In California’s North Bay, resource conservation districts (RCDs) have partnered with Rebuild North Bay Foundation and the Clear Lake Environmental Research Center to form the North Bay Forest Improvement Program (NBFIP) to help non-industrial forest landowners with less than 500 acres implement fuels treatments and forest restoration projects on their properties.
NBFIP is being launched with $1.5 million from a CAL FIRE Wildfire Resilience and Forestry Assistance grant, which will provide three years of funding to develop an incentive program and award projects to mitigate fire and improve forest health in the highly fire-prone region.
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“Everyone knows we can’t do it alone. We all need to collaborate, and local folks with local knowledge and relationships really are able to accelerate things.”
Lucas Patzek, district manager, Napa County RCD
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Sonoma, Mendocino and Napa County RCDs are forming a steering committee to begin structuring an incentive program similar to the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Project application and selection will follow with on-the-ground landscape work carrying through 2023. RCDs will be contributing about $277,000 in matching dollars.
“We view it as a pilot project, and we’re excited to build and refine a regional strategy for identifying and funding forest health and fire resiliency projects in partnership with CAL FIRE,” said Lucas Patzek, project steering committee member and Napa County RCD district manager.
“Everyone knows we can’t do it alone,” Patzek said. “We all need to collaborate, and local folks with local knowledge and relationships really are able to accelerate things.”
In total, the partnership will support the treatment of 500-700 acres across more than 30 properties in the counties. At least 20 percent of the program dollars will benefit disadvantaged communities. Possible treatments include forest management planning, site preparation, tree planting and protection, and forest thinning and pruning. Projects will occur on land with forest types consisting of coastal oak woodland, redwood forests, mixed evergreen and ponderosa pine.
The grant dollars come at a crucial time, as two of the five most destructive fires in the state’s history burned through the project area over the past two years, including devastating more than 40 percent of Napa County, Patzek said.
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JOINT FORESTRY TEAM HOLDS ANNUAL LEADERSHIP MEETING |
The Joint Forestry Team (JFT) held its annual leadership meeting virtually on Dec. 9 to recap 2020 projects and explore opportunities for the JFT to work on in the coming year.
The Joint Forestry Team consists of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), National Association of State Foresters (NASF) and National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD).
JFT members heard from NRCS Acting Chief Kevin Norton, Forest Service Associate Deputy Chief for State and Private Forestry John Crockett, NACD President-elect Michael Crowder and NASF Executive Director Jay Farrell.
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The meeting also included a collaboration showcase led by JFT Chair Susan Stein of the Forest Service. Presentations demonstrated efforts across the country where a multitude of partners are engaged in collaborative forestry efforts.
This year's presentations included:
- Sentinel Landscapes Program – Kristin Thomasgard of the U.S. Department of Defense discussed how the program helps strengthen military readiness through conservation efforts that also bolster agricultural and forestry productivity. CLICK HERE TO WATCH
- Great Plains Initiative – Adam Smith of the Nebraska Forest Service discussed research findings and future forest restoration efforts. CLICK HERE TO WATCH
- Ohio Interagency Forestry Team – Jerel Bartig of the Forest Service discussed how partners in Ohio are getting more done through a coordinated effort. CLICK HERE TO WATCH
The JFT will hold its annual meeting virtually in February 2021.
The Joint Forestry Team's mission is to make recommendations that result in coordinated interagency delivery of forestry and conservation assistance for working forests, farms and ranches. Team participants seek to improve the sustainability of the nation’s forests in order to provide optimum levels of public benefits and ecosystem services. Learn more at JFT's website. |
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Michigan
Grant will help district provide education, enhance tree sale
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The Midland Conservation District received a $57,770 grant from the Midland Area Community Foundation to create the Midland Conservation District Education Center.
The project will also enhance the effectiveness of the conservation district's Reforestation Tree Sale held every spring. Having the space for the tree sale has been a challenge. This space will help increase participation and distribution, resulting in more trees sold and helping landowners create more green space throughout the county.
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West Virginia
Big Tree competition engages local residents
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John Overington recognized Elisabeth Staro for finding the largest Balsam Fir tree in the Eastern Panhandle. It was the 12th year Overington has led the Big Tree contest, which recognizes a different tree species each year. The competition receives support from Eastern Panhandle Conservation District.
Forester Herb Peddicord, retired from the West Virginia Division of Forestry, checks the trees using the criteria of the West Virginia Big Tree Program. Points are determined based on the tree’s circumference at 4.5 feet above ground, total height and crown spread, and the tree with the most points wins the contest.
“I hope this annual event increases the public’s ability to differentiate between different species of trees, as well as the benefits of them,” Overington told The Journal.
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Add your conservation district's tree sale, state association meeting, field day or celebration to NACD's calendar!
Click the button above to submit an event. Events will be reviewed by the website administrator and published to NACD's online calendar when approved. |
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