At a stop at the Spring Mountains National Recreation Area in Mt. Charleston, NV, USDA Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment Dr. Homer Wilkes announced the Humboldt-Toiyabe National Forest and partners will receive nearly $4 million for post-wildfire restoration.
In addition, Dr. Wilkes announced that USDA selected the Santa Rosa-Paradise Landscape Restoration Project to receive funding under the Joint Chiefs’ Landscape Restoration Partnership. The Joint Chiefs program allows NRCS and the U.S. Forest Service to collaborate with agricultural producers and forest landowners to invest in conservation and restoration at a scale that’s big enough to make a difference.
The Forest Service and NRCS worked with Nevada’s Conservation District Program to develop this project, which will enlist multiple federal, state, Tribal and community partners in work to reduce wildfire risk to communities and tribal lands, improve watershed health, and restore wildlife habitat in rural Humboldt County. First-year funding for the project will leverage more than $168,000 in partner contributions alongside nearly $200,000 from the Forest Service and NRCS.
The funding will also help the Humboldt-Toiyabe align with the Forest Service’s recently released 10-year wildfire strategy. It connects to other efforts as well, including Nevada Shared Stewardship, which aims to increase work with partners to reduce fuels and improve forest and rangeland health in the right place and at the right pace and scale.
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Mark Megalos became the National Woodland Owners Association’s (NWOA) executive director in 2021 after having spent the previous decade in academia, serving as a professor in the College of Natural Resources through North Carolina Cooperative Extension. Prior to that, Megalos had a career with the North Carolina Division of Forest Resources.
NWOA helps to serve America’s private forest landowners, which account for roughly 60% of the country’s forests. The association’s quarterly magazine, National Woodlands, is mailed to more than 40,000 subscribers.
Megalos recently shared time with NACD to discuss his role and some of the opportunities and challenges facing private forest landowners.
Q: You’re a little more than a year into this role. What has been the biggest eye-opener for you in that first year?
A: I recently retired as a professor and had 34 years of state government work with Extension and the North Carolina Forest Service, so entering the non-profit or non-governmental organization world was a true eye-opener. When serving as a public servant, I was very careful of my wording and to present balanced views for landowners and other professionals so they could decide for themselves. While that approach is steeped in my DNA, the freedom to speak out, be an advocate, and seize opportunities has been truly refreshing.
One, if not the chief lesson for me, was to appreciate the role of partnerships in sharing who is at the table to help make legislative decisions and influence which priorities are made within the unique world that is Washington, D.C. Existing networks that your readers are likely familiar with include the Forests in the Farm Bill coalition, the Forest Carbon Working Group, the National Council of Forestry Association Executives, and National Hardwood Federation. All are standing networks where the exchange of ideas takes place, each with their specific focus. I believe anyone who gets to see the internal workings in Washington would have their eyes opened widely by the experience. National Woodlands has been a part of that network since its inception, but to a new executive director it was a real education, and still is frankly.
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NACD's Forestry Notes Special Reports cover a range of topics relevant to conservation district audiences, including:
- The (true) cost of wildfires;
- Engaging female forest landowners;
- How to assist in succession planning;
- How conservation districts are helping enhance wildlife habitat;
- Growing opportunities in urban forestry;
- And much more!
Reports are available to download and share. To learn more and view the reports, click the button below.
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Illinois
SWCD and 4-H students team up for tree planting
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Local 4-H students are helping to plant trees at Illiniwek Forest Preserve in partnership with the Rock Island County Soil and Water Conservation District. New trees to be planted include Jackiana Oak, Bur Oak, Black Oak, and Red Oak.
The project will support existing restoration projects at Illiniwek Forest Preserve designed to replace trees lost to insect infestation, storm damage, and other hazardous situations. The initiative will increase tree diversity and enhance wildlife benefits to the area. It will also provide educational opportunities for local youth and community members to learn how to identify oak trees and understand why they are essential to Illinois forests. |
Virginia
SWCD accepting applications for annual scholarships
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These scholarships are available to eligible students living in the five-county area served by the Culpeper SWCD — Rappahannock, Culpeper, Greene, Madison and Orange counties.
Individuals who are full time students enrolled in or who have applied to a college undergraduate or graduate program in an area that supports soil and water conservation, natural resource management, environmental science, or a related field are encouraged to apply.
Culpeper SWCD also offers up to four scholarships for area high school students to attend summer camp.
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