ESFPA E-News

ESFPA Bids Farewell to Executive Director John Bartow

On Thursday, June 18, 2026, ESFPA hosted its final Board of Directors meeting under the leadership of Executive Director John Bartow. The meeting was presided over by Board Chair Jeff Denkenberger of Molpus Woodlands Group, LLC.

As John enters into his well-earned retirement, we would like to thank him for providing over a decade of dedicated service to ESFPA and New York's forest products industry. Throughout his tenure as Executive Director, John has provided exceptional leadership, tireless commitment, and a wealth of knowledge that has helped guide the Association forward.

John's vision and efforts have strengthened ESFPA and positioned the Association for continued success. As we enter into a new era for ESFPA, we would like to recognize that many of ESFPA's accomplishments are the result of his leadership, dedication, and passion for the industry. 

On behalf of the Board of Directors and staff at ESFPA, we wish John a happy and healthy retirement!

Courtney Johnson-Woods Named Next ESFPA Executive Director

With John Bartow’s retirement following 11 years of valued leadership, the ESFPA Board of Directors hired Courtney Johnson-Woods to assume the position of Executive Director, starting her role at the end of June.

Courtney is no stranger to the forestry industry, having worked early in her career as the Communications Director for the Arkansas Forestry Association, helping the organization with government and media affairs, growing Log A Load for Kids, and establishing a statewide landowner education program with broad coalition support under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative. She then launched her own consulting company and worked with industry corporate clients as well as the Arkansas Timber Producers Association for 25 years, promoting logger training, implementing strategies for membership expansion, marketing indoor and In-woods equipment expos, and supporting lobbying efforts.

The flexibility of consulting (and the ability to work for clients remotely cross country) gave Courtney the opportunity to simultaneously pursue teaching and research at Clarkson University when her forester husband, Tony Woods, left International Paper in Arkansas for a job with Wagner Forest Management at the company’s Potsdam, NY office. She obtained a PhD from SUNY ESF while raising three sons, departing her academic career after they utilized tuition benefits and graduated from college. She took a formal role doing corporate partnerships and international development work and then worked most recently as the partnership manager for the NYS Center of Excellence in Healthy Water Solutions before joining ESFPA.

Courtney will be the first ESFPA Executive Director to work in a hybrid role, spending time in Albany with staff and at the Capital during the legislative session, splitting the remainder of her time on the road visiting with members and attending meetings and events, and in her home office. Be sure to reach out to her via email at Cwoods@esfpa.org or via cell phone at (315) 244-7105 when you have an opportunity to welcome her on board, and to share your insights and ideas for the Association.   

Do You Need an ESFPA Letter of Support for Grant Proposal to NYDEC’s Advancing Forest Markets (AFM) Grant Program Due Aug 5?  

We are on standby at ESFPA to offer Letters of Support for members and affiliates/partners who are preparing proposals to the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)’s $46 million “Advancing Forest Markets (AFM)” Grant Program, with proposals due by 2 p.m. on August 5, 2026. Given our Executive Director Courtney Johnson-Woods will be at a conference July 20-24, 2026, with limited capacity to support, we encourage those applying to request your letters ASAP, providing her with a brief grant project summary to guide that letter.  

Grant Program Background 

Recently announced with a quick turnaround time, this grant program will provide funding to support seedling supply chains, forest management, and forest products businesses to “help businesses expand production capacity, develop new markets (like mass timber or biochar), and lower costs for retail consumers.” Following a presentation by DEC at our recently-held Adirondack Committee meeting, this program is rather broad in terms of what it will consider and provides our industry with an excellent opportunity to fund short-term activities that can demonstrate goal attainment by the close of the grant funding period.  

The AFM grant features distinct funding categories and requirements for forest product producers: 

• Tree Market Boost and Revitalization Program: Supports forestry and forest product businesses working with low-grade wood products, timber, and other forest-based markets. 

• Funding & Incentives: Grants range from $100,000 to $12 million. Unlike traditional grants, the program uses performance-based payments and provides upfront enrollment incentives. 

• Eligible Applicants: For-profit businesses, forest landowners, not-for-profits, municipalities, and nurseries. 

• Prerequisites: Applicants must be enrolled (or can enroll as part of this process) with the USDA Farm Service Agency and possess a Farm ID to apply. 

Participate in DEC Office Hours  

Given the rather loose parameters, but specific requisites (applicants must own at least 1 acre of forested property (or property that could be forested and must be enrolled (or can enroll as part of this process) in the USDA Farm Service Agency and possess a Farm ID), we encourage members interested to attend two of the remaining Office Hours to address questions and specifics.  

The two remaining scheduled DEC Office Hours:    

• July 15, 2026  
• July 29, 2026  

Question Submission: You are encouraged to submit your questions at least one day prior to the session you plan to attend. 

Questions answered through email or the office hours are periodically updated and compiled into a public AFM RFA Questions and Answers PDF. 

More Information and to Apply  

Complete application instructions and forms can be found on the Advancing Forest Markets page on the NYSDEC website.

New Project: Can Log Landings Become Pollinator Habitat?

From AdkAction

What happens when you combine a working forest, a bag of native wildflower seed, and a willingness to try something new? This spring, we're finding out.

AdkAction has partnered with the SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) Ranger School on a new pilot project exploring whether forestry log landings can be transformed into thriving habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Log landings are the small clearings where timber is staged during harvesting operations, and they're heavily disturbed sites that typically go to waste after a harvest.

At two sites in Wanakena, their team established three experimental planting plots using AdkAction's Adirondack Pollinator Seed Mix, testing different site preparation techniques to learn what conditions give native plants the best chance to take hold.

This project grew out of a simple question and a willingness to test it in the field. AdkAction brought the seed mix and pollinator habitat experience learned through past projects; ESF Ranger School will be doing the on-site monitoring throughout the growing season. That's what good regional conservation looks like: low-cost pilots, the right partners, and results that anyone working in timber country can learn from and replicate.

Read the story in AdkAction's blog post, Trying New Things in Wanakena, and follow along on our Log Landings Pollinator Habitat project page.

First Aid/Stop the Bleed Training

Sign up to take a class hosted by Rick Turk Tree Service this year on Friday, August 21st at Adirondack Senior High School during the Woodsmen’s Field Days. Call 315-206-7036 to register today.

This is a great opportunity if you are in need of a First Aid & CPR course to complete your New York Logger Training certification/recertification.