Alabama Forestry Association

10/02/2026

The Alabama Forestry Association and Alabama Forestry Foundation were honored to celebrate the career and service of Chris Blankenship following the conclusion of his tenure as Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Since his appointment in 2017, Commissioner Blankenship has helped lead historic investments in Alabama’s outdoors, including more than $525 million in outdoor recreation improvements and more than $350 million in improvements to Alabama State Parks. His tenure has also included more than 110,000 acres added to Alabama’s public lands and more than $1.27 billion in Deepwater Horizon oil spill recovery projects completed, underway or approved along the Alabama coast.

For Alabama’s forestry community, one project stands out in particular: the new lodge at Cheaha State Park.

Commissioner Blankenship and ADCNR made a deliberate effort to showcase Alabama forest products in the project, incorporating mass timber construction and cross-laminated timber made from timber sustainably harvested and milled right here in Alabama. The project demonstrates the beauty, strength and versatility of our forest products while supporting Alabama’s forest industry.

The new Cheaha State Park Lodge will celebrate its grand opening October 16 at 2 p.m.—a fitting showcase for Alabama’s forests, forest products and outdoor heritage.

Commissioner Blankenship’s career has helped highlight the important connection between healthy forests, conservation, recreation and a strong forest products industry.

The Alabama Forestry Association and Alabama Forestry Foundation are grateful for his partnership, leadership and service to Alabama. We wish Chris Blankenship all the best in his next chapter!

09/29/2026

🌲🪵👷🏼‍♂️ From the forest to the sawmill — students got to see it all.

Last week, 30 students from Henry County stepped outside the classroom for a hands-on look at the forest products industry during the 2026 Henry County Forestry Field Day hosted by ForestryWorks of Alabama.

The day took students from Koinonia Plantation, where Eric and Tammy O’Bryan and others demonstrated how sustainable forest management helps shape healthy, productive forests, to a Green Diamond tract where students saw a harvest in progress with Deloney Brothers Logging. Foresters, loggers and other industry professionals answered questions and gave students a closer look at the equipment, people and processes behind the work.

The final stop was Abbeville Fiber, where students toured the sawmill and saw how harvested timber moves through the manufacturing process to become forest products we use every day.

Perhaps the most valuable part of the day came during the sponsored lunch, when students were given the opportunity to visit with the people behind each step. Students talked with forestry professionals about what they do, how they got started and where a career in the forest industry could take them. Several even took the opportunity to talk directly with employers about potential jobs.

A big thank-you to the many industry professionals, educators and forestry partners who shared their time and expertise to make the day possible — and to Abbeville Fiber for providing lunch for everyone. 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

Field days like this help students connect what they're learning in the classroom with real people and real careers that impact all of our daily lives.

https://forestryworks.com/news/henry-county-field-day-shows-students-the-journey-from-forest-to-finished-product

09/29/2026

09/14/2026

🌲 2026 AFA Legislator of the Year 🌲

AFA is proud to recognize Representative Jamie Kiel as our 2026 Legislator of the Year during the opening morning of the 2026 AFA Annual Meeting.

Representative Kiel has been a strong advocate for Alabama’s forest industry, landowners, and rural communities. We appreciate his leadership and continued support of the issues important to forestry.

Congratulations, Representative Kiel, and thank you for being a champion for forestry!

📷 Photo Credit: Deano Orr, Weyerhaeuser

08/24/2026

There’s more to the mass timber conversation than what’s happening in the marketplace - research, design, and education are helping shape what comes next.

𝗗𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗱 𝗛𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗼𝗻, Associate Dean for Research & Graduate Programs at Auburn University College of Architecture, Design, and Construction, will bring that perspective to our 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗹 Tuesday morning at the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗔𝗙𝗔 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴.

September 13–15 | Perdido Beach Resort
www.2026afaannualmeeting.com

08/21/2026

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗕𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝗠𝗼𝗼𝗿𝗲 will join us Monday morning, September 14, at the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗔𝗙𝗔 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴.

We’re excited to have him join us - more speaker announcements to come!

𝗦𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟭𝟯–𝟭𝟱 | 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗼 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝗿𝘁

www.2026afaannualmeeting.com

08/20/2026

The growing mass timber market takes center stage Tuesday morning at the 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 𝗔𝗙𝗔 𝗔𝗻𝗻𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗠𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴.

𝗦𝗶𝗺𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗻, VP of Marketing and Communications with the Softwood Lumber Board, will join our three-member 𝗠𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗻𝗲𝗹 to talk about what’s happening in this growing market and what it means for the forest products industry.

See you at the BEACH! 🌲
www.2026afaannualmeeting.com

08/19/2026

We’re excited to welcome U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville back to the Perdido Beach Resort as a featured speaker at the 2026 AFA Annual Meeting!

Another great reason to join us at the beach!

📅 September 13–15
📍 Perdido Beach Resort
🌐 www.2026afaannualmeeting.com

07/31/2026

Alabama ForestryWorks is proud to be represented by David Benefield at the Alabama CTE Summer Professional Development Conference at the Mobile Convention Center this week!

Career and Technical Education teachers play a vital role in preparing the next generation of forest industry professionals. We're excited to share how the ForestryWorks credentialing programs can help educators connect students with rewarding careers in Alabama's forest industry.