the market for green building materials has begun to develop, with an emphasis on products thatpromote a healthy, energy efficient environment.

The April 2006 WFI Update can now be downloaded at:
http://wfi.worldforestry.org/WFIupdate4.06.pdf

In this issue:
* Welcome to new Australian Fellow, John Turland
* Kyungtae Park to present on Korean forests and Green Building (see link http://wfi.worldforestry.org/korean%20forestry%20talk.pdf)
* Director Sara Wu visits with alumni in Taiwan and Japan
* Photos from other recent events

Thanks,
Angie
WFI Program Manager

Weyerhaeuser Recycling Sort Facility

plastic
Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

In addition to growing trees and producing wood products, Weyerhaeuser is also involved in selling recycled fibers. Fellows visited the Beaverton recycling sort facility and learned about the sort and grading process. Most of the materials collected at this facility come from local businesses, and almost 60% are baled and shipped to Asia for processing. Click on Jasjit for more photos.

Wood Technology and Clinic

Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

Fellows explored the Wood Technology Clinic & Show, a trade event exclusively dedicated to primary wood processing and technology. This show has been running for over 30 years. There are more than 300 exhibitors, 80,000 square feet of exhibit space and thousands of industry professionals from across the United States and around the world. Click on Aussie John for more photos.

The Ochoco Lumber Story

Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

WFI Fellows had the opportunity to meet with John Shelk, the Managing Director of Ochoco Lumber. John discussed changes in the lumber business.

March Snow!

In front of Merlo
Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

An unusual day for a lot of snow! Many of left for work today not knowing that a wintery surprise was waiting for us at WFI. The WFI campus is a few hundred feet higher than most of Portland, and we were surprised to see several inches of snow. Click on the snowy photo for some more.

Farewell, Lao Zhang!

mmm... fishheads!
Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

After six months at WFI, it was time for Lao Zhang to return to his family and work in Kunming, China. His last week at WFI was spent at farewell lunches and dinners, and trying to pack up those last minute gifts. Click on the fishheads for more photos!

Director Sara Wu visits Taiwan and Japan

Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

Sara had an excellent trip to visit family in both Taiwan and Japan. During her trip, she was lucky enough to meet with many alumni and visitors to WFI, including David Lin, Nancy Liu, Galy Yang, Bonnie Liu, Yen-Chang Chen, and Nobutaka Isoda. Click on the group photo to see more photos!

Yard, Garden and Patio Show

For sale!
Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

The 2006 YPG Show was held at the Portland Convention center http://www.ygpshow.com/. The three day event featured more than 275 unique exhibitors, from nurseries, garden centers and specialty merchants to landscape designers and craftsmen. Sponsored by the Oregon Association of Nurserymen, the show reminds us that the nursery industry is the largest agriculture sector in Oregon, employing more than 21,000 people with an annual payroll that exceeds $275 million. Oregon's wholesale nursery industry recorded $844 million in gross sales of nursery and greenhouse products in 2004, up from $779 million in 2003.Roughly three-fourths of the nursery stock grown in Oregon is exported to other states or countries, making Oregon the nation's largest exporter of nursery stock. And the state's nurseries, as well as all Oregonians, can take great pride in knowing that Oregon is No. 1 in the United States in the production of shade trees, Japanese maples and most other kinds of maples, arborvitae, rhododendron and coniferous evergreens. Oregon also is a leader, ranking second or third nationally, in the production of deciduous flowering trees, azaleas and other broadleaf evergreens. Click on the orchids to see more photos from the show.

WFI Update

The February 2006 WFI Update is now available to download! In this issue:

• Welcome to new Korean Fellow, Kyungtae Park
• "Who Will Own the Forest" 3 Summit to be held September 11-13, 2006
• East-side forests study tour
• Photos from other recent site visits

WFI Update can be downloaded here

Thanks,
Angie
WFI Program Manager

Favorite Photos from 2004

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Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

Since this blog is new, I thought I'd go ahead and paste a few photos from the past. Here is a smattering of photos from 2004, from work meetings and field tours to social events. Click on the Lacys learning to skateboard to view the photo set. Enjoy!

Yanping Zhang presents on Reforestation in SW China

Yanping Zhang presents!
Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

Dr. Yanping Zhang gave an excellent presentation on the difficulties in reforesting degraded land in SW China. His presentation was one of the monthly presentations hosted by WFI on global forestry issues featuring our international Fellows. For more photos, click on Lao Zhang.

Newberry Volcanic Crater

Lao Zhang
Originally uploaded by World Forest Institute.

As part of a tour in eastern Oregon, we stopped at Newberry National Volcanic Monument. Even though it was closed, we snuck in and carefully walked through the snow covered lava trail. Click Lao Zhang's photo for more pics.