FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 8,  2008

Contacts:
Rikki Wellman, Oregon Logging Conference, (425) 413-9513
Jessica Corcoran, The Ulum Group, (541) 434-7027

70th Annual Oregon Logging Conference Keynote Speakers Announced

Ed Shepard, Bureau of Land Management state director, and Russ Hoeflich, VP and Oregon director of the Nature Conservancy, to address conference attendees

Eugene, Ore. – Ed Shepard, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) state director for Oregon and Washington, and Russ Hoeflich, vice president and Oregon director of the Nature Conservancy, will deliver keynote addresses titled “Trees, Tradition, Tomorrow – BLM’s 70-Year Legacy” and “Conservation View of Public Forests” respectively, at the 2008 Oregon Logging Conference (OLC). Shepard and Hoeflich will address the opening session on Thursday, Feb. 21, beginning at 9 a.m. in the Wheeler Pavilion at the Lane Events Center in Eugene, Ore.

Shepard has 32 years of experience with the BLM and has held a variety of positions within the agency. He holds a master’s degree in forest management from Washington State University, and a bachelor’s degree in range and forest management from Colorado State University. A Certified Forester with the Society of American Foresters (SAF), he has held several elected and appointed offices and committee assignments with SAF.

Hoeflich is an acting member of the Global Human Resources Cabinet within the Nature Conservancy, as well as the lead sponsor of the Volunteerism Cabinet. His experience in the industry is extensive, including serving on two government task forces: the Oregon Board of Forestry’s Federal Forestland Work Group and the Oregon Department of Forestry/Oregon Department of Energy Forest Biomass Work Group.

The 70th annual Oregon Logging Conference will be held Thursday, Feb. 21, through Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Lane Events Center and the Eugene Hilton in Eugene, Ore. Online conference registration is available on the OLC Web site, www.oregonloggingconference.com. For more information about the Oregon Logging Conference, visit the Web site or call (541) 686-9191.