NA Header with logos
In This Issue
Success Stories
Sustainable Operations
Profile in Conservation

 

View videos and follow us on...

View our videos on YouTube  Follow us on Twitter  View our profile on LinkedIn   

 

 
HomeState & Private Forestry News
May 2015

Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed in Fillmore County, MN

Emerald ash borers at exit holes of a tree trunk
(Photo: Courtesy of Debbie Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org)

 

ST. PAUL, Minn.--The emerald ash borer was recently found in the city of Rushford, making Fillmore the eighth county in Minnesota to be quarantined for the invasive insect. Read the news release on the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Web site. 

Home 


Canopy of a large ash tree
Does My Tree Have Emerald Ash Borer?  Use the guide  at the Minnesota Department of Agriculture Web site to check your ash tree.
(Photo: David Cappaert, Michigan State University, Bugwood.org)

Fire Crews Assist New York With Beetle Outbreak 

Firefighting crews get ready to battle the southern pine beetle on Long Island, NY. (Photo: Michael Bohne)

 

SHIRLEY, N.Y.--With funding from the Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, the Northeastern Forest Fire Compact recently mobilized chainsaw and survey crews from New Hampshire, Maine, Quebec, and New Brunswick, to help respond to an outbreak of southern pine beetle on Federal and State lands on Long Island, NY. Though primarily known for its ability to coordinate firefighting resources to attack wildfires, the compact formed a Forest Health working team back in 2013.

 Home 

2016 Envirothon Theme Will Be Invasive Species


TORONTO--The Envirothon program supports students in developing a scientific understanding of natural ecosystems--soils, wildlife, forests, and aquatics. Each year, the host determines a fifth subject area that is timely and relevant. For 2016, the fifth subject area will be Invasive Species: A Challenge to the Environment, Economy, and Society.  Read more about the 2016 National Envirothon at envirothon.org.  

 Home 

Ohio Develops New Smokey Resources for Fire Prevention 

 

COLUMBUS, Ohio--The Ohio Division of Forestry worked with Columbus College of Art and Design students and 2Tall Animation Studio to research, design, and create a new Smokey Bear video and song.  Funding was provided through a Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry grant. The video is intended for classroom or group watching and learning, and can be used at large venues such as fairs, festivals, and ballgames.  The video, song, and related teaching resources have already been downloaded over 10,000 times, and earned a Judge's Award at the Columbus Society of Creative Arts Awards. Access the resources on the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Web site. 

Home 

Fire and Aviation Management Supports Disaster Response Exercises 


NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa.--Fire and Aviation Management staff, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, participated in two Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) disaster response exercises during the week of May 4. The Philadelphia, PA, scenario simulated multiple tornados touching down in Pennsylvania and Maryland. Response exercises included incident management teams assisting state emergency management agencies, chainsaw crews opening roadways for lifesaving actions and emergency fire response equipment, and ordering and supplying structural fire engines and crews to replace the local fire service disrupted by the tornados. The Jefferson City, MO, scenario simulated detonation of an improvised nuclear device that caused blast effects, radiation, and a drifting plume of radioactive fallout. Response exercises included establishing a continuity of operations site and incident support bases to organize, feed, and shelter emergency responders in multiple locations, and setting up and managing logistics staging areas to receive and distribute life-sustaining commodities. The exercises tested FEMA's ability to provide both wildland and structural fire department resources that would be needed in the event of such a disaster. Both events provided all participating agencies the opportunity to better prepare for catastrophic events.

Home 

This June Get Outdoors and Let's Move Outside 

 

Participants from Federal, State, and local agencies, nonprofit organizations, and the recreation industry are again teaming up to host the annual National Get Outdoors Day on Saturday, June 13, 2015, to encourage healthy, active outdoor fun at sites across the nation. Prime goals of the day are to reach underserved populations and first-time visitors to public lands, and to reconnect youth to the great outdoors. Visit the 2015 Web site at nationalgetoutdoorsday.org. Get Outdoors Day supports the First Lady's Let's Move Outside  campaign to eliminate childhood obesity within one generation; visit letsmove.gov for more information. 

Home

Heather Smith:
New Job, Same Location 

Heather Smith with her miniature cow

 

MORGANTOWN, W.Va.--Heather Smith recently accepted the biological science technician position in the Forest Health Staff with the Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry in Morgantown, WV.  She has been working at the Morgantown location since 2001, but with the Northern Research Station--until now. Read more.

First Annual Great American Tree Competition  

 

To commemorate 25 years of urban and community forestry through the Farm Bill and the USDA Forest Service, The Grove is looking for help in finding the Great American Tree for 2015! Nominate your favorite tree by June 30. The Grove is an online community for sharing tree-planting experiences and knowledge that will encourage others to create thriving community forests. Learn more at thegrove.americangrove.org. 

Home

National Forest Foundation Matching Awards Program Accepting Applications


MISSOULA, Mont.--The National Forest Foundation Matching Awards Program now includes funding opportunities for youth, volunteers, outdoor experiences, and forest health projects. The foundation supports action-oriented projects that directly enhance the health and well-being of America's National Forests and Grasslands and that engage the public in stewardship. Applications are due June 24, 2015.
Learn more and apply at nationalforests.org. 

Home

Seeking Education Director, Hudson Highlands Nature Museum

 

CORNWALL, N.Y.--The Hudson Highlands Nature Museum is seeking a dynamic educator to develop and supervise a wide range of programs for children and adults at their two sites in Cornwall, NY. They have grown their education programs substantially in the last few years. One of their current initiatives revolves around the promotion of Nature Play for the public and for early childhood programs in the region. See the job description at the museum's Web site.

Home

Soils Support Buildings and Infrastructure

Logo for 2015 International Year of Soils  

Watch the 2 1/2-minute video, "Living on Solid Ground" on YouTube. Dig deep and make an online visit to a soil exhibit from the Smithsonian at forces.si.edu.  

Home

What type of tree would you be? 

 

Take a short quiz at playbuzz.com to match your personality with a tree's. 

Editor's Note

Send items for inclusion in "State and Private Forestry News" to rburzynski@fs.fed.us. Include a related photo as either a jpg or tiff file with a resolution of 150 dpi or higher. As part of the text include a full-sentence caption for the photo and photo credit. If the photo is from a published or copyrighted source, also send the permission.