Redwood Region Logging Conference
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2024 Host Hotel!
2024 Association of Western Forestry Clubs (AWFC) Conclave
March 11-16, 2024
FRee Admission
Logging has a rich history throughout the West, and the Association of Western Forestry Clubs (AWFC) Conclave was revived from a different national competition to provide opportunities to young forestry hopefuls west of the Mississippi. From the University of Montana’s 1939 Forestry Club’s yearbook: “It started back in 1914 at Penn State under the guidance of Prof. Mulford, now Dean of the School of Forestry at the University of California. This association was of national scope, and it was just that which caused its death, due to the prohibitive expense of sending delegates to the conventions and the great variance of interests and ideas between the East and West. In the fall of 1937, Montana Forestry Club began talking up the association's revival, though only for Western clubs.”
The first AWFC was hosted by the University of Montana in 1939 in Missoula, Montana. Since then, the competition has only been stopped for World War II and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. Fittingly, the University of Montana Woodsmen team hosted the first competition back after the pandemic.
After that, the leadership at Oregon State University in 2023 did a great job hosting the 83rd Annual AWFC. Cal Poly Humboldt now has the honor of hosting the 84th Annual AWFC, and we are very excited to host our western forestry teams this year. Humboldt County has a long history of logging, due to the impressive native Coast Redwood tree (Sequoia sempervirens), which we are very proud to share with you. Our area has many other natural gems to appreciate, so we hope that the teams are able to take the time to soak in the surrounding regal beauty.
The Cal Poly Humboldt Logging Sports team is thrilled to be the host of the 84th Annual AWFC Competition, a momentous event set in the heart of the Redwood Curtain. We eagerly anticipate the arrival of competitors from across the Western US.
The 2nd Annual John Iversen Invitational Logging Sports Competition will take place on Saturday, March 16th and is free for everyone to attend!
ACL PROLOGGER CLASSES
Associated California Loggers (ACL) ProLogger Certification and Continuing Education Classes will be offered at the 86th Redwood Region Logging Conference.
Fortuna Volunteer Fire Department Chief, Rus Brown, will be returning to teach Risk Management as well as First Aid and CPR Training.
Rus began his career as the Corporate Safety Director for Eel River Sawmill in 1990, later he became the Program Director for Northern California Safety Consortium. Rus has been teaching First Aid/CPR since 1999.
Pre-registration & Payment is Required.
Thursday, March 14th Risk Management and First Aid/CPR will be taught in the Conference Room at the Best Western Plus Bayshore Inn.
If you need more Continuing Education units, there will be four classes to choose from on Friday, March 15th at Redwood Acres Fairgrounds.
The RRLC board has worked hard to bring you relevant content taught by knowledgeable and dynamic instructors that work in the industry. All classes will be recognized by the ACL.
Download your ProLogger Registration below:
Beer & Wine Gala
$50
Thursday, March 14th, 6:00pm
Enjoy a variety of wine or beer served by your favorite RRLC Board Member! A light dinner will be served and each ticket includes a collector edition RRLC pint glass or RRLC wine glass to take home. The Gala will feature a live auction of redwood carvings created onsite by professional chainsaw carvers competing for the highest-earning auction item. The proceeds benefit RRLC educational programs.
Gin Fizz Breakfast
& Membership Meeting
The Gin Fizz Breakfast serves as the annual meeting of the general membership of the Redwood Region Logging Conference. Members enjoy a hearty breakfast while hearing industry updates, the RRLC President's message, the announcement of the Achievement Award and the Shining Star award winners, scholarship awards, a guest speaker, and of course bottomless Gin Fizz's.
The 2024 guest speaker will be Jessica Hinojosa, the Tree Improvement Manager for Sierra Pacific Industries. Jessica will be sharing the progress and goals for the state-of-the-art seedling nursery in Gazelle, CA.
$40
Friday, March 15th
8:30am
Timberman's Banquet
$100
Friday, March 15th
Arcata community center
Join us for a celebration of the men and women of the Timber Industry. Enjoy a catered dinner, Logger's Raffle, Live Auction, and Claudia Lima's highly anticipated annual video! This is our largest fundraiser of the year and will sell out. Be sure to reserve your tickets early!
John Iversen Invitational
Lumberjack competition
FREE
Saturday, March 16th
@9:00am
Logging Sports teams from Oregon to San Luis Obispo will compete in the 2nd Annual John Iversen Invitational Lumberjack Competition. In 2023 the RRLC board unanimously decided to honor former president, John Iversen, by renaming the annual lumberjack competition. John was dedicated to the timber industry, to the RRLC, his community, and most importantly to his family. He is missed by so many, but his legacy continues. RRLC is honored to offer a lumberjack competition in John's name.
Ladies Luncheon
$50
Saturday, March 16th
@11:00am
The Ladies Luncheon is an opportunity for all women associated with or appreciative of the timber industry to enjoy a couple of hours of pampering during the conference. Traditionally, the Ladies Luncheon is hosted by the RRLC President's spouse. This year, Becca Meyer has planned an event you will not want to miss. Owner of the Wandering Board, Sierra Jackson, will be guiding attendees through the intricacies of creating the perfect charcuterie board. Laughter, wine, and food will be enjoyed by all. Attendees will receive a free entry for a chance to win amazing gift baskets donated by RRLC board members. This year's luncheon will be held at the Wharfinger.
Log Loader Competition
FREE
mARCH 16TH@1:00
The Log Loader Competition is a timed skills test for equipment operators. Using the grapples on a Heel Boom Log Loader, contestants will stack three lengths of logs cut on the angle and color-coded. The contestant with the fastest time wins bragging rights for the year and a custom trophy designed by Byron McWaters of Mad Metals!
Be sure to attend the conference on Saturday, March 16th to see some of the best equipment operators in the Redwood Region make the task look easy!
This is a free event for the whole family to enjoy!
Past President's Axe Throw
free
Saturday, March 16th
The Redwood Region Logging Conference has a rich history that has been carefully curated by a volunteer board made up of industry professionals. Each year the Past Presidents of the RRLC gather for a friendly competition of axe throwing. This year we are mixing it up a bit. Current and past RRLC directors will hold an axe-throwing competition earlier in the week and the winner will have an exhibition match against the winner of the Past president's Axe Throw! Stick around after the John Iversen Invitational for a great time!
Show 'N Shine
FREE
Be sure to check out the 2024 Show 'N Shine! Beautiful working trucks will be on display and competing for their spot on the 2025 Official Show 'N Shine T-shirt! The first-place winner will also receive $500!
Trucks are the workhorses of the industry and offer a rugged beauty to the conference.
Be sure to purchase your commemorative T-shirt featuring the 2023 winner at the registration desk.