Regional News

SREF News

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 .

SREF Awards Spotlight: Research Technology Transfer & Youth & Teacher Education

Each week Southern Regional Extension Forestry (SREF) will be highlighting two of their SREF award program recipients.

This week, we are featuring winners from the categories Research Technology Transfer and Youth & Teacher Education. One of our three winners for Research Technology Transfer goes to Dr. Elizabeth Benton and Dr. Richard Cowles from the University of Georgia for their outreach publication Optimized Insecticide Dosage for Hemlock Woolly Adelgid

Control in Hemlock Trees . The publication outlines the current threat to hemlock species from the hemlock wooly adelgid and provides insecticide and management recommendations for dealing with this pest. One of our three winners for Youth & Teacher Education are Renee Strnad, Hannah Thompson-Welch, and Laurel Kays from North Carolina State University for their Forest to Classroom 2018: Fire Focus program. This program connects educators with experts in the field to explore the history, culture and science of major fire events in North Carolina.  See the complete list of awards given .

National News

Funding Opportunities

USDA Extends Conservation Stewardship Program Deadline 

The USDA Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) has extended their application deadline to May 10, 2019. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) plans to invest up to $700 million for new enrollments and contract extensions in fiscal year 2019. CSP helps build on your existing conservation efforts while strengthening your operation. The program is for working lands. It is the largest conservation program in the United States with more than 70 million acres of productive agricultural and forest land enrolled in CSP.  The USDA will help landowners create a custom schedule to assist in stewardship practices such as timely planting of cover crops, developing a grazing plan that will improve your forage base, or implementing a no-till to reduce erosion or manage forested areas in a way that benefits wildlife habitat. Applicants must meet the May 10 deadline to ensure funding for 2019.  Learn more about the CSP , or read detailed instruction on how to apply.

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.

JFSP, BLM Announce Wildland Fire Funding Opportunity up to $500K 

The Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) plan to award up to $500,000 to prioritize and provide sound scientific studies that support the land management agencies and other stakeholders in addressing issues associated with wildland fire. The objectives of this grant are to identify or develop metrics to assess fuel break and fuel break system performance, evaluate fuel breaks and fuel break systems against these standards, and identify necessary improvements in the implementation of operational fire behavior models. All proposals are to be submitted using the electronic submission process provided on the JFSP website. Proposals must be submitted by 7:00 PM. EST on May 16, 2019. Learn more about the program and how to apply.

RREA- NIFA Offers Land-Grant University Programs for FY 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.

Job Opportunities

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 link here.

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.

VSU Extension: Urban Forester Extension Associate

Virginia State University (VSU) is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the position of Urban Forester Extension Associate in their Urban Forestry Program. The incumbent will engage in integrated urban forest management and education through the care and management of tree populations in urban settings for the purpose of improving the urban environment. The Urban Forestry Program advocates the role of trees as a critical part of the urban infrastructure. The Urban Forester Extension Associate is responsible for providing impact-driven, research-based extension and educational programs for a diverse group including adult and youth citizens, municipalities, organizations, and other stakeholders in Virginia. This position is open until filed. View the application.

Virginia Tech Extension Associate for Landowner and Logger Education

Virginia Tech Extension is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the position of Extension Associate for landowner and logger education in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation. 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. Expectations include work on Extension research projects, writing and reviewing Extension publications, and creating other communications for loggers and forest landowners. Applications should be submitted by May 20, 2019. View the application.

Clemson University Seeks Full-Time Temporary Forester 

Clemson University is seeking a qualified candidate to fill the position of Forester. This is full time temporary/time limited position. The forester performs professional forest management duties and assists staff to foster the development, protection and utilization of forest resources for Clemson University forest lands. The incumbent will implement current technology in management and environmental protection while providing natural resource teaching, research, and demonstration opportunities. Application deadline is May 17, 2019. View the application.