STIMSON IN ACTION
Drone Use in Forestry
October 31, 2018
Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), “drones”, are becoming effective and affordable forest management tools. At Stimson we are exploring the use of drones to increase efficiencies in reforestation, harvesting and timber appraisals.
Affordability
Due to recent changes by the Federal Aviation Administration, it’s now less expensive to obtain drone operator certification. Stimson currently has five foresters with a Part 107 UAS certificate to operate drones and will likely add more in the near future. In addition, the cost of drones continues to decline even with advances in drone technology.
Applications
We are currently using two drones for our Western and Inland operations to capture real time video and autonomous aerial photos.
So, how does this all work? The drone software flies the drone at a given elevation and captures overlapping images autonomously. Image processing software stitches all these images into a single photo. Then this photo is imported into our mapping software for analysis. Stimson is using drones to:
- Count trees
- Map harvest units
- Complete inspections in all phases of harvest operations
- Measure rock stockpile volumes
- Assess different types of stand damage (e.g. bear, insects, fire, root rot, etc.)
- View a 3-D image of the area
As sensors (multi-spectral, hyper-spectral, thermal, infrared) become more affordable, we will also be able to identify different species of trees, look for rock sources, identify sick or stressed trees and locate hotspots from fires. Currently, experimental drones can fly seedlings out to the planting crews and potentially spray maple clumps. The future of drones in forestry is looking promising.
We take pride in over a century of sustainable forestry management. Our commitment to the SUSTAINABLE FORESTRY INITIATIVE® program is ongoing. Our scientifically proven forestry practices are grounded in our vision of investing in the forest to benefit future generations.
CONTACT US
CORPORATE
Accounting
503-295-0951, option 3
Human Resources
503-295-0951, option 6
Log & Timber
503-295-0951, option 2
Lumber & Panel
503-295-0951, option 1
Purchasing
503-295-0951, option 4
SALES
Tim Atkinson
VP Sales
Portland, OR
O: 503-478-1540
M: 503-706-5362
tatkinson@stimsonlumber.com
Elizabeth Blais
Sales, Hardboard
Forest Grove, OR
O: 503-359-3298
eblais@stimsonlumber.com
Andrew Campbell
Sales - Timbers, Lumber and Cedar
Portland, OR
O: 503- 478-1542
M: 425-315-6143
acampbell@stimsonlumber.com
Max A. Lee Kwai
Sales - Lumber and Cedar
Portland, OR
O: 503- 478-1502
M: 503-939-5666
max@stimsonlumber.com
Marian Hema
Consignment Inventory Clerk
Portland, OR
O: 503-478-1523
mhema@stimsonlumber.com
Dan Hoagland
National Accounts Manager
Portland, OR
O: 503-478-1543
M: 503-805-7045
dhoagland@stimsonlumber.com
FORESTRY
COMPANY LAND MANAGEMENT
Andrew Stockwell
Director of Inland Resources
Idaho, Eastern Washington, Montana
M: 208-660-1945
astockwell@stimsonlumber.com
Britt Madison
Idaho Lands Manager
O: 208-762-6562
M: 503-720-2919
bmadison@stimsonlumber.com
Bruce Rowland
Montana Lands Manager
O: 406-370-5657
M: 406-370-5657
browland@stimsonlumber.com
Wade Pierce
Eastern Washington Lands Manager
O: 509-550-0315
M: 509-671-0372
wpierce@stimsonlumber.com
Mike McKibbin
Director of Western Resources
Oregon, Western Washington
O: 503-842-4173
M: 503-812-1244
mmckibbin@stimsonlumber.com
LAND PURCHASING AND SALES
Mike McKibbin
Director of Western Resources
Oregon, Western Washington
O: 503-842-4173
M: 503-812-1244
mmckibbin@stimsonlumber.com
Tyler Madison
Real Estate Forester
Idaho, Eastern Washington, Montana
O: 208-762-6553
M: 503-858-0695
tmadison@stimsonlumber.com
LOG PURCHASING
David Brummer
Inland Procurement Manager
Priest River, ID
O: 208-762-6563
M: 208-755-8334
dbrummer@stimsonlumber.com
Erik Davis
Western Region Log Procurement Manager
Clatskanie, OR
503-816-0631
edavis@stimsonlumber.com
Matt Evensen
Procurement Forester
Forest Grove, OR
O: 503-359-3409
M: 503-403-8642
mevensen@stimsonlumber.com
Joe Larson
Procurement Manager
Priest River, ID
O: 208-448-1141
M: 208-661-2759
jlarson@stimsonlumber.com
Todd Josi
Procurement Forester
Tillamook, OR
O: 503-842-4173
M: 503-812-2182
tjosi@stimsonlumber.com
Greg Simmons
Procurement Forester
St. Maries, Plummer, ID
M: 208-661-1370
gsimmons@stimsonlumber.com
REAL ESTATE
Tyler Madison
Real Estate Forester
Idaho, Eastern Washington, Montana
O: 208-762-6553
M: 503-858-0695
tmadison@stimsonlumber.com