The majority of MLA members are involved in the harvesting and/or transportation of logs...and in recent years these resource professionals have committed to educational programs designed to advance their professions.

	ALP Montana's Accredited Logging Professional program, which began in 1994,...
	PLH Montana's Professional Log Hauler program, which began in 1995,...

There are numerous incentives and advantages for developing professional accreditation programs; however two prominent incentives led to the creation of the ALP and PLH programs: First, professions that lack accredited standards run the risk of being defined by their worst performers; and second, professions that fail to lead from within are often the target of government regulations.

BMP's (Best Management Practices) and SMZ's (Stream Management Zones) are other programs which were created to promote proper stewardship and to further professional standards.