Hurricane Aid Available to GA Landowners through New GFC Programs

The Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC) is offering aid to Georgia Landowners following the $397 million dollar decimation of Hurricane Micheal last year. The Georgia Legislature approved the aid plan that includes $20 million for debris cleanup in areas where the storm decimated millions of acres of forestland and tree orchards. In addition, two programs are available to help landowners with specific needs. The Forest Debris Management Program (FDMP) is eligible for residents of Georgia who have 10 or more acres of forestland or a commercial orchard of any size with trees damaged by Hurricane Michael. Applications for the FDMP are due by February 11, 2019. The other program is the Forest Access Road & Firebreak Restoration Project . It provides for the clearing of forest debris from existing firebreaks and roads at no cost to the landowner. Written applications for this program are due by February 28, 2019. Separate application procedures are required for each program. Learn more about these programs and submit an application.

SFE to Host Webinar: 2018 National Prescribed Fire Use Survey Report

The Southern Fire Exchange will host a free one hour webinar on January 31, 2019 at 1:00PM EST. The webinar is presented by Mark Melvin. Mark will discuss the 2018 National Prescribed Fire Use Survey Report. The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) and the Coalition of Prescribed Fire Councils (CPFC) work collaboratively to produce this report every three years since 2012. Mark Melvin will dive into what makes this report unique among fire surveys. Registration is required. Learn more and register for the webinar. 

City of Pigeon Forge, TN Receives Highest Wildfire Mitigation Award 

The Wildfire Mitigation Awards committee which is comprised of the National Association of State Foresters, the International Association of Fire Chiefs, the National Fire Protection Association, and the United States Forest Service, have awarded the city of Pigeon Forge, TN a Wildfire Mitigation Award. This award is the highest honor a community can achieve for outstanding work in wildfire risk reduction. Pigeon Forge is one of seven 2019 Wildfire Mitigation Award recipients, and the only one in the southeast. Read more about Pigeon Forge and the Wildfire Mitigation Awards.

TX A&M Helps Identify and Manage Oak Wilt

Since 1988, the Texas A&M Forest Service has administered a cooperative program to suppress oak wilt throughout the state. Oak wilt is a highly destructive tree diseases in the United States, and is quickly changing the landscape of Texas. Oak wilt can be identified through foliar symptoms, patterns of tree mortality, and the presence of fungal mats. Recommended management is a combination of three approaches. The first approach is to further prevent the spread of new infection by eliminating diseased trees, handling firewood properly, and painting wounds on healthy oaks. The second approach is to disrupt root transmission of the pathogen through trenching. Lastly, injections of a fungicide into individual, high-value trees reduce susceptibility. Though these measures do not cure oak wilt, they can significantly reduce tree loss. Learn more about this program.

MSU FCCP to Host Next Webinar of 2018-19 Learning Exchange Series

The Michigan State University Forest Carbon and Climate Program (MSU FCCP) will host a free one hour webinar on February 6, 2019 at 3:00PM EST. This webinar is presented by George Berghorn, Assistant Professor of Construction Management at MSU, and Elaine Oneil, Director of Science and Sustainability at CORRIM. They will discuss forest carbon considerations linking land use and wood utilization. The session will be followed by an open Q&A and all participants will qualify for 1 SAF CFE credit. This webinar was made in collaboration with the Forest-Climate Working Group (FCWG) as part of their 2018-19 Learning Exchange Series. Registration is required. Register for this webinar or learn more about this series.

 

Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed for First Time in Long Island, NY

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Cornell Cooperative Extension in Suffolk County announced that emerald ash borer (EAB) has been confirmed in Southhold, NY, located in Eastern Long Island. This is the first official confirmation of EAB in Long Island. Ash trees and their wood are no longer subject to quarantine in the State. DEC invasive species regulations, however, still prohibit most movement of EAB and other prohibited species, with some exemptions for identification and disposal. The New York State budget allocated $13.3 million in the State's Environmental Protection Fund targeted specifically for invasive species-related initiatives in the fiscal year 2019. Learn more about EAB in Long Island.

2019 ANREP Awards Program Now Taking Nominations 

The 2019 ANREP Awards Program is now taking nominations in order to recognize significant achievements from members. Awards are split between categories of outstanding education materials and achievement. To be eligible to participate in the awards program, the nominator and nominee(s) must be paid active members and in good standing for the year in which the award application is being submitted. Self-nominations are allowed.The deadline for nominations is February 15, 2019. Read the guidelines or nominate a member.

USU Extension to Host Webinar: Trees- A Risk Worth Taking

Utah State University Extension will host a free one hour webinar on January 31, 2019 at 2:00PM EST. This webinar is presented by Meridith McAvoy Perkins, Urban Forester and Missouri Regional Manager for Davey Resource Group. Perkins will discuss the many benefits of urban forests and the negative impacts that tree failures cause in urban settings. Her presentation will explore balancing public safety with tree benefits, how to assess tree risk, the burden of tree risk on public and private tree owners, and examples of risk management. From this webinar, participants will learn to maximize tree benefits while minimizing risks associated with trees growing in urban environments .  Register for the webinar.

AFE Calling for Proposals for 8th International Fire Ecology Congress

The Association of Fire Ecology is now seeking proposals for the 8th International Fire Ecology and Management Congress, which occurs in Tucson, AZ from November 18-22, 2019. The Congress will redefine the ecological concept of pyrodiversity to explore cross-cutting issues across a variety of disciplines. AFE is accepting proposals for special sessions and workshops, trainings and courses due by April 1, 2019. Oral presentations and fire circle proposals are due August 1, 2019, and posters and attached meetings are due by August 30, 2019. View a complete description of each proposal type and submit a proposal.

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