The summer field season is passing quickly. This marking of the mid-year means to many of us completing projects, submitting proposals, and realigning budgets. The fire season across the Southwest (and for that matter, most of the West) was unusual in that weather was inconsistent. Did anyone in the SW have a normal monsoon? Two or three times you say? During these last several months there has been much going on in SWSAF. Since the very successful Spring Section Meeting, the Southwest Section has been aggressively pursuing the agenda laid out for this ambitious year.

Reunion with the Association of Mexican Professional Foresters (AMPF), Chihuahua Section, in Albuquerque, NM. The fall meeting with our fellow foresters from Mexico is on schedule. Chuck Hagerdon and Bob Partido are the co-chairs and have met with our AMPF colleagues in planning the reunion. The New Mexico Chapter is hosting the event. The emphasis of the theme on restoration and watersheds is relevant to our shared management concerns. This long tradition of biennial meetings provides opportunities for understanding broader issues, exchanging cultural ideas, and making lasting ties.

I have heard that it might be difficult for many members to attend the national convention this year, due to economics. I would like as many members to go as feasible for a good representation. [Visit the website & register.] But for those not able to make the Florida trip, well, the Reunion is a forestry get-together in your own neck of the woods – about a month later. I encourage all members to make this gathering (this is not just a meeting but an event) because it can be rewarding in so many ways.

As far as the National Convention in Orlando, Florida – the SW Section will have a booth. The purpose is to impress upon convention-goers what the SW has to offer and what may be in store for them next year when the convention is held in Albuquerque. Mary Stuever is heading up the effort and has worked with others in designing an attractive set. Discussions among the Executive Committee have revolved around wanting an impressive display but confronting costs of such a project. We hope to find co-sponsors among institutes, public agencies, and industry to show off the whole array of locations and activities across the Southwest. Others are helping Mary with ideas for products and landmarks to be featured, hoping vendors may provide small items for give-away souvenirs as reminders of our region.

The 2010 National Convention is only a year away. Planning started early this last spring and continues at a steady pace. John Harrington, Program Committee Chair, has locked in many of the speakers, technical tracks, and corresponding field trips. Corbin Newman and Marlin Johnson are co-chairs for the overall convention. They worked with John and the national committee to establish a theme, Forests and People: A Watershed Event. Marlin recruited two co-chairs for the Arrangements Committee, McKinley-Ben Miller and Todd Haines. Much progress has been made and I am sure both Marlin and John have more details to share. A significant undertaking, no mistake, is forming into a fantastic conference held in our own backyard!

Congratulations are in order for two of our members. Marlin Johnson, CF and SAF Fellow, has been awarded the John A. Beale Memorial Award, recognizing “outstanding efforts over a sustained period of time by an SAF member in the promotion of forestry through voluntary service to the Society.” There is a great writeup in the Forestry Source on Marlin’s accomplishments. Dr. John Harrington was named a Fellow of SAF. There is prestige in receiving this national recognition. When I returned to the Southwest a few years back, both these people were in leadership roles as I, myself, became more involved. These two folks have been working at Section, Chapter, and National levels to strengthen the organization and the profession. Al Hendricks, SAF Fellow, succeeds Marlin on the Fellows Committee.

Chapter Chairs have been asked to review the updated membership list recently distributed and contact delinquent members. I suggest Chapters contact members from previous lists when announcing Chapter meetings and activities. Inviting friends and colleagues is a way of making such times rewarding and enjoyable by participating with a larger group the collected wealth of experience, knowledge, and personalities – all benefiting from the shared experience. Recruitment should not be just about numbers, as if it is a task or mission, as much about exposing new people to what may be mutual scientific interests and related work – leading to an individual’s own lasting interest in becoming a member. All right, I’ll get off my soapbox.

Elections are coming up this fall. If Chapters can start forming their nomination committees now, their elections are likely to follow in a timely manner. I expect the Section will have their nominations in by the end of October to allow elections in November. A timely process makes way for a smooth transition into the New Year.

Your Section has been well served by your Executive Committee, including Chapter Chairs, and subcommittees. Although I had to conduct some ‘screening’ of tasks by prioritizing immediate needs, I, too, was able to act on the business of the Section. This was only because I personally met some challenges with major changes this summer in my career and with my father’s health. Through individual conversations and conference calls, there has been much getting done without much fanfare. I am always available for questions and comments.

(602) 225-5356 work, (520) 576-2567 Cell
e-mails: wrhart@fs.fed.us, wm_r_hart@msn.com