The Stump

Exploring the Forest Operations Specialist Role andOpportunities in ForestryGet ready for a deep dive into the world of forestry andworkforce development with Ryer Becker, a passionate advocate for the industry and a Forest Operations Specialist at the University of Idaho. In this episode, Ryer shares his journey into forestry, detailing how his career path led him to this impactful role. From his early inspirations to the unique challenges he has faced and his successes , Ryer provides an inside look at what it takes to bridge academic expertise with boots-on-the-ground forestry operations.We explore the opportunities within the forestry sector and how programs like Ryer's at the University of Idaho are paving the way for the next generation of industry professionals. Ryer discusses the disconnect between workforce development programs and how industry leaders can better engage with young minds to showcase rewarding careers in forestry and logging. Additionally, we examine the broader narrative around education and how forestry can emerge as a compelling alternative to traditional college pathways.Thinking regionally, we ask Ryer about the potential toreplicate the program in other states and what lies ahead for his work in Idaho. Finally, Ryer shares how listeners can support his mission, connect with his work, and inspire the future of forestry. Don't miss this insightful conversation packed with actionable ideas and inspiration for anyone passionate about education, sustainability, and the great outdoors. Tune in and join the conversation!Email: rbecker@uidaho.eduLinkedInInstagramhttps://www.uidaho.edu/cnr/departments/forest-rangeland-and-fire-scienceshttps://www.uidaho.edu/extension/forestry

Marie Price is the Director of Learning and Development forthe Idaho Forest Group (IFG). Marie is considered by many to be the 'Champion for Workforce Development' in Idaho's forest products sector. She is working with many others in Idaho to expose and recruit young people to the numerousgreat jobs available in the sector. In this episode of The Stump, Marie joins us to talk about some of the various workforce development events and projects underway in Idaho. To connect with Marie on workforce issues, her email is marie.price@ifg.comTo learn more about Idaho Forest Group: https://ifg.com/Other Resources: Blake Manley and Manley Jobs: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-manley-4a1201253North Idaho College: https://www.nic.edu/apprenticeship/logging-equipment-operator-/University of Idaho: https://www.uidaho.edu/cnr/departments/forest-rangeland-and-fire-sciences

Blake Manley returns to the stump to discuss his latest efforts on workforce development. He discusses the new North Idaho College Logging Equipment Operator Apprenticeship Program, which is available for students age 18 and older. Blake also shares with us some of the other efforts he is working on, such as "Workforce Unfiltered," which can be found on Facebook and TikTok.Logging Equipment Operator Apprenticeship ProgramManley Jobs on YouTubeManley Jobs on InstagramPlease remember to like and rate the podcast. It helps us reach a wider audience and promote the forest management and forest products sector.

Hilary Franz, the former Commissioner of Public Lands for the state of Washington, joins The Stump to discuss her time leading the Department of Natural Resources. Hilary was elected to the Office of Commissioner in 2016 and served from January 2017 to January 2025. During this time, she worked on a variety of issues, from forest health and wildfire prevention and suppression to completing the Long Term Conservation Strategy for the Marbled Murrelet on DNR-managed state trust lands and overseeing the Forest Practices program, and advocating in the state legislature for a variety of initiatives from carbon to aquatics. Hilary did not run for re-election in 2024 and is taking some time to reenergize.If you enjoyed this episode of the podcast and want to hear more from Hilary, please like this episode and drop us a comment on one of our social media platforms. To learn more about DNR, you can visit https://dnr.wa.govTo learn more about The Stump please visit https://thestump.io

Blake Manley of Manley Jobs joins The Stump in this episode to discuss his work and advocacy for workforce development in the forestry sector. Widely known for his Manley Jobs videos on YouTube, he has been featured on Fox and Friends and many other media outlets. He started this endeavor in 2020 when he was a teacher at Sweet Home High School in Oregon. Remote learning led to the need to find a new way to engage with students.You can connect with Blake through the following links:YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@ManleyjobsInstagram:https://www.instagram.com/manleyjobsTikTok:https://www.tiktok.com/@manleyjobs2

Season 2 is finally here.In this episode of The Stump, Jim Petersen joins us. Jim is a co-founder of the non-profit Evergreen Foundation and publisher of Evergreen, the Foundation's periodic journal.The Mission of the Evergreen Foundation is "Our mission is to advance public understanding and support for science-based forestry and forest policy by providing clear and concise facts and commentary. We endorse long term, active forest management for healthy forests and productive communities. Our approach is to engage opinion leaders, decision-makers, community leaders, and community members in the discussion and support of healthy, productive, resilient forests."Listen in on how Jim got involved in this project and his thoughts about the need for sustainable forest management.You can support Jim's work by subscribing to the magazine or donating to the foundation. Links can be found on the website linked below.Connect with Evergreen and Jim :Website:https://evergreenmagazine.com/Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/EvergreenMagazineX:https://x.com/evergreen_fnd

Ken Bevis is a Stewardship Fish and Wildlife Biologist with the Washington State Department of Natural Resources. A self-proclaimed “nature troubadour”, he is also a musician known for using songs to tell stories and educate on forestry and wildlife management. Ken joins The Stump to discuss his career, the work he does with small forest landowners, and his music. Ken has over thirty years of experience in forestry and wildlife management. Over that time, he worked for the Virginia Division of Forestry, the US Forest Service, and the Yakama Indian Nation. Much of that work was related to the Northern Spotted Owl. Today, he works for the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and travels the state to teach landowners how to improve wildlife habitats on their properties. Much of his work is focused on the more fire-prone areas of Eastern Washington. He has a wealth of knowledge and energy, and his trusty guitar is usually found nearby. To contact or to learn more about Ken's work and music, please visit: Ken.Bevis@dnr.wa.gov WA DNR Small Forest Landowner Office (SFLO): https://www.dnr.wa.gov/sflo WA DNR Small Forest Landowner Assistance Portal: https://www.dnr.wa.gov/LandownerAssistancePortal Ken's Music and Shows: https://kenbevis.com/ krbevis@methownet.com

Oak Rankin, Executive Director of Glacier Peak Institute, joins The Stump in this episode. Also referred to as GPI, the organization is based in Darrington, Washington. Volunteers and community organizations formed the Darrington Youth Outdoor STEM Pilot Project after the deadly 2014 Oso Landslide. This grew into the Glacier Peak Institute. Today, GPI continues to work with youth through their "innovative, action-based education programs integrating Science, Technology, recreation, Engineering, art, Mathematics, and skill-building." A program they refer to as STrEaMs. Oak and I discuss GPI and the challenges and opportunities that rural natural resource-dependent communities like Darington face. Like many Pacific Northwest communities, Darrington, was negatively impacted by the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) adopted in 1994. The NWFP brought significant socio-economic harm to these communities, many of which are still trying to recover today. Programs like Oak's are a critical tool for providing education, mental health support, and a sense of future for many of the youth they work with. You can connect with Oak and the Glacier Peak Institute via the links below: Website: https://www.glacierpeakinstitute.org/ Email: info@glacierpeakinstitute.org Mail: PO Box 225 Darrington, WA 98241 Phone: (360) 436 6445

Bennett Bull from Tree Management Plus joins us on this episode of The Stump. Tree Management Plus (TMP) has provided logging, reforestation, and other forest management services to landowners for over 45 years. Initially started by Bennett's grandfather, Tom Fox, Bennett, and his brother Camden are continuing the family tradition of being a resource for landowners, especially small forest landowners in the Pacific Northwest. Commercial thinning using cut-to-length harvesting equipment has been one of the key services TMP provides to family tree farmers. Reforestation and seedling sales are other essential services they can provide to landowners. Large private landowners typically operate at a scale that small tree farmers can't compete with. So, having access to a company like Tree Management Plus can be crucial in managing small forest landowners' properties. Having young owner-operators like Bennett and Camden take over and enter the logging sector is critical to maintaining working forests on the Pacific Northwest's landscape. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bennett-bull-507455185/ Website: https://www.treemanagementplus.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TreeManagementPlus/ Email: treemanagementplus@toledotel.com Phone: 360-978-4305

In this episode of The Stump, Rod Fleck joins us. Rod is the City Attorney and City Planner for the City of Forks, Washington. There is a lot more to Forks than vampires and rain. Rod and I talk about his history with the city and his engagement with the management of trust lands by the Department of Natural Resources. While Forks is not a direct recipient of revenue from managing these trust lands, they have been an integral part of Forks and the “West End” of Clallam County. The Parks and Recreation District, the Quillayute Valley School District (schools serving Forks and the surrounding area), the local hospital, and the fire district are among the beneficiaries of trust land management in the area. Not to mention the importance of the jobs that accompany active forest management. Because of this, for nearly 30 years, Rod has been a strong advocate for Forks when it comes to DNR management. Rod is also a history teacher at the local branch of Peninsula College. Not to mention a wealth of knowledge and history of the policy work regarding trust lands in Clallam County and across much of the state. If you are in Forks, make sure to stop by the visitor center and the Forks Timber Museum located on the south end of town. We did have a few technical difficulties during the recording of this episode. So please excuse the few audio glitches where an unstable internet connection got the better of us. And if you are watching it on YouTube, we lost video connection with Forks partway through. City of Forks website: https://forkswashington.org/ Forks Chamber of Commerce website: https://forkswa.com/

In this episode of The Stump, Jay McLaughlin joins us. Jay is the Executive Director of Mt. Adams Resource Stewards (MARS). They are a non-profit in Washington state whose mission is "to promote sustainable connections between the land, local economies, and rural communities in the Mt. Adams Region." We chat about Jay's career, MARS's work, and future opportunities. In addition to managing a community forest in the Glenwood, Washington, area, MARS provides forest restoration work for Federal land managers, education, and workforce development. You can learn more about Mt. Adams Resource Stewards at: Website: https://www.mtadamsstewards.org/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mtadamsstewards Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mtadamsresourcestewards/ Email: info@mtadamsstewards.org You can also contact Jay directly at jay@mtadamsstewards.org

Camryn Bostwick – Sales Representative at Cascade Trader. For those who might think that Gen Z is lazy and unmotivated, you will want to listen to this episode. Camryn is a young man who blows that stereotype out of the water. He started at a young age, cleaning heavy equipment at Cascade Trader. Since that time, he has become a heavy equipment mechanic and now sells the equipment he had been servicing. That background gives Camryn a unique perspective when selling equipment. Please check out this episode of The Stump and share it with others. To connect with Camryn at Cascade Trader or to learn more about their offerings please check them out on: https://www.cascadetrader.net/ https://www.facebook.com/cascadetrader/ https://www.instagram.com/cascadetraderinc/ https://x.com/TraderCascade https://www.linkedin.com/company/cascade-trader-inc/

Jenny Knoth, PhD., joins the Stump to talk about her career in forestry and the current work in the forest policy she is doing. She talks about her work as an associate professor and her work to bring real-world issues to the classroom. We also start to discuss "wealth gaps," the impacts of the anti-forestry movement, and the impacts rural communities experience when forest management is opposed and/or reduced.

On this episode of The Stump, I am joined by Sue Pedersen, a candidate for the Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands. Sue is a biologist with a policy and management background and if successful would lead the Department of Natural Resources in Washington. Many people are unaware of what this position does, and this is my effort to try to educate the voters on some of the issues and introduce them to the various candidates. I had identified who I believed were the top five candidates in the race that had the potential to make it through the Primary. Three did not respond to requests for interviews. I hope you find these interviews interesting.

On this episode of the Stump, I am joined by Kevin Van De Wege, a candidate for the Washington State Commissioner of Public Lands. Kevin is a former State Senator, Career Fire Fighter, and if successful would lead the Department of Natural Resources in Washington. Many people are unaware of what this position does and this is my effort to try and educate the voters on some of the issues and introduce them to the various candidates. I had identified who I believed were the top five candidates in the race that had the potential to make it through the Primary. Three did not respond to requests for interviews. I hope you find these interviews interesting.

Steve Courtney of the Beck Group joins us on the stump. Steve has an extensive career in the forest products sector in the Pacific Northwest. Association work, forestry, raw material procurement for sawmills, and now using those skills and knowledge working for the Beck Group. Join us as Steve and I chat about his career, his work at the Beck Group, and some of the things that have helped him succeed. To learn more about the Beck Group or to connect with Steve, please visit, https://www.beckgroupconsulting.com/

Lloyd McGee joins The Stump to talk about his career in forestry and how an early life experience influenced that career path. Lloyd, currently works for The Nature Conservancy as their Washington Forests Program Manager, on forest restoration in eastern Washington, which requires collaborating with a diverse group of stakeholders. Lloyd leads us through his life story and how a traumatic experience in childhood, as well as the impacts of the "Timber Wars" prepared him for the critical work he currently does today. We also discuss the opportunities for a rewarding career in the forest products and natural resources fields. We touch briefly on the need to maintain the existing logging and milling infrastructure if we are going to meet the forest restoration and maintenance goals in the face of a changing climate to maintain healthy forests in the Pacific Northwest. Lloyd updates us with a brief history and status of the Upper Wenatchee Pilot Project, a 75,000 forest restoration project. And we share a couple of stories about our friend the late Maurice Williamson. The North Central Forest Health Collaborative (NCWFHC): https://www.ncwfhc.org/ The Upper Wenatchee Pilot Project: https://www.ncwfhc.org/project/upper-wenatchee-pilot-project/ The Northeast Washington Forestry Coalition (NEWFC): https://www.newforestcoalition.com/ The Nature Conservancy - Washington (TNC): https://www.washingtonnature.org/

Trevor McConchie joins The Stump to talk about the Good Neighbor Authority. What is Good Neighbor Authority, GNA for short? How does it fit into the management of Forest Service lands? How is GNA implemented in Washington State? Trevor leads the Good Neighbor Authority program in Washington State for the Department of Natural Resources. With a relatively small but passionate team of foresters, engineers, and other natural resource professionals, DNR is working with federal land managers on critical work that benefits both the environment and society. The GNA program produces a variety of tangible and intangible benefits, from wood for the marketplace, road maintenance for access, recreation opportunities, water and habitat improvement work, and jobs in rural communities. All are done more efficiently than can often be obtained through Federal Government contracting methods. You can learn more about the Good Neighbor Authority at the links below: U.S. Forest Service: https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/farm-bill/gna National Association of State Foresters: https://www.stateforesters.org/state-defined-solutions/good-neighbor-authority/ Western Forestry Leadership Coalition: https://www.thewflc.org/partnerships/gna-information-and-resources Washington State Department of Natural Resources: https://www.dnr.wa.gov/gna

Andy joins The Stump to talk about extension forestry, family forestry, and some of the challenges and opportunities facing particularly family forestry in Washington State. Andy has a diverse background in how he came to Washington State University Extension. He organizes and leads a variety of training and educational events for small-family forest owners, loggers, teachers, etc. mostly in eastern Washington. Resource Links: WSU Extension Forestry: https://forestry.wsu.edu DNR Landowner Assistance Portal: https://www.dnr.wa.gov/LandownerAssistancePortal Association of Consulting Foresters: https://www.acf-foresters.org/

Tim McEntire with the Montana Logging Association (MLA) joins The Stump to talk about his work and what MLA does for the forest products sector in Montana. Tim is a former logger and brings a working knowledge of the challenges and benefits of this industry. The Association supports first aid training, education, and workforce development. as well as forest policy issues. You can learn more about MLA at logging.org.

In this episode, I give a little background on who I am and my experience in the forest products sector. Please check us out at thestump.io.

Dr. Elaine Oneil, Executive Director of the Washington Farm Forestry Association (WFFA), joins The Stump to discuss carbon, climate, and forestry. The presentation in this show was previously given live at a WFFA event in Bellingham, Washington.

In this introductory episode, I discuss why I chose the name 'The Stump'. I also provide a little background about myself and the journey to get to launching this episode. Future episodes will include interviews and my thoughts on various forestry-related issues.