The First World Wood Day USA Celebration, sponsored by the International Wood Culture Society (IWCS), was held at the headquarters of the Renewable Natural Resources Foundation in Bethesda, MD near Washington, DC. The event examined the growing value of wood as a natural resource and a medium for cultural expression under the theme: The Melting Pot of American Culture and How It has Impacted the Use of Wood. This event coincided with the larger 2nd International World Wood Day activities that were held in Fujian Province, China. SWST Members Howard Rosen, Barry Goodell, and World Nieh (shown in the picture ...
Read MoreDr. Junyong (J.Y.) Zhu, Fellow of 2012, a scientific team leader at the US Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory, Madison, Wisconsin, recently honored with US Forest Service R&D Deputy Chief’s Distinguished Science Award. The award was given annually by the Deputy Chief for R&D to a US Forest Service scientist for his sustained research productivity and excellence and the impact of his research. Dr. Junyong (often called JY) Zhu joined the US Forest Service, Forest Products Laboratory (FPL), Madison, WI, in Feb 2003 as a project Leader. Prior to US Forest Service, Dr. Zhu had worked at the Institute of ...
Read MoreEditors Eric Hansen, Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA Rajat Panwar, Northland College, Ashland, Wisconsin, USA Richard Vlosky, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, USA This book covers a wide array of topics that have relevance to the global forest products. This managerial view, based on up-to-date scientific research, is a very important tool for forming the “big picture” of the current and future state of the global forest industry. This is the first book of its kind written by a global network of leaders in the field of forest products, marketing, and business development in the forest products sector in academia ...
Read MoreRaw timber export is estimated to rise by 33 percent this year, in the lead-up to a nationwide ban on the commodity. Burma’s Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry announced mid-last year that the banning of raw timber export sales will go into effect on 1 April 2014. Bar Bar Cho, secretary of the Myanmar Timber Merchants Association (MTMA) said the steep rise in exports could be a result of the announcement. “On average, the annual value of timber export was between US$600 to 800 million, but we are likely to see a rise in the number – estimated between ...
Read MoreThree members of the UBC Faculty of Forestry will be honoured with Scientific Achievement Awards from the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) in recognition of their distinguished achievements in forest science. Prof. Rob Kozak of Wood Science is one of them. http://www.forestry.ubc.ca/2014/02/three-forestry-professors-recognized-for-achievements/
Read MoreThe claim making the rounds of environmental non-governmental organizations is that whole mature trees are being used to make wood pellets, and that this results in carbon emissions that are at least as bad as coal if not worse. This claim—erroneous though it is—has led to multiple negative stories in the press, resulting in public relations problems for wood pellet manufacturers in the US South and utilities in the UK and EU. A good deal of the misinformation reported in the media stems from a lack of understanding about the wood supply chain and how trees are used in manufacturing ...
Read MoreSWST is currently planning for the 2015 International Convention (June 7-12) to be held at the Jackson Lake Lodge in the Grand Teton National Park. http://www.gtlc.com/lodging/jackson-lake-lodge-overview.aspx This is a phenomenal location and we anticipate a high level of participation. Accordingly, we are adding a new event and allocating a full day (June 12) for other organizations that may wish to organize a parallel session for our Parallel Organization Day. The idea is to offer members of other organizations to attend our SWST Convention, but also have the flexibility to host their own organizational business meeting or technical session. For example, ...
Read MoreRenewable Natural Resource Foundation (RNRF) Held Its Congress on Coastal Resilience and Risk on December 11-12, 2013, at the NOAA Center for Weather and Climate Prediction in College Park, MD Over 160 delegates listened to 15 speakers, who examined national and local policy imperatives, the means to enhance structural and economic resilience, application of smart use and development to achieve a resilient coast, and how the exigencies of fiscal limitations are forcing federal, state and local agencies to adjust their roles. A lively discussion followed each speaker. [caption id="attachment_1266" align="alignnone" width="300"] Exterior of NOAA (The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Center ...
Read MoreChung Yun Hse, Qinglin Wu (not shown), and I represented SWST at the Annual Meeting of IAWS, held together with the Pacific Regional International Association of Wood Anatomists (IAWA) in Nanjing, China. The meeting was attended by over 230 people, 83 of which were from outside China. Over 100 oral presentations and 80 posters were presented on a wide range of wood anatomy and wood science topics. More information can be obtained on the conference website: http://8th-prwac.njfu.edu.cn I then attended the International Wood Culture Symposium on Taxodiaceae in Changsha with over 100 attendees. We had a pre-conference tour to Yueyang City, ...
Read MoreAs the year begins to wind down, it is important to remember that SWST is not slowing down. Next week the board is meeting to make plans for the 2015 International Conference, and to discuss the details of the upcoming 2014 meeting in Slovakia. The board works for you, to be heard contact them through emails or phone calls. It is important to be involved with the society and your input and feedback is important, so please think about both serving on the board in the future or talking with the board members about the society. Cheers, David Jones Editors Note: Sorry about the tardiness ...
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