|
|
ISSUE 45 : WEEK OF March 18, 2019
|
|
Regional News
- Innovative New Program Could Generate Millions in KY Robinson Forest
- UT Extension Starts Advanced Master Nursery Producer Program
- UT Extension Releases New Publication Why Herbicides Sometimes Fail
- Tall Timbers Research Station to Host Final Workshop on Mapping Fire
- NCSU to Host Two Workshops On Alternative Income Opportunities
- UGA to Host Storm Damage Tree Clean-Up Training in Griffin, GA
SREF News
- 2018-2019 Extension Award Winners- SREF Awards Program
- Is Your Information in The Extension Forestry and Wood Products Directory?
National News
- AFF Releases Report on ATFS Longleaf Restoration Survey
- USFS to Host Latest Webinar in Urban Forest Connections Series
- USDA to Invest $12 Million in 2019 to Promote Healthy Ecosystems
- NASF, USFS Release Interactive Map Highlighting GNA Successes
Funding Opportunities
- NRCS GA State Office Seeks Partners to Improve State Conservation
- NC Florence Restoration Fund Offers Aid to Affected Areas
Job Opportunities
- MS Forestry Commission: Urban Forestry Coordinator
- Florida Forest Service: Forest Hydrologist
- North Carolina Forest Service: Forest Markets and Utilization Forester
- UGA Center for Forest Business: Associate Director
- US Forest Service: Supervisory Forester GS-13
- NC A&T Extension: Natural Resources Extension Specialist
|
|
Innovative New Program Could Generate Millions in KY Robinson Forest
The University of Kentucky (UK) is exploring a partnership with The Nature Conservancy to offset environmental pollution and earn money for private landowners. It’s part of the Conservancy’s new Working Woodlands program, in which local landowners certify their forests are being conserved and maintained using sustainable practices. Then, the Conservancy helps the land owner figure out how much carbon the forest holds, measured in tons per acre. Those tons are converted into carbon credits that can be purchased by companies or individuals who want to offset the pollution they may be causing.The program is being developed with UK's Robinson Experimental Forest and anticipated to earn between $4 and $6 million dollars in the first 5 years.
Learn more about this program.
UT Extension Releases New Publication
Why Herbicides Sometimes Fail
The University of Tennessee (UT) Cooperative Extension recently released a publication titled
Why Herbicides Sometimes Fail: An Overview for Forestry and Wildlife Practices. The result of herbicide applications is normally satisfactory, provided the manufacturers’ directions are properly followed. However, sometimes the results are disappointing even with experienced applicators. There are a number of explanations for why herbicides sometimes fail. This publication summarizes several reasons.
Learn more about this publication.
NCSU to Host Two Workshops On Alternative Income Opportunities
North Carolina State University (NCSU) Extension Forestry will host two of the same workshops on May 21 and May 30, 2019. The workshops take place in Rocky Mount and Carthage, NC respectively and cover alternate income opportunities for forest landowners. Forests offer several income opportunities for landowners other than timber. These alternatives are often compatible with landowner primary objectives of owning forestland, and can be achieved with minimal effort. This workshop educates natural resource professionals and landowners about forest-based alternative income streams available to their region. Deadline for registration of these workshops is May 14 and May 23, 2019.
Register for the Rocky Mount workshop
, or
register for the one in Carthage
|
|
UT Extension Starts Advanced Master Nursery Producer Program
The University of Tennessee (UT) Cooperative Extension has adapted their original and popular Tennessee Master Nursery Producer program (TMNP) course to create a new Advanced TMNP course. The advanced course, like the original, will be conducted online to reach producers and potential producers in a way that fits their schedules and needs. Program topics fall into one of three categories: marketing and economics, production, and pest management. They include modules on topics such as social media; lean flow; patents and trademarks; business succession planning; advanced irrigation; pot-in-pot production; hydrangea production; soils; and disease, weed, and insect control. The Advanced TMNP course is $125 per registrant, and upon completion graduates are issued a certificate and are eligible for 50% cost share through the Tennessee Agricultural Enhancement Program (TAEP).
Learn more about the TMNP program.
Tall Timbers Research Station to Host Final Workshop on Mapping Fire
Tall Timbers Research Station is hosting a workshop on March 28, 2019. The workshop will discuss the development of a robust spatial database for more precise mapping and tracking of fire occurrence in Florida, using satellite-based products. In addition, tools were developed to report fire history metrics in specific fire-dependent
ecological systems or fire-dependent species habitats. During this workshop, we will discuss the final products produced for Florida, the relevancy of these products to management and decision making, and how these products could be improved and expanded for future use.
Register for the workshop.
UGA to Host Storm Damage Tree Clean-Up Training in Griffin, GA
The University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension will host a storm damage tree clean-up training on March 26, 2019 in Griffin, GA. A North American Training Solutions instructor will explain and demonstrate rigging, distance release techniques, and handling wood under pressure. Participants will learn how to handle leaners, snags, hangers, and other frequently encountered storm-damaged tree challenges.This training is open to experienced chainsaw operators who are trained in basic chainsaw safety, use and maintenance. You should have prior chainsaw training, or considerable experience prior to this course. Cost of the training is $20, registration is required.
Register for this training.
|
|
2018-2019 Extension Award Winners- SREF Awards Program
The Southern Regional Extension Forestry announces winners to their regional Extension awards program. Awards are judged by a regional team in multiple categories ranging from Extension publication and journal publication to computer website, youth education and more. Submission included nearly 100 nominees and co-nominees. In the coming weeks, this newsletter will highlight many of the award-winning unique programs and products.
See the complete list of awards given here.
|
|
Is Your Information in The Extension Forestry and Wood Products Directory?
Is your contact information in Southern Regional Extension Forestry's (SREF) National Extension Forestry and Wood Products Directory? This national network of of experts helps facilitate multi-state, regional, and national program collaborations in order to make more efficient use of a smaller Extension Forestry and Wood Products network. This directory contains educators and specialists who, collectively cover 48 areas of specialization in forest and wood products and 16 areas of specialization in Extension program development, delivery, and evaluation.
Add your contact info to the directory, or
start utilizing the many benefits of this directory.
|
|
AFF Releases Report on ATFS Longleaf Restoration Survey
The American Forest Foundation (AFF) recently released the results of a specific study conducted in 2016 about landowners understanding, knowledge and behaviors around longleaf restoration. Part of the survey was to evaluate the effectiveness of the American Tree Farm System (ATFS) as a tool in sustaining engagement with landowners. They found broad interest and support for restoring longleaf habitat in the southeastern United States. The results indicate that Tree Farmers are well aware of agencies and resources at their disposal to aid in longleaf restoration, whereas non-Tree Farmers are much less familiar with agencies that provide technical and financial assistance. This makes it harder for them access the tools they need. This survey re-affirms the importance of these types of targeted landowner engagement programs and the value of the American Tree Farm System in sustaining that engagement.
Read the full report.
USDA to Invest $12 Million in 2019 to Promote Healthy Ecosystems
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest more than $12 million this year to mitigate wildfire risk, improve water quality and restore healthy forest ecosystems in nine states. The USFS and NRCS highlighted 13 new projects where the two agencies will work hand-in-hand with agricultural producers and forest landowners to improve forest health using available Farm Bill conservation programs and other authorities. The Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership enables the NRCS and the USFS to leverage technical and financial assistance collaboratively alongside agricultural producers and forest landowners to help reduce wildfire threats, protect water quality and supply, and improve wildlife habitat for at-risk species.
View the press release.
|
|
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 April 10, 2019. The webinar is titled
Green Readiness, Response, and Recovery: Stewardship of natural resources in the context of disturbance.
In wake of the many and varied natural resource disasters in the last year, The hosts will discuss the research and practices that explain how natural resource stewardship activities can play a role in helping communities to recover, heal, and become more resilient. 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.
NASF, USFS Release Interactive Map Highlighting GNA Successes
The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) have launched an interactive, web-based map highlighting Good Neighbor Authority (GNA), project successes nationwide. GNA allows the USDA Forest Service to enter into agreements with state forestry agencies to implement critically important management work on national forests when the USFS is unable to do the work alone.Since GNA was first authorized by Congress with the 2014 Farm Bill, over a third of states have broken ground on more than 130 GNA projects. Congress expanded authorities for forest management projects undertaken with GNA to allow for necessary road reconstruction and repairs with the Fiscal Year 2018 appropriations omnibus; and with the 2018 Farm Bill, allowed counties and tribes to also participate in GNA projects.
Learn more about GNA and use the map.
|
|
NRCS GA State Office Seeks Partners to Improve State Conservation
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Georgia (GA) state office is seeking opportunities to partner with like-minded natural resource conservationists. They are seeking partners to help enhance the implementation of key conservation objectives and priorities. Proposals will be accepted from Georgia. NRCS anticipates that the amount available for support of this program in FY 2019 will be approximately $6,500,000. Proposals are requested from eligible entities, non-profits, governmental or non-governmental organizations, and institutions of higher learning for competitive consideration of awards. Projects are expected to be between one and five years in duration. Proposals are due April 18, 2019. The objectives, eligibility criteria, and application instructions can be found
here.
|
|
NC Florence Restoration Fund Offers Aid to Affected Areas
The North Carolina (NC) Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS) are approving and administering aid to woodland owners in 52 counties impacted by Hurricane Florence and recognized as federal disaster areas. The NC General Assembly approved $2.5 million in time-limited funding for reforestation efforts. To receive reimbursement, at least 4.5 acres of approved, completed work must be documented. The maximum funding allocation will be 100 acres per landowner per fiscal year. Applications need to be submitted to the landowner’s local NCFS office for initial review, before they are sent to the NCFS State Office for final approval. Applications will be funded on a first-come, first-served basis until all available funds have been allocated.
Learn more.
|
|
MS Forestry Commission: Urban Forestry Coordinator
The Mississippi Forestry Commission is accepting applications for its Urban Forestry Coordinator vacancy. The position is titled Staff Officer II on the website. This position will serve under the Forest Management Division as the Urban and Community Forestry Coordinator, and will have duties and responsibilities statewide. The incumbent will assist within the division, but will be assigned primary oversight of the Urban and Community Forestry program. Programs include the management and execution of federal U&CF grant funds, state pass through grant program, training, storm response, outreach and recognition programs. Applications are due by March 29, 2019
View the application.
North Carolina Forest Service: Forest Markets and Utilization Forester
The North Carolina Forest Service is accepting application to fill their Forest Markets and Utilization position.This position develops and delivers a state-wide program in forest products utilization, maintains strong relationships with the state's forest products industry, promotes diverse markets for forest products, and communicates on the extent, economic contributions, utilization and production of forest resources in NC. Forest Markets and Utilization will collaborate with in-state partners and stakeholders as well as state forestry agency counterparts throughout the southern region. Applications must be submitted by March 29, 2019.
View the application.
US Forest Service: Supervisory Forester GS-13
The U.S. Forest Service is seeking qualified candidates to fill the position of Supervisory Forester. This position is located at the Southern Research Station Forest Inventory and Analysis {SRS-FIA) headquarters in Knoxville, TN. The incumbent serves as the Team Leader for the Resource Use Team and is part of the SRS-FIA management team. The incumbent is responsible for the implementation and management of timber and non-timber resource use surveys and utilization studies across the Southern Region in coordination with SRS-FIA and national leadership. Applications must be submitted by April 20th, 2019.
View the application.
|
|
Florida Forest Service: Forest Hydrologist
The Florida Forest Service (FFS) is seeking a qualified candidate for their Forest Hydrologist position in Tallahassee, FL. The Forest Hydrologist is titled Environmental Specialist III on the website. The incumbent will coordinate and conduct the FFS’s Best Management Practice (BMP) Compliance Survey, including training for the Environmental Specialists and/or County Foresters, field data collection, analysis of data, preparation of reports, and presentation and publication of results. They will also assist public and private forest managers and landowners in applying BMPs to silviculture and activities such as harvesting, road construction, and maintenance or site preparation. Applications should be submitted by April 1, 2019.
Apply for this job.
UGA Center for Forest Business: Associate Director
The University of Georgia's (UGA) Harley Langdale Jr. Center for Forest Business of the Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources is seeking to fill the position of Associate Director. This is a fiscal year Academic Professional (non-tenure track) faculty position. The position is about 70% administrative and 30% teaching appointment with undergraduate and master’s program instructional responsibilities. The successful candidate will be responsible for planning and conducting the biennial Timberland Investment Conference and other periodic continuing education programs, assist in strategic planning efforts, market graduate programs to prospective students, and maintain close ties to program employers and stakeholders. Applications must be submitted by April 15, 2019.
Learn more about this position.
NC A&T Extension: Natural Resources Extension Specialist
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University is looking to fill their Natural Resources Extension Specialist vacancy. This position works both individually and collaboratively to plan, deliver, and assess the effectiveness of Extension programs relating to production agriculture, agroforestry, pond management and small-scale irrigation technologies. This position is open until filled.
View the application.
|
|
Upcoming Events:
April 9-10, 2019 | Washington, D.C.
The Sounding Board was formed as an informal group to help the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) clarify the conservation contributions of SFI certified forestlands. This workshop will focus these Conservation Impact investigations in three areas: water quality and quantity, climate change related values, and biodiversity.
April 30- May 1, 2019 | Gainesville, FL
Topics will include landowner associations, forest product markets, new landscape planning approaches, forest certification, economics, hurricane recovery, genetically improved southern pines, wildlife habitat provisions, intergenerational land transfer, and more
April 30- May 3, 2019 | Norfolk, VA
Registration is now open for the 2019 Virginia Forestry Summit. The Summit will take place at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside Hotel
May 21-May 23, 2019 | Blacksburg, VA
This three-day training will bring together Scolytinae taxonomy experts from federal agencies and universities to provide a small group of participants with hands-on, one-on-one training on how to identify specimens to genus and species in this difficult subfamily of insects.
June 24-28, 2019 | Corvallis, OR
Agroforestry for sustainable production and resilient landscapes" is the theme of this conference. The conference includes tours, oral and poster presentations as well as special sessions.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
