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Forest Restoration Strategy: Cleaner Water for Chesapeake Bay
Speaking at the ceremony, Chief Tidwell said, "The significance of this strategy is the recognition that more forests means cleaner water for the Chesapeake Bay. Further, in this watershed, enhancing urban forests is of particular importance." Sally Claggett of NA S&PF's Chesapeake Bay Watershed Forestry program looks on during the signing. (Photo: Robert Lueckel)
WASHINGTON--On December 5, the Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry (NA S&PF) held a signing ceremony with Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Director of the Chesapeake Bay Program Nick DiPasquale, State foresters, and other partners to launch the Chesapeake Bay Forest Restoration Strategy. This collaborative strategy accelerates and targets forest restoration in the bay watershed and is key in supporting a 2009 Executive Order. Over 30 Federal, State, and nongovernmental organizations contributed to the strategy, which has been endorsed by all seven State Foresters (counting the District of Columbia) whose States comprise the watershed.
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Urban Waters Restoration Program Grants
WASHINGTON--The multi-agency Urban Waters Restoration Program provides financial assistance to local partnerships for restoration with a focus on urban waters and watersheds. Approximately $1,500,000 is available. Competitive projects will focus on education and training, outdoor recreation, monitoring, storm water management or urban forest restoration. Applications are due by February 7, 2013. More information.
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Not all trees downed by Sandy make legal firewood
TRENTON, N.J.--Some towns in Union and Middlesex Counties, NJ, are in quarantine zones that were set up to prevent the spread of emerald ash borer, Asian longhorned beetle, or thousand cankers disease. In those towns, wood and woody debris from fallen trees may not be moved outside the zones and should not be used as firewood. Downed trees and debris within the zones need to go to a disposal facility. More information.
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Forest Service Mapping Sandy's Effects on Forests
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa.--The Northern Research Station's Forest Inventory and Analysis Program is working with the Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team and the Remote Sensing Applications Center to map the effects of super storm Sandy on roughly 66 million acres of forest in 17 states. Researchers have mapped at-risk forests and windspeeds recorded from Florida to Maine and will compare prestorm satellite imagery with current imagery to estimate the extent of tree loss. The tree loss map will be useful to States applying for Federal assistance related to the storm.
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The 2012 Wildfires: Causes and Aftermath
WASHINGTON--The American Meteorological Society hosted a congressional briefing on increased wildfire activity, on November 30. The Forest Service's Assistant Director for Fire and Aviation Elizabeth Reinhardt discussed ecological vulnerabilities, and the need to reduce fire hazards and the tools to use. University of Montana Regents Professor of Ecology Steve Running spoke on the importance of fires to ecosystem health and how climate change is affecting the fire season and vulnerable areas. Notes of the briefing are available on the National Fire Protection Association's Web site.
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Holiday and Christmas Tree Fire Safety
EMMITSBURG, Md.--The U.S. Fire Administration has posted information on its Web site on selecting, caring for, and disposing of your tree; on proper use of holiday lights, decorations, and candles; and on potential dangers of using turkey fryers. Key points are keeping trees watered and not leaving burning lights and candles unattended. Underwriters Laboratories has refused to certify turkey fryers. The U.S. Fire Administration Web site includes eye-opening statistics and videos showing how quickly trees and fryers can burst into flames.
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Upcoming Events
Small Flowering Trees Mini-Series, University of Delaware, begins January 9, 2013
Tallgrass Prairie and Oak Savanna Fire Science Consortium, Dubuque, IA, January 29-31, 2013
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Behind the Forest Service Shield Neal Bungard
 Neal Bungard grew up on the Colorado Front Range, where he and his father camped, hiked, and hunted in the national forests. At his high school in Loveland he was also able to enjoy the outdoors by choosing a vocational program. Neal spent his mornings studying forestry, wildlife, and natural resources, and his afternoons on the traditional high school subjects.
"I had no college aspirations," Neal says. In his senior year of high school his father's job transferred to New Hampshire, and Neal had a choice to make: stay alone in Fort Collins or move with the family and enroll in college. Having no means of supporting himself at the time, Neal chose to move. He started as a part-time student at Thompson School of Applied Science while he waited to gain resident status.
"Then it hit me," Neal explained. Read more
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State Online Nurseries Selling Trees for Spring Planting
Many State nursery programs are now selling tree seedlings online to plant in spring. Common stipulations are that the trees be planted in the State for conservation purposes, such as reforestation, watershed protection, wildlife habitat, or riparian buffers. Some nurseries specify a minimum purchase. Search online for "State tree nurseries" and specify your State to narrow the search. For example, Maryland and Delaware landowners can order seedlings until April 30, 2013, from Maryland's John S. Ayton State Forest Tree Nursery.
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Sustainable Operations Tip--Green Holiday Decorating
By Mary Dougherty-van Dam
Holiday entertaining would not be complete without a centerpiece for the dining table. The earth911 Web site has several ideas for low-waste winter centerpieces. Here are my favorites.
Seasonal vegetable carving--A step-by-step tutorial will help you to become a seasoned flower-maker in no time. Afterwards you can reuse the carved veggies in your favorite recipes.
Coffee beans and pinecones--Whole coffee beans in a shallow glass dish form the base for a simple pinecone centerpiece. The coffee beans can be still be used, and the pinecones can be added to the compost.
Twig and paper flower bouquet--Make paper flowers using tissue paper from holiday gifts, attach flowers to bare twigs you collect outdoors, and arrange the twigs in an old jar.
Happy holidays!
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