Impressive displays of state-of-the-art logging and forestry equipment and a keynote speaker addressing sustainable building practices are just two reasons to attend the upcoming 87th Annual Oregon Logging Conference. The annual gathering, February 20 – 22, 2025 at the Lane Events Center and Fairgrounds in Eugene will be guided by the theme “Timber Builds Dreams.”
Keynote speaker Chris Evans is President of Timberlab, a Portland, OR based company dedicated to engineering, manufacturing, and constructing mass timber buildings. Evans holds a Master of Science in internal construction management from the University of Florida and a Bachelor of Science in mathematics from the University of Oregon. Evans is dedicated to advancing sustainable practices and optimizing the mass timber supply chain, bridging the gap between traditional construction methods and innovative timber solutions.
Of this year’s theme “Timber Builds Dreams” 87th Annual Oregon Logging Conference President Jayme Dumford said, “To me, it fits into so many categories. It includes the contractor who is running his own business,” he added, “others who are managing small tree farms, and the people who are working in the industry. Then there is the product side, an almost endless list of products,” Dumford said, “and those who use them to build dreams.”
Desserts for Dreams Fundraiser to Benefit Every Child Lane County
All the proceeds from this luncheon held at the Graduate by Hilton Eugene on Friday, February 21st will benefit the non-profit organization Every Child Lane County, which provides assistance for children and families in the foster care system. Oregon Logging Conference First Lady Maria Dumford selected the charity to benefit from this year’s 21st Annual event. The luncheon features salads and desserts donated by local bakeries and restaurants. This year, the luncheon will include a sock drive, with all donations given to the charity’s Brighter Side Giving Store.
7th Annual Future Forestry Workers Career Day
This invitation-only event on Friday, February 21st is an interactive and hands-on career day for high school students, providing them with information about current and future jobs opportunities, and the skills needed to fill those positions. More than 900 high school students from 33 schools in Oregon have signed up to attend and at the event will rotate to different stations to learn about forestry and logging, wildland firefighting, trucking, diesel mechanics, welding, and heavy equipment operation. This event takes place in the Livestock Arena at the Lane County Fairgrounds.
Twelve Oregon High School teams will participate in the high school forestry skills relay, which is a part of Future Forestry Workers Career Day. Schools participating in this event are Crater, Tillamook, Central Linn, Sabin-Schellenberg, Taft, Philomath, Waldport, Siuslaw, Yoncalla, Scio, La Pine, and Sweet Home High Schools. Students will observe their peers showing off their logging skills in four events: choker setting, hose pay, chainsaw use, and crosscut sawing. These are skills loggers of today and yesterday needed to carry out their trade. This event is sponsored by Nygaard Logging and Warrenton Fiber.
Family Day and OLC Open to the Public Day
The final day of the OLC, Saturday February 22nd, is dedicated to families and is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Family Day activities are planned at the Wheeler Pavilion, on the Lane County Fairgrounds and will include paper making, bird house building, free seedling giveaways, and other forestry-related hands-on opportunities. Admission is free.
“Being open to the public on Saturday provides an opportunity for everyone to learn more about who we are and what we do and meet many of the professionals who make their living in this industry,” said Rikki Wellman, OLC Manager. “Our conference is also a place where forestry and natural resource professionals can socialize and network with others in the industry.”
Seminars and Panel Discussions
A variety of current topic seminars and panel discussions will be taking place at the OLC. A full list is posted on the OLC website (www.oregonloggingconfernce.com)
Two new business seminars this year include First Aid/CPR/AED and Basic Fire School Certification classes. The First Aid class will be taught by Chet Casey of First Aid Safety Training Inc., includes an additional fee, and is limited to the first 50 registered OLC members who sign up. The Basic Fire School Certification class will be taught by Mike Jackson of the Douglas Forest Protection Association, and those who complete the course will receive a basic fire certification card.
Seminars and panel discussions take place Thursday and Friday, February 21st and 22nd and are open to those registered to attend the OLC.
Fun to Watch Activities
The annual 15th Annual Log Loader Competition is a popular outdoor event which tests the skills of log loader operators, as they demonstrate speed, skill, and efficiency. Operating a Link-Belt log loader, contestants have seven minutes to stack log blocks end-to-end, matching numbers or colors on predetermined marks on the ground.
Watch as the Chainsaw Carvers use their skills to create amazing and beautiful works of art. Three chainsaw carvers will be at the Oregon Logging Conference: Jay Peppard, Chainsaw Buzz, Wayne Lyon, Bears, Bears, Bears Wood Carving, and Nick Myers, Little Bear Sculptures.
For more information about the 87th Annual Oregon Logging Conference:
www.oregonloggingconference.com (OLC website)
www.forestnet.com/oregon-logging-conference-official-show-guide/ (2025 TimberWest Magazine OLC Show Guide)