2014 timber tour - Kalispell Chamber of Commerce

"”””We
take out the weak, lame, and lazy to make room for healthy trees. Traditional forest
practices are to look to the future and manage to the future needs of the forest."
--Dave Poukish, DNRC Kalispell Unit
2014
Timber Tour
Produced in
Partnership with:
2014 TIMBER TOUR
Special
Thanks to:
And with the Associated Chambers and Sponsors
Bigfork Chamber of Commerce
Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce
Eureka Chamber of Commerce
Evergreen Chamber of Commerce
Flathead National Forest
Glacier County Tourism
Northwest Portables
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
Montana West Economic Development
Polson Chamber of Commerce
Whitefish Chamber of Commerce
Whitefish Convention and Visitors Bureau
Glacier Waterton Visitors Association
Innovation | Sustainability | Community | Management | Prosperity | Sustainability
2014 K ALISPELL C HAMBER T IMBER T OUR
15 Depot Park, Kalispell, MT 59901
406-756-2800
info@kalispellchamber.com
www.kalispellchamber.com
PLANTING THE SEEDS
FOR A SECURE FUTURE
.
“F.H. Stoltze does forest management and guess what? In the end you'll still have a
forest. We manage the forest to meet the needs of the forest, the needs of the people,
and make sure there's a forest at the end." ~Paul McKenzie, F.H. Stoltze
On October 23, 77 participants braved the rain to learn about forest management practices
and the lumber industry that is fueling the Flathead Valley.
The tour educated students, business leaders, and legislators about issues such as timber supply and demand, and active
forest management plans that ensure the longevity of Montana’s forests. Overall, the tour imparted to participants a better
understanding of the local timber industry’s ability to sustain healthy forests while simultaneously employing hundreds of
Montanans.
The tour began at the North and South Spencer Lake Timber Sale, where participants learned about how state land trusts
directly benefit Montana schools by paying a portion of teacher salaries and for school equipment Montana residents
would otherwise pay. Land trusts also ensure a healthy and thriving forest population. By removing old and disease-ridden
trees, space is opened for new trees to thrive. The timber industry then uses the removed trees to create wood products,
thus establishing a relationship where forest management and the timber industry can walk hand in hand. In addition, land
trust lands are used for recreation, grazing, outfitting, shooting ranges, and special uses allowing residents and visitors to
enjoy the open spaces of Montana.
After learning about land trusts, the tour rolled on to Wild Montana Wood. During a tumultuous economy, loggers banned
together to keep the industry alive. It was through this commitment that Wild Montana Wood was born. James Stupak of
Wild Montana Wood explained how the operation has driven new opportunities for many in the valley simply by using
every part of the harvested tree. From firewood and pulpwood to sawdust and bark, Wild Montana Wood has developed
creative ways to keep employees, create jobs and fuel the local economy.
IN A TUMULTUOUS ECONOMY, LOGGERS BANNED TOGETHER TO KEEP
THE INDUSTRY ALIVE AND CREATE JOBS.
The timber industry is rapidly fueling economic growth in Montana.
Nowhere is this truer than in the heavily timbered region of Northwest
Montana where the industry supports thousands of direct and indirect
jobs for Flathead Valley residents.
In the Flathead Valley, many local timber businesses are dedicated to sustainability of natural
resources and incorporating innovation to sustain and grow the trade. It explains why, on October 23,
a total of seventy-seven legislators, industry leaders, and students loaded onto buses for the
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce 2014 Timber Tour. Media representatives from the Flathead Beacon,
Daily Interlake, KCFW and KAJ18 also joined the Timber Tour festivities. Participants witnessed an
in-depth tour of the North and South Spencer Lake Timber Sale and Wild Montana Wood.
“Today’s timber
harvesting follows
best management
practices with
special attention to
important
elements such as
the protection of
wildlife, plants, soil
and water quality.
Reforestation,
visual
considerations,
protection of
special sites and
the conservation of
biological diversity
are also
accommodated.
By doing these
things and more,
healthy and
sustainable forests
are provided for
into the future.”
--Jim Kranz
Plum Creek
Timber Co.
.
“F.H. Stoltze does forest management and guess what? In the end you'll still have a
forest. We manage the forest to meet the needs of the forest, the needs of the people,
and make sure there's a forest at the end." ~Paul McKenzie, F.H. Stoltze
On October 23, 77 participants braved the rain to learn about forest management practices
and the lumber industry that is fueling the Flathead Valley.
The tour educated students, business leaders, and legislators about issues such as timber supply and demand, and active
forest management plans that ensure the longevity of Montana’s forests. Overall, the tour imparted to participants a better
understanding of the local timber industry’s ability to sustain healthy forests while simultaneously employing hundreds of
Montanans.
The tour began at the North and South Spencer Lake Timber Sale, where participants learned about how state land trusts
directly benefit Montana schools by paying a portion of teacher salaries and for school equipment Montana residents
would otherwise pay. Land trusts also ensure a healthy and thriving forest population. By removing old and disease-ridden
trees, space is opened for new trees to thrive. The timber industry then uses the removed trees to create wood products,
thus establishing a relationship where forest management and the timber industry can walk hand in hand. In addition, land
trust lands are used for recreation, grazing, outfitting, shooting ranges, and special uses allowing residents and visitors to
enjoy the open spaces of Montana.
After learning about land trusts, the tour rolled on to Wild Montana Wood. During a tumultuous economy, loggers banned
together to keep the industry alive. It was through this commitment that Wild Montana Wood was born. James Stupak of
Wild Montana Wood explained how the operation has driven new opportunities for many in the valley simply by using
every part of the harvested tree. From firewood and pulpwood to sawdust and bark, Wild Montana Wood has developed
creative ways to keep employees, create jobs and fuel the local economy.
IN A TUMULTUOUS ECONOMY, LOGGERS BANNED TOGETHER TO KEEP
THE INDUSTRY ALIVE AND CREATE JOBS.
The timber industry is rapidly fueling economic growth in Montana.
Nowhere is this truer than in the heavily timbered region of Northwest
Montana where the industry supports thousands of direct and indirect
jobs for Flathead Valley residents.
In the Flathead Valley, many local timber businesses are dedicated to sustainability of natural
resources and incorporating innovation to sustain and grow the trade. It explains why, on October 23,
a total of seventy-seven legislators, industry leaders, and students loaded onto buses for the
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce 2014 Timber Tour. Media representatives from the Flathead Beacon,
Daily Interlake, KCFW and KAJ18 also joined the Timber Tour festivities. Participants witnessed an
in-depth tour of the North and South Spencer Lake Timber Sale and Wild Montana Wood.
“Today’s timber
harvesting follows
best management
practices with
special attention to
important
elements such as
the protection of
wildlife, plants, soil
and water quality.
Reforestation,
visual
considerations,
protection of
special sites and
the conservation of
biological diversity
are also
accommodated.
By doing these
things and more,
healthy and
sustainable forests
are provided for
into the future.”
--Jim Kranz
Plum Creek
Timber Co.
"”””We
take out the weak, lame, and lazy to make room for healthy trees. Traditional forest
practices are to look to the future and manage to the future needs of the forest."
--Dave Poukish, DNRC Kalispell Unit
2014
Timber Tour
Produced in
Partnership with:
2014 TIMBER TOUR
Special
Thanks to:
And with the Associated Chambers and Sponsors
Bigfork Chamber of Commerce
Columbia Falls Chamber of Commerce
Eureka Chamber of Commerce
Evergreen Chamber of Commerce
Flathead National Forest
Glacier County Tourism
Northwest Portables
Kalispell Chamber of Commerce
Montana West Economic Development
Polson Chamber of Commerce
Whitefish Chamber of Commerce
Whitefish Convention and Visitors Bureau
Glacier Waterton Visitors Association
Innovation | Sustainability | Community | Management | Prosperity | Sustainability
2014 K ALISPELL C HAMBER T IMBER T OUR
15 Depot Park, Kalispell, MT 59901
406-756-2800
info@kalispellchamber.com
www.kalispellchamber.com
PLANTING THE SEEDS
FOR A SECURE FUTURE