It is easy to celebrate National Truck Drivers Appreciation Week. What’s not to like? Truckers make our entire modern way of life possible! They bring us a bountiful variety of fresh food to urban and rural areas alike.

Earlier in the year, we announced the formation of the Workforce Connections Initiative in the Western Region. The main goal is to connect qualified candidates with those companies in the Pacific Northwest who have labor shortages and problems filling open positions.

Fiber Industry Consultants, Ltd (FICL) was created in 1999. Customers of the consulting company receive a comprehensive 30-page monthly report on many aspects of the forestry business in the Western Region.

At FRA’s Annual Meeting in May, each region shares information on the key wood supply chain issues facing the forest industry. The following is the Western Region’s report:

On April 8, 2019, Washington Governor Jay Inslee signed HB1011 into law after the bill received unanimous approval from both the State House (March 7) and the State Senate (March 29).

As many of you are aware, FRA began the “Workforce Connections Project” earlier this month. It has been an interesting month, with much to learn, and even more to build upon.

Earlier this year the National Timber Harvesting and Transportation Safety Foundation (THATS) partnered with SafetyMeetingApp.com to offer a benefit to FRA Members and friends.

In 1889, Washington Water Power Company (WWP) – now known as Avista – was formed by a group of ten pioneering Spokane industrialists and businessmen who believed the power of the river could provide the electricity needed by...

The Western Region of FRA has a solid tradition of offering two regional meetings each year. The spring event took place recently in beautiful Harrison Hot Springs, British Columbia.

I attended the Olympic Logging Conference this year in beautiful Victoria, British Columbia. The theme, “Families in the Forest,” really caused me to reflect on how families have interacted with the forest.