What is the From Forest to Fence Contest?

Background of the contest: Recent widespread and devastating wildfires in the Pacific Northwest provide testimony that unmanaged forests represent a substantial fire risk to nearby communities, wildlife (including endangered species), watersheds, and forest health. Active management of these forests could significantly reduce the fire risk, although the questions of how to fund thinning activities and how to best utilize the raw material derived from thinning operations are problematic. One solution is to demonstrate the economic potential of small diameter thinnings as raw material input for value-added manufacturing processes in rural locations. Small diameter thinnings are generally defined as logs that are six inches or less in diameter as well as large branches. While small diameter thinnings may be appropriate for a variety of end-uses (such as fuelwood, chips, fiber for wood-plastic composite lumber, landscape bedding, and animal bedding), this contest will focus on the use of small diameter timber derived from forest thinning operations in innovative fence products.

Who may enter: This contest is open to anyone who may be interested from students to industry professionals.

Final Submission of Fence Designs: Final design submissions must be postmarked by June 30th, 2003. By competing in the contest, all entrants confer permission to the contest organizers to publish their submitted fence designs in contest-related journals and pamphlets. All published material will be cited and the names of the designers will be clearly attached to each design.