ESFPA E-News

2022 Regional Meeting Schedule 

ESFPA is thrilled to announce the dates/locations of this year's Regional Meetings. We look forward to being able to see everyone in person for the first time post-pandemic!

Meeting #1- Saranac Lake

• Date: 9/13
• Location: Mt. Pisgah
  • 10:00-10:30- SIC Meeting
  • 10:30-12:30- Adirondack Committee Meeting, ESFPA Regional Meeting
  • 12:30-1:15- Lunch
  • 1:15-4:30- Guest presentations/ discussions
  • 5:00- Reception dinner at Bitters & Bones

Meeting #2- Mid Hudson Valley

• DATE: 9/20
• Location: Suislaw Model Forest- Agroforestry Resource Center
  • 2:30-4:30- Legislator tour of the model forest/forestry round table
  • 5-8- Dinner and Meeting at Red Rooster

Regional Meeting #3- Hancock

• DATE: 9/21
• Location: Hancock House Hotel
  • 4pm-8pm- Dinner and Meeting

Meeting #4- Arnot Forest

• DATE: 9/28
• Location: Arnot Forest
  • 1:00pm-3:30pm- Tour of Arnot Forest 
  •  4:00pm-5:00pm- Meet at maple lab / social hour
  • 5:00-6:00pm- Dinner
  • 6:00pm-7:45- Speakers and Meeting

Meeting #5- Western NY

• DATE: 9/29
• Location: J Warren Cutler Reservation
  • 1:30pm- 2pm- Meet at Camp Cutler
  • 2pm- 3pm- Meeting
  • 3pm-4pm- Field visit
  • 4:30pm- Dinner at School House Café in Naples (optional)

Meeting #6- Virtual

• More info TBD
• DATE: 10/4

Meeting #7- Lake George

• DATE: 10/19 Regional Meeting- 10/20 Board Meeting
• Location: Fort William Henry Hotel
  • Regional meeting (19^th)
    • 6pm-7pm- Social hour
    • 7pm-9pm- Dinner & Meeting
  • Board meeting (20^th)
    •  8:30am-3pm- Meeting
    • 12pm- Lunch

Individual announcements with further details will be sent out in the upcoming weeks. Fees will be charged for each meeting and will vary depending on the time/location, exact amounts are still TBD and will be published soon.

ESFPA Starts Future Leaders Program

The Empire State Forest Products Association (ESFPA) Board of Directors has for years been discussing the need to provide opportunities to attract and train future leaders in the forest management and wood products manufacturing sector. To that end, they believe that it is incumbent upon existing industry leaders to take on the responsibility to make the next generation of leaders.

This fall we are kicking off our first Future Leaders program, a year-long partnership with a mentor and specific experiences, lessons, training, and opportunities to build leadership skills. We are also partnering with Farm Credit East in providing this opportunity. The objective of the Future Leaders program is to expose professionals in our sector to ESFPA's vision and function and a wide range of career development fundamentals.

Selected candidates will have the opportunity to learn skills that will help them participate and communicate with peers and superiors, ESFPA members, and New York policy makers including state representatives and New York State agency staff. Participation in the program will also foster future career growth and development, increasing the likelihood that they will remain in New York and continue contributing to the advancement of the industry as well as remaining active supporters of the ESFPA. We believe that everyone has the potential to be a leader. Whether you have a formal leadership title, are leading projects and initiatives, or are a rising emerging leader. These workshops are directly applicable to inspire the way you lead your work and interact with peers, colleagues, and clients.

We are looking for 4-6 candidates for this initial round of Future Leaders and encourage you to apply. If you are interested, click the link below to view the full curriculum and application.

Forest Tax Law Regulations Zoom Meeting

ESFPA will be hosting a Zoom meeting to discuss NYS DEC proposed changes to 6NYCRR part 199 of the 480A forest tax law regulations. 

If you have not seen the proposed regulations, they can be viewed in the State Register and the proposal can be seen on page 8. More details as well as the regulatory documents can also be found here. 

We urge you to complete our poll so we can pick the most popular date/time and follow up with a Zoom link. 

We are looking forward to the discussion.

Feedback Wanted on New York’s Climate Goals

NYSERDA is seeking input for approaches to help the State meet the goals set forth by the Climate Act. Request for Information (RFI) 5182 seeks feedback from potential applicants and other stakeholders to prioritize topic areas in a forthcoming solicitation. Current topics of interest include novel ways to implement New York’s clean energy goals by increasing carbon sequestration, supporting New York’s building stock, lowering waste related methane emissions and improved methods for life cycle analysis, reporting and verification.

ESFPA will be submitting other stakeholder input and members are encouraged to submit directly as well.

Responses accepted until: Tuesday, August 30, 2022 by 3:00 p.m. ET

Log-A-Load for Kids Fund Drive Begins THIS WEEKEND at Boonville

For 25 years, New York State Log-A-Load for Kids has participated in a nationwide program to support Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, and the NYS Committee (i.e. the Mowrey Family) is once again reaching out to the forestry community for support.   

One way to participate is at the 2022 NYS Woodsmen’s Field Days. There will be many events going on, including fund drives and raffles. The Committee is looking for donations of goods, services, or loads of firewood to be raffled off at the Woodsmen’s Field Days as well as time at any of the booths. 

Any and all items donated are greatly appreciated and help raise thousands of dollars for children in need. Promotional items with company logos are popular and make excellent game prizes. Monetary donations will be used either for the purchase of supplies or will go directly to your local CMN Hospital. 

In celebration of New York Log-A-Load for Kids’ 25th anniversary, we are also asking our donors to please consider an additional 25% contribution. We’d like to make this a big year! 

Every donation makes a difference. If you are interested in donating or volunteering, please contact Gabriella Ferrera at gabriella@esfpa.org or Eileen Mowrey at emowrey12@gmail.com .