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34th Annual Certified Logging Professional Banquet

In December, the Maine TREE Foundation hosted the 34th Annual Certified Logging Professional (CLP)  Banquet in Hermon, ME. The evening honoring the 2024 Certified Logging Professional of the Year award winners and program coordinator Mike St. Peter’s illustrious career was marked by celebration and optimism.



Tim Basham, the CLP Advisory Committee Chairperson and Logger/Arborist, welcomed attendees and noted in his remarks that over 6,931 loggers and stakeholders have participated in the CLP program since 1991.  Tim announced that the Maine TREE Foundation staff and the CLP Advisory Committee have been developing strategies to sustain the program for the long term. Elaborating that program participants can expect to see a modernized curriculum that will ensure the program continues to meet the needs of loggers today and supplemental resources for each category area in 2025. He said that plans are underway to create additional methods of obtaining continuing education credits and certification to help minimize barriers to our program while developing new relationships with Career and Technical Education programs to help ensure the success of young people looking to enter the field. 


Logan Johnson, executive director of the Maine TREE Foundation, addressed the audience next saying, “Maine TREE's focus is on Forest-based Education with an emphasis on preparing the future of Maine's Workforce. That workforce starts at the stump. I grew up in Washington County and didn't know a forest career was possible, - I was told the opposite. That's what we need to change, and CLP is a crucial part of that vision.  I'd also like to highlight that the workers' compensation rates, which are why the program began over 30 years ago, have hit record lows again. This is a testament to the program's success. We look forward to continued progress and are excited about its future.”


After dinner, three Certified Logging Professionals (CLP) of the Year awards were presented to individuals from each professional category: conventional, mechanical, and contractor/supervisor. These awardees exemplify excellence in their fields and showcase outstanding safety practices while contributing to the sustainable management of Maine’s forests. The winners are Lance Polley, recognized as the Conventional CLP of the Year; Ryan Burby, named the Mechanical Logger of the Year; and Martin Ryan, awarded Contractor/Supervisor of the Year. These individuals were first honored earlier this fall during the 2nd Annual Forest Awards Night, where their exceptional skill and commitment to safety on job sites were celebrated.



Mike St. Peter has been the driving force behind the Certified Logging Professional Program since its establishment. As he transitions into semi-retirement, this year's CLP program has been dedicated to celebrating his career and recognizing his contributions to the program. “Mike St. Peter has led the Certified Logging Professional program for several decades, playing a vital role in promoting a culture of safety within Maine's professional logging community. Maine TREE is deeply grateful for his dedication and service over the years and wishes him a well-deserved semi-retirement,” said Logan Johnson, Executive Director of the Maine TREE Foundation. Numerous other attendees took to the podium to share stories about Mike, praise his dedication, and congratulate him on his significant impact on the industry.



The evening concluded with door prizes for current CLP participants, including the coveted Chainsaw raffle, which Brad Sparrow from Pittston, Maine, won.

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