The Center for Forest and Wood Certification is certification system neutral. The Center was not designed to prefer one certification system over another. The Center was created to assist those individuals and organizations that have made the decision to become certified get certified easier by providing information and technical assistance regardless of which system they prefer. There are currently three main certification systems being applied in the Central Hardwood and Southern Appalachians region. These three systems are described at the Center's website .

On September 8, 2018, North Carolina Forest Service opened the new Headwaters State Forest about 10 miles south of Brevard, close to the towns of Cedar Mountain and Rosman, in southern Transylvania County. The Mission of Headwaters State Forest is to protect, manage, and promote the lands encompassing the French Broad and Savannah River headwaters to provide high quality water, natural resources, forest products, dispersed recreation opportunities, and education for the residents of North Carolina. The 6,730 acre property combines natural resource conservation and provides recreational opportunities to the public. The forest is managed by the NC Forest Service with help from NC Wildlife Resource Commission. For more information, CLICK HERE .

As a landowner, you probably know of your responsibility to protect and preserve soil productivity, water quality, biological diversity, and wildlife habitat. But you may not be aware of other valuable resources potentially on your property: archaeological artifacts, graveyards, historic structures, landscapes, and culturally important vegetation. A publication from NCSU Extension Forestry can be helpful to recognize the signs of a special place. The Society for Historical Archaeology has a website with photos and more information.

Every year at this time we revel in the beauty of the trees, knowing well that it is only a fleeting pleasure. Before long the leaves will flutter away from their summer home and become a part of the rich carpet that covers the forest floor. Many people believe Jack Frost is responsible for the color change that takes place in our trees each fall. Learn more about this transformation that some folks travel great distances to see.

Woodland Owner Notes E-news is a monthly email newsletter from Extension Forestry at NC State University. This newsletter is made possible through support from Renewable Resources Extension Act and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. The 2018 editors are:

Mary Lou Addor, NCSU, Eastern NC Sentinel Landscapes Partnership, Raleigh, NC

Robert Bardon, NC State University, Extension Forestry, Raleigh, NC

Jim Hamilton, NC Cooperative Extension Service, Asheville, NC

Alton Perry, Roanoke Electric Cooperative, Roanoke Rapids, NC

Colby Lambert, NC Cooperative Extension, Lillington, NC

Send Comments to:  Kelley McCarter , at NC State University, Phone: 919-515-9563. If you received this email as a forwarded message, and like what you see, please use this LINK to join the mailing list.