ISSUE 90: WEEK OF September 14, 2020
Recent News


Regional News

  • Clemson Study: No Negative Effects on Water from Prescribed Fire 
  • UGA Virtual Continuing Ed Offer Courses on Forestry Herbicides & Longleaf Pine Establishment 
  • SCFC Produces Video on Southern Beetles: ID, Management & Risk Assessment
  • GA Partners Team up to Present GA Estate Planning Basics Webinar
  • 2020 GA Prescribed Fire Council Annual Meeting Offered Virtually

National News

  • Rural Forest Markets Act Aids Small-Scale Forest Carbon Projects
  • Public Broadcasting Podcast Examines “Timber Wars” that began 30 years ago in NW
  • AFF Shares Collection of Nature/Land Management Apps
  • The Cohesive Strategy for Wildland Fire Management- Virtual Workshop
  • New Report: Natural Disasters Installment of Climate Insights 2020 Summarizes Results from Climate Adaptation Survey
  • Fueling Collaboration Panel Discussion Series Hosted by USFS NRS & JFSP

Webinars

  • Urban Tree Growth Protocols for Data Collection Featured in USFS Connections Webinars Series
  • Learn More about How to Manage “Natural Areas” in this Webinar from VT Extension
  • Inclusivity in Cooperative Extension Programming Webinar, Emphasis on Natural Resources & Climate Change
  • Green Industry Services for Natural Area Management Webinar Series Offered by UMD
  • Learn More About Association for Fire Ecology’s Wildland Firefighter Certification Program

Funding Opportunities

  • NRCS Investing up to $360 Million in Partner-Driven Conservation


Job Opportunities

  • University of Tennessee Dean of Extension
  • Assistant State Forester - Alabama Forestry Commission
  • OR State Univ. Assoc. Dean for Science Outreach & Program Leader for Forestry & Natural Resources Extension
Regional News
Clemson Study: No Negative Effects on Water from Prescribed Fire 
A new study by Clemson University researchers lends further confidence to the effectiveness of prescribed fire as a forest management tool that does not adversely impact ecosystem health by increasing sediment or nutrient runoff. In a review entitled “Prescribed fire effects on sediment and nutrient exports in forested environments,” Clemson researchers Kipling Klimas, Patrick Hiesl, Donald Hagan and Dara Park concluded that though sediment in runoff increases after prescribed fire in certain situations, these erosion events are associated with intense precipitation shortly after the fire and do not impair ecosystem function. To learn more about this study, click here.

UGA Virtual Continuing Ed Offer Courses on Forestry Herbicides & Longleaf Pine Establishment 
Forestry Extension Specialists from Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources will offer two continuing education programs this fall via Zoom Webinar format. The first one, “Forestry Herbicide Update Workshop,” will be offered October 13 and will include four hours of SAF category 1 CEU’s and will include information on site preparation, results from weed control studies, information about herbicides and timing of applications as well as financial considerations and more. Find out more here. The second workshop, “Longleaf Pine Establishment & Management Workshop,” will be offered November 10th and 11 and includes 9 hours of SAF CEU’s. This workshop will include information on longleaf pine establishment factors, effects of herbicide/fertilizers and information on the economics of growing longleaf. Read more about the workshop here. To register for either of these workshops, follow the link here

SCFC Produces Video on Southern Beetles: ID, Management & Risk Assessment
SC Forestry Commission Creates Forest Health Video to Assist in Identification & Management of Southern Beetles. This video focuses on 3 types of beetles that attack southern pines and cause harm. The video includes different types of practices to mitigate these beetles and details to help you estimate potential loss from southern beetles. Find the video here.

GA Partners Team up to Present GA Estate Planning Basics Webinar
Ft. Valley State University, the Georgia Heirs Property Law Center are presenting in a webinar on estate planning basics as a tool to preserve and build generational wealth in a webinar September 24th at noon ET. The webinar offered via Zoom and FB Live is co-sponsored by Southern SARE, Georgia Forestry Commission, SFI, and the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources. Find out more information here and register online here. 

2020 GA Prescribed Fire Council Annual Meeting Offered Virtually
The Georgia Prescribed Fire Council will hold their annual meeting September 30th, 10am to 4 pm ET virtually. The meeting, themed, “We are All in this Together: Tips and Tools for Furthering Fire,” will include presentations on prescribed fire planning, modeling, air quality and more, as well as keynote by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. Find the agenda and links for registration here. Continuing Forestry Education credits will be available as well as Master Timber Harvester credits for those attending this meeting In addition, presentations from the 2020 North Georgia Prescribed Fire Council Virtual Meeting are now archived on theSouthern Fire Exchange YouTube channel. Topics ranged from legal liability of prescribed burning to smoke models. To see a list of the entire series, click here.



National News
Rural Forest Markets Act Aids Small-Scale Forest Carbon Projects
The bipartisan Rural Forests Markets Act, introduced by U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow and Mike Braun, will help small-scale, family foresters access new economic opportunities and develop climate solutions. Rural Forest Markets Act provides a federal loan guarantee to support innovative projects that help small forest owners develop climate solutions and other environmental challenges by adopting sustainable land management practices. This act establishes the rural market investment program, provides a climate solution, creates new revenue streams, and bring investment into rural communities. To learn more, click here.

Public Broadcasting Podcast Examines “Timber Wars” that began 30 years ago in NW
Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB) announced the upcoming launch of “Timber Wars,” a new podcast series that takes a close look at the history, impact and consequences of the fight over Pacific Northwest forests that began a generation ago and continues today. It tells the behind-the-scenes story of how a small group of activists and scientists turned the fight over ancient trees and a bird that no one had heard about into one of the biggest environmental conflicts of the 20th century. “Timber Wars” will be available beginning Tuesday, September 22 on Apple Podcasts, or stream this webinar from their website, click here. The podcast trailer is available now. Accompanying the podcast, OPB will release an e-newsletter series that combines the podcast with further OPB reporting to take readers through the history of this epic battle in stories, images, videos and more. 

AFF Shares Collection of Nature/Land Management Apps
American Forestry Foundation (AFF) shared a collection of 15 new apps to use in the forest or anywhere there are plants, bugs and animals. There’s always something more to learn about your woodland, whether you’re just getting started in forest management or have been doing it for decades. Using current technology—websites, online tools, and mobile phone apps—you can find great information about your property and everything that lives on it: trees, flowers, foliage, animals and insects. These apps were created by organizations such as; AFF, Smithsonian Institution, Virginia Teach, NWF, and others. To learn more about the apps or to download, click here.

The Cohesive Strategy for Wildland Fire Management- Virtual Workshop 
The International Association of Wildland Fire in Partnership with Wildland Fire Leadership Council (WFLC) and its Western, Southeastern and Northeastern Regional Strategy Committees will be held October 28, 2020, 1-4 pm ET. Find out more about this online event titled, “The Cohesive Strategy in 2020: Dynamic Adaptation in a Novel World,” here, including links to register. There will be opportunities to suggest topics for the virtual discussions as well as enjoying speakers that include the Chief of the U.S. Forest Service and others.  

New Report: Natural Disasters Installment of Climate Insights 2020 Summarizes Results from Climate Adaptation Survey
A new report, “Climate Insights 2020: Natural Disasters,” summarizes a survey of Americans’ public opinions about policies regarding climate change and the environment framed around situations. For example, in this survey, they framed government policies with regard to wildfires and floods in relation to climate change to see if support for those policies changed. “We’ve found that Americans favor action,” report author and Stanford University professor Jon Krosnick said. “Liberals and conservatives, wealthy and not, people want public policy that will protect future generations and the most vulnerable. This is a strong signal to lawmakers that the public is supportive of new policies.” Overall, they found support for seven out of eight wildfire policies presented. Read more about the survey and its results in this report here. 

Fueling Collaboration Panel Discussion Series Hosted by USFS NRS & JFSP
The US Forest Service (USFS) Northern Research Station and various Joint Fire Science Program (JFSP) Fire Science Exchange Networks have teamed up to present a series of panel discussions to encourage exchanges between researchers and managers. Continuing education credits from the Wildlife Society and Society of American Foresters will be available. The series begins November 19 focusing on Pairing Historical Fire Regimes with Silviculture and continues monthly through February 2021. For more information on the series, follow this link. 
Webinars
Urban Tree Growth Protocols for Data Collection Featured in USFS Connections Webinars Series
The latest United States Forest Services (USFS) webinar was Sept. 9 at 1:00 pm EST, called New Guidance for Tracking Long-Term Tree Survival, Growth, and Health. The Urban Tree Growth & Longevity Working Group of the International Society of Arboriculture has developed standard protocols and effective strategies for long-term data collection. It includes a Field Guide, Resource Guide, training videos, and instructions on how to record small varieties over time to help support adaptive management. The Forest Service’s Urban Forest Connections webinar series bring experts together to discuss the latest science, practice, and policy on urban forestry and the environment. These webinars are all free. To watch this webinar or other past webinars, click here. Future webinars in the series will be Oct 12 1 pm ET, Dec 9 1 pm ET.

Learn More about How to Manage “Natural Areas” in this Webinar from VT Extension
Trees Virginia: Virginia Urban Forest Council is hosting a webinar series explaining how to create, enhance, and maintain natural areas for green industry professionals. This webinar is for professionals with clients that have wooded areas or large backyards that they might want to convert that into a wildlife habitat. The Woods in your Backyard was created through a partnership with Univ. of Maryland, Penn State, Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay, Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF), and Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE). This webinar takes place Sept 23 at 12:00 pm EST. To register, click here.

Inclusivity in Cooperative Extension Programming Webinar, Emphasis on Natural Resources & Climate Change
The USDA Northeast Climate Hub will host a webinar to discuss a case study from Washington D.C. to better understand how to get feedback and tailor cooperative extension programs of historically underrepresented groups. This survey was administered by undergraduate students at University of the District of Columbia. Understanding what people know and perceive is key to designing effective educational programs, engaging in collective conversations, and building effective partnerships that find solutions for environmental problems that benefit the community. The webinar is scheduled for October 26, at 1:00 pm EST. There is no pre-registration, to find out more, click here. For more information, click here.
Green Industry Services for Natural Area Management Webinar Series Offered by UMD
University of Maryland Extension is offering a webinar series on “Natural Areas Management” specifically targeting Green Industry Profesionals who may wan tot expand their suite of offerings to include natural areas. They are also targeting volunteers or landowners interested in managing natural land areas. Topics include wildlife habitat enhancement, forestry practices, chosen tree release, creating a natural haven, invasive plant ID & control, and creating food plots. This four-part series includes ISA, SAF, and other credits. There is a $35.00 fee for the series which will be hosted Thursdays in October (22, 29) and November (5, 12) from 7-8:30 pm ET. Find more information or register here

Learn More About Association for Fire Ecology’s Wildland Firefighter Certification Program
The Association for Fire Ecology (AFE) offers a certification program for professional wildland firefighters in order to further promote ecologically-based science and management in wildland fire and fuels through accredited professionals. There are multiple certification levels that fit different career stages and focus areas. Read more about the Certificates available here. Learn more about their certification process in this webinar, September 15, at 12:00 pm ET. 
Funding Opportunities
NRCS Investing up to $360 Million in Partner-Driven Conservation
The Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) has announced that it will be awarding up to $360 million through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) to partnerships that improve the nation’s water quality, combat drought, enhance soil health, support wildlife habitat, and protect agricultural viability. The NRCS is inviting potential conservation partners to submit project applications for this federal funding through the RCPP, which is a partner-driven approach to conservation that funds solutions to natural resource challenges on agricultural land. By leveraging collective resources and collaborating on common goals, RCPP demonstrates the power of public-private partnerships in delivering results for agriculture and conservation. Partners may request between $250,000 and $10 million in RCPP funding through this funding announcement, and partners are expected to offer value-added contributions to amplify the impact of RCPP funding in an amount equal or greater to the NRCS investment. Funding is open to private industry, non-government organizations, Indian tribes, state and local governments, water districts and universities, among others. A webinar with general program information for RCPP applicants was scheduled for 3 p.m. Eastern Time on Aug 27, 2020, and proposals are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 4, 2020.  Visit the RCPP website here for information on how to participate and how to apply.
Job Opportunities
University of Tennessee Dean of Extension Position 
Primary responsibilities of the Dean are to carry out visionary leadership, administration, and advocacy; promote excellence and innovation in extension educational programs and initiatives that meet needs of the people of Tennessee amongst other tasks. The position is open until October 1, 2020 and information can be found here.
OR State Univ. Assoc. Dean for Science Outreach & Program Leader for Forestry & Natural Resources Extension
Oregon State University’s College of Forestry seeks applicants for an Associate Dean for Science Outreach and Forestry & Natural Resources Extension. This position will provide executive and policy leadership for oversight of College forests and will guide and support Extension and outreach efforts. Applications should be received by September 18, 2020. Find additional information here


Southern Regional Extension Forestry | www.sref.info | lboby@sref.info