|
|
 |
|
|
###
This website has been updated and may appear jumbled.
Refresh your webpage (F5 Internet Explorer) to update each page.
# # #
If you are not sure if your name is on the email distribution list or if we have your
current email address, please send an email with your name and the email address
you want Allegheny SAF information to Jack Perdue and we will be sure your
name is added to or corrected in the distribution list.
Thank you.
Contact Webmaster
|
|
|
Updated on : 11/13/2008
|
|
|
An “Approved” Message from Mike Lester
The SAF election for Vice-President is upon us, as it is this time every year. You
saw notes from me in the past urging you to vote when I was the Allegheny Chair
and a similar note when I was your Council Representative. Your vote has
become more urgent (to me, anyway) this year because I am running for SAF
Vice-President. Both our other candidate, Darrel Kenops, and I were asked to
run this year by the SAF Nominating Committee, and we have accepted.
I would urge you, if you haven’t done so already, to read our campaign
statements and interviews that are in the current Forestry Source. Those of you
who have read my articles in the Allegheny News over the last decade are aware
of my stance on many forestry issues. However, I would like this opportunity to
touch briefly on issues that you hopefully find relevant.
The national leadership for SAF has been outstanding. They have been focused
on issues that are critical for the Society and for the profession. I think it will be
important to place continued focus on issues such as the role of forestry in bio-
fuels, in climate change, and on water quality. These are issues that are
achieving increased importance on the national and international stage and
these are opportunities where sustainable forestry plays a key role in solving or
ameliorating these problems.
Moreover, the use of natural resources, including working forests, continues to
generate intense feelings. SAF will need to continue to play a vital role in
providing accurate scientific information that will be critical in framing an
intelligent debate on these complex issues. Furthermore, SAF needs to
aggressively engage all stakeholders in these discussions, not just those that
tend to be viewed as our allies.
Finally, we can’t lose the focus on our field foresters. This is where all of the
sustainable forestry is actually accomplished, and we sometimes lose sight of the
importance of the field foresters when we become embroiled in national and
regional issues.
This election will be interesting on several levels. First, it’s hard for me to look at
Darrel as an opponent, because we both served on Council together and have a
shared passion for SAF and for the profession of Forestry. I also consider Darrel
to be a man of integrity and a friend. However, you have trusted me to lead the
Allegheny SAF for two years as your Chair and as your Council Representative
for three years. I believe that your trust was well placed when you elected me to
these past two leadership positions, and I assure you it will be equally well placed
if you support me in this run for National SAF Vice-President. Having said that,
regardless of whether you vote for me or for Darrel, what will be most important is
that you vote.
Thank you. Carpe Diem.
|
|
|
