Forest Firefighters Help To Clean Up After Sandy
Brooklyn, N.Y.-The Breckenridge Interagency Hotshot Crew out of southern California worked in Brooklyn to remove downed trees. A fire crew from Montana worked in New Jersey. These are only a couple of examples of crews from a number of states that have been working in the East on storm recovery. Sawyering skills needed after a storm are similar to those used when fighting forest fires.
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Forest Service Supporting Recovery From Hurricane Sandy
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa.--The Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry is providing incident management support from its headquarters office following Hurricane Sandy. The Tropical Storm Sandy Management Team, headed by Bob Hartlove, Fire and Emergency Operations and Emergency Support Function 4 Coordinator, started operating October 26. The team is providing command, control, and communications expertise; and is working with other Forest Service, U.S. Department of the Interior, and State responders who comprise 10 incident management teams. The team total more than 1,100 people, including 950 Forest Service employees.
"We're working to make sure we use what resources we have in the best way possible to make recovery easier for all," said Hartlove.
Incident management teams apply their skills in organization and planning, and assist with logistical needs of affected communities. Under the National Response Framework, the Forest Service coordinates firefighting assets to respond to hurricane and emergency incidents.
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Capitol Christmas Tree on Its Way to Washington
MEEKER, Colo.--This year's Capitol Christmas Tree is coming from the White River National Forest. Before it was harvested on November 2, Ute elders honored the tree, which grew on tribal aboriginal lands. A public  ceremony took place the next day. The tree has a 5,000-mile, 3-week journey with numerous stops, before arriving in Washington, DC, on November 26, in advance of the tree lighting on December 6. Former U.S. Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell is driving a portion of the tree's trip. Ute tribal members will provide ornaments and participate in events in Washington. Read more.
This year's Capitol tree is a 73-foot tall Engelmann spruce that has a trunk diameter of 28 inches, weighs about 9,000 pounds, and is 74 years old. (Photo courtesy of Ted Bechtol, Superintendent, Architect of the Capitol)
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Strategic Plan for Review; Comments Due November 30
Newtown Square, Pa.--The Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry (NA S&PF) is in the process of developing a strategic plan to guide our work over the next 5 years. You are invited provide your input to help us refine the draft strategies. The purpose of the strategies is to clarify the role of NA S&PF and how we work with partners, and to address national priorities and regional objectives. Click here to download a copy of the draft strategies for review and to provide your input on line. Please submit your comments by November 30, 2012. If you have questions, contact Sherri Wormstead at swormstead@fs.fed.us or 603-868-7737.
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State and Private Forestry Hosts Urban Water Partnership
WASHINGTON--The Forest Service hosted a reception for the Urban Waters Federal Partnership at USDA's Whitten Patio in Washington, DC, on October 24. This partnership will reconnect urban communities, particularly those that are overburdened or economically distressed, with their waterways, as a way to improve them and to promote their economic, environmental, and social benefits. Under Secretary Harris Sherman was the featured speaker at this event, which was also supported by the Wildlife Conservation Society.
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Forest Service Office Honored for Bicycle Friendliness
DURHAM, N.H.--The Northern Research Station (NRS) and Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry (NA S&PF) joint office in Durham, NH, is one of 71 businesses that were recently recognized as bicycle-friendly businesses by the League of American Bicyclists. Bob Smith of NRS and Bob Fitzhenry and Tom Luther of NA S&PF spearheaded the effort. This round of awards pushes the total number of bicycle-friendly businesses to nearly 500 in 42 States and the District of Columbia. Bicycle-friendly businesses attract, reward and retain staff who are healthier and happier, and more productive, driven, and passionate about the work they do and the communities where they live. The League of American Bicyclists promotes bicycling for fun, fitness and transportation, and works through advocacy and education for a bicycle-friendly America.
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Illinois Invasive Species Team Receives International Award
ST. PAUL, Minn.--The Southern Illinois Invasive Species Strike Team received the 2012 Carl N. Becker Stewardship Award at the 39th conference of the Natural Areas Association (NAA), in Norfolk, VA, in October. This international award is presented to individuals and groups who have contributed to natural areas stewardship by developing and implementing new or innovative approaches to a natural areas conservation issue. The strike team's approach has become widely recognized as a model that allows for cross boundary control of invasive species using good data, high tech approaches, partnerships, and the principles of detection and rapid response to new invaders. A collaborative effort, the strike team exists through a unique partnership of government agencies and private organizations that has proven critical to the success of the program. Key individuals and organizations include Jody Shimp with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR), Division of Natural Heritage, Deanna Zercher and Karen Tharp with The Nature Conservancy, and Chris Evans formerly of the River to River Cooperative Weed Management Area. The Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, has provided financial and technical assistance through their competitive grant program. Carl N. Becker was the first Chief of the Illinois Division of Natural Heritage and former president of NAA.
(From left) Summer intern Nick Seaton, Bruce Henry of The Nature Conservancy and current strike team member, Chris Evans of the River to River Cooperative Weed Management Area and IDNR Invasive Species Coordinator, Karen Tharp of The Nature Conservancy, and President Lisa Smith of the Natural Areas Association. (Photo: Allison Cisneros, The Nature Conservancy)
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Behind the Forest Service Shield
Bill Oldland
For Bill Oldland, a native of Morgantown, WV, coming to work for the Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry (NA S&PF) was literally coming home. Bill came to NA S&PF in 2004. Read more.
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USDA Energy Web Site Updated and Enhanced
WASHINGTON--USDA launched an updated version of its Energy Web site on November 7. Thanks to suggestions from users the version 2.0 site will provide new resources. New reporting features and investment data are current through August 2012.
In January 2012, USDA first launched the Energy Web site. The site contains agricultural, economic, and social data on renewable energy to assist stakeholders, public users, state and local government in identifying opportunities, activities and USDA's projects in renewable energy. The Energy Web information is available through several associated online tools, such as USDA Energy Investment Maps, the Renewable Energy Tool, Energy Matrix, Investment Projects Reports, as well as helpful state links to energy resources within individual states. Ongoing comments and suggestions on the Web site are welcome.
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Innovative Planting Technology To Be Celebrated in Wilmington
WILMINGTON, Del.--A dedication ceremony will be held in Rodney Square on November 27 at 12:00 noon to celebrate the completion of a major landscape improvement project for Wilmington's premiere green space. Hosted by the Delaware Center for Horticulture (TheDCH), the City of Wilmington, and the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT), the free event is open to the public and will be held rain or shine.
The Square's once-stately trees had been declining due to inadequate room for their roots and compaction of the soil by the pavement above. TheDCH led the effort to install milk-crate-like underground structures that can support sidewalks and hold a high volume of quality soil. A trial of the structural cells was funded by and conducted at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA. In preparation for transplanting, Longwood Gardens has been caring for Rodney Square's new shade trees for several years. Other important renovations at Rodney Square include the sidewalk, curbs, ramps, crosswalks, and lighting fixtures; and mitigating stormwater runoff.
"This project has inspired broad-based community support," said Pam Sapko, Executive Director of TheDCH. The bulk of the project's cost was provided through Federal Transportation Enhancement funds.
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