Understories

USDA commemorates 'New Year of the Trees' with planting

smccreary — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:01:02 -0500

USDA Natural Resources and Environment Under Secretary Harris Sherman was joined by local schoolchildren and dignitaries for a tree planting next to the USDA's Washington DC headquarters this week in commemoration of Tu B'Shevat, "The New Year of the Trees."

Alaska DNR chief looks to change agency mission statement

smccreary — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 12:16:27 -0500

The commissioner of the Alaska's Department of Natural Resources wants to change the agency's mission statement, and has been met with opposition from some conservation groups who are worried about a pro-development bent. The new statement would remove "conserve" and "enhance" from the department's current mission to "develop, conserve and enhance natural resources for present and future Alaskans."

Two-thirds of westerners call themselves conservationists

smccreary — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 09:55:07 -0500

Nearly two-thirds of voters in Western states label themselves as conservationists, according to results from a new poll released by Colorado College.

Stink bug infestation threatens trees, crops

smccreary — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 10:39:16 -0500

In response to a 36-state infestation of stink bugs, the USDA has devoted $5.7 million to a task force of researchers who are trying to find a natural predator for the vermin and lure them into traps. The insects forage on about 300 species of produce, trees and vegetation. An estimated $21 billion worth of crops are at risk where stink bugs have been detected, according to the USDA.

Excuse me, there's a tree in your beer

smccreary — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 13:38:49 -0500

Tom Graham, a brewer at Harpoon's Windsor brewery in Vermont, got the idea for his first signature beer from a home brew book that touted the virtues of spruce tips. He worked with a state lands stewardship forester from the Vermont Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation to find a state forest that could supply the 200 pounds of new spruce buds needed to make a commercial batch of beer.

Another green building material in the mix: bamboo

smccreary — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 08:55:44 -0500

Simon Velez, a Bogota, Colombia-based architect is leading a global crusade for new uses of bamboo as a strong, eco-sustainable material that can substitute for wood and concrete in many projects. Velez says it is only a matter of time before bamboo makes its own case as a "logical replacement for traditional woods in construction projects."

USDA to delay 15-cent Christmas tree tax

smccreary — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 20:05:20 -0500

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is going to delay implementation and revisit a proposed new 15 cent fee on fresh-cut Christmas trees, which has generated criticism of President Obama from conservative media outlets. The fee would fund a program designed to benefit the Christmas tree industry and will be funded by the growers, according to the National Christmas Tree Association (PDF).

USDA tree climber finishes 12th in world competition

smccreary — Fri, 07 Oct 2011 15:01:03 -0400

Bear LeVangie of the APHIS Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradication Program in Worcester, MA, recently competed in the International Tree Climbing Championship in Australia and placed 12th.

Florida Division of Forestry now Florida Forest Service

smccreary — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 09:17:08 -0400

The Florida Legislature has passed legislation that changes the name of the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services' Division of Forestry to the Florida Forest Service. According to a press release, the name change "reflects the important role this division plays in managing and conserving more than one million acres of public forest and 16 million acres of commercial forestland, while at the same time protecting more than 26 million acres of Florida's natural resources, homes and business from wildfire."

Guldin brothers continue family legacy of caring for forests

smccreary — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 12:44:55 -0400

The USDA blog recently profiled the family ties to forestry of brothers Richard and Jim Guldin, who both work at the U.S. Forest Service. Richard Guldin is director of Quantitative Sciences for Research and Development in Rosslyn, VA, and Jim Guldin is supervisory ecologist and project leader at the Southern Research Station in Hot Springs, AR.