Email from Alabama Forestry Association

AFA NEWSROOM V17N41, October 13, 2022

U.S. Fish And Wildlife Service Completes Gopher Tortoise Review: NO Changes For Alabama At This Time

The gopher tortoise continues to remain protected range-wide: State-listed in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina; federally listed as threatened under the ESA in Louisiana, Mississippi, and three Alabama counties. Essentially for Alabama, the gopher tortoise continues to be under State jurisdiction and is protected by state regulations. However, in Mobile, Washington, and Choctaw counties the gopher tortoise falls under federal jurisdiction as a threatened species and protected by the ESA. This has been the standard operating procedure since the species was petitioned for federal listing so there really is no change in Alabama.

Conservation and management plans that include the gopher tortoise, co-occurring species, and their habitat continue to benefit the species.

Notice of finding does not change how the species is protected by state regulations range wide. In addition, if state protections for the species change in the future, especially in the core areas of the species, a reevaluation of the adequacy of existing regulatory mechanisms may be required.

Read Press Release

Drax To Acquire Remaining 10% Interest In Alabama Pellets

Drax is pleased to announce that it has agreed to acquire the remaining 10 percent minority interest in Alabama Pellets LLC joint venture, from Two Rivers Lumber Co LLC for a cash consideration of US$22 million.

Join The October Episode Of AFA Connect As We Discuss Group Health Insurance -

October 20

Join Matt Cate and Patrick Pittman of Cobbs Allen Thursday, October 20, 2022 at 11 am CST for the October AFA Connect Session. They will discuss the importance and value of Group Health Insurance for all companies, small & large.

Advance registration is required to receive the Zoom access link. Earn one hour PLM and CFE credit.

USDA: US Exports 880,876 Metric Tons Of Wood Pellets In August

The U.S. exported 880,876 metric tons of wood pellets in August, up from 649,185.7 metric tons the previous month and 647,922.9 metric tons in August 2021, according to data released by the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service on Oct. 5.

Alabama Loggers Council Annual Meeting October 29, 2022

Join Loggers from all over the state. Special keynote speaker, Wendy Ferrand and a celebration of ALC's 30 year anniversary. This year's program focuses on Transportation:

Main Topics

Loggers - Don't Leave Culture to Chance
Commercial Auto Insurance -What About the Future
Alabama Motor Carrier Safety Unit Update
Understanding Log Truck Gross Weights

Reduction in Hunting Accidents Reaches Milestone

More than 200,000 hunters will pursue the abundant game in Alabama this season, which means hunter safety should be at the forefront of any outdoors adventure. Captain Marisa Futral, Hunter Education Coordinator with the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries (WFF) Division, would love to see a repeat of the 2021-2022 season, when zero fatalities were reported for hunting accidents.

“Last year was a good year,” Futral said. “Everybody needs to keep up the good work. There were no fatalities in firearms or treestand accidents. We had fewer treest and accidents than firearms incidents, which is unusual.”

AFA Newsroom Special Feature:

AFA Political Endorsements

Check out our ForestPAC Voter Guide for the General Election on November 8! Find all of our endorsements here.

AFA ForestPAC Voter Guide

Are Sustainable Aviation Fuels Ready for Takeoff?

Since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) in August, Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) has gained a lot of attention – especially as Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) metrics continue to influence global investment decision making. But what exactly is SAF, and what role will wood biomass play in the development of these innovative new fuels and the trend towards decarbonizing global industry?

New Life for Old Wood

The term “old-school joinery” is not often spoken these days, nor is it practiced. It is defined as physically joining pieces of wood together with precise notches rather than screws and bolts. The practice is best reserved for master woodworkers such as Adam Scardamalia.

Actually, “woodworker” is just the beginning when describing Scardamalia, a resident of Spanish Fort. He is a sculptor of wood. His work is hewed from trees. Each piece has a story. Each piece has a history. Each piece has roots, or at least used to. His supply derives from many sources, including fallen trees, storms, construction crews, builders and referrals. Finished products are functional legacies. His mill yields tables, mantels, bar tops, doors and more. Fortunately, southern Alabama has an abundance of raw material. “I’m friends with all of the local tree service companies, linemen and road crews,” says Scardamalia. “They all know me and know what I like. When a big tree comes down, the crews give me a ring.”

Alabama ANRC Landowner Conference -

October 27 - 28, 2022

In the weeks leading up to and during our Alabama Woods to Goods Week 2022 celebration, we will be sharing stories about why forestry is "more than an industry" to people throughout the state of Alabama. Let us know what forestry means to you by clicking the link below.

Learn More

Mark your calendars for our ForestPAC Sporting Clays Fundraiser at Selwood Farm on Decembers 6! Help us keep and get quality candidates elected! Register now!