Dr. Brian Perkins, Professor of Forestry at Glenville State University, took his Timber Harvesting Planning class to a helicopter logging operation outside of Richwood, WV on Thursday March 19th. The helicopter logging operation was conducted on the Monongahela National Forest land as part of a timber sale that was purchased by Columbia Forest Products in conjunction with Laurel Creek Hardwoods.
Chris Neal (GSU alumnus ‘94) from Columbia and John Burks (GSU alumnus ‘93) from Laurel Creek Hardwoods hosted the class and provided information on helicopter logging and timber procurement along with career advice.
“I have always wanted to take my class on a helicopter logging operation and I finally got to do just that,” said Dr. Perkins about this experience. “It was a fast turnaround time between dropping the logs and returning with another load. It is a very productive but very expensive operation. The students really enjoyed this experience while learning more about helicopter logging,” he added. Current GSU Student Andrew Thompson had this to say about the experience, "The helicopter logging operation was a job I had never seen. It was interesting to see how the operation is managed, and meet the people from Columbia Forest Products and Laurel Creek Hardwoods. I enjoyed talking to the foresters on-site, who shared great information about the industry."
The helicopter logging company was Columbia Helicopters from Oregon (no relation to Columbia Forest Products) https://colheli.com/ and they were flying logs with a Boeing Vertol helicopter. This helicopter can lift approximately 700 board feet of logs and carry them up to a half mile to multiple landings where they are processed and shipped. This helicopter operation saves on building skid roads and operating on steep slopes. Columbia Forest Products manufacturing hardwood plywood from primarily Yellow Poplar peelers in Craigsville, WV whereas Laurel Creek Hardwoods manufactures hardwood lumber near Richwood. Several alumni from GSU also work as procurement foresters for Columbia including Dylan Fitzgerald (GSU alumnus ‘21) and Jamie Bostic (GSU alumnus ‘98).
To learn more about the Land Resources Department at Glenville State University, visit https://www.glenville.edu/departments/land-resources .
