By MITCH LIES

Capital Press

The American Forest Foundation on Monday, Nov. 9, announced that Clint Bentz, a family forest owner and certified public accountant from Scio, Ore., has been elected chairman of its board of trustees.

Bentz said in a prepared statement he was honored to lead the group “at a time of tremendous challenge in dealing with climate change, forest loss, landowner incentives, emerging forest markets and other issues that can make or break the 10 million American woodland owners like me.”

Tom Martin, president and CEO of the foundation, praised the selection of Bentz. “Clint is the perfect person for the post, bringing his diverse experience in business, finance, forestry extension, estate planning for woodland owners, community service, policy and especially managing his own sustainable tree farm,” Martin said.

Bentz said AFF is committed to programs that will stem the loss of U.S. woodlands, enhance the quality of woodlands and ensure decision makers and educators understand the value of America’s woodlands.

Those woodlands are disappearing at a rate of 1.5 million acres a year, due primarily to development and fragmentation.

Bentz previously served as the national chairman of the American Tree Farm System. Bentz and his parents, Ron and Barbara, were honored in 2002 as the National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year.

Also elected to AFF board posts this week were Connie Best, co-founder and managing director of the Pacific Forest Trust in California, as vice chairwoman; and Ken Stewart, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, as treasurer.

Bentz succeeds Colin Moseley, chairman of the Green Diamond Resource Co. of Seattle, who has served on the AFF board since 2004.

Staff writer Mitch Lies is based in Salem. E-mail: mlies@capitalpress.com.