74th annual convention canceled

Due to the surge in coronavirus, especially in the southwest portion of the state, the Louisiana Forestry Association has decided to cancel its in-person meeting scheduled for Aug. 24-26 in Lake Charles.

"The safety of our attendees is paramount," said LFA Executive Director Buck Vandersteen. "The surge in coronavirus challenges our ability to ensure a safe and healthy meeting."

Those challenges could have put forestry workers and others in the forest community at risk of coming in to contact with the virus.

"We are an essential industry and the men and women working in forestry need our assurance that meetings we hold respect their ability to work," Vandersteen said.

In lieu of meeting in-person, Dr. Brooks Mendell, who was to be one of the speakers for the general session, will be featured in a webinar at 9 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 25. There is no cost to join the webinar, but you must register. Registration for the webinar will begin Tuesday, Aug. 17.

Vandersteen said plans for other webinars are in the making and will be announced as soon as details are worked out.

"Stay healthy and we look forward to meeting in the future," said Vandersteen.