By Robyn Whitney Last week before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, USDA Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen provided glowing testimony on the efficacy of state and private forestry programs, including those most important to state foresters and their agencies. Below are a few choice excerpts from the hearing: On Forest [read more]
By Hannah Wagner and James Wright In the United States over 50% percent of forestland is owned and managed by more than 10 million private landowners. Growing and managing these forests as healthy ecosystems requires collaboration. To help private landowners meet their forest management objectives and retain ownership of their forestland, the USDA Natural Resource [read more]
Guest post by Evan Torchio For nature lovers looking for a rewarding career, forestry might be the perfect fit. Whether you’re a student looking to start a meaningful career or someone searching for more fulfilling work, forestry is an excellent choice. Not only is it good for your mental and physical health, but it’s a [read more]
By Whitney Forman-Cook | This blog is a cross-post and will appear in the Winter 2021 edition of the National Woodlands Magazine. WHAT ARE FOREST ACTION PLANS? Healthy forests in America are critical to public health and well-being and are part of our national infrastructure just like roads and bridges. They filter our air and [read more]
By Emma Hanigan On August 10th, a derecho—best described as an inland hurricane—swept through eastern Iowa and left behind widespread destruction. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) estimates that 724,480 acres of forest and trees were lost across the 27 counties most directly impacted. A derecho is a straight line wind event that produces [read more]
By Tyler Hoguet and Whitney Forman-Cook | This blog is a cross-post and will appear in the Autumn 2020 edition of the National Woodlands Magazine. The COVID-19 pandemic has produced the largest economic downturn in the United States since the Great Depression. During the Great Recession of 2008, America’s real GDP declined by 8.4% during [read more]
While NASF leadership was in town this week for the first of three 2020 Executive Committee meetings, the state foresters of Virginia, South Dakota, and Nebraska held a Hill briefing for U.S. House of Representatives staffers on urban and community forestry. State-led Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) programs provide critical assistance to communities in establishing [read more]
Guest post by Katie Marie Yep, you read that right! Detroit, Michigan. Whether you’re a Detroit native or just in town for a visit, the city has so many green spaces to enjoy, including parks, conservancies, public gardens, and then some. Detroit Riverfront The Detroit Riverfront is a draw in spring, summer, fall, and winter. [read more]
The Partners in Community Forestry Conference is the largest international gathering of urban forestry practitioners, advocates, researchers, and government leaders. This year’s conference in Cleveland, Ohio, was another great gathering focused on urban and community forestry! Over 500 attendees joined forces for this annual event to partake in all things trees — from planting, care, [read more]
Hosted by Hawaii State Forester David Smith and the Hawaii Department of Forestry, members of the NASF Forest Science and Health (FS&H) Committee, staffed by Bob Simpson, held their Annual Partners and Stakeholders Meeting on the island of Hawaii in Waikoloa Village. This annual meeting consists of three segments: the FS&H Committee Business Meeting, the [read more]
