Blog
New officers, policy decisions from State Foresters at 2010 NASF Annual Meeting
Posted on Wednesday, September 29, 2010NASF elected a new slate of officers to its governing Executive Committee and approved a number of policy positions by resolution at the association's 88th Annual Meeting last week in Orlando, Florida. Jeff Jahnke, Colorado State Forester, will head NASF as president in 2010-2011. NASF also elected John Shannon, Arkansas State Forester, as the association's new vice president and West Virginia State Forester Randy Dye as its new treasurer.
MORE: View some of the presentations and remarks from the Annual Meeting
Wisconsin seeking several forester positions
Posted on Wednesday, September 29, 2010The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Division of Forestry is seeking three (3) Entry Level Foresters that provide both forest management and fire management services.
More and more communities recognized by Tree City USA
Posted on Wednesday, September 29, 2010NASF congratulates the Tree City USA program for another year of growth, as described in a 2009 summary report from the Arbor Day Foundation. The program recognized more than 3500 Tree City USA communities and 529 Growth Award recipients across the nation. Tree City USA is a partnership between NASF, the Arbor Day Foundation, and the USDA Forest Service.
NASF 2009-2010 Annual Report: "We Are..."
Posted on Wednesday, September 29, 2010We believe the power of NASF lies not in the size of our membership but in the strength of our unity. State Foresters achieve results because they come together on the issues that matter most and move forward on the path toward healthier trees and forests as a united front. The accomplishments described in the 2009-2010 NASF Annual Report are a tribute to this commitment.
NUCFAC 2011 call for proposals for U&CF Challenge Cost Share grant program
Posted on Tuesday, September 28, 2010The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC) has announced the posting of the 2011 USDA Forest Service 2011 Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share grant program. The application may be downloaded from www.grants.gov, reference CFDA 10.675. Applications are due by November 29, 2010.
Mass. DCR seeking Asian longhorned beetle-related positions
Posted on Tuesday, September 28, 2010 The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation is recrutiing for several positions related to the Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradication Program.
Joint Fire Science Program seeking grant applications
Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010The Joint Fire Science Program has issued its Request for Applications (RFAs), which are posted on Grants.gov. Proposals for research, regional consortia, and graduate research innovation awards are due by November 19, 2010. Proposals for integrated field measurements are due by April 1, 2011. For more information, visit http://www.firescience.gov/JFSP_AFPs.cfm.
Do bark beetles actually reduce wildfire risk?
Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010Counterintuitive as it may be, a recent study in the Yellowstone region finds that bark beetle infestations that have killed millions of acres of trees may have actually reduced the risk of wildfire by thinning tree crowns. Some scientists believe that climate, not the beetle epidemic, is what's driving the growth in Western wildfires.
State and Private Forestry funding promoted in USDA press release
Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010USDA drew attention to the annual State and Private Forestry funding distributed to states in a recent press release, citing the grants' ability to "conserve open space, protect private forests from a variety of threats, and enhance public safety by reducing the threat of wildfire." S&PF funding this year will total $190 million.
More information on how S&PF funding supports state forestry agency landowner assistance and forest management efforts is available in the State and Private Forestry Annual Report.
6,500 trees will help offset environmental impact of Super Bowl XLV
Posted on Monday, September 27, 2010The Super Grow XLV program will plant more than 6,500 trees in local Texas cities before game day in an attempt to minimize the Super Bowl's impact on the local environment. To participate, each city must donate $3,000 in cash or in-kind donations of labor and resources, and the trees must be planted on public land.
NASF Annual Meeting: Conservation Strategies for America's Forests
Posted on Friday, September 17, 2010The 88th NASF Annual Meeting will kick-off on Sunday, September 19 in Orlando, Florida, where State Foresters will gather with other partners and guests to discuss "Conservation Strategies for America's Forests." A forum to address national forestry issues, the Annual Meeting is where NASF members elect officers, approve consensus-based resolutions, and generally conduct the business of the Association.
The NASF office will be closed Monday-Friday, September 20-24, and the NASF Washington Weekly Report will be on hiatus next Friday as well.NASF Educational Materials Catalog now online
Posted on Thursday, September 16, 2010
NASF sells educational materials and products like State Tree posters and Smokey Bear items through a field office in Franklinton, North Carolina. State, federal and local agencies, teachers, fire departments and other public safety groups, educators and community service organizations are all able to order materials through NASF to help build awareness and promote wildfire prevention and support environmental education. The 2010 Educational Materials Catalog is now available for download online.
NASF/Arbor Day Foundation partnership seeks proposals for reforestation projects
Posted on Thursday, September 16, 2010A partnership between NASF and the Arbor Day Foundation has been working to identify and support reforestation projects throughout the U.S. since 2008. This partnership provides funding for seedlings in forests recovering from fire, storms, disease, and other threats. The Arbor Day Foundation is currently seeking proposals for 2011 plantings that will positively impact the environment, create habitat for wildlife, promote watershed restoration, and other benefits to the public. Interested individuals are encouraged to fill out an online proposal for projects at: http://www.arborday.org/replantingrfp by December 1, 2010.
Wisconsin seeks Forest Products Utilization & Marketing Specialist
Posted on Wednesday, September 15, 2010The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources - Division of Forestry is currently seeking a Forest Products Utilization & Marketing Specialist to provide expert consultation and technology transfer to a variety of businesses, internal and external customers, and multi-stakeholder teams to support the forest industry statewide. Application deadline is September 28. For application materials, click here.
Forest Legacy Program Specialist outreach notice
Posted on Wednesday, September 15, 2010The Cooperative Forestry staff of the USDA Forest Service has released an outreach notice for a new GS-13 Forest Legacy Program Specialist. This position serves along with the Forest Legacy Program Manager (GS-14) to provide national leadership and direction for this forest land protection and conservation program. Outreach responses are due by October 14.
Alabama faces fire season with fewer hands on deck
Posted on Monday, September 13, 2010Rural fire chiefs in Alabama are beginning to worry about the fall wildfire season, but it's economic--not environmental--concerns that are at the forefront. The Alabama Forestry Commission has eliminated 75 employees this year as it struggles to make up for a $5 million reduction in its annual budget. With fewer Forestry Commission employees, volunteer fire departments will be called on to fight more woods and grass fires this fall. State Forester Linda Casey said Alabama's rural areas are not going to be left unprotected. "We've eliminated numerous positions here at our state headquarters to keep as many people in the field as possible," Casey said. "All 67 counties in Alabama still have fire coverage."
Rural fire departments in Ohio get help through VFA
Posted on Monday, September 13, 2010Fifty-five rural regional fire departments in Ohio were approved for federal grant funding through the Volunteer Fire Assistance program, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. The grants are designed to help fire departments and fire associations serving communities with populations of fewer than 10,000 people. "These grants provide valuable resources to assist local fire departments in providing wildland and rural community fire protection," said state forester David Lytle. "The division is committed to helping local fire departments with limited budgets effectively perform their duties.
Jim Reaves appointed Forest Service Deputy Chief for R&D
Posted on Friday, September 10, 2010Jimmy L. Reaves, PhD, has been appointed Deputy Chief for Research & Development at the USDA Forest Service. Jim has been the Station Director for the Southern Research Station since January of 2008.
USDA Forest Service Biological Scientist opportunity
Posted on Thursday, September 9, 2010 The USDA Forest Serviceis seeking a Biological Scientist in the Cooperative Forestry and Tribal Relations office, Region 2, in Golden, Colorado. For a full job description, click here. The vacancy closes on October 7.
Bedbugs make headlines, but tree bugs pose greatest threat
Posted on Thursday, September 9, 2010While the scourge of bedbugs continues to make headlines in New York and beyond, the emerald ash borer has the potential to kill off the 900 million ash trees in New York and the 7 billion ash trees in North America. Ash trees make up 7 percent of the trees in New York State and about 10 percent of the hardwoods. Losing the ash trees would have enormous economic costs, according to a recent article in the New York Times.
Washington DNR seeks NW Region Manager
Posted on Thursday, September 9, 2010The Washington Department of Natural Resouces is seeking a Northwest Region Manager responsible for field operations within the DNR's Northwest Region. Major responsibilities are revenue generation through the sustainable management of state forest lands, wildfire prevention and suppression, and protection of public resources on state and private forest lands.
Colorado governor declares emergency disaster for Fourmile Fire
Posted on Wednesday, September 8, 2010Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter has issued an emergency disaster declaration for the Fourmile Fire in Boulder County, authorizing $5 million in state aid to pay firefighting costs and directing the state to seek additional funds from the federal government if necessary. The fire has now burned more than 7,100 acres, destroyed dozens of structures, and forced the evacuation of 1,000 homes and 3,500 residents. Jeff Jahnke, state forester and director of the Colorado State Forest Service, said, “The Fourmile fire is a harsh reminder about the importance of being prepared for wildland fire, particularly for those who live, work and recreate in the wildland-urban interface.”
UPDATE: Gusty winds continue to thwart firefighters; as of Friday, the blaze was only 30% contained. Click here for a gallery of images from the Denver Post.
New York releases draft strategic plan for state forest management
Posted on Wednesday, September 8, 2010The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced the release of a draft “Strategic Plan for State Forest Management," which will guide management of the 786,000-acre state forest holdings. The plan is available for public review and comment through Oct. 29. Key goals of the draft plan focus on eco-system health and diversity, economic benefits, forest conservation, recreation and sustainable management.
Alabama report finds state forest lands decreasing
Posted on Wednesday, September 8, 2010Between 2000 and 2008, Alabama's forest decreased approximately 225,000 acres, a loss that may be a tipping point as urban growth and development outpaces the reversion of agricultural land to forest, according "Forests at the Crossroads" (PDF), the State Asessment and Strategy from the Alabama Forestry Commission.
MORE: Pennsylvania's first long-term forest assessment finds challenges aheadDemonstration forest in Utah will be a place to practice and learn forest management
Posted on Tuesday, September 7, 2010Southern Utah University and the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands are working together to create a demonstration forest where students, natural resources professionals and the public can learn about forest care. The demonstration area will show how to maintain or revitalize damaged forests to a natural state through actions like small-scale burning and logging. State forester Dick Buehler said development pressures have limited the agency's ability to practice prescribed burning as part of its forest management program.
U.S. catches a break this year with mild wildfire season
Posted on Tuesday, September 7, 2010The U.S. is enjoying an unusually quiet year for wildfires, the least fiery of the past 10 years, according to data from the National Interagency Fire Center. Both in terms of total number of wildfires as well as acres burned, 2010 is the least active year of the past decade. Weather conditions have been ideal this year for a calm wildfire season, particularly in the fire-prone West.
Happy Labor Day from NASF
Posted on Friday, September 3, 2010The National Association of State Foresters wishes its members and friends a safe and healthy Labor Day weekend.
Western universities to study impact of fire and climate change on sensitive forests
Posted on Wednesday, September 1, 2010Faculty at Montana State University, the University of Colorado, the University of Idaho and collaborators at the USDA Forest Service received a $3.85 million grant to study fire and climate change in sensitive forests in the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand. The proposed research studies conducted in the U.S. and abroad, will help inform fire management decisions and educate the next generation of fire scientists and managers worldwide.
$16M logging protect aimed at protection Denver's urban water supply
Posted on Wednesday, September 1, 2010Denver's water agency will spend $16.5 million on logging to protect the city's water supply from potential devastating wildfires and erosion from trees killed by pine bark beetles. Denver Water and the U.S. Forest Service will split the cost of a five-year, $33 million project to cut and remove dead trees in the city's watershed. Tons of sediment have flowed into the reservoir following two wildfires in the area in the past 14 years.
Two Chiefs' Partnership Awards nominations deadline extended
Posted on Wednesday, September 1, 2010The deadline to submit nominations for the Two Chiefs' Partnership Awards has been extended to September 30, 2010. The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service and the U.S. Forest Service are requesting nominations for their fifth annual Two Chiefs' Partnership Award.
Nominations should be submitted to the Joint Forestry Team website by September 30.
Nominations should be submitted to the Joint Forestry Team website by September 30.
Indiana bans walnut from neighboring states to prevent thousand canker disease
Posted on Wednesday, September 1, 2010The Indiana Department of Natural Resources has issued an emergency rule banning the transportation of walnut products from nine western states and Tennessee to prevent the introduction of thousand cankers disease. Although the disease has not been found in Indiana, it is a major threat to the state's black walnut resource.
Fall foliage in the Northeast may disappoint this year
Posted on Wednesday, September 1, 2010Fall foliage lovers in the Northeast may be disappointed this year, with experts in Connecticut predicting that the sun-filled, rain-free and oppressively hot days from mid-June to early August will weather the leaves in local forests before they can change to their brilliant orange, yellow and red hues.
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