every year. By administering educational programs and making available
educational materials, the IFPC is an organization dedicated to the dissemination of
information to the public concerning sustainable forest management. In 2000,
Bennett Lumber contributed over $18,000 to the IFPC.
Project Learning Tree, one of the IFPC mainstays, is an award winning
environmental education program designed for teachers and others working with
students in pre-kindergarten through grade 12. Project Learning Tree provides
workshops for teachers, foresters, park and nature center staff, and youth group
leaders.
Other information available from the commission includes free forestry related
video rentals, a variety of brochures and posters, and "Ask An Idaho Forester", a
question and answer session on Idaho forests covering topics such as trees, wildlife,
water, soils and forest products.
The Bennett companies help with youth projects such as summer reading programs
at community libraries, scholarship awards, MathCounts, school forestry tours, and
Junior Miss. In addition, they contribute to 4-H projects, buying livestock from kids
at county fairs each year. In 1995, Bennett Lumber Products made over $7,000 in
livestock bids at various county fairs.
The people living near Bennett facilities find themselves benefiting from company
donations as well. For example, by investing $5000 to match civic donations
Bennett Lumber Products helped the nearby town of Potlatch establish an
illuminated, outdoor basketball court and playground.
