Blog
Senate provides an extra $50MM for bark beetles in the West
Posted on Thursday, May 27, 2010The U.S. Senate will approve an extra $50 million for Western states to deal with dead trees from the bark beetle outbreak, Sen. Mark Udall (D-CO) said this week. The U.S. Forest Service will get $42 million, and the National Park Service will get $8 million. Udall noted two Colorado national parks as having the highest need, but other states will be eligible for the money, too. Specific projects have not been announced.
Carbon offset project methodology approved under the Voluntary Carbon Standard
Posted on Thursday, May 27, 2010Environmental firm EcoTrust has won approval for the first carbon offset project methodology in improved forest management (IFM) under the Voluntary Carbon Standard. Ecotrust is active in forestry in the US Pacific North West and Canada, and based in Portland, Oregon. The essence of its project approach on IFM is to identify the increase in carbon stock in trees’ above-ground biomass, dead wood and wood products resulting from the application of a longer harvest cycle.
U.S. farm and timber groups urge end to deforestation
Posted on Thursday, May 27, 2010A new study released by a coalition of farm and timber groups says stopping deforestation in Brazil, Indonesia and elsewhere could increase revenue for U.S. farmers and the forestry industry by $190 billion to $270 billion between 2012 and 2030. The report, "Farms Here, Forests There," looked at what would happen if landowners in Brazil and other major areas of deforestation were given carbon offset payments to keep land in forest.
Forest Legality Alliance targets illegally harvested timber
Posted on Wednesday, May 26, 2010The newly launched Forest Legality Alliance brings together conservation groups, government agencies, and corporations including Staples Inc. and several other wood and paper products retailers to reduce demand for illegally harvested forest products.
American Chestnut Foundation seeks Mid-Atlantic Regional Science Coordinator
Posted on Wednesday, May 26, 2010The American Chestnut Foundation is seeking a Regional Science Coordinator, which supports the science-related activities of TACF chapters in MD, VA, and WV and cooperates and participates with the other regional science coordinators and with the chief scientist of TACF.
Oregon offers online statewide forest atlas
Posted on Tuesday, May 25, 2010The Oregon Department of Forestry has developed an online Forest Atlas as a public education product of the Statewide Forest Assessment and Resource Strategy. Maps developed for the Oregon Forest Atlas 2010 use GIS data obtained from several sources, including the U.S. Forest Service's Pacific Northwest Research Station, Oregon State University and the Oregon Department of Forestry.
Wisconsin biomass project reconsidered
Posted on Tuesday, May 25, 2010Xcel Energy Corp. is rethinking its plans to build the largest biomass power plant in the Midwest after the projected cost rose by one-third. The company will assess whether to use a different technology to burn wood at the power plant.
AZ state forester hired as Forest Service deputy director of fire & aviation
Posted on Monday, May 24, 2010Vicki Christiansen, Arizona State Forester and chair of the NASF Forest Fire Protection Committee, will leave her state role to join the USDA Forest Service as Deputy Director, Fire and Aviation Management (FAM), at the end of June. In her new role, Christiansen will have oversight responsibilities for National Fire Plan, Partnerships, Fuels, Policy, and Budget.
Nebraska state forester appointed to Forest Research Advisory Council
Posted on Friday, May 21, 2010Dr. Scott Josiah, Nebraska State Forester and Director of the Nebraska Forest Service, has been selected by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to serve on the Forest Research Advisory Council (FRAC). This prestigious federal advisory council convenes the nation's top forest research professionals from federal, state, and nongovernmental organizations to advise the USDA on priority research needs.
MORE: Read NASF's recommendations for using the best available information to address forestry priorities on all lands.
Urban wood utilization case study
Posted on Thursday, May 20, 2010Dovetail Partners has put together a case study of urban wood utilization in the Twin Cities region of Minnesota. The report focuses on an emerging urban wood-based industrial (business) cluster in the Minneapolis-St. Paul (Twin Cities) metropolitan area. Recommendations for advancing wood utilization activities on a community-wide basis are offered.
SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships grant program
Posted on Thursday, May 20, 2010The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) has awarded several projects as part of its new Conservation and Community Partnerships grant program, which funds initiatives that support partnerships between organizations interested in improving forest management in the U.S. and Canada, and supporting responsible procurement globally. Click here for more about the program and the list of winning projects.
New England losing forest cover, report shows
Posted on Thursday, May 20, 2010After almost 200 years of natural reforestation, forest cover is declining in all six New England states, according to a new report by Harvard Forest, the forest ecology research center of Harvard University. The authors of the Wildlands and Woodlands report calls for the conservation of 70 percent of New England as forestland to adequately protect clean water, steel against climate change and ensure a woods industry – and sets out a strategy to do so.
Canadian forestry dispute ends in truce
Posted on Tuesday, May 18, 2010More than twenty Canadian forest product makers have come to an agreement with environmental groups to slow tree harvesting in 178 million acres of Canada's boreal forests, bringing a halt to decades of protest.
Invasive kudzu could contribute to ozone pollution
Posted on Tuesday, May 18, 2010The noxious, smothering vines of invasive kudzu that have spread throughout the southeastern United States in recent decades may also contribute to ozone pollution in the region. Results of a study detailed in the May 17 issue of the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences reveals that the impacts of invasive species on the atmosphere need to be considered along with their effects on ecosystems.
Kansas seeks woody biomass specialist
Posted on Monday, May 17, 2010The Kansas Forest Service Department of Horticulture, Forestry and Recreation Resources, Kansas State University, is seeking a Woody Biomass Development and Community Tree Assessment Specialist. Screening of applications will begin on June 14, 2010 and continue until position is filled.
Vermont company launches $2 million biomass project
Posted on Friday, May 14, 2010The Montpelier, VT, based National Life Group has unveiled a $2 million biomass energy project that is expected to cut their annual usage of heating oil from 210,000 gallons to about 30,000 gallons. The company's new heating system will use two biomass boilers to burn woodchips from local renewable sources as fuel.
Genetically engineered eucalyptus trial cleared by USDA
Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2010The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved a permit for ArborGen to field trial 200,000 genetically modified trees in seven states stretching from Florida to Texas. The purpose of the test is to see if the trees, eucalyptuses with a foreign gene meant to help them withstand cold weather, can become a new source of wood for pulp, paper, and in the Southern timber belt.
Biomass definition in Senate climate bill follows House version
Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2010The climate bill released this week by Sens. John Kerry (D-MA) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) includes a definition of renewable biomass that is nearly identical to what was included in HR 2454 passed by the House last June (E&E News -- subscription req'd). The definition identifies the types of biomass that can be used by energy facilities without being subject to mandated greenhouse gas reductions.
The definition identifies areas on federal lands (e.g., old-growth, late-successional forests, roadless) where biomass—if harvested—would not be considered “renewable." On private lands, the bill would recognize any organic matter available on a renewable or recurring basis, including trees, other plants and leftovers from the agriculture, forest and forest products industry. The Kerry-Lieberman definition of renewable biomass can be found on p.486 of the bill (PDF).
MORE: The bill also would require EPA, Interior and Agriculture to collaborate on a study reviewing the impacts of harvesting and combusting biomass including the net greenhouse gas benefits. The bill also requires EPA and USDA to work with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study to evaluate how renewable biomass contributes to the goals of energy independence, protecting the environment and reducing greenhouse gas pollution. The study will include recommendations for any necessary changes to the definition of renewable biomass.
New report on forest health conditions in Alaska
Posted on Thursday, May 13, 2010Region 10 of the USDA Forest Service has released a 73-page report on the health of Alaska's forests, which include some of the largest unbroken swaths of forest in the United States. Based on aerial surveys, the report found that 660,000 acres of forest has suffered damage from insects, disease, and other forms of decline, out of a total of 33.6 million acres surveyed.
Mississippi storms cause $3.7M in timber damage
Posted on Tuesday, May 11, 2010State forestry officials now estimate the damage to timber in north Mississippi by last week’s storm system to be more than $3.7 million. The Mississippi Forestry Commission says the costliest damage was to hardwood, valued at more than $2.8 million.
State Foresters call for support of national urban tree planting program
Posted on Monday, May 10, 2010NASF actively works to promote community tree planting, public-private partnerships, and volunteer tree planting efforts that help stimulate local economies, create jobs, and mobilize community spirit. As part of a national strategy towards economic recovery, NASF encourages Congress to reauthorize the National Small Business Tree Planting Program through S. 3279.
Disaster assistance program for orchardists and nursery tree growers
Posted on Monday, May 10, 2010Orchardists and nursery tree growers can now begin applying for benefits under the Tree Assistance Program (TAP), which was authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, at local Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices. The program provides help to orchardists and nursery tree growers to replant or rehabilitate trees, bushes and vines damaged or destroyed by natural disasters. Trees grown for pulp or timber or not grown for commercial purposes are not eligible. For more information on the new TAP program, please contact your county FSA office or the website at http://www.fsa.usda.gov.
Conservation Stewardship Program enrollment now open
Posted on Monday, May 10, 2010The U.S. Department of Agriculture is inviting landowners nationwide to apply for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill, CSP offers payments to producers who maintain a high level of conservation on their land and who agree to adopt higher levels of stewardship. Eligible lands include cropland, pastureland, rangeland and non-industrial forestland. The deadline to be considered for the next ranking and funding period is June 11, 2010.
Climate bill expected next week
Posted on Friday, May 7, 2010Sens. John Kerry (D-MA) and Joe Lieberman (I-CT) will unveil their long-awaited energy and climate bill Wednesday even as their former Republican partner claims it has "become impossible" to pass the measure now in light of immigration politics and the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
MORE: Read NASF's recommendations on the role of forests in climate legislation.
Prevention works: publication shows education efforts make a difference
Posted on Friday, May 7, 2010A new publication from the U.S. Forest Service, Net Benefits of Wildfire Prevention Education, indicates that wildfire prevention education efforts have statistically significant and negative effects on the numbers of wildfires ignited by debris burning, campfire escapes, smoking, and children.
NFPA forms Wildland Fire Operations Advisory Committee
Posted on Friday, May 7, 2010The National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) Division of Wildland Fire Operations has recruited a diverse group of forestry, fire, public safety, and planning experts to comprise a Wildland Fire Operations Advisory Committee. NASF Fire Director Dan Smith will join representatives from federal, state, local and private organizations on the committee.
Budget pressures on state agencies strain wildfire capacity
Posted on Thursday, May 6, 2010Each year more than 4000 wildfires destroy lives and property in South Carolina. As the SC Forestry Commission faces continuing budget cuts (from $18M in 2008 to $10M or less today), capacity to address wildfire becomes increasingly strained. They are not alone -- many state agencies are feeling the pinch.
USDA Forest Service seeks National Fire Desk Manager
Posted on Thursday, May 6, 2010The Fire and Aviation Management (FAM) staff, within the State and Private Forestry Deputy Chief area of the U.S. Forest Service, is seeking applicants for a National Fire Desk (NFD) Manager GS-1035-11/12 position located in Washington, DC. Interested applicants should contact Rebecca Monroe (406) 295-7491, rmonroe@fs.fed.us before June 4.
Arkansas distributes equipment to volunteer fire departments
Posted on Wednesday, May 5, 2010On April 28, Arkansas Forestry Commission distributed the first 57 of 285 Wildland Firefighting Equipment Kits to fire departments affected by the 2009 Ice Storm at the AFC Rural Fire Protection Program Facility in Greenbrier. Equipment for the kits were purchased with funds from a $3.6 million American Recovery & Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant. The vast amount of tree debris generated by the ice storm can hinder firefighting crews and cause more intense wildland fires.
MORE: The Ohio Division of Forestry is also supporting local fire departments through the Federal Excess Personal Property program.
Wyoming state forester testifies on forest health issues
Posted on Wednesday, May 5, 2010Wyoming's state forester Bill Crapser testified before the U.S. House Agriculture Committee during a field hearing in Cheyenne this week focused on the bark beetle epidemic, forest health and conservation of farm and ranchland.
Maryland State Forester Steve Koehn recognized by Arbor Day Foundation
Posted on Tuesday, May 4, 2010Steve Koehn, Maryland State Forester and president of NASF, has been recognized by the Arbor Day Foundation with the Champion of Trees Award for advancing public forestry policy. Koehn played a vital leadership role in the passage of the Maryland Sustainable Forestry Act of 2009. This historic act recognizes that an important way to clean Maryland's vast Chesapeake Bay ecosystem is through healthy forests and could change the way many states view watershed restoration.
Smokey Bear memories in the Washington Post
Posted on Monday, May 3, 2010An "Answer Man" column in the Washington Post last week prompted readers to write in with more memories and questions about Smokey Bear.
RSS