ESFPA E-News Volume 2 - Issue 35October 1, 2021A round-up of our interesting stories from the past week. Registration is Open for ESFPA VIRTUAL Regional and Statewide MeetingsThere are STILL Three Meetings LeftRegistration Required - register by clicking date and location link October 4th, 6:30 pm– 8 pm —Adirondack/North Country - Topic: Real American Wood Campaign and Hardwood Federation Update October 5th, 6:30 pm– 8 pm —Hudson Valley/Catskill - Topics: Programs and Marketing Ideas for the Industry October 7th, 11 am—1 pm—Statewide, Full Membership - Topics: Federal Climate Change Legislation and How it May or May Not Impact State Climate Efforts To view recording the recording of past webinars and to view the PowerPoints from the presentations, please follow this link. Log A Load for Kids Fund Drive in FULL SWING Just like all other traditions and typical events, the Log-A- Load Program has had to pivot and reinvent how they continue to do the good work they have been known for. Over the years your donations have helped create miracles for countless local children and their families, some of whom are part of our forest industry family. On July 5, Log-A-Load For Kids said a final good-bye to one of their most dedicated volunteers - David Miller of Hubbardsville. For years, Dave quietly encouraged people to "support the kids” at Children’s Miracle Network hospitals, the benefactors of Log-A-Load’s fundraising, with a gentle smile and twinkle in his eye. Upon receiving Log-A-Load’s annual appeal letter, another Dave, Dave Tregaskis, read about the late volunteer and felt inspired. He made a very generous proposal: for every dollar Log-A-Load For Kids raises this year over last year’s total of $27,000 up to $5,000, Dave will match. That means if donations total $32,000, Dave will make it $37,000 for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals across New York State. Log-A-Load For Kids is calling it the "Dave Drive" in honor of both Dave's. The drive will continue through the rest of the year, but it kicks off with the forest industry charity’s specialty - a chainsaw raffle. Today through October 31, donors can enter a virtual raffle for two professional model chainsaws: a Husqvarna 565 donated by GKS Sales of Rome and a Husqvarna 372 XP donated by C.J. Logging of Boonville. Each entry is $5, but Log-A-Load hopes donors will add a dollar for Dave and make it $6. Donations can be sent by check to the Empire State Forestry Foundation (ESFF) and mail them to: 47 Van Alstyne Dr. Rensselaer, NY 12144. Entries can also be submitted via Venmo @LogALoad-ESFPA with your name and phone number in the subject line so you can be contacted if you win. A winner will be announced on Friday, November 5. We greatly appreciate your help in making even more miracles possible this year. Don’t Forget! Log-A-Load Firewood Auction - see below: State Hikes Minimum Wage for Upstate NY According to an article in the Albany, TImes Union, the NYS Minimum Wage rate will increase on January 1st, 2022 from $12.50 to $13.20 an hour. Additionally, the state will be increasing rates for workers in Westchester and Long Island from $14 to $15 an hour. To read the full article, please follow this link. NYLCV Ranks State Lawmakers Best on the Environment In an article from earlier this week from City & State New York, the NY League of Conservation Voters graded lawmakers on their positions on over a dozen legislative bills. Out of the 213 legislators, only one Republican and 100 Democrats earned a perfect score. To read the full article, please follow this link. Seaway Timber Harvesting Named Logging Business of the Year! In their September/October Issue, Timber Harvesting and Forest Operations Magazine named Seaway Timber Harvesting of Massena, NY their 2021 Logging Business of the Year. Congratulations to the Curran Family! A well deserved honor. The full article can be read here.
FIREWOOD AUCTION FOR LOG-A-LOAD FOR KIDS Log-A-Load is auctioning off three loads of firewood to raise money for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across New York State. Firewood has been donated by Gutchess Lumber in Cortland, Greene Lumber of Davenport, and Pat and Karen Regan of the Camden area. All are tri axle loads containing at least 15 face cords of firewood and can be delivered within 50 miles of their place of origin in accordance with New York State firewood regulations. The minimum bid is $500. Bids can be submitted to Mark.Mowrey75@gmail.com by October 31. Submissions should specify which load the bid is for. Winners will also be announced on November 5 and delivery provided within 45 days of payment. The Albany Times Union Editorial Board Has Something to Say about Solar Farms In an article printed yesterday in the Albany Times Union, the paper's editorial board asks if Solar is smart growth in the Adirondacks. Noting the need to either destroy the habitat and view of a field or to cut trees to put up the panels goes against what the Adirondack Park is supposed to be. The Editorial Board noted that the Adirondack Park Agency has no clear policy guiding it's decision and the case by case basis they have been operating under is not in the best interest of the park. Solar farms need to be done in a "smart" manner with clearly set guidelines. To read the full article, please follow this link. |