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

IMG_9129
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

IMG_9026
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.