Jesse Eaton, nursery site leader in Turner and Senator David Brock Smith.
Two of our Oregon teams — from our Snow Peak tree farm and our Turner regeneration center — recently hosted tours designed to provide legislators and community stakeholders a closer look at seedling production and new rules related to Oregon’s Private Forest Accord.
First, at the end of September, we partnered with Oregonians for Food and Shelter, a local nonprofit coalition that provides outreach on the responsible use of pesticides, fertilizer and biotechnology, to host a tour at Turner and showcase a critical aspect of forestry: seedling production.
Guests admire Douglas-fir seedlings in the Turner greenhouse.
The tour featured three stops at the Turner regeneration center, each hosted by an internal expert: Anya Hall, seedling sales manager; Jesse Eaton, Turner nursery site leader; and Auriel Day, Rochester nursery site leader. The group of 30 attendees learned how we grow seedlings for reforestation efforts and external customers, the pressures impacting growing seedlings and how we responsibly use pesticides, fertilizers and breeding techniques to keep young trees healthy.
Legislative guests from Oregon included Sen. Suzanne Weber (SD 16), Sen. David Brock Smith (SD 1) Rep. Charlie Conrad (HD 12), Rep. Ed Diehl (HD 17), Rep. Emily McIntire (HD 56), Rep. Boomer Wright (HD 9), and Stacy Clark, representing Rep. Mark Owens (HD 60). Representatives from the Bureau of Land Management, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Oregon Department of Forestry, Chemeketa Community College, Oregon Association of Nurseries, Oregon Farm Bureau, Oregon Forest Industries Council, and Oregon Seed Council also attended.
Senator Suzanne Weber, Representative Boomer Wright, and John Jaynes at our Turner regeneration site.
Then in early October, our Snow Peak tree farm hosted a tour to provide an on-the-ground look at new rules related to the Private Forest Accord. The Private Forest Accord was the result of more than a year of scientific review and negotiations between private forestry representatives, small forestland owners and local environmental groups. Passed by Oregon’s Legislature during the 2022 session, the agreement helps provide legal certainty and regulatory stability for our industry in Oregon.
Our team was joined by our partners from the Oregon Forests Industries Council, Roseburg Forest Products, Miami Corporation and Starker Forests. Tour attendees received a closer look at new stream buffers, bridge and culvert standards, fish crossings and steep slope regulations. The tour was led by Marc Cannon, region manager, and Snow Peak team members Jill Bell, area manager; Rob Van Curler, region engineering lead; and Michael Kuenzi, forest engineering specialist, who all provided insight into how the changes happening in Oregon will impact our operations.
Senator David Brock Smith and Representative Boomer Wright.
Tour attendees included Rep. Court Boice (HD 1), Sen. Tim Knopp (SD 27), Rep. John Lively (HD 7), Rep. Nancy Nathanson (HD 13), Rep. Virgle Osborne (HD 2), Sen. Sara Gelser Blouin (SD 8), Jason Trombley representing Oregon House Democrats, Jessica Snook representing Rep. Tracy Cramer (HD 22), and Stuty Maskey representing House Speaker Dan Rayfield (HD 16).
“Hosting legislators and staff provides an opportunity for them to learn how we work and allows time for meaningful conversation and questions,” says Betsy Earls, Oregon public affairs manager. “Being able to learn firsthand about PFA changes gives them a better understanding of how the law impacts landowners.”
