The WVPPCA continues to forge ahead in the establishment of ponderosa pine as a commercial species in the Willamette Valley. Seed crops at the Robert H Mealey Gene Conservancy continue to increase. Advances are being made in insect and disease research and educating Willamette Valley landowners on Valley ponderosa pine management practices. The Association has deferred carbon credit aggregation to the Woodland Carbon Company a new organization being developed by the Oregon Small Woodland Association.
The summer tour was held July 19th in the Marcola and Springfield area. The WVPPCA display was presented at the Clackamas County Tree School. Work continues on the Oregon Garden ponderosa pine demonstration area. Studies are in progress on gall rust resistance, wood quality, and whether the Willamette Valley race qualifies as a valid variety of ponderosa pine.
The Executive committee held three meetings. The 2007 annual report was published and 615 mailed to persons on our contact list. The 2008 membership was 114 about the same as previous years.
The Annual meeting was held February 20 in Albany. Over twenty five people attended the event. Dan Kintigh was elected to continue on the Executive committee for a three year term. Rob Flowers recruited ponderosa pine landowners to assist him in his planned insect survey. Bob McNitt asked for 20 year old pine stand candidates for growth and yield measurements. The afternoon’s featured speaker was Jim Cathcart, Forest Resource Trust manager, Private Forest Program, Oregon Department of Forestry. Jim’s presentation gave an overview of the current sources of financial and technical forestation assistance, and the how and why of carbon sequestration and how carbon markets work. Following the presentation Rick Fletcher led a group discussion on whether the Association should continue to pursue carbon credit options for new ponderosa pine plantations. The consensus was to monitor developments but further direct involvement was not encouraged at this time.
