Three Allen Parish residents are charged with stealing a large piece of forestry equipment and fuel from a local sawmill in separate incidents, according to the Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry. Following the investigation of the theft of a 3,750 pound wood-chipper wheel from a sawmill in Allen Parish, agents allege it was stolen for scrap metal, according to a press release. "An investigation revealed Ashley and Jeffery (Nolen) allegedly entered the sawmill pro

Online webinars will be presented by the Louisiana Forestry Association in lieu of holding its annual convention in-person, which was canceled due to the surge in coronavirus cases in the state. Dr. Brooks Mendell, president, CEO and founder of Forisk, will be featured on a webinar on Wednesday, Aug. 25. Mendell was to be a speaker during the general session of the annual meeting. The webinar titled “Navigating Forestry’s Future” will begin at 9 a.m. CDT. There is no cost t

Due to the surge in coronavirus, especially in the southwest portion of the state, the Louisiana Forestry Association has decided to cancel its in-person meeting scheduled for Aug. 24-26 in Lake Charles. "The safety of our attendees is paramount," said LFA Executive Director Buck Vandersteen. "The surge in coronavirus challenges our ability to ensure a safe and healthy meeting." Those challenges could have put forestry workers and others in the forest community at risk of com

A meeting will be held Tuesday, Aug. 17 to determine whether the Prescribed Burn Association should be formed in Louisiana that would promote the benefits of prescribed burning, as well as other help. The meeting is set for 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Lincoln Parish Sheriff's Office, 161 Road Camp Rd in Ruston. The agenda includes: • Why should you burn? • Introduction to prescribed burning. • PBA functions and benefits. • Invitation to sign up. Louisiana Wildlife & Fisheries and Q

Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) Commissioner Mike Strain, D.V.M., is reminding residents to hire only licensed professional arborists, landscape horticulturists and landscape irrigation contractors when having work done on their property. All arborists, landscape horticulturists and landscape irrigation contractors must be licensed by the LDAF. By law, no person shall receive fees, advertise or solicit business in a regulated profession or occupation u