State-of-the-art logging and forestry equipment and a keynote speaker addressing sustainable building practices will be among the featured activities this week at the 87th annual Oregon Logging Conference in Eugene, organizers announced.
The conference, which was put together around the theme “Timber Builds Dreams,” runs 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday at the Lane Events Center and Fairgrounds.
“To me, it fits into so many categories,” said Oregon Logging Conference President Jayme Dumford about the theme. “It includes the contractor who is running his own business (and) others who are managing small tree farms, and the people who are working in the industry. Then there is the product side, an almost endless list of products and those who use them to build dreams.”
Chris Evans, president of Portland-based Timberlab, will be the keynote speaker Thursday morning. Timberlab is a holistic provider of mass timber systems with in-house timber engineering, procurement, fabrication and installation services for construction projects across the country.
Timberlab purchased the former Interfor sawmill in Philomath last year to serve as a support operation for a new cross-laminated timber facility that will be constructed at Millersburg.
The Oregon Logging Conference includes a full schedule on its website.
The conference on Friday features Future Forestry Workers Career Day and Philomath High School forestry students are scheduled to participate. The event provides students with information about current jobs available and the skills needed to fill those positions.
Organizers said more than 900 high school students from 33 schools are expected to attend to learn about forestry and logging, wildland firefighting, diesel mechanics, welding and heavy equipment operation.
Twelve high school teams, including Philomath High, will participate in the high school forestry skills relay, which is a part of Future Forestry Workers Career Day. Other schools competing include Crater, Tillamook, Central Linn, Sabin-Schellenberg, Taft, Waldport, Siuslaw, Yoncalla, Scio, La Pine and Sweet Home. Students will observe their peers showing off their logging skills in four events — choker setting, hose pay, chainsaw use and crosscut sawing.
The 15th annual Log Loader Competition will run Friday (11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.) and Saturday (10 a.m.-noon). The event tests the skills of log loader operators in the areas of speed, skill and efficiency. Operating a Link-Belt log loader, contestants have 7 minutes to stack log blocks end-to-end, matching numbers or colors on predetermined marks on the ground.
On Saturday, the conference will have Family Day from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. at Wheeler Pavilion. Family Day includes paper making, birdhouse building, seedling giveaways and other hands-on activities. Admission is free.
“Being open to the public on Saturday provides an opportunity for everyone to learn more about who we are and what we do and meet many of the professionals who make industry,” Oregon Logging Conference Manager Rikki Wellman said. “Our conference is also a place where forestry and natural resource professionals can socialize and network with others in the industry.”
Chainsaw carvers will be on hand for demonstrations from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday and Friday, and 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday.