The 87th Annual Oregon Logging Conference showcased the use of mass timber in construction, fundraising efforts for Every Child Lane County, a Future Forestry Workers Career Day, log loader competition winners and family activities. The event highlighted advancements in sustainable logging practices.
Oregon Logging Conference photo
Industry professionals gathered for three days of networking, education and social activities at the 87th Annual Oregon Logging Conference (OLC) from Feb. 20-22, 2025, at the Lane Events Center and Fairground in Eugene.
This year, there were more exhibitors, both inside and outside, and greater attendance at the OLC.
"The 2025 conference was excellent," OLC President Jayme Dumford said. "The show continues to grow and has become the place to be for industry professionals."
Saying it was an honor to be invited and share his message with the OLC, keynote speaker Chris Evans, president of Timberlab of Portland, Ore., talked about the environmental advantages of using mass timber building materials rather than concrete and steel. He said using mass timber instead of concrete and steel will result in a 60 percent reduction in greenhouse gases.
"Using wood helps reduce carbon emissions," Evans said. "If you put this product into a building where it's going to be stored for 100 years, that really is a deferment of having that carbon released into the atmosphere."
Evans also said the typical mass timber building is half the weight of a concrete building.
"It's hard to fathom how much a building weighs when you look at it, but when you think about the impact that has to the local community, as that building is being built, that's half the trucks on the road," he said.
Fundraiser Benefits Every Child Lane County
More than $30,000 was raised at the 21st annual Desserts for Dreams luncheon on Feb. 21 at the Graduate by Hilton Eugene hotel. It was the most successful of the events since it began in 2004.
OLC First Lady Maria Dumford selected Every Child Lane County as this year's charity to benefit from the annual fundraiser. Every Child Lane County is a nonprofit that assists children and families in the foster care system.
"Dessert for Dreams was an overwhelming success with the largest attendance ever," Dumford said. "Thank you to everyone who came and gave generously."
Future Forestry Workers Career Day
More than 700 students, educators and industry professionals participated in the 7th Annual Future Forestry Workers Career Day, held on Feb. 21 in conjunction with the Oregon Logging Conference.
High school students from more than 32 Oregon schools attended the interactive and hands-on career day, learning about logging, forestry, reforestation, sawmills, wildland firefighting, diesel mechanics and operating heavy equipment.
One of the activities at Future Forestry Workers Career Day was the high school forestry skills relay.
With 100 students from 12 Oregon schools competing, Waldport High School teams took first and second places, finishing within seconds of each other. Third place was captured by La Pine High School, and Taft High School took fourth place.
The teams competed against each other in the four-skills relay, which included hose lay, choker setting, crosscut sawing and chainsaw use.
Log Loader Competition Winners
Demonstrating their skills at operating a 4040-B Link-Belt forestry excavator/log loader, the top three winners in the 15th Annual Oregon Logging Conference Log Loader Competition were within 20 seconds of each other.
First place was Jeremy Staats of Bryant Logging with a time of 3:24:44. Second place was Bryan Chipps of Green Diamond Resource Co. at 3:35:91 and third place was Layne Walker at 3:43.16.
Guess Net Scale
Oregon Logging Conference attendees gave their guesses for the net scale of two loads of logs, with the winner of each receiving a $250 Cabela's gift card.
The winner of the load of alder chip and saw logs was Thomas Fox of Ethel, Wash. He was within 10 ft. of the total of 4,690 board ft.
The net scale of the load of logs was 6,660 net. Jack Miller from California guessed it to the foot.
Family Day, OLC ‘Open to Public' Day
Forest families and other members of the public turned out on Feb. 22 to build wooden birdhouses just outside the Wheeler Pavilion. Popular Family Day activities included live wildlife, free seedling giveaways, face painting, balloons, art projects and other hands-on forestry-related opportunities.
"The final day of the conference is an opportunity for families to attend the OLC and for the public to learn more about who we are and what we do and meet many of the professionals who make their living in our industry," said Rikki Wellman, OLC manager.
The 88th Annual Oregon Logging Conference will be held Feb. 19-21, 2026. For more information, visit www.oregonloggingconference.com.
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