October 21, West Lebanon, NH
One hundred and twelve loggers, truckers, and members of the state’s forestry community met at the Fireside Inn in West Lebanon to recognize the newly and re-certified members of the New Hampshire Professional Loggers Program (NH PLP), hear from elected officials, and celebrate the tradition and heritage of timber harvesting in New Hampshire. As the nation’s second most forested state, timber harvesting is significant part of the rural culture and economy.
Run by the New Hampshire Timber Harvesting Council, NH PLP is a voluntary certification program that trains loggers, foresters, and forest products truckers about the safe, efficient, and environmental use of forest products and operations in the forest. Co-sponsored by UNH Cooperative Extension, UNH Thompson School of Applied Science, and the New Hampshire Timberland Owners Association, 2023 marks the 31st anniversary of the Council and the New Hampshire Professional Loggers Program.
Other highlights of the convention include the presentation of a $7,500 donation to the Children’s Hospital at Dartmouth (CHaD) raised by the annual Log-A-Load fund shoot, an entertaining presentation from musician, comedian, storyteller Rusty DeWees (“The Logger”), and the “passing of the axe” from Council chair Bruce Bovill to incoming chair Heath Bunnell.
The next New Hampshire Loggers and Truckers Convention will be held at the Grand Summit Resort in Bartlett, NH on October 5, 2024. To see photos of this year’s Convention and learn more about the New Hampshire Timber Harvesting Council go to www.nhthc.org.