Southern Group of State Foresters launches new website
Posted on Wednesday, March 3, 2010The Southern Group of State Foresters (SGSF) has debuted a new website (www.southernforests.org) in an effort to better communicate about forestry and the multi-billion dollar forest industry in the 13 southern states and two federal territories that comprise the group. The site features a new, more intuitive design with more up-to-date information about state forestry in the southern region.
Online class for foresters on wildlife awareness in tree management activities
Posted on Monday, February 15, 2010A new online certification course has been developed by the Wildlife Training Institute (WTI) to teach tree management professionals how to comply with wildlife protection laws and avoid nesting birds during tree management activities. WTI course graduates will earn one continuing education credit from the International Society of Arboriculture. To register for WTI's online Wildlife Protector certification course and for more information, go to www.wildlifetraining.org or call (866) 376-6292.
Aldo Leopold film vying for $50K from Pepsi
Posted on Wednesday, February 10, 2010The Aldo Leopold Foundation is in the running for a $50,000 grant from the Pepsi Refresh Project to create a documentary called "Green Fire" on famed conservationist and writer Aldo Leopold. The documentary will encourage audiences to think about Leopold’s land ethic idea and how it may apply to the environmental problems we face today. For more information and to vote for the project, visit http://www.refresheverything.com/greenfire.
Alabama forms student wildland firefighting crew
Posted on Tuesday, February 9, 2010Thirty students from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University (A&M) are participating in the nation's first student wildland fire-fighting crew recognized by the U.S. Forest Service. As part of the training program and to provide students with firefighting skills, the school is partnering with the Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC); the Forest Service will provide safety equipment and fund the first year of insurance for the students.
VA Department of Forestry mobilizes teams in advance of winter weather
Posted on Friday, February 5, 2010In anticipation of this weekend’s winter storm, the Virginia Department of Forestry has assembled six strike teams and three incident management teams that will assist state and local governments in the event of any emergency needs they may have.
Harold Bell, a creator of Woodsy Owl dies at age 90
Posted on Tuesday, December 15, 2009Harold Bell, along with two forest rangers and another colleague, came up with the concept of Woodsy Owl as a new mascot for the Forest Service in time for the first Earth Day, April 22, 1970. The plump anthropomorphic bird in a red-feathered cap has for nearly four decades exhorted youngsters to "Give a hoot, don't pollute," Bell died on December 4 at his home in Los Angeles.
Concert tours support forestry in the UK
Posted on Friday, December 4, 2009Great Britain's national Forestry Commission has a novel approach to raising awareness and funding for forestry. The agency secures popular bands for a series of outdoor shows around various woodland locations during the summer and invests money generated by ticket sales directly back to the nation’s woodlands.
NFL plants trees in advance of Miami Superbowl
Posted on Tuesday, December 1, 2009A Homestead, Florida, elementary school was the first to received trees donated by the NFL in honor of Miami hosting this year's Super Bowl and Pro Bowl. In all, more than 300 trees will be planted at 16 events leading up to the Feb. 7 Super Bowl.
Two Chiefs’ Partnership Award call for nominations
Posted on Saturday, November 28, 2009The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the U.S. Forest Service request nominations for their fourth annual Two Chiefs' Partnership Award. The 2009 award is given in two categories, individual and group, to recognize exemplary partnership efforts promoting conservation and forest stewardship. Nominees must have worked jointly to achieve gains in forestry-related conservation with at least two of the following four organizations: conservation districts, NRCS, FS and State forestry agencies. Nominations should be submitted electronically via the Joint Forestry Team website by December 15.
Remembering a pioneering smokejumper
Posted on Monday, November 9, 2009Earl Cooley, one of the nation's first smokejumpers, died Nov. 9 at age 98. Cooley went on to become the superintendent of the U.S. Forest Service's first squad of smokejumpers, based in Montana.
