Education

Education Day at the conference finds more than 1500 (2003 saw about 2400) grade school age kids checking out the equipment and displays as classes move about on a sort of treasure hunt. Logging conference directors and other volunteers guide the classes through the grounds and buildings looking for clues to question sheets given to the teachers as they start. The kids enjoy the game and learn a lot. They have a chance to sit in and see the equipment, the wildlife and lumberjack shows, and see the vendor displays.

Each year, classes are asked to produce and submit a mural art work. These are displayed at the logging conference. Judges choose the best of them and teachers are awarded cash prizes to be used in the classroom.

Visits by industry leaders to classes in local schools are encouraged. When a teacher invites a log truck driver with his truck, a forester or a wildlife manager for a talk, the kids get a more personal taste of the industry. Redwood Region Logging Conference members are available for these classroom visits by appointment.

This year a new format has been put together, the Natural Resource Education Funding Program, for classroom teachers to recieve funding for special projects or events with relevant topics to the timber industry. The conference directors are very excited about this and look forward to hearing what exciting ideas our local educators can envision with this new funding!

In addition to classroom awards, college scholarships are awarded each year to young men and women in college studying redwood forest practices related fields. Funding comes from the raffle, silent and the live auction held each year.

See links for more information about the scholarships available through the
Redwood Region Logging Conference Education Committee.