The EPA came out with a proposed rule this week that would clarify and extend their regulatory jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act (CWA). The proposed rule redefines what constitutes as “waters of the US” (WOTUS) and gives more clearly defined limits on what the EPA can regulate as a US waterway. The proposal is [read more]
The National Wildlife Coordinating Group’s Incident Emergency Medical Subcommittee (IEMS) has announced the recipients of the “2013 Wildlife Emergency Medical Service Awards.” This kicks off an annual awards program designed to honor organizations and individuals who have demonstrated outstanding work, actions, or programs in emergency medical service for wildland firefighters. The four award categories that [read more]
The 58th annual Oklahoma Youth Forestry Camp is “Catching Fire” this summer from June 2nd to 7th in Broken Bow State Park. Applications for a week of exploring Oklahoma’s great outdoors are being accepted until May 16th, 2014, and the $175 registration covers all meals, lodging, transportation at camp, and recreational activities. Applications for campers [read more]
The United States Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Robert Bonnie announced a multi-year partnership between the United States Forest Service (USFS) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) called the Chief’s Joint Landscape Restoration Partnership. This partnership will invest $30 million in 13 projects in 12 states across the country [read more]
The Forest Research Advisory Council (FRAC) is a statutory committee established to provide advice to the Secretary of Agriculture on accomplishing the puposes of the McIntire Stennis Act of 1962. This act was created primarily to establish and maintain forestry research programs, creating a joint council between the Forest Service and the National Institute of [read more]
John Rosenow announced to the Arbor Day Foundation board of trustees that he will retire as chief executive of the Arbor Day Foundation effective July 1, 2014 and begin a role as an advisor. Mr. Rosenow started the Arbor Day Foundation in 1972, the centennial of the first Arbor Day observance. Celebrated in all 50 [read more]
Last month, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed six members to serve on the Softwood Lumber Board. Each member will serve a three-year term. New appointments include manufacturers Charles W. Roady, Columbia Falls, Mont., and Danny White, Brewton, Ala., representing the U.S. West and South regions, respectively; and importer Don Kayne, BC, Canada, who will [read more]
Dr. Eunice Padley has joined NRCS as the National Forester, Ecological Sciences Division. Padley comes from the U.S. Forest Service, where she has been the National Soils Program Leader since 2011. Prior to that, Padley was with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources as a Forest Ecology/Silviculture specialist and researcher from 2001 to 2011. She [read more]
The vascular plant emerged around 400 million years ago and started Earth's forest-building process during the Silurian geologic period. Although not yet a "true" tree, this new member of the terrestrial plant kingdom became the perfect evolutionary link with developing tree parts and considered the first proto-tree. The earth's first real tree continued to develop [read more]
It's that time of year again! The 2014 Smokey Bear Award nominations are now being accepted. The coveted Smokey Bear award is distributed to outstanding candidates who excel in the area of wildfire prevention educations. Please spread the word to those who may be interested in nominating an individual, agency or organization for an award. [read more]
