CEO’s Susan Yurkovich (BC Council of Forest Industries) and Rick Jeffery (Coast Forest Products Association) announced Friday the merging of their organizations to “create a stronger, unified voice for the BC forest industry“. The change will be effective April 1, 2018 and until that time, both organizations will continue to operate independently.

In Forestry news; the BC government is seeking public input on its review of professional reliance—the practice of relying upon the decisions and advice of forest professionals; and Lake Louise (the ski resort) is in court after it cut down a stand of endangered whitebark pine trees. 

In Business news: plywood producers in Oregon applaud the imposition of US tariffs on Chinese hardwood plywood; log prices are at record highs in Washington State; and community leaders in Port Alberni BC and Camus Washington are asking how they can revive their shuttered mills.

Finally, University of Northern BC professor Thomas Tannert has been recognized for his work on Tall Wood Structures; the permits for Spokane’s CLT plant have been issued; and CLT panels are going up at Oregon State’s new forestry building.

— Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor