2020 annual meeting canceled

For the safety of our members and loggers, the 2020 annual convention of the Louisiana Forestry Association has been canceled.

The 73rd annual meeting was scheduled for Aug. 25-27at the Golden Nugget Hotel Resort & Casino in Lake Charles. However, closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the uncertainty as the country reopens, led to the decision by the LFA executive committee to decide that safety is paramount.

“We regret that we have to cancel this event, which is a favorite for so many of our members, but with all of the uncertainties, we want to make sure our members, our loggers and vendors are not put at any undue risk of the coronavirus,” said LFA Executive Director Buck Vandersteen. “People’s safety is most important.”

Also disappointing, Vandersteen said, is the delay in selecting an Outstanding Louisiana Logger and Outstanding Tree Farm for 2020.

“Part of our convention of fellowship and learning, is that we love honoring our Outstanding Logger for doing excellent work and our Tree Farmer of the Year for their great efforts in making sure that there are forests for generations to come,” he said. “It is sad that this year we won’t be able to give these folks the recognition they deserve.”

Loggers and Tree Farms nominated for the 2020 awards will be included among nominations for 2021 Outstanding Logger and Outstanding Tree Farm.

The annual meeting has been rescheduled for Aug. 24-26, 2021, at the Golden Nugget Hotel Resort & Casino in Lake Charles.