AFRC

Did you know that building with wood can help save the world? No, seriously. #forests

American-made wood products are part of everyday life. They build our homes, support jobs, and keep rural communities strong.

It was an honor to speak to the members of the @AMFOREST_ORG to recognize the importance of their legacy and dedication to our community. I’ve been so thankful to the timber companies and saw mills in Southwest Washington that have opened their doors to me so I can bring that knowledge with me to DC.

At an April 22 meeting with anti-forestry activists, WA Lands Commissioner Upthegrove pushed curbs on timber harvests that fund schools and services. For educators and counties, that rhetoric is out of touch. They want DNR to follow the law and deliver for beneficiaries.

On The Impact, AFRC’s Heath Heikkila talks about the push to set aside 77,000 acres of WA state trust lands and what it means for schools, counties, and local services. Watch full episode: tinyurl.com/yfc2y7kt

Good meetings in Washington, D.C. Thanks to our members who joined us to advocate for the western timber industry. Strong bipartisan conversations with Congress and administration officials focused on getting more work done and increasing American made wood products.

Happy Arbor Day: The continuous cycle of forestry, including the planting, growing, harvesting and replanting of trees, helps keep forests as forests while providing energy-efficient and carbon-storing wood products!

Episode 56 is out. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz joins us to discuss the agency’s reorganization and what it means for wildfire, forest health, and getting work done on the ground. Listen: spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/63DNpOeLw2b

AFRC’s Tom Partin joined Weyerhaeuser’s Spring Contractors Meeting in Kalispell, MT on April 17. Strong turnout and a clear, optimistic outlook for the work ahead. Thanks to those who keep our forests managed, our mills running, and our communities strong.

AFRC’s Matt Comisky, a University of Washington alum, recently joined the ribbon cutting for Anderson Hall. We supported legislative funding for long overdue upgrades to this historic building, investing in the next generation of foresters.

New issue: The April AFRC Newsletter covers Forest Service changes, Northwest forest planning updates, faster management tools, key court decisions, and impacts of reduced timber harvests in Washington. Read more: tinyurl.com/AFRCNewsApr26

Getting out in the woods is what it’s all about. Tom Partin visits Mark Cheff Logging on the Lolo National Forest. Even on moderate slopes, tethered logging adds stability and control so work gets done safely and efficiently. Modern methods expand how we actively manage forests.

Thanks to everyone who attended our annual meeting! Chuck Roady received the Tillicum Award. Rep. Cliff Bentz (R-OR) shared a look inside Congress, and Rep. Kristine Reeves (D-Federal Way) joined a conversation on strengthening Washington forestry. See you next year!

The 2026 AFRC Annual Meeting is underway, once again breaking an attendance record. We were pleased to hear from Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA); Chief of the U.S. Forest Service Tom Schultz, Montana DNRC Director Amanda Kaster and other outstanding panelists.

Rural WA schools are already feeling the drop in timber revenue from state trust lands. Fewer resources. Tougher budget decisions. Read the story: tinyurl.com/kt3pcjhp See the impact: tinyurl.com/77IMPACT

New Episode! Travis Joseph breaks down the Western Oregon O&C lands, how BLM plans have restricted forest management, and what a reset means for jobs, counties, and forest health. Catch us on Spotify, Apple or listen here: spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/0pWUyQ60X1b

New tool: See how Upthegrove’s 80,000-acre trust land layoff impacts schools, counties, and local services across Washington. Explore the Community Impact Calculator: tinyurl.com/77IMPACT Read our full press release: tinyurl.com/34vwpc2k

AFRC and its members advocate for active forest management and sustainable timber harvesting on public forest lands in order to manufacture quality wood products that meet the needs of our society.

We ❤️ wood 🌲 It’s renewable, sustainable, recyclable, grown locally, versatile, biodegradable and has a smaller energy, water and carbon life cycle footprint than other building products.

Sawmills play a critical role in processing wood from forest health projects. Without sawmills, the time and cost of restoring forests skyrockets. Our TPEP program helps support sawmills near National Forests. tinyurl.com/RBCS-TPEP

AFRC advocates for active forest management to keep public forests healthy, resilient, and working for rural communities. Learn more about us at amforest.org