Working Forests Caucus Hosts Secretary Perdue, Panelists to Discuss Timber Innovation
WASHINGTON – The House and Senate Working Forests Caucuses hosted a discussion at the U.S. Capitol Wednesday (July 18) with keynote speaker Sonny Perdue, Secretary of Agriculture, and a panel of experts on the “Role of Innovation and Applied Research In Expanding Forest Products Markets.”
Panelists included Jennifer Cover, President and CEO of WoodWorks; Peter MacKeith, Dean of the University of Arkansas Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design; and Mike Ritter, Assistant Director of the U.S. Forest Service Forest Products Lab. Guest speakers included House Working Forests Caucus Co-Chair Sanford Bishop (GA-02) and Senate Working Forests Chairman Angus King of Maine.
Working Forests Caucus co-chairs and panelists released the following statements upon conclusion of Wednesday’s event.
Working Forests Caucus Co-Chair Bruce Westerman (AR-04):
“I thank Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue, President Cover, Dean MacKeith, and Assistant Director Ritter for their participation in today’s Working Forests Caucus event. The health of our nation’s forests depends largely on the growth and success of new wood markets. The Secretary and the esteemed panel are leaders in agriculture and forestry with a commanding knowledge on new wood products, and their participation today will help advance research and development in that arena. Today’s conversation will not only help rural economies – like the ones in my home state of Arkansas – but will also further the goal of the Working Forests Caucuses to ensure that our nation's forests are healthy, resilient, and productive.”
Working Forests Caucus Co-Chair Sanford Bishop (GA-02):
"Today's Working Forests panel was a great opportunity to recognize and discuss the importance of U.S. forestry and timber, and I thank Agriculture Secretary Perdue for his great contribution to this event," said Congressman Bishop. "As discussed today, the U.S. timber industry is a vital, low cost, efficient, effective, and environmentally-friendly natural resource. Forestry-related businesses support more than 159,000 jobs, with more than $6.7 billion in annual payroll in the state of Georgia, and 2.4 million jobs and $87 billion in annual payroll nationwide! I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress and all the forestry stakeholders to ensure we protect and cultivate this important natural resource and economic engine."
Working Forests Caucus Co-Chair Jaime Herrera Beutler (WA-03):
“As co-chair of the Working Forest Caucus, I’m grateful to Secretary Perdue for his commitment to bringing proper management back to our federal forests. The health and vitality of Southwest Washington communities, wildlife, and rural economies depend on active and responsible forest management and we appreciate the secretary’s dedication to better protecting our renewable resource. For our part, Congress has taken solid steps and will continue acting to make more actively managed, fire-resistant federal forests a reality.”
Working Forests Caucus Co-Chair Collin C. Peterson (MN-07):
“Our work is centered around smart forest management practices that promote sustainable timber harvests,” Peterson said. “As a co-chair of the Working Forests Caucus, I am very appreciative of Secretary Perdue meeting on a bipartisan basis to discuss the future of wood products and their markets which support 30,000 Minnesota jobs.”
Jennifer Cover, President and CEO of WoodWorks (statement delivered at panel discussion):
“WoodWorks is a non-profit program focused on growing markets for wood products. We provide continuing education to architects, engineers, and developers. In addition to education, we help that education become a reality in how people build. We provide 1-on-1 assistance on projects as people go to design a project utilizing wood products. We’re filling a gap out there to provide choices for architects and engineers. It’s a tool in their kit, an opportunity to design with wood products, as well.”
Peter MacKeith, Dean of the University of Arkansas Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design:
“Forests cover almost 60 percent of Arkansas. As such, Arkansas is a case study in a ‘forest culture,’ in the societal, environmental and economic importance of this renewable resource. The University of Arkansas is taking a leading role in asserting and expanding these paired values for the state’s forests, timber industries and wood products markets. Partnering with the state’s timber industries and federal and state agencies, the University’s design-centered approach is educating the next generation of foresters, architects, engineers, contractors and developers, researching and prototyping advanced timber technologies and wood products, and demonstrating the applicability and value of these products through campus design and construction. This productive partnership between public university, private industry and engaged government is of ultimate benefit to the citizens of the state, especially those in the rural districts. Arkansas’ collaborative commitment to these ‘forests, timber and wood initiatives’ is one part of a growing eco-system of similar efforts in forested states across the nation, efforts of growing effectiveness and value.”
Mike Ritter, Assistant Director of the U.S. Forest Service Forest Products Lab (statement delivered at panel discussion):
“We’re at a very exciting time for wood. I’ve never seen so much interest in timber. We continue to do applied research and get that technology transferred to the people who are going to use it. For that reason, I continue to be optimistic for the future of wood.”