As we prepare to celebrate National Loggers Day on October 12, it’s a perfect time to recognize and thank the hardworking men and women who harvest and deliver the timber that keeps our forests, communities, and economy moving. Logging is one of the nation’s oldest industries, but today’s loggers are far more than tree cutters. They are highly trained professionals who operate sophisticated, high-tech equipment, follow strict safety standards, work closely with landowners to ensure that the timber harvest meets their expectations, and promote forest regeneration for future generations.

I’ve been fortunate throughout my forestry career to meet many loggers, some of whom became close friends and even family. One of those friends is Jared Lute, President of the Ohio Forestry Association and owner of Lute Logging. Listening to him in a recent podcast recorded at the Paul Bunyan Show in Cambridge, OH, you could hear the pride in his voice as he talked about his work. For Jared, logging isn’t just a job; it’s a way to make a difference in the woods: improving forest health, enhancing wildlife habitat, supporting recreation, and harvesting a renewable resource that meets the needs of our country.

Jared’s story is also a family story. He’s a fifth-generation logger. His grandfather, Arnold Matthews, was Ohio’s first Master Logger, and his father, R.L. Lute, spent his life advocating for loggers and strengthening forestry in Ohio. Sadly, R.L. passed away earlier this spring, but the values he instilled —hard work, dedication, and a love for the forest —live on through Jared and the legacy of the Lute family.

Today’s logging blends time-honored skills with modern techniques, focusing on responsible forest management and sustainability.Loggers like Jared promote regeneration, plant new trees, protect natural resources, and maintain healthy forests that prevent wildfires and support wildlife. It’s demanding work, often in remote, rugged areas with heavy equipment and dangerous conditions, and logging remains one of the most dangerous jobs in America. National Loggers Day is a time not only to celebrate the work they do, but also to honor those who have been injured or lost their lives in the woods.

From the wood in our homes to the paper in our notebooks and the furniture in our living rooms, logging touches our daily lives in ways many of us don’t realize. Loggers are the first link in a chain that builds homes, creates jobs in the US forest industry, and powers industries from construction to energy. National Loggers Day is a moment to look beyond the saws and trucks and recognize the people who work tirelessly to support their families, care for the forests, and provide the products we often take for granted.

As we approach National Loggers Day, FRA proudly recognizes and deeply appreciates the dedication, skill, and vital contributions of our logger members. Their work sustains our forests, communities, and economy every day, and for that, we say thank you.