The Skidder Online

What is 'Productivity'

Greetings Tour Participants!

The term “forest productivity” is at the heart of our project, but there are many ways to understand what it means. Today we invite you to discuss YOUR understanding of this term and what you think it means for forestry in our region.

Jim Bowyer has written a short piece to set the stage for our discussion (thanks Jim!). Please click on 'continue reading' to read Jim's essay or click here to download a copy. Feel free to share your reactions to Jim's essay in the comments section below his piece.

The results of this online “discussion” will help to inform our post-project recommendations and action steps. We hope you will take some time to be part of this important discussion.

Meet Cheryl Adams and Jim Bowyer

Hello, I'm Mark Jacobs and I'd like to introduce you to Cheryl Adams. I first met Cheryl Adams over a decade ago as she was guiding college students on a field tour I was conducting on forest management. Since that time I’ve observed her emergence as a leader in the promotion and implementation of best forestry practices. Whenever sustainable forestry in the Lake States is the topic of discussion, Cheryl’s name is in the mix. We are fortunate to have her expertise in our backyard.  Welcome, Cheryl!

Hi, I'm Katie Fernholz and am very pleased to introduce Jim Bowyer. Many of us know Jim Bowyer (including those of us that were enrolled in his infamous class at the U - Wood as a Raw Material - aka “Wood as a Raw Deal”!).  This video gives us a chance to see a bit of the world of forestry from Jim’s vantage point.  He reminds us of the challenges of change but also the power of experiencing alternative approaches. I’ve had the honor of working with Jim over the years, and I appreciate the perspective he brings.  It is good to have him on the bus!

Nancy Berlin Comments on Iggesund Fossil Fuel Reduction Article

Nancy Berlin here! I have some comments about the article Jim discusses in his post to the Skidder Online last week.

In the article the Sweden-based Iggesund Paperboard reports reducing its use of fossil fuel by 75% and drastically cutting carbon dioxide emissions.

With the recently passed Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, I know federal Agencies will be looking at 20% reduction in petroleum consumption and a 10% increase in alternative fuels along with 30% reduction in energy used in federal buildings by 2015.

We will all be looking at models like Iggesund Paperboard to build our future. If you didn't get a chance to read the article, you can find the article link by clicking on Sweden or GlobalWarming in the "tag cloud" on the upper left-hand corner of any page on the Skidder Online.

One last thing! There are other web-based resources that Jim would like to share with you. You can find the link to them in his learning log.

Thanks everyone,

Nancy