Charlie Blinn, Ph.D., Recognized as FRA’s 2024 Lake States Region Technical Writing Award Winner
Wausau, WI, October 17, 2024 – The Forest Resources Association (FRA) honored Charlie Blinn, Ph.D., of Minnesota, as the 2024 Lake States Region Technical Writing Award winner at FRA’s 2024 Lake States Region Fall Meeting held in Wausau, WI this week. Mike Filtz, Wood Sourcing Specialist, Ahlstrom, and Chairman of the FRA Lake States Region Steering Committee, and Chris Boor, Woodlands Supervisor, Bell Lumber & Pole Co., and Vice Chairman, presented Blinn with an engraved plaque and a $500 check as part of the award.
Blinn graciously accepted the award and noted that he was honored to receive it. He thanked FRA for the plaque and check and added that he works with FRA staff to develop technical releases not to receive awards but to provide current technical information about issues that affect the wood supply chain.
FRA’s 2024 Lake States Region Technical Writing Award winner, Charlie Blinn, Ph.D.
Pictured left to right: Chris Boor, Bell Lumber & Pole Co., and FRA Lake States Region Steering Committee Vice-Chair, Charlie Blinn, Ph.D., of Minnesota University, and Mike Filtz of Ahlstrom and FRA Lake States Region Steering Committee Chairman.
Blinn is a Professor and Extension Specialist at the University of Minnesota, where he provides instruction to undergraduate and graduate students, conducts research, and provides outreach education programs for loggers and natural resource managers. His interests are broadly focused on forest management.
FRA publishes Technical Releases four times a year, and many of these articles are developed entirely or in part by members. FRA recognizes their efforts by giving awards for the best member-written technical releases in each region. Each year, the steering committees representing each FRA region submit their best member-written Technical Release to the FRA National Operations Committee for National Technical Writing Award consideration.
Blinn’s award-winning Technical Release, “Wood Fiber Supply Chain and Small Tracts: Who Will Harvest Them,” focuses on how family forest owners play a crucial role in the U.S. wood supply chain, but their small parcel sizes can make timber harvesting challenging for logging businesses. The TR shares results from a survey in northern Minnesota that found that high-volume producers are more likely to harvest small tracts, with proximity to already purchased land and high-quality wood being key factors in their decision-making.
FRA Interim President and Lake States Region Manager Tim O’Hara stated, “Charlie Blinn, Ph.D., is a longstanding advocate for the forest products industry and a true educational pillar in the community. Over the years, he has produced several Technical Releases and ‘Woods to Mill’ publications, which have significantly contributed to educating and informing our members. We are grateful for his commitment to advancing knowledge and best practices within the wood supply chain.”
About Forest Resources Association (FRA)
FRA is an association representing the interests of more than 330 organizations and businesses in the forest products industry, including forest landowners, suppliers, consuming mills, associated businesses, and state forestry associations. Members all share a common interest – they rely on FRA to promote the public policy interests of the forest products industry’s supply chain on Capitol Hill and our work to advance safety, operational and technical efficiencies, and supply chain relations. FRA has member representation in 49 states and 384 Congressional Districts.
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