Capstone/thesis topic question

[True North]

Hi everyone,

I have not been in the threads a lot lately, but have been hitting the site regularly to check things out.  One of the reasons for this is the fact that I have been working on a masters degree in natural resource management for the past 3 years, and I am finally on my last quarter.

I am getting ready to write a capstone/thesis paper, and I am narrowing down some topics.  One that I thought of was something like the following-

Thesis Statement:
Small scale logging, sawmill, and timber processing operations could be used in the development of sustainable forestry practices by processing locally and sustainably grown timber for use in the surrounding region.

I know that in many cases, lumber is shipped tremendous distances, and it seems that in many cases local timber does not get utlized locally.  For instance, we ship spruce pulp out to pulp mills and buy our 2X material from other areas.  Do you think that the thesis statement mentioned is viable and would be worth doing a research paper on? If someone has a better idea, I am all ears as well.  I appreciate your input.  The forum has been very valuable to me as a teacher, when I got started in sawing, and as an overall learning tool.

[brdmkr]

Try doing a search for an Auburn survey.  There was a graduate student that looked into the feasiblity of sawmill ownership for increasing revenues for landowners of small forester areas.  Many ff members got the survey.  Seems that project might be a good source of information for you.  I agree with your thesis statement.   Good luck!

[Magicman]

Congratulations on three down and one to go with your education.   

[swampbuggy]

Hopefully you are a grad student at Tech..Love that school. As for your thesis, I feel forestry management has a multi-faceted roll in these times. Enviromental ( sustanable forests, wildlife management and habitat) Economic ( timber industry jobs, biofuels, agriculture) and land management in general. Having lived through a period where government, doing what it thought was best, decimated local economic activity under the 60' and 70' wave of naturalizism, and watching what has happened to communities who now exist in part through government handouts, it would be awesome if someone took a hard and unbiased look at what proper forest management is and the economic value of it. It's alright to have protected forests but we need to manage them in a way that uses them for their intended purposes..sustainability of all things, great and small. Just my 2 cents worth..Good luck!! Swamp

[jueston]

This sounds like a very interesting research paper [and that's a rare statement] I don't know if your planning on only researching what could be, but I would also be very interested in the economics that led to the current situation, what chain of events has led to such strange arrangements, like us shipping logs to china and then importing hardwood flooring. I think a perspective of what led to the current situation would make the paper more credible when it comes to what your suggesting....
Just my 2 cents....

[WDH]

You need to address the economic side of the problem, and that might be inferred, but is not obvious in your problem statement.  Economics drive our society for the most part.  Yes, there are some that will pay more for a cause or for a set of principles that they believe in.  However, the vast majority make decisions on price.

The hurdle with your thesis problem statement is that your answer may be good for forestry and environmentally sound, but it may not be economically viable versus the stiff and fierce competition from the big Industrial producers. 

That said, it is an interesting subject, and if you address the economics that are at play as well as the forest management and environmental aspects, it will strengthen the value of your work.  It might not be economically viable to do what the statement proposes when looked at in the stark light of the global economy and competition, but at least you could quantify the opportunity cost/value versus buying cheap at the Big Box Store.

I saw Jueston's response just before I posted this reply.  Looks like we are on the same page.

[jueston]

yep WDH, we are on the same page, when researching something, the money trail is always the best place to start.... it ussually comes down to dollars and cents...

[jdtuttle]

Thesis Statement:
Small scale logging, sawmill, and timber processing operations could be used in the development of sustainable forestry practices by processing locally and sustainably grown timber for use in the surrounding region.

This sounds like my business plan I've been working on for 3 years. Trying to find a niche market in the local economy. Good luck & hope to see more on this thread.
jim

[bandmiller2]

True North,it would be good to touch upon how missguided local building codes have strangled small time sustainable milling. Frank C.

[Cedarman]

Bandmiller touched on "How the government , local, state, and federal put roadblocks in front of small scale millers."  Paperwork, licenses, OSHA, EPA, DOT, banks rules required by Fed,  certified lumber for building, zoning, etc.
This is part of the economics too.

[beenthere]

Bandmiller touched on "How the government , local, state, and federal put roadblocks in front of small scale millers."  Paperwork, licenses, OSHA, EPA, DOT, banks rules required by Fed,  certified lumber for building, zoning, etc.
This is part of the economics too.

X2    And a huge part that will limit the individual who has any hope of getting into the business. The govt. will control every decision with mucho roadblocks and high hurdles to get over.

[red oaks lumber]

good luck on your paper kevin

[beenthere]

True North
There is a family business in S. WI that may be an interesting read for you. From their woods to the product is the theme.

http://timbergreenforestry.com/UN%20Presentation.html

[True North]

Thank you all very much for the advice and encouragement.  I really appreciate it.

[kderby]

The forces of "affordable" transportation are with us and have created the capacity for logs to travel thousands of miles.  It is not sustainable to transport logs/lumber the way we currently do.  The market does not care about sustainable.  The market cares about profitable.  If you can develop a thesis that demonstrates the value of local, you may outline a profitable and sustainable venture.

There is efficiency to scale.  You are trying to find a higher value than efficency with local production at smaller scales.  You are really going to have to discover and explain a different future than the way things are today.  I hope you are up to the challenge.  I want to see this type of thinking succeed.

Get to work!

Kderby