NCSU Extension Hosts Program titled: “Moving to Virtual Spaces- New Ideas & Lessons Learned” Program

NCSU Extension Forestry is hosting a discussion with natural resource professionals on moving to virtual programs. On July 22, 2020, from 1-2:30p.m. ET. Participants will hear from five presenters from around the country who will share their experiences and lessons learned in moving their programs to a virtual platform. They will cover topics ranging from things you can do in your own backyard to large-scale conferences. Segment topics will include workshops and field days, annual meetings, conferences, live events on social media, and webinar platforms such as Zoom. This event is open to everyone but is targeted for natural resources professionals who are considering organizing virtual events in the future. Presenters will include Angie Gupta (UMN Extension), Robert Bardon (NCSU Extension), Shan Cammack (GA Dept.Natural Resources), Laurel Kays (NCSU Extension and SFE), and Mikel Robinson. Register here for this webinar.

UT Extension develops new publication “Harvesting Firewood as a Forest Management Tool

The University of Tennessee Extension has recently published a new document on harvesting firewood as a forest management tool. The publication describes how firewood is the major use of all wood harvested globally, predominantly for household heat and cooking, and burning firewood has many benefits. Forest stands in Tennessee have historically been mismanaged by repetitive improper harvesting of only high-value trees, leaving low-value trees as residuals, and without intervention, such high-graded stands will continue to perpetuate the growth of mainly poor-quality trees. Yet, often hidden within these degraded stands are younger and healthier trees that, if given sufficient growing space, could become the top-value crop trees that are in demand by the wood industry. The removal of undesirable trees for use as firewood can provide growing space for crop trees and help restore degraded stands to healthier, more productive and higher-value forests. This publication outlines the process of improving forest stands by removing trees for firewood and also addresses wide-ranging firewood information, including timber stand improvement, general tree felling safety, firewood properties, units of firewood measurement, firewood preparation and storage and business considerations. Find the full publication here . 

Response to Loblolly Pine Thinning in Western Gulf

A new study has been published on the first 3–4 years of response of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) growth to thinning at different intensities. Data were collected from the East Texas Pine Research Project’s region-wide loblolly pine thinning study, which covers a wide variety of stand conditions. Four treatments: light, moderate, heavy thinning, and an un-thinned control were included. Loblolly pine, a shade-intolerant tree species, requires nearly full sunlight to thrive and grow. In order to improve plantation productivity and reduce density-dependent mortality, thinning often is practiced to open the canopy, redistributing light, nutrient, and water availability to residual trees. Loblolly pine plantations are the most economically important forests in the West Gulf Coastal Plain, and thinning is the most common mid-rotation silvicultural treatment used in their management. Thinning is an effective practice to improve timber value and reduce rotation lengths, thus increasing the economic return of the stand. The results from this study, found here , can improve understanding in thinning effects and help forest managers to make more informed decisions on silvicultural regimes.

Upcoming Webinar- Mixed Stands Management Panel Discussion

As a wrap-up to a series of webinars on Mixed Stands Management, a team of forestry scientists will host a panel discussion to provide opportunities for questions and answers. Join the discussion on potential opportunities that mixed stands provide, delve into the potential pitfalls of managing mixed stands, highlight areas of current research and identify unknown issues surrounding management of these stands. This webinar will be hosted through the Forestry Webinar Portal and includes scientists from Mississippi State University, University of Georgia, USDA Forest Service, Auburn University and more. Find out more here.

Invasive Asian Longhorned Beetle Discovered in SC

An invasive species of beetle, the Asian longhorned beetle, was discovered for the first time in Charleston county, South Carolina and has state and federal officials conducting surveys in the area to determine the extent of the insect’s spread. The Asian longhorned beetle, Anoplophora glabripennis, is a wood-boring beetle that threatens a variety of hardwood trees, including maple, elm, ash, sycamore, poplar and willow. As the beetle bores into the tree it interrupts the flow of life-giving sap and weakens the tree, ultimately killing it. Residents in Charleston County communities are encouraged to allow state and federal access to property to survey for the pest, and they can also help by looking for the beetle and examining the trees on their property for damage beetles may be caused. The Asian longhorned beetle is shiny black with small, white spots on its body and its abnormally long antennae, and adult beetles can grow an inch and a half long. Report any discovery of this beetle at www.AsianLongHornedBeetle.com wherever you are, and if you are in SC, reach out to [email protected] . Read more about this here . 

Myths & Facts Factsheet in Brief, About Heirs Property in GA

The Georgia Heirs Property Law Center has composed a new “Myths & Facts about Heirs Property” Factsheet . The factsheet includes information on commonly believed myths about: 1. who owns Heirs property, 2. where it’s located, and 3. its impact on Georgia’s economy. Other sections include information on selling heirs property in whole or part, property tax myths, living (or not living) on the property, estate planing and probate myths, and who is an heir? Find the full factsheet here. The Georgia Heirs Property Law Center provides legal support for families, individuals, nonprofits and municipalities. Their services include developing estate plans and preparing last wills and testaments for individuals to foster generational wealth transfer and prevent land loss. In addition, they provide financial education on home and land ownership to grow assets for the next

generation. Find the factsheet here.

FL Signs Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act into Law

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act (UPHPA) into law, which helps protect the transfer of wealth between generations of families who use a simple will or die without a will. This law has been championed in many states by forestry advocates, because millions of acres of forestland in the South are deemed heirs’ property land, and laws such as this, help these families to retain this land. In Florida specifically, the majority of low-income and minority Floridians don’t have wills, and this law will help transfer wealth among many people who need it the most. The provisions within the UPHPA, championed by social justice and housing advocates, promise to help diminish systemic inequities. In a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta, the prevalence of heirs’ property is disproportionately high among low-income households, as well as racial and ethnic minority groups. 72% of non-white adults—and 55% of all adults—do not have wills, meaning the UHPHA will benefit many Floridians who have historically been left behind. Read more about this here. 

TN’s State Forests Now All SFI Certified

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s Division of Forestry announced that all 15 state forests—covering 168,359 acres—passed the third-party audit for forestry management practices, meaning they are now certified to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) Forest Management Standard. This independent certification assures that forests are managed sustainably, which is essential for clean water, wildlife habitat, and market access. SCS Global Services, which specializes in third-party environmental and sustainability certification, conducted the audit required for certification. Rigorous evaluation of forest management practices included site inspections, extensive documentation review, and stakeholder consultation. Certification under the Sustainable Forestry Initiative helps the Division of Forestry maximize the positive impacts of managed forests and meet high standards to address social, economic and environmental impacts. Read more here . 

State of FL Purchases 17k Acres of Forestland for Water Preservation

The state of Florida has voted to approve spending as much as $43 million in Florida Forever funds to buy 17,080 acres, known as the Dickerson Bay/ Bald Point project, that sprawl across both Franklin and Wakulla counties. Acquisition of the Bluffs will provide a permanent means of protecting and restoring estuarine ecosystems and freshwater sources for recreational and commercially important finfish¬¬–the economic life-blood of the region and the keystones of the ecology of the near-shore Gulf. This enormous swath of once bustling timberlands in eastern Franklin County will soon be protected permanently for its value in preserving the environment and affording tourists a chance to enjoy it. Florida’s plan is to buy the land from Nature Conservancy, which has negotiated an option agreement to purchase the lands from the Salt Lake City, Utah-based Ochlockonee Timberlands. The property is part of a watershed that feeds into portions of Ochlockonee Bay and Alligator Harbor, considered by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection as critically important to the Gulf’s seafood and tourism industries. Access to Ochlockonee Bay, Alligator Harbor Aquatic Preserve, and several of the ponds, provide opportunities for paddling and fishing, and the expansive network of woodlands and roads can easily accommodate hiking, biking, and nature studies. Read more about this here . 

UT Forester Awarded by the Forest Landowner Foundation

Dr. David Mercker of the University of Tennessee was recently awarded Extension Forester of the Year by the Forest Landowner Foundation as part of their Awards Program. Mercker has worked as a professional forester for more than 34 years, including 21 years in his current role as a University of Tennessee Extension Forestry Specialist. Through extension programs he educates landowners, loggers, foresters, educators and youth about sustainable forest management. Nominated by peers as being exemplars, the Forest Landowners Association’s Awards Program recognizes outstanding landowners and forestry professionals who set the example of being stewards of their resources, informing the public or advancing the economic viability of working forests. Find the full list of award recipients here .  

Georgia Passes Bill to Allow Construction of Wooden Mid-level Office Buildings

Legislation that could clear the way for developers in Georgia to construct mid-rise office buildings made mostly of wood gained final passage in the Georgia General Assembly. The state Senate unanimously approved a bill asking the state Department of Community Affairs (DCA) to review a provision in the International Building Code that allows buildings constructed of “mass timber” to rise as high as 18 stories and recommend whether Georgia should adopt it. The state building code limits wood office buildings to six stories. The bill was pitched as a potential boost to Georgia’s timber industry, which already leads the nation in a number of categories. Forestry in Georgia generates an annual economic impact of $36.3 billion and is Georgia’s second largest industry, accounting for 148,414 direct and indirect jobs, according to the Georgia Forestry Association. Yet, mass timber has yet to make significant inroads in Georgia. Some cities have passed ordinances in recent years limiting the height of buildings made of wood, but the General Assembly passed a bill in 2018 prohibiting local governments from imposing height restrictions below what the state building code allows. The bill now heads to Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature. Read more here . 

LSU AgCenter 2020 Prescribed Burn Workshop Video

The LSU AgCenter posted a video about the prescribed burn workshop they held on June 2-4, 2020. The workshop was presented by personnel from the AgCenter, LDAF, and LDWF. These workshops are held periodically, and the next PB workshop will be October 7-9 in Hammond, LA. For more information, contact Whitney Wallace, Extension Forester, [email protected] . Find the video here on Facebook. 

Biochar- What is the Innovation? 

The latest innovative forest product to gain steam is biochar: a charcoal-like substance that’s made through burning biomass in a controlled process called pyrolysis. During this process, little to no contaminating fumes are produced; and at the end, a very stable form of carbon is created, meaning the carbon can’t easily escape into the atmosphere. The benefits of using biochar as a fertilizer and long-term carbon sequestration technique are well-documented. A new study suggests that adding biochar to cattle feed can improve animal health and feed efficiency, reduce nutrient losses and greenhouse gas emissions, and increase soil fertility when applied as fertilizer. Recently the Nebraska Forest Service found that the inclusion of less than 1% biochar into the diet of cattle can lead to a 10% reduction in their methane emissions. Biochar also holds promise for industrial applications, as researchers at the National University of Singapore have concluded that adding only a small amount of biochar to concrete can increase its strength by up to 20% and make it 50% more watertight. Read more about this on the NASF website here .

Expanded USGS Maps Help for Exploring the Outdoors

United States Geological Survey (USGS) maps are the perfect resource to use as you head outside and explore, as updated US Topo maps and other mapping products now make the planning and navigation of the next outing easier. Recent partnerships with other federal, state, and non-governmental organizations have allowed the USGS to feature additional trails and major recreation points of interest on their digital topographic maps. These contributions and collaborative efforts have resulted in the addition of more than 210,000 miles of government-maintained trails to the Nation’s topographic base maps, including 124,183 miles of trails nationally from the U.S. Forest Service. Additionally, there are 11 major trail systems that have been designated as National Scenic Trails. The total distance of these trail segments now available on US Topo maps is more than 15,320 miles, and the National Geospatial Program has incorporated new technologies and processes that will allow the updated maps to feature not just conventional trails but also major recognized water and snow routes. Find the full USGS Maps webpage here . 

IN Environmental Resilience Institute Mapping Urban Trees to ID Gaps in Tree Cover

The Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute is working to compile a statewide urban forest map, with the ultimate goal of helping cities close the gaps in tree cover so everyone can benefit. Researchers say communities are starting to realize that they can’t take their trees for granted, as trees can help make towns more resilient to climate change and boost their economies. City trees in some states can absorb more than 500 million gallons of water a year, which may be more important than ever in protecting a city from flash floods. Shade trees can help cool cities down — combatting the extreme heat we’re seeing as the Earth warms. Researchers say this is especially important in low-income and minority communities — which are less likely to have tree cover –and say an urban tree map can help cities to see those equity gaps. Urban trees do everything from making a city more walkable to help a city withstand the effects of climate change, and can improve moods, too, as people feel better when they can relax or park under a tree. Researchers say perhaps seeing the statewide urban forest map will encourage other cities to do their own tree inventories. Read more about this here . 

Become a Conservation Agricultural Mentoring Program Mentor (Forestry too) for NRCS

The Conservation Agricultural Mentoring Program is a state-driven program that matches an experienced producer such as a forest landowner, who is passionate about conservation with an NRCS field employee that is new to the job or new to the area. The goal through the program is to grow critical relationships with the producers served, while at the same time advancing employee knowledge of production agriculture and natural resources in their local area, ultimately enhancing the ability to provide excellent customer service. Producer mentors provide a safe, low-risk learning environment for employees to advance their knowledge of common forestry or agricultural practices, equipment, inputs and other topics, the types of daily challenges and decisions producers face, local resource problems and concerns, and how producers use conservation practices to address resource concerns. For more information on the CAMP program , click here to read their Fact Sheet and visit here to read their Frequently Asked Questions page. Contact your local CAMP Coordinator to speak with someone directly or to sign-up to become a mentor.  

Southern Regional Extension Forestry | www.sref.info | [email protected]