Blog
Senate sends Interior appropriations bill to President Obama
Posted on Friday, October 30, 2009The Senate on Thursday sent President Obama the $32.2 billion fiscal 2010 Interior-Environment Appropriations bill that includes a 16% increase for the Forest Service's State and Private Forestry programs, along with a 23% increase for S&PF programs funded through the Wildland Fire Management appropriation. The bill also establishes the FLAME fund for emergency wildland fire suppression. Stay tuned for more information and a response from NASF early next week.
Beetles continue to spread tree disease across South Carolina
Posted on Friday, October 30, 2009South Carolina forestry officials say a disease that kills redbay trees is spreading across the state. Beetles that cause the disease called Laurel Wilt were introduced to the Southeast from Asia earlier this decade and have since spread from Georgia south into Florida and north into 11 counties in South Carolina. Trees often die within a month of being infected.
A (big) tree grows in Brooklyn
Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2009Two trees in the Brooklyn Botanic Garden - a 97-year-old Kansas hawthorn and a Carolina holly - have become official members of the state's Big Tree Register, which keeps track of the largest trees of their species on record, as defined by a formula that includes the height, circumference and foliage of the tree. State registers cooperate with the National Register of Big Trees, which records the largest trees in the country.
Warming climate may decrease NW timber yields
Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2009A new study suggests warming temperatures predicted over the next century could boost tree growth on Northwest forests, but less so at lower elevations where most of the timber is and temperatures are already warm.
Ohio partnership to conserve largest remaining undeveloped forest
Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2009With funding help from a number of private organizations and public agencies, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources will purchase the state’s largest remaining privately-owned block of consolidated forest available for permanent protection. Located 75 miles southeast of Columbus, the forest is one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the country and is home to more than 50 years of ongoing forest research. The State expects to complete purchase of the property by July 2010 and will manage it as the Vinton Furnace Experimental State Forest.
Oklahoma legislators urged to address eastern red cedar
Posted on Thursday, October 29, 2009Foresters and conservationists in Oklahoma are urging legislators to direct funding toward a growing problem--the invasive spread of the eastern red cedar, which has taken over nearly 10 million acres of land and destroying native habitats in the state. Economic losses from not managing the encroachment are projected to reach $447 million by 2013.
Mobile GIS for forestry online seminar
Posted on Wednesday, October 28, 2009The ESRI Forestry Group (EFG) is hosting a free webinar on Wednesday, November 4, titled "Cutting-Edge Mobile GIS Resources for Forestry." Participants will get updated on how mobile GIS is being used in the forest industry and see learn how others have integrated mobile GIS into their existing business systems and solved problems, addressed issues, and improved decision making. Click here for more information and to register.
Patrick Glass joins Alabama Forestry Commission as assistant state forester
Posted on Tuesday, October 27, 2009Patrick A. Glass is the newly appointed assistant state forester at the Alabama Forestry Commission, effective November 1. With a bachelors degree in Forest Management and a masters degree in Forest Biometrics from Mississippi State University, he is currently completing his Ph.D. in Forest Biometrics with an emphasis on forest sampling utilizing remote sensing technology (LiDAR).
Forest Service launches massive Colorado "hazard tree" removal project
Posted on Monday, October 26, 2009The U.S. Forest Service has launched a massive "hazard tree" removal project in Colorado using contract and prison labor to cut dangerous beetle-killed pines. The beetle epidemic has ravaged an estimated 2.5 million forest acres across Colorado, concentrated in forests dominated by a single species such as lodgepole pine. More and more are falling in the wind as rotting root systems weaken.
Asian longhorned beetle threatens New England wood
Posted on Friday, October 23, 2009Money quote: "New Englanders, especially those living in suburbs and cities, tend to think of themselves as removed from a forest environment. But, in fact, residents of the Northeast live in intimate relationship with their trees. The simplest, everyday behavior, like stacking purchased firewood between two trees in the backyard, can have a lasting impact on nearby tree life." -- Hartford Courant, Oct. 17
NPR: complexities of forests, climate and biofuels
Posted on Friday, October 23, 2009National Public Radio's Morning Edition aired two stories today on forests and how they relate to international and domestic global warming policies. The first described the view of some scientists writing in the current issue of Science magazine that say existing biofuel laws inadvertently encourage deforestation and could actually make climate change worse. The second feature story explored the concept of forest carbon banks, and the effects of fire and drought on these forests.
MORE: View the Science magazine abstract or listen to a podcast about the article.NASF joins U.S. delegation at World Forestry Congress
Posted on Thursday, October 22, 2009Three members of the National Association of State Foresters were part of the U.S. delegation to the World Forestry Congress in Buenos Aires, Argentina, this week. NASF President Steven Koehn (MD), Fire Committee Chair Vicki Christiansen (AZ), and Council of Western State Foresters Chair Butch Blazer (NM) joined U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell and others in the American contingent. Tidwell spoke during the opening plenary on Monday, Oct. 19, and Christiansen and Tidwell led a side event on Tuesday, Oct. 20, titled "Across Borders and Boundaries: Responding to Wildfire in the United States." The event has brought together approximately 7000 participants from 160 nations, to discuss forest issues. MORE: view photos and summaries of the daily events.
Stunning time-lapse video of the Station Fire plume
Posted on Thursday, October 22, 2009This incredible visual record of the Station Fire in Los Angeles underscores the value and importance of wildfire prevention and safety efforts: http://www.brandonriza.com/Video/HTML/ZeroPercentContained.html. The Station Fire, which started on August 26, 2009, was the largest fire in the recorded history of Angeles National Forest (est. 1892) and the 10th largest fire in California since 1933.
Tax tips for forest landowners for the 2009 tax year
Posted on Wednesday, October 21, 2009This bulletin (PDF) from the U.S. Forest Service summarizes federal income tax information useful to woodland owners in preparing their 2009 tax returns. It is current as of October 1, 2009, and supersedes Management Bulletin R8-MB 132. Visit the National Timber Tax website for more information.
U.S. joins international project to halt deforestation
Posted on Tuesday, October 20, 2009Six developing nations and five Western countries, including the United States, have formed a partnership to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions by improving forest management, the World Bank said. The Forest Investment Program, which holds its first meeting Oct. 29 in Washington, D.C., will invest some $350 million in regions of the world that are most threatened by deforestation.
Space agencies, Google seek ways to save world's forests
Posted on Tuesday, October 20, 2009"The only way to measure forests efficiently is from space," says Jose Achache, director of the Group on Earth Observations (GEO), an international project that will monitor forests by satellite to fight global warming. Governments, space agencies such as NASA and Google Inc are joining in the new partnership to measure forests, which would make annual assessments of forest carbon stocks, compared to a current five-year cycle.
Harris Sherman confirmed as NRE under secretary
Posted on Friday, October 16, 2009The Senate unanimously confirmed last week Harris Sherman as the Department of Agriculture's under secretary for natural resources and environment. Sherman, who has been the executive director of the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, will oversee the U.S. Forest Service.
Wood making comeback as power source
Posted on Friday, October 16, 2009USA Today reports that power plants across the country are turning to wood to make electricity. The move is spurred by state mandates to encourage renewable power and by bills moving through Congress that require more renewable electricity nationwide.
Ten-year carbon experiment in Bolivia yields mixed results
Posted on Friday, October 16, 2009More than a decade ago in the northeast corner of Bolivia, a group of polluters and environmentalists joined forces in the first large-scale experiment to curb climate change with a strategy that promised to suit their competing interests: compensating for greenhouse gas emissions by preserving forests. The outcome of that experiment is fueling debate over a key element in international climate strategy.
Endowment releases work on community-scale biomass facilities
Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities has announced completion of 45 "best-in-class" case studies of community-scale wood-to-energy systems selected from projects across Canada, Europe and the U.S. Led by the Biomass Energy Resources Center (BERC) of Vermont, the case studies illustrate the that local biomass feedstocks are “technically and financially viable fuel source,” according to the findings.
Aspen trees die across the West
Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009The Wall Street Journal reports that a mysterious ailment -- or perhaps a combination of factors -- is killing hundreds of thousands of acres of aspen trees from Nevada, New Mexico and Arizona through Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and into Canada.
Indiana urban forestry efforts recognized
Posted on Thursday, October 15, 2009The Indiana Urban Forest Council, Inc. and the Indiana DNR, Division of Forestry, Community and Urban Forestry program recently honored several individuals and groups for outstanding urban forestry work in 2009.
Webinar on SFI 2010-2014 standard Oct. 22
Posted on Wednesday, October 14, 2009The Sustainable Forestry Initiative will hold a SFI 2010-2014 Standard webinar on Thursday October 22, from 1:00 - 2:00pm EDT. Participants will learn about the SFI Standard review process, significant enhancements to the SFI 2010-2014 Standard, and the implementation timeline for new provisions in the SFI 2010-2014 Standard. RSVP to info@sfiprogram.org, or visit www.sfiprogram.org/webinars for more information.
Comment period for CSP interim final rule extended
Posted on Wednesday, October 14, 2009The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has extended the comment period for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) interim final rule to October 28. See the Federal Register notice for more information.
USDA under secretary nominee testifies before Senate
Posted on Thursday, October 8, 2009Harris Sherman, President Obama's nominee for USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, testified before the Senate Agriculture Committee this week on roadless areas, climate change and rural development. NASF sent a letter to the committee this week in support of Sherman's nomination.
Scientists race to prevent ash tree's extinction
Posted on Thursday, October 8, 2009The native ash tree, which provides $25 billion worth of timber and decorates backyards across North America, could be doomed by the emerald ash borer — unless scientists are successful in freezing millions of ash seed, reserved for the day when researchers figure out how to kill or control the devastating bug.
New 'Carbon Canopy' coalition launches carbon credit-trading project in the South
Posted on Thursday, October 8, 2009A group of timber and paper supply companies and environmental organizations has launched a pilot project to allow landowners who selectively log their forests to earn carbon credits they can trade on the open market. The new group, calling itself Carbon Canopy, aims to test how landowners in the U.S. South can receive economic benefits from expanding carbon stores in their working forests.
Country music star Craig Morgan joins the wildfire prevention effort
Posted on Thursday, October 8, 2009Craig Morgan, the country music star behind the hit single "Bonfire," has joined Smokey Bear in his effort to remind people of their personal responsibility in prevention human-caused wildfires in a new series of radio public service advertisments. Morgan admits that bonfires are built for good times, although he stresses, "But anybody who knows me knows that I'm a big outdoors guy, and any time you build any sort of fire outside, safety has to be your number one concern."
Gypsy moth threat expected to decline in PA
Posted on Thursday, October 8, 2009After years of often rampant infestation, moth numbers in Pennsylvania have plummeted. Many areas won't need to be sprayed for the leaf-munching pests next year, and the respite will allow forestry officials to concentrate on other woodland pests, including tent caterpillars, emerald ash borers and woolly adelgids, which attack hemlock trees.
2010 Healthy Forests Reserve Program call for proposals
Posted on Wednesday, October 7, 2009The Natural Resouces Conservation Service (NRCS) has issued the call for proposals for the 2010 Healthy Forests Reserve Program. State forestry agencies have been active partners in this program. The deadline for proposals is November 1 with selection of new projects by December 1. Click here for the 2010 Guidance.
Scientists study ecology after Station fire in Los Angeles
Posted on Wednesday, October 7, 2009A multiagency team of state and federal forest and wildlife representatives are studying the environmental aftermath of the changing burn pattern that has resulted from increasing frequency and size of fires.
Call for Proposals: 2010 Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share grants
Posted on Wednesday, October 7, 2009The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC) announces the posting of the U.S. Forest Service 2010 Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share grant program. The application and instructions are available online at www.grants.gov, reference: CFDA 10.675, or www.fs.fed.us/ucf/nucfac. Applications are due to grants.gov by 11:59 PM (EST) December 15, 2009. For more information, contact Nancy Stremple (nstremple@fs.fed.us; 202-205-1054).
Caitlyn Peel selected as WFLC/CWSF executive director
Posted on Monday, October 5, 2009The Western Forestry Leadership Coalition/Council of Western State Foresters has selected Caitlyn Peel as executive director. Peel, who has served as the WFLC's governmental affairs director since 2007, assumes the role vacated by Jay Jensen earlier this year. Prior to joining the WFLC/CWSF staff, Caitlyn served as the staff vice president for government and environment affairs for the Home Builders Association of St. Louis and Eastern Missouri.
WY State Forestry Division seeks project forester
Posted on Monday, October 5, 2009The Wyoming State Forestry Division is seeking a project forester in Casper, WY. To ensure consideration, applications should be submitted before October 30, 2009.
New officers, policy decisions at 87th NASF Annual Meeting
Posted on Friday, October 2, 2009NASF elected a new slate of officers to its governing Executive Committee and agreed on a number of national policy positions at the association's 87th Annual Meeting last week in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Steven W. Koehn, State Forester of Maryland, will lead NASF as president in 2009-2010.
During the Business Meeting portion of the event, State Foresters approved several policy positions by resolution, including a call for improved support of the U.S. Forest Service's Forest Inventory and Analysis program and a comprehensive strategy to address the role of firewood in the introduction and spread of invasive species. NASF also passed a resolution in support of many of the specific recommended actions within the Roundtable on Sustainable Forests' (RSF) draft Sustainable Forests Action Strategy, which outlines priority actions to be taken in the next two years to improve the conservation and sustainable management of the nation's forests. This draft document and its potential implementation will be the focus of discussion at the RSF's national stakeholder meeting October 14-15, in Washington DC.
MORE: Speeches and presentations are now available online; attendees, don't forget to provide feedback on the event by answering our survey.
Vermont forestry celebrates 100 years
Posted on Friday, October 2, 2009The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation celebrated its first 100 years supporting
Vermonters in their stewardship of one of the state’s forestland on September 26. In 1909, Austin F. Hawes was appointed as Vermont’s first State Forester and the first state forest, L.R. Jones, was purchased in Plainfield, beginning the Division of Forestry.
Vermonters in their stewardship of one of the state’s forestland on September 26. In 1909, Austin F. Hawes was appointed as Vermont’s first State Forester and the first state forest, L.R. Jones, was purchased in Plainfield, beginning the Division of Forestry.
Kerry-Boxer climate bill opens opportunities and questions for forestry
Posted on Friday, October 2, 2009The climate proposal unveiled by Sens. John Kerry (D-MA) and Barbara Boxer (D-CA) this week provides significant opportunities for domestic offsets from carbon-storing conservation projects, but the extent to which forests and forest products would participate is not entirely clear.
Biggest California forest owner enters carbon trade
Posted on Thursday, October 1, 2009The largest private forest owner in California, Sierra Pacific Industries, is entering carbon markets with a deal to preserve redwoods and other trees and sell credits for soaking up greenhouse gases to power companies and investors.
October is NeighborWoods Month
Posted on Thursday, October 1, 2009National NeighborWoods Month is an annual October celebration to remind us of the value of trees in our communities. Led by the Alliance for Community Trees (ACT), the National NeighborWoods Program supports local partners with training, technical assistance, marketing tools, and project grants to encourage the involvement of volunteers in the hands-on restoration of urban forests. NASF encourages its members and constituents to participate in NeighborWoods month by volunteering, hosting a local event, or donating to help plant trees during October. Visit http://neighborwoodsmonth.org to register your event, download free tools and templates, and order local support materials.
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