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ISSUE 54 : WEEK OF May 20, 2019
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Regional News
- UKY Releases the 2017-18 Forest Sector Economic Contribution Report
- Clemson Extension to Host Bobwhite Quail Workshop
- LSU AgCenter Releases Timber Market Report: First Quarter 2019
- Deadline Extended for Alabama Logging Equipment Operator School
- Blue Ridge PRISM to Host Invasive Plant Workshop in Boyce, VA
- Florida Forest Service Creates Active Wildfire Dashboard with ArcGIS
- FFA Extends Deadline for 2019 Silvicultural Contractor of the Year Award
SREF News
- SREF Online E-learn Course Provides Introduction to Urban Forestry
- Find Important Forestry & Natural Resources Apps on the SREF website
- 2018-2019 Extension Award Winners - SREF Awards Program
- SREF Awards Spotlight: Extension Publication & Journal Publication
National News
- Call for Nominations - 2019 Family Forests Education Awards
- USDA 2019 Unsung Hero Award Recognizes Fire Staff Officer
- Southern Pine Lumber Import Tariffs Set to Rise June 1, 2019
- USFS to Host Latest Webinar in Urban Forest Connections Series
- Congress Agrees on $19 Billion Disaster Aid Bill
- NRCS to Host Webinar for Conservation Innovation Grants Program
Funding Opportunities
- USFS, US Endowment Offer up to $1 Million for Mass Timber Grant
- RREA-NIFA Offers $300K to Land-Grant University Programs for 2019
- USDA Seeks Project Proposals to Protect and Restore Critical Wetlands
- Last Call for Conservation Innovation Grant Applications
Job Opportunities
- University of Georgia: Assistant Professor - Forested and Disturbed Soils
- Clemson: Assistant/Associate Professor Quantitative Forest Science
- ABAC: Assistant Professor of Forestry
- Texas A&M Forest Service: Forest Economist
- Virginia Tech: Forestry Extension Associate
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UKY Releases the 2017-18 Forest Sector Economic Contribution Report
The University of Kentucky has released their annual forest sector economic contribution report for 2017-18. The 2017 estimates for the economic contribution of Kentucky’s forest sector include 8.5 billion in direct economic contribution and $13.5 billion in total economic contributions. The forest sector also provides 26,564 jobs and an estimated 60,398 jobs overall. The economic contribution comes from timber resources in all 120 counties which were harvested by more than 2,500 loggers. The wood was processed at 731 wood, paper, and paper converting manufacturing facilities located in 113 counties.
See the complete report summary.
LSU AgCenter Releases Timber Market Report: First Quarter 2019
The LSU AgCenter recently released their timber market report for the first quarter of 2019. This quarterly report provides timely information on the outlook of important wood products and the stumpage prices of major timber product classes. This report is intended for use by forest stakeholders in Louisiana. Forest landowners and other forest stakeholders may find this information helpful with making financial decisions regarding forestry markets. The source of these prices is proprietary in nature and rounded per agreements to disseminate to the public.
View the complete report.
Blue Ridge PRISM to Host Invasive Plant Workshop in Boyce, VA
The Blue Ridge Partnership for Regional Invasive Species Management (PRISM) will host an invasive plant workshop on June 5, 2019 in Boyce, VA. The workshop will discuss topics such as identifying invasive plants, determining which invasives you should kill now vs those you should treat later, and using manual and mechanical control methods for management. The PRISM is the first Cooperative Weed Management Area (CWMA) headquartered in Virginia. There are approximately 100 CWMA’s currently in the U.S.
Learn more and register for the workshop.
FFA (Florida Forestry Association) Extends Deadline for 2019 Silvicultural Contractor of the Year Award
The FFA (Florida Forestry Association) has extended the deadline for their 2019 Silvicultural Contractor of the Year Award. This award honors the dedication, hard work, and challenges of those individuals who provide professional silvicultural services. Nominees can include, but are not limited to, mechanical site preparation contractors, herbicide applicators, tree planters, and fertilizer applicators. The new nomination deadline is May 31, 2019.
Learn more about this award and how to nominate a candidate.
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Bobwhite Quail Workshop
Clemson Extension will host a bobwhite quail workshop on June 20, 2019 in Manning, SC. The workshop is split into a morning classroom session, and an afternoon field session. In the morning, management, bird biology, and conservation efforts will be taught. In the field, participants will interact directly with biologists as they discuss native plant identification and how bobwhite quails increase wildlife value. The workshop will feature biologists from the South Carolina DNR, Clemson Extension, the Longleaf Alliance, and Quail Forever. Cost is $25 with lunch provided.
Learn more and register for the workshop.
Deadline Extended for Alabama Logging Equipment Operator School
T
he Operator Training School is a four-week program designed to equip students with little or no experience to become a logging equipment operator with all necessary safety certifications as well as Professional Logging Manager (PLM) status.
This program is sponsored by Alabama Forestry Association and will be held July 8 - August 2 in Ozark, Alabama.
The class will operate Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. This progra
m will be limited to 8 participants, so apply now before spaces fill up! Applications close June 17, 2019.
Learn more about the program and review the application here
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Florida Forest Service Creates Active Wildfire Dashboard with ArcGIS
The Florida Forest Service has created a new online tool to track ongoing wildfires in the state. This service contains active wildfire data, incident name and number, location and current acres. Active wildfires will be listed until they are declared controlled. This data is updated every 6 hours beginning at 6am.
Start using this tool.
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SREF Online E-learn Course Provides Introduction to Urban Forestry
The eLearn Urban Forestry produced by Southern Regional Extension Forestry a few years ago is a fantastic introduction to urban forestry. The 10 module course is geared towards beginning urban foresters and others such as city planners, natural resource planners, public works, service foresters and more. Increase your knowledge of urban forestry from your desk.
Access it here
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Find Important Forestry & Natural Resources Apps on the SREF website
SREF IT staff have assembled mobile apps on the resources page. Check out these useful forestry and natural resource apps. If you do not see one that you would recommend, please let us know!
Find the apps her
e.
Submit your recommended app here
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2018-2019 Extension Award Winners- SREF Awards Program
The Southern Regional Extension Forestry (SREF) announces winners to their regional Extension awards program. Awards are judged by a regional team in multiple categories ranging from Extension and journal publications to websites, youth education and more. Submissions included nearly 100 nominees and co-nominees. In the coming weeks, this newsletter will highlight many of the award-winning unique programs and products. Congratulations to all the winners.
See the complete list of awards given
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SREF Awards Spotlight: Extension Publication and Mass Media
Each week Southern Regional Extension Forestry (SREF) will be highlighting two of their SREF award program recipients.
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Call for Nominations - 2019 Family Forests Education Awards
The 2019 National Family Forest Education Awards program presented by the National Woodlands Owners Association (NWOA) and the National Association of University Forest Resources Programs (NAUFRP) is open for nominations. Individual and comprehensive categories. Individual can include specialized courses, workshops, webpages, materials, etc. that address a specific family forest issue or problem. Comprehensive category includes broad scale educational efforts using a vari
ety of approaches
.
Deadline September 20, 2019.
Learn more about this awards program.
Southern Pine Lumber Included in New Tariffs
Southern Pine lumber exports to China will face a 20% import tariff, rising from the current 10%, effective June 1, 2019. Other species as well as OSB and softwood plywood will be raised to a 25% tariff. The measure comes in retaliation to the U.S. raising tariffs on Chinese imports after trade negotiations between the two countries reached an impasse earlier this month.
Learn more about the softwood products facing increased tariffs.
Congress Agrees on $19 Billion Disaster Aid Bill
The US Senate is working to set up final voting measures as early as Friday, May 24. The disaster plan would provide relief for areas hit by hurricanes, Midwest floods, and California wildfires. The bill will assist landowners in the Southeast, particularly those affected by Hurricanes Florence and Michael - which wiped out timber and pecan crops in Alabama and Georgia. The bill would also extend the National Flood Insurance Program deadline through September, 30, 2019.
Learn more here.
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USDA 2019 Unsung Hero Award Recognizes Fire Staff Officer
The Organization of Professional Employees of the U.S. Department of Agriculture selected
Huron-Manistee National Forests
Fire Staff Officer Chris Peterson for the 2019 Unsung Hero Award. The award is presented annually to select USDA employees who have demonstrated momentous leadership, immediate action and courageous behavior in the course of their duties. Peterson has been involved in the prevention and mitigation of wildfires in northern Michigan for more than thirty years. He began his career as a firefighter for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and later transitioned to the USDA Forest Service.
Learn more about Peterson's accomplishment's and outreach mission here.
USFS to Host Latest Webinar in Urban Forest Connections Series
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) will host a free hour and fifteen minute webinar at 1:00 PM EST on June, 12 2019. The webinar is titled
Planning in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI).
The webinar will discuss data on national WUI extent and growth sharing trends in WUI expansion. It will also share community-based planning solutions from across the country that address current and future development in the WUI.
This webinar is part of the Forest Service's Urban Forest Connections webinar series that takes place the second Wednesday of every month. All previous webinars in the series are available online.
Register for the upcoming webinar and view the Urban Forest Connection Archive.
NRCS Announces Webinar for Conservation Innovation Grants Program
The Natural Resources Conservation Service will host a free webinar as part of their Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Program. CIG has supported the development of innovative approaches and technologies on agricultural lands. In this webinar, learn from four different grantees about the cutting edge approaches to water management generated through CIG projects.This webinar is scheduled for June 4, 2019 at 1 PM EST
Learn more and join the webinar.
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USFS, US Endowment Offer up to $1 Million for Mass Timber Grant
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (Endowment) plan to award up to one-million dollars under the Mass Timber University Grant Program and related Request for Proposals (RFP). The intent of the Mass Timber Grant is to inspire interest in and support for mass timber products among the architectural, developer and building communities as well as the public, by showcasing them in highly-visible projects on university campuses. This grant is a cost share/matching program meaning that for every dollar awarded from the Mass Timber Grant, the recipient must match that same dollar amount. Submission are due by May 31, 2019.
Learn more and view detailed instructions on how to apply.
USDA Seeks Project Proposals to Protect and Restore Critical Wetlands, Including Georgia
USDA is making available up to $40 million in technical and financial assistance to help eligible conservation partners voluntarily protect, restore and enhance critical wetlands on agricultural lands, including those in Georgia. Restored wetlands improve water quality downstream and improve wildlife habitat, while also providing flood prevention and recreational benefits to communities. Partners interested in WREP are encouraged to work with their NRCS state office as part of developing the proposal. Proposals should be emailed to NRCS at SM.NRCS.WRE@wdc.usda.gov by June 14, 2019. For Georgia, the WREP point of contact is Sharon Swagger, conservation easement specialist.
Learn more and view detailed instructions on how to apply.
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RREA- NIFA Offers $300K to Land-Grant University Programs for 2019
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is has released a Request for Applications (RFA) for their National Focus Funds project. The purpose of the grant program is to provide funds for pilot projects that address emerging forest and rangeland resource issues, have national or regional relevancy, or develop new and innovative projects that can be replicated at other institutions. Applications may only be submitted by 1862 and/or 1890 land-grant institutions Project Directors must have an extension appointment. Applications are due June 21, 2019 at 5:00 PM EST.
Read detailed instruction on how to submit an application
, or
submit an application.
Last Call for Conservation Innovation Grant Applications
The USDA, in cooperation with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), is announcing the availability of Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies.
CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) to agricultural producers, into NRCS technical manuals and guides, or to the private sector. CIG generally funds pilot projects, field demonstrations, and on-farm conservation research.
Grant amounts vary by state. The c
losing date for most applications is May 31, 2019.
Learn more about individual state requirements and view detailed instructions on how to apply.
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University of Georgia: Assistant Professor - Forested and Disturbed Soils
The Warnell School of Forestry is seeking an Assistant Professor of Forested and Disturbed Soils. The selected candidate will be expected to develop a broad research program related to soil management. Additionally, the selected candidate will normally teach three courses each academic year. Required teaching will include a semester-long course on “Urban Soil Use and Management” and a three-week Maymester course “Community Forestry and Arboriculture Field Practicum.” Applicants must have a Ph.D. in soil science, forestry, urban ecology, arboriculture, or related field. Position open until filled.
View the application.
Virginia Tech: Forestry Extension Associate
Virginia Tech Cooperative Extension is seeking an extension forester. The Extension Associate will work in conjunction with the Forest Operations Extension Specialist to coordinate the SHARP Logger Program. Primary job duties will relate to program administration, training coordination, serving as the primary point of contact for interaction with participants in the program, and maintenance of training records. The Extension Associate will also work in conjunction with the Virginia Forest Landowner Education Program Coordinator to develop and implement educational programs for forest landowners and assess the impacts of these programs. Application reviews will begin May 20 and continue until the position is filled.
View the application.
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Clemson: Assistant/Associate Professor Quantitative Forest Science
Clemson is seeking candidates for a tenure track position in quantitative forest science. The position is 50% research and 50% teaching, and a 9 month appointment. Application deadline is May 31, 2019.
View the application.
ABAC: Assistant Professor of Forestry
The Department of Forest Resources at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) is seeking an Assistant Professor of Forestry. The successful candidate will teach courses in support of ABAC’s Bachelor of Science in Natural Resource Management. Primary teaching responsibilities in forest resources may include but are not limited to Dendrology, Forest Measurements and Mapping, and Advanced Forest Ecology. This is a 10 month, tenure-track position. Position open until filled.
View the application.
Texas A&M Forest Service: Forest Economist
Texas A&M Forest Service is hiring a forest economist to lead timber tax workshops and trainings and to model forest economic impact data using IMPLAN software. For more information,
view the application
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Upcoming Events:
May 29-30, 2019 | Ellerbe, NC
This is an advanced workshop open to certified burners only. The workshop will focus on techniques to help you maximize your burn window. This workshop will focus on prescribed fire in pine stands, including loblolly, shortleaf and longleaf. Learn about the parameters needed to burn safely in each of these stand types. Space is limited, register early to guarantee your seat. CFEs will be available.
June 3-6, 2019 | Lexington, KY
Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference (SFTIC) has met biannually for 70 years to exchange information and to discuss current research and future needs for forest tree breeding. Join professionals and colleagues for a 4-day conference where you will participate in workshops, lecture sessions, a poster judging event, and an optional White oak research tour in the Berea College Forest.
June 6, 2019 | Headland, AL
SmartMap 1.0 introduces audiences to low-cost and easy to use geospatial mapping applications that can be used on smartphones or ipads. The class introduces audiences to GIS, GPS, and Smartphone GIS applications. This workshop also introduces audiences to UAV technology and its applications for video capture and forest mapping.
June 6, 2019 | Jasper, GA
The Georgia Prescribed Fire Council steering committee has assembled a great program of speakers for this inaugural meeting with a special emphasis on north Georgia and its unique terrain, population and forest types. This meeting will be the best chance to network with other prescribed fire practitioners and other experts in the use of fire. Registration deadline is May 31, 2019.
June 11 & 13, 2019 | Senatobia, MS
This two day short course teaches landowners what to consider when buying, how to go about purchasing property, and what management practices are appropriate when buying and selling timberland in MS. Registration is $30 per person, $45 per couple. The fee covers reference materials and refreshments. Space is limited. Please register by June 4, 2019.
October 22 - 24, 2019 | Athens, GA
This workshop is sponsored by the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. The field of forestry is often described as a mix of science and art. Blending the needs of landowners, industry and society with the characteristics and potential of the land is a complex endeavor. The history of forestry in the Southeastern United States is rich and exciting, and has led to one of the most ecologically diverse and economically important regions in the country. These two courses will provide an introduction to forest management concepts, practices and relevant issues. Registration opens July 22, 2019.
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