National Association of Women in Timber

10/19/2026

It’s National Forest Products Week!

Did you know this week has been celebrated since the 1960’s?! Dedicated to recognizing the many ways our forests contribute to our everyday lives and celebrating the people who make it all possible!

From the lumber in our homes and the paper in our offices to the packaging, furniture, and other wood-based products we use every day, forest products are all around us.

Behind every forest product is a network of people working hard to keep this industry moving from forest landowners and foresters to loggers, truck drivers, mill workers, and countless others who make it all happen.

At the National Association of Women in Timber, we’re proud to recognize the women who play an important role in this industry, and the men who support us! Whether they’re managing timberlands, operating equipment, supporting forest operations, leading businesses, or working behind the scenes, women are helping shape the future of forestry.

Tell us in the comments a forest product you can’t imagine life without?!

10/05/2026

Another link to the podcast that Lori was a guest speaker on!

Sandy Mahon, Lori Walker, Amanda Godon, and Joan Nichols were guests of Pete Wood who were all attending the American Loggers Council annual meeting in Williamsburg, Virginia...

10/04/2026

The National Association of Women in Timber (NAWT) was proud to be represented at the recent American Loggers Council Annual Meeting in Williamsburg, Virginia!

NAWT Founder Lori Walker and member Paige Quillin had the pleasure of connecting with incredible men and women across the logging community, sharing experiences and building vital industry relationships.

Here are a few highlights from an educational and fun-filled week:

* Sickal Logging Job Tour: This inspiring family-owned business has been operating in the industry for 21 years!

* Ball Lumber Co. Sawmill Tour: A fantastic operation employing approximately 70 people—with women making up an impressive 20% of the workforce!

* Expert Guest Speakers: We are so grateful to the speakers who filled the room with their invaluable knowledge and expertise.

* Surprise Guest & Live Auction: A surprise appearance brought plenty of laughter to the crowd, and the live auction brought unbelievable excitement to the room in support of "Log A Load For Kids."

* Podcast Feature: A truly special moment occurred when Lori was invited to join Peter Wood on the "Let the Sawdust Fly" podcast! Lori, including three other women from different parts of the country shared their unique experiences, perspectives, and passion for the industry. Be sure to check it out! (Link in the comments!)

Our attendance and voices are a must at these events. A huge thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this conference such a success, and a special shout-out to all the women who are making a difference in the timber industry!

10/02/2026

The US South remains one of the world's most important timber-producing regions, but the picture on the ground has become increasingly uneven. Mill closures, weaker wood demand, longer haul distances and the loss of pulpwood and residual markets are putting … Continue reading →

09/26/2026

While our Communications and Marketing Coordinator Heather spent the last couple weekends at the Washington State Fair with her daughter showing her animals with 4-H, she just had to stop by and check out the “Our Food, Our Farms” timber and forestry exhibit!

Timber and forestry are such an important part of our local communities, livelihoods, and way of life, yet it’s still rare to see the industry represented and highlighted like this.
It was so great to see forestry getting some well-deserved attention and recognition! A big thank you to Oregon State University and Weyerhaeuser for putting this exhibit together and helping share the story of our industry!

09/18/2026

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09/09/2026

The National Association of Women in Timber was proud to be represented by Emma Dunn at the Forestry Association of South Carolina Young Professionals Summit!

During her presentation, Emma shared the history of women in forestry and highlighted the important role women have played in shaping the industry over time. She also discussed the impact women continue to make across all areas of forestry and the timber industry today, as well as the importance of creating opportunities for women to connect, learn, and grow within the profession.

Emma also had the opportunity to share more about the National Association of Women in Timber, including our growth as an organization, our mission, and our goals for the future. NAWT is committed to supporting, educating, and connecting women throughout the timber industry while encouraging professional development, industry involvement, and meaningful relationships among our members.

A special thank you to the Forestry Association of South Carolina for inviting NAWT to be part of this year’s Young Professionals Summit and for continuing to invest in the future of the forestry industry!

08/21/2026

🌲 𝗪𝗛𝗬 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥𝗦 🌲

Please contact your members of Congress and urge them to support the 𝗪𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗰𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

𝗞𝗘𝗬 𝗣𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗧𝗦

• The Renewable Fuel Standard requires nearly 26 billion gallons of renewable fuel to be blended into the U.S. fuel supply in 2026.

• Current law severely restricts which sources of forest biomass qualify:

➤ Fiber from qualifying private plantations is eligible only if the land was cleared before December 19, 2007.

➤ Slash and pre-commercial thinnings qualify.

➤ Whole trees and fiber from federal lands do not qualify.

• Loggers, landowners and sawmills support expanding eligibility because mill closures and declining demand for forest fiber have created an urgent need for new markets.

• The American Forest & Paper Association and pulp-and-paper producers oppose unrestricted expansion. They contend that additional competition could increase wood costs and reduce feedstock availability—even while paper companies import pulp and close U.S. mills.

• Any proposal to protect wood-sourcing areas surrounding existing pulp-and-paper mills should be carefully scrutinized for its potential effects on competition and possible antitrust concerns.

• Strong markets for low-value wood and residuals help keep working forests economically viable and reduce the likelihood that forestland will be converted to development.

📣 𝗧𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗚𝗥𝗘𝗦𝗦 𝗧𝗢 𝗩𝗢𝗧𝗘 𝗬𝗘𝗦!

𝗨.𝗦. 𝗦𝗘𝗡𝗔𝗧𝗘
𝗦.𝟱𝟬𝟴𝟳 — Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act of 2026

𝗨.𝗦. 𝗛𝗢𝗨𝗦𝗘
𝗛.𝗥.𝟵𝟴𝟮𝟳 — Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act of 2026

Healthy forest markets support healthy working forests.

08/20/2026

NAWT Founder and Executive Director Lori Walker had an incredible week at the Louisiana Forestry Association Annual Meeting at the Golden Nugget in Lake Charles, LA!

With over 550 industry professionals in attendance, the energy was unmatched. The event offered top-tier insights from highly knowledgeable guest speakers and fantastic networking opportunities.

It was a total privilege to represent the National Association of Women in Timber (NAWT). We are deeply grateful for the immense interest in our mission from so many peers across the industry—both men and women!

A special highlight was also getting to spend quality time connecting with her wonderful Manulife co-workers.

Thank you, LFA, for hosting such a impactful event. The future of forestry is bright!

06/16/2026

Day 1 Recap – NAWT Conference at McNamee Plantation

What an incredible first day at the beautiful McNamee Plantation, graciously hosted by Amy McFadden, Owner of White Oak Forest Management!

NAWT Founder & Executive Director, Lori Walker kicked off the conference by welcoming attendees from not only across the industry, but across the country, and even Canada, emphasizing to the group the NAWT Mission statement which is to support, educate and connect women in the timber industry.

NAWT Secretary Simone Handfield led the rapid-fire introductions and getting to know the “who’s who” of our group. The energy in the room was immediate as new connections were formed and familiar faces reunited.

NAWT Vice President Cierra Ward then launched our peer-to-peer networking activity, requiring attendees to switch tables and sit with individuals they had never met before. Together, participants discussed challenging workplace topics, exchanged perspectives, and built meaningful professional relationships.

We were also honored to have several special guests hosting informational tables throughout the day:
* Douglas Nielson representing Motus, Inc.
* Amanda Wyer and Gabriella Granes representing Manulife Investment Management Talent Acquisition Team
* Tancey Belken representingClemson University
* Chasity Benjamin representing We Are Sharing Hope SC – Organ & Tissue Recovery Services

Following lunch, catered by Honey Hive Catering and sponsored by Amy McFadden, attendees split into two groups for hands-on learning experiences.

One group joined Amy McFadden and Will Caulder, for a field tour highlighting the life cycle of a loblolly pine. The tour included stops from newly planted seedlings to active harvesting operations—providing a comprehensive look at forest management from establishment to harvest.

The second group, led by Niki Krantz and Allie McFadden, enjoyed a tree and plant identification walk through the scenic grounds of McNamee Plantation, learning about native species and the diverse ecosystem of the property.

Day 1 was filled with networking, education, and hands-on experiences that truly showcased the value of bringing women and forestry professionals together.

We look forward to sharing more from the conference as we continue learning, connecting, and growing together.