Blog
GA looks to give tax relief to tree farmers
Posted on Friday, October 31, 2008A state Constitutional amendment in Georgia that would give property tax relief to tree farmers is getting endorsements ranging from the Georgia Chamber of Commerce to the Sierra Club. Amendment No. 1 on the General Election ballot would change the way forest land of more than 2,000 acres is assessed. Instead of fair-market value, the land would be taxed based on its actual use.
Green building emphasis may thrive in economic downturn
Posted on Friday, October 31, 2008Some industry experts say there is a chance the "green housing" niche market might buck economic headwinds as developers emphasize energy savings and workmanship. [More: read NASF Resolution No. 2008-6: Green Building and the Role of Wood Products]
Inside the war on illegal logging
Posted on Friday, October 31, 2008An in-depth article in the New Yorker magazine follows the global trail of illegal logging activities, from Wal-Mart to the Trans-Siberian Railway. "A fifth of the world’s wood comes from countries that have serious problems enforcing their timber laws, and most of those countries are also experiencing the fastest rates of deforestation. Until a decade ago, many governments were reluctant to acknowledge illegal logging, largely because it was made possible by the corruption of their own officials."
MO Dept. of Conservation seeks Forestry Communications Specialist
Posted on Friday, October 31, 2008This new position within the Department's Forestry Division will develop and implement communication strategies for both internal and external audiences. Position is headquartered at the Department of Conservation Headquarters in Jefferson City, Missouri. Apply on-line at http://www.mdc.mo.gov/about/jobs; deadline for application is November 24, 2008
Nation's lumber industry continues to suffer from housing market's ills
Posted on Wednesday, October 29, 2008With fewer new houses under construction, and foreclosure notices surging this summer, there's a lot at stake for the sawmills and loggers that feed the nation's dwindling appetite for floorboard, housing frames and cabinets. In 2007, the Southern region of the U.S. saw a 30-percent decrease in lumber production and that is mimicked in other parts of the country. Millions of private landowners that manage family owned timberlands also depend on the lumber industry.
VT says, Leave your firewood at home, please
Posted on Tuesday, October 28, 2008Vermont is surrounded by states whose trees have already have been infested by tree-eating insects like the hemlock woolly adelgid in New Hampshire and the Asian longhorned beetle in Massachusetts. State Forester Steve Sinclair and other forestry officials hope quarantine efforts will keep timber and firewood that could be harboring the tiny bugs out of the state.
Western fire season below normal, say WY and MT State Foresters
Posted on Tuesday, October 28, 2008Favorable weather conditions helped put a damper on the wildfire seasons in Wyoming and Montana this past summer, according to Wyoming State Forester Bill Crapser and Montana State Forester Bob Harrington. Fire officials in both states report that while the number of fire starts was about normal, the fires were generally smaller than in recent years and quickly put out.
Predicting climate change on Walden Pond
Posted on Tuesday, October 28, 2008Researchers at Boston University and Harvard are using Henry David Thoreau's notes from the 1850s to discern patterns of plant abundance and decline in Concord - and by extension, New England - and to link those patterns to changing climate.
USDA secretary tours biofuels plant in CO
Posted on Friday, October 24, 2008U.S. Agriculture Secretary Ed Schafer toured a 25,000-square-foot pilot plant operated by Range Fuels in Denver this week to get a close-up view on efforts to provide a steady supply of domestic alternative fuel. Broomfield-based Range Fuels plans to open a commercial plant near Soperton, GA, next year to turn wood waste into fuel using a proprietary technology it has been testing at the Denver plant since January. The United States has an estimated 1 billion tons of biomass available each year, enough for 100 billion gallons of cellulosic ethanol. USDA is looking to guarantee loans of up to $240 million per company developing alternative energy, Schafer said.
E.U. officials draw line on forest credits
Posted on Friday, October 24, 2008Last week the European Commission - which already oversees the world's largest market for trading permits to emit carbon dioxide - seemed to say that there are limits to putting a price on trees, water and animals, and then creating markets for these goods. The commission rejected the idea of accepting “credits” generated by projects to stop the permanent destruction of forests and woodlands until 2020 at the earliest.
The true economic worth of trees isn't recognized
Posted on Friday, October 24, 2008An editorial in the Christian Science Monitor says that "some means of recognizing the true economic and environmental value of the world's forests still must be found" to slow deforestation and preserve the vital ecosystem services they provide.
Climate change factors into conservationist buys
Posted on Thursday, October 23, 2008From USA Today: Climate change is prompting some conservation groups to adjust their strategy for buying lands, factoring in evidence that global warming is altering the migration of species, reconfiguring coastlines and transforming natural habitats.
Forest Service deadlines and requirements for Secure Rural Schools payments
Posted on Wednesday, October 22, 2008Forest Service press release: More than $500 million for FY 2008 will be available to 41 states and Puerto Rico for improvements to public schools, road maintenance and stewardship projects under the Secure Rural Schools and Community Self-Determination Act (SRS Act). For initial implementation of payments to states under the new law, critical deadlines must be met to ensure timely 2008 payments. State payments for fiscal year 2008 will be issued no later than January 15, 2009.
Beetle invasion threatens New England trees
Posted on Wednesday, October 22, 2008 Asian longhorned beetles have gained a foothold in New England, and authorities plan to cut down large numbers of infested trees and grind them up to stop the pest from spreading to the region's celebrated forests and ravaging the timber, tourism and maple-syrup industries.
Forest Guild report identifies strategies for successful biomass removal from forests
Posted on Tuesday, October 21, 2008The new report released by the Forest Guild, Synthesis of Knowledge from Biomass Removal Case Studies, highlights successful strategies from biomass removal projects from across the country. Through funding from the Joint Fire Sciences Program and help from the U.S. Forest Service and Guild members, the Guild collected over 45 case studies of biomass removal from public, tribal, conservation, and private lands. The report analyzes the themes, strategies, and lessons learned from these examples. Forest managers, landowners, entrepreneurs, and industry partners can access the Guild’s new report and in-depth case studies on the web at biomass.forestguild.org.
Pres. Bush declares October 16-25 National Forest Products Week
Posted on Monday, October 20, 2008From the White House: During National Forest Products Week, we highlight our country's commitment to protect and wisely use America's forests for our Nation's prosperity and well-being. Across our country, citizens rely on forest products to meet their daily needs. Our forests enable us to produce goods such as paper and furniture, provide raw materials such as lumber for homes and buildings, and offer job opportunities that bring economic security for many Americans.
Market-based conservation incentives workshop presentations available
Posted on Friday, October 17, 2008Speaker presentations, executive summaries, and audio recordings from a recent workshop on "Strategies for Family Forest Owner Participation in Biodiversity and Water Markets" are now available on the American Forest Founation website. Maryland State Forester and NASF Vice President Steven Koehn participated on a question and answer panel at the event.
DontMoveFirewood.org website getting the word out on invasives
Posted on Friday, October 17, 2008Since the launch of DontMoveFirewood.org, the site has had 32,000 visitors, nearly 7000 video views, and 750 people join its MySpace network. Firewood is a major contributor to the spread of invasive pests like the emerald ash borer, and the website provides informative and humorous lessons for consumers on how they help minize this threat to America's forests. The site is looking into possible future additions, including the creation of a central repository for information on state regulations. [More: Check out some of the site's clever videos] NASF serves on the steering committee of the Continental Dialogue, which approved the development of the website.
DOE and USDA release National Biofuels Action Plan
Posted on Friday, October 17, 2008USDA Secretary Ed Schafer and Department of Energy Secretary Samuel W. Bodman released the National Biofuels Action Plan (NBAP) last week, which details the collaborative efforts of federal agencies to accelerate the development of a sustainable biofuels industry.
WFLC selects new officers
Posted on Friday, October 17, 2008The Western Forestry Leadership Coalition (WFLC) selected new officers to their Board of Directors earlier this month at their Western Regional Meeting. Pete Anderson, Nevada State Forester, and Rick Cables, US Forest Service Rocky Mountain Regional Forester, will co-lead the eight-person Executive Board and their 34 members for 2009. Representing the Research Stations, Bov Eav, USFS Pacific Northwest Research Station Director, will serve as the lead Station Director.
Casey Trees seeks Green DC Map Project Coordinator
Posted on Friday, October 17, 2008 Casey Trees seeks to hire Green DC Map Project Coordinator to facilitate a feasibility study on the creation of an interactive web map of DC green spaces and community assets. The qualified individual will work with the Casey Trees' Project Administrator to complete grant requirements established by the District Department of the Environment.
Missouri Department of Conservation seeks Resource Scientist (Forest Pathologist)
Posted on Friday, October 17, 2008The Missouri Department of Conservation is seeking applicants for the Resource Scientist (Forest Pathologist) position within the Cooperative Forest Health Program located in Columbia, Missouri, USA. For complete job description and to apply online, visit web site at: http://mdc.mo.gov/about/jobs/ Application deadline is October 31.
Arbor Day Foundation honors NKU as "Tree Campus"
Posted on Thursday, October 16, 2008Northern Kentucky University and the University of Michigan are the first to be awarded the designation of "Tree Campus USA" by the Arbor Day Foundation. Kentucky State Forester and NASF President Leah MacSwords spoke at a press conference and tree-planting celebration Thursday to recognize NKU's forest management program and long-term commitment to keeping the campus green. [More: read NASF's official resolution on Tree Campus USA.]
Smokey Bear Awards -- Submit nominations by January 15, 2009
Posted on Thursday, October 16, 2008The 2009 National Smokey Bear Awards nomination period is now open. This prestigious awards program annually recognizes organizations and/or individuals for outstanding service in wildfire prevention programs and helps highlight the important work being done to prevent human-caused wildfires. NASF is proud to partner once again with the U.S. Forest Service and The Advertising Council for this awards program. For more details on submitting a nomination, contact NASF.
Heightened call for fuel wood, pellets a worry for Maine foresters
Posted on Thursday, October 16, 2008From the Bangor Daily News: As more wood is used for fuel, the demands on Maine’s forests are changing quickly. “More people don’t want to buy oil but would like to buy wood, or wood pellets,” said Tony Filauro of the Maine Division of the New England Society of American Foresters.
Denver Post editorial calls for fire suppression fix
Posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2008From the Denver Post: "The federal government should provide adequate funding for wildfire prevention, instead of raiding other forest funds later....We suggest the stop-gap funding currently in process prevents thoughtful planning, and urge lawmakers to give the FLAME Act responsible consideration."
Rowdabaugh named director of DOI's Office of Wildland Fire Coordination
Posted on Tuesday, October 14, 2008Arizona State Forester and former NASF President Kirk Rowdabaugh has been selected to serve as DOI's Director for the Office of Wildland Fire Coordination. Rowdabaugh comes to Interior with more than 20 years of federal fire and land management experience. He began his career as a firefighter in 1970 in southern New Mexico, and has held positions with Interior's Bureau of Land Management and the USDA Forest Service that have afforded him a solid background in fire management. He has been the Arizona State Forester since 2004 and the Deputy State Forester for nearly six years prior.
Renewed interest in wood as power source
Posted on Friday, October 10, 2008From the Associated Press: While airwaves have been permeated by advertisements for solar and wind power, last year wood generated more net electricity in the U.S. than those two up-and-comers combined. New wood-burning electricity plants are again being proposed from Massachusetts to New Mexico as the nation finds itself in a third energy shock.
Coalition established to reform truck weight limits related to ag and forest product hauling
Posted on Tuesday, October 7, 2008A coalition of agricultural and forest product hauling interests has formed a steering committee and work plan to try and reform truck weight limits on America's federal highway system. According to the group's website, the Agricultural Transportation Efficiency Coalition seeks to improve the efficiency of transporting raw agricultural and forest products from farms and forests to processing facilities.
NASF elects new officers at 2008 Annual Meeting
Posted on Monday, October 6, 2008NASF elected Leah W. MacSwords, State Forester of Kentucky, as its new president at the association's 86th annual meeting last week in Hyannis, MA. MacSwords is the first woman to serve as the president of NASF and is also the first Kentucky State Forester to lead the organization.
New DHS/FEMA policy for funding wildfire mitigation
Posted on Wednesday, October 1, 2008From the Fire Safe Council: On September 8, FEMA Mitigation Chief David Maurstad issued a policy that describes how the post-disaster Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) and the Pre-Disaster Mitigation grant program (PDM) can be used for wildfire mitigation activities by eligible grant applicants. Eligible activities include creation of defensible space through removing or reducing vegetation; the application of non-combustible building envelope assemblies, use of ignition-resistant materials, and proper retrofit techniques for structures; and hazardous fuels reduction vegetation management or thinning within two miles of at-risk structures. Check with your state Emergency Management Office or FEMA Regional Mitigation staff for more information about HMGP and PDM grants.
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