October 12 is National Logger’s Day
Augusta, ME – In recognition of Monday, Oct. 12 as “National Logger’s Day,” the Professional Logging Contractors (PLC) of the Northeast encourages the public and the region’s lawmakers to support loggers and forest truckers and recognize their importance to the economy and the health of forests in the Northeast.
National Loggers Day was first observed in October 2022, thanks to the efforts of the PLC, the American Loggers Council (ALC), and legislators including Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Angus King (I-ME) as well as Congressman Jared Golden (D-ME). President Joe Biden issued a letter of recognition and support for the day that same year.
“Loggers and forest truckers are vital to the forest health and economy of this country, and National Logger’s Day should be a chance for everyone to reflect on all they do for both,” Dana Doran, Executive Director of the PLC, said. “Loggers and forest truckers work hard every day to supply the raw material for products we all need, and their stewardship of our valuable forests is critical to keeping those forests healthy and productive and protecting them from loss to development or fire.”
This year, at the urging of the PLC, US Senator Susan Collins (ME), Governor’s Janet Mills of Maine and Phil Scott of Vermont have once again proclaimed Oct. 12 as “Logger’s Day”, both nationally and at the state level .
These proclamations recognize logging’s importance as an economic driver and cultural tradition, as well as a source of renewable material for products used daily by residents. They also recognize loggers for providing responsible forest management that leads to healthy forests that maintain vital animal habitats, protect watersheds, sequester carbon, provide recreational opportunities, and limit wildfires.
In the Northeast, logging provides rural jobs and revenue for local and state governments as well as state and national forests. Logging also provides renewable material for products and energy used by citizens every day. It is also the primary means by which healthy forest management plans are implemented, recreational opportunities are preserved, and the carbon sequestration value of forests is maintained.
A comprehensive study of the economic impact of Northeast logging and forest trucking released last year by the PLC found the industry contributed an estimated $1.3 billion to the regional economy in 2024.
Logging is a challenging and demanding profession, and in 2026 rising operating costs combined with market losses, over-regulation, and continued aging of the workforce have all continued to grow as threats to its future.
Founded in Maine in 1995 by a handful of loggers who were concerned about the future of the logging and forest trucking industry, the PLC has grown steadily to become a regional trade association which provides independent logging contractors and truckers in the Northeast a voice in the rapidly changing forest products industry. Board membership consists of only loggers, making it an organization that is run by loggers on behalf of loggers.
Learn more about the PLC at www.plcloggers.org
