Timber Tour set for June 17
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 15 years, 3 months AGO
The Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce's Natural Resources Committee will host a Timber Tour on Friday, June 17 to showcase Idaho's timber industry.
"The greater Coeur d'Alene area has a rich history of natural resource utilization, which continues to play an important role in the area's economy. We're excited to be able to give people an opportunity to learn about how important the timber industry is for Idaho," said chamber CEO Todd Christensen.
Participants will meet with forestry professionals from Stimson Lumber Company, Idaho Forest Group and representatives from public agencies such as the Idaho Department of Lands and U.S. Forest Service.
It is through the private-public cooperation that the timber and forest product industry continues to provide important jobs and economic diversity to the region.
During the tour, participants will learn about Idaho's timber industry. They will see contemporary practices in nursery technology including seed collection, extraction and seedlings.
They will also visit several types of tree plantations to see timber sales, regeneration and the modern equipment used to manage private and public forest lands.
The tour will end with a visit to Idaho Forest Group's Chilco sawmill to better understand the value added by forest products produced in the North Idaho area.
The tour includes a visit to Farragut State Park, a presentation on hazardous fuels reduction treatments within the park, and a Stimson-sponsored lunch. At the conclusion of the Timber Tour, Idaho Forest Group will host a dinner following the tour of their sawmill.
"We're glad to be a part of educational tours like this," said Alan Harper, resource manager for Idaho Forest Group's Chilco sawmill. "People don't understand how our industry has modernized and how we have changed. Modern logging practices are very light on the landscape and we're proud to showcase that."
The tour begins at 9 a.m. on June 17 and participants will need to arrive at the U.S. Forest Service/BLM office, 3815 Schreiber Way, by 8:30 a.m.
Participants will board a bus to travel to these sites, and they will be returned to the office around 7 p.m. following the tour and dinner. The cost is $25 per person and includes transportations, meals and tour materials.
To register contact the Coeur d'Alene Chamber of Commerce at (208) 664-3194. The tour is limited to 50 people.