From the NC Division Chair...

Dear NC Division SAF Members:

From time to time I look at the calendar of events on the APSAF website both for the NC Division and for APSAF as a whole.  It’s impressive how each of the chapters are holding interesting and enjoyable events for their membership.  But what’s even more impressive is the degree that the chapters are reaching out to other folks within the forestry community and including them in their meetings.

SAF’s mission involves advancing the science and practice of forestry.  It’s in a unique position to spread knowledge from the grass roots and it’s gratifying to see the results at the local level.  I continue to urge chapter leaders to reach out to folks who are not members, to include them in your chapter meetings, and to welcome them in to the fellowship of the SAF.  While they may not join right away, they are the potential source of new members.  Given time, I’m convinced we’ll increase our membership through our efforts at outreach.

The chapters are the heart and soul of the SAF.  From the chapter level springs the ideas, the new leaders, the issues, and the solutions that culminate in an effective division and society.  I commend the chapter leadership from throughout our Division.

Recognizing outstanding efforts in forestry and to the SAF is an important function of the division.  If you haven’t considered nominating someone for a Division award, I hope you’ll give it some serious thought.  There are deserving folks in each of the chapters.  Recognizing contributions is not only motivating to our members, it serves to highlight important work happening in our Division every day.  An important function of the summer meeting is recognizing your contributions.

In this article, I’d like to thank Charlie Williams, who has revived the Albemarle Chapter and John Robards for assuming leadership of the Waccamaw Chapter.  And someone who deserves a message of thanks from all of us is Cathy Gilkeson, Chair of the Croatan Chapter.  As most of you know, the NC Division is responsible for planning the 2010 APSAF meeting, and the Croatan Chapter has agreed to take the lead.  There’s no better example of service to the Division and to APSAF than working to host the APSAF meeting.  My thanks to the Croatan Chapter and especially to Cathy.  Look for more detail on the meeting as the year progresses.

The NC Division Summer Meeting will be held this year in downtown Wilmington at the river side Coastline Convention Center on June 11-12, 2009. The theme of the meeting revolves around how changing industrial forest land ownership is impacting industry, research, and conservation.  We've designed a meeting that's friendly to folks who want to come for the technical session on the 11th, the field tour on the 12th, or both.  The timing of the meeting is such that many folks who are restricted from overnight travel can still make the sessions. 

Grab a friend and bring them along.

Tony Doster
2009 NC Division ApSAF Chair