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State & Private Forestry News
February 25, 2013
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Four of the Best Urban Forests Are in Our Neck of the Woods
WASHINGTON--The conservation organization American Forests worked with urban forestry experts to identify the 10 best urban forests from the 50 most populous U.S. cities, in a project funded by the U.S. Forest Service. Included in the top 10 are Milwaukee, Minneapolis, New York, and Washington, DC. The top ranked cities have invested in their urban forest over the long term and have the active participation of the community and nonprofit organizations in caring for their natural resources. U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell said urban forests bring nature to the more than 80 percent of Americans who live in cities and towns, and the winning cities provide a model for others to follow. This project calls attention to the economic, esthetic, social, and physical well-being that these urban forests provide.
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Decoys Could Blunt Spread of Ash-Killing Beetles
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.--As the emerald ash borer ravages North American ash trees, threatening the trees' very survival, a team of entomologists and engineers may have found a way to prevent the spread of the pests. Read more. Decoys like the one on the right could blunt the spread of the ash-killing emerald ash borer shown on the left. (Photos: Left, Michael J. Domingue; right, Drew P. Pulsifer, Penn State) |
New Associate Deputy Chief in State and Private Forestry
WASHINGTON--Paul Ries became Associate Deputy Chief in State and Private Forestry (S&PF) of the U.S. Forest Service in December. Ries has served as the Director for Cooperative Forestry with responsibility for the Forest Service Landowner Assistance Programs (Forest Stewardship, Forest Legacy, and Community Forest Open Space), the Urban and Community Forestry Program, as well as a staff group working with Ecosystem Services and Markets. Home |
New Regional Forester, Forest Service Eastern Region
WASHINGTON--Kathleen Atkinson is the new Regional Forester, Eastern Region (Region 9). Atkinson was the Associate Deputy Chief for Business Operations for the Forest Service in Washington, DC, a position she held since June 2011. Prior to this she was Director of Strategic Planning, Budget and Accountability for the agency.
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Acting Assistant Director for Fire and Aviation, NA S&PF
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa.--Dan Zimmerman has accepted a 120-day temporary promotion to the position of Fire and Aviation Director (Assistant Director), for Fire Management in the Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry (NA S&PF) headquarters in Newtown Square, PA. Zimmerman has been serving as the Area Aviation Officer and Area Aviation Safety Manager.
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New Members Appointed to Forest Resource Coordinating Committee
WASHINGTON--Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently appointed eight new members to the Forest Resource Coordinating Committee, which provides advice on private forestry and USDA's programs that assist landowners in managing their forests to protect, conserve, and enhance the values they produce.
The appointed members are:
- Leda Chahim, Washington, representing conservation organizations
- Anthony Delfin, New Mexico, representing state foresters
- Daniel Forster, Georgia, representing state fish and wildlife agencies
- Allan Murray, Wisconsin, representing tribes
- Tammie Perreault, Washington, representing non-industrial private forest landowners
- Bettina Ring, Virginia, representing conservation organizations
- Steven Sinclair, Vermont, representing state foresters
- Bonnie Stine, Florida, representing USDA-authorized state technical committees
The new members join eight previously selected members and the heads of four USDA agencies--Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Farm Service Agency, and National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
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White Mountain National Forest on Newest U.S. Quarter
WASHINGTON--The White Mountain National Forest in New Hampshire is honored on an America the Beautiful Quarter released recently by the U.S. Mint. Read more
The coin depicts Mount Chocorua. The nearly 3,500-foot peak, which is surrounded by pristine lakes and thick forestland, provides outstanding views from its summit and is a perennial favorite with hikers.
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Forest Service Seeks Input on Planning Rule Directives
WASHINGTON--The U.S. Forest Service has released and is seeking public comment on the proposed 2012 Planning Rule Directives, the key set of agency guidance documents that will direct implementation of the 2012 Planning Rule for land management planning for the National Forest System. Publication of a notice in the Federal Register will begin the official 60-day comment period. Click here for a copy of the proposed directives, along with background information, or at any regional Forest Service office, or by calling (202) 205-1449.
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International Day of Forests, March 21, 2013
ROME--The United Nations General Assembly A/RES/67/200 has proclaimed 21 March the International Day of Forests (IDF). The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is supporting the IDF. A Web site dedicated to the IDF will become fully operational during February. The site will offer various products for download, including the IDF logo, web banner, and poster templates, a 1-minute video spot available in the six official languages of FAO and in high resolution for broadcasting, and other communication products. The site will offer an online platform for uploading information about any national action related to the celebration of the IDF. Through this service the FAO expects to have a good presentation of relevant events from all over the world. They encourage you to promote tree planting on this day and offer a special online platform for uploading photos illustrating local tree planting activities. The hope is that visitors to the Web site will be able to embark on a virtual tour of the world's forests. For further detail contact Maria De Cristofaro.
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Behind the Forest Service Shield--Patty Dougherty...
It's All About Family
The Dougherty family enjoys a happy moment together, celebrating Matthew's swearing-in as a police officer, last September. Pictured left to right: Patty, her husband John, and their children Matthew, John, and Staci. (Photo: Alex Halstead, a nephew of Patty and John)
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New Forest Service Publications
Wood Utilization Options for Urban Trees Infested by Invasive Species--This manual provides guidance on how best to use the dead and dying trees infested by invasive insects in the eastern United States. The free publication developed by the U.S. Forest Service's Forest Products Laboratory and the University of Minnesota Duluth offers insight into the wide variety of products and markets that are available.
Forests of the Northern United States--This publication provides a broad overview of forests in the 20-State region that is bounded by Maine, Maryland, Missouri, and Minnesota. It is accompanied by a Web site that describes current resource conditions, unique forest characteristics, and the challenges faced by this tier of States. The report also highlights the complexities facing those making today's forest management, policy, and investment decisions that will prepare and shape the region for a sustainable future.
Recreation and Protected Land Resources in the United States--This report describes the use of natural and developed land as recreation resources, with an emphasis on nature-based recreation. It also describes land protection through conservation organizations and public funding programs, with an emphasis on protecting private land through funding for purchase or for conservation easements.
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News From the Wood Education and Resource Center (WERC)
Long-Lived Wood Products: Carbon and Competitive Advantages for Hardwood Mills--The University of Kentucky's Department of Forestry recently completed a project to help hardwood sawmills determine the feasibility of increasing revenues by selling carbon credits tied to their role in producing long-lived wood products that store carbon. With the collapse of the Chicago Climate Exchange, no carbon market currently exists. Hardwood sawmills can use an Excel spreadsheet created by this project to estimate probable gross and net revenues from the sawmill's potential participation in future carbon markets. View the final report. The project also helped to develop the Center for Forest and Wood Certification. For further details contact Jeff Stringer or call 859-257-5994.
Toolkit for Incentivizing Renewable, Residential Heat--After completing this project a little over a year ago, the Alliance for Green Heat organized the Next Generation Wood Stove Design Challenge. This international competition is focused on designing and building the cleanest, most efficient, and most affordable "next generation" wood stove. View the results of the WERC-funded project including the State Residential Biomass Report Card. For additional information contact John Ackerly or call 301-841-7755.
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Chesapeake Bay Forest Restoration Strategy Airs on "Federal Drive"
ANNAPOLIS, Md.--For decades the Chesapeake Bay has been a victim of pollution. As the nation's largest estuary, the health of the Chesapeake has regional implications. On Jan. 24, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry Urban and Community Forestry team leader Sally Claggett participated in a live interview on Federal News Radio's "Federal Drive" program regarding the Chesapeake Bay Forest Restoration Strategy.
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Upcoming Events
Webinar on All Lands Approach to Ecosystem Services: Water Focus--On Wednesday, February 27, 2013, 2:00-3:30 pm, Eastern Time, Emily Weidner will discuss the Forest Service's Ecosystem Services Program; Claire Harper will discuss the Denver Water Partnership in Colorado; and Bob Deal will discuss the Willamette Partnership in the Pacific Northwest. This will be #11 in The Planning for Growth and Open Space Conservation series sponsored by the National Open Space Conservation Group of the USDA Forest Service and Clemson University. SAF or ISA Continuing Forestry Education (CFE) credits are available for this webinar. AICP CM credits have been requested. Please register in advance. Contact Sara Comas with comments, special accommodations, or to be added to the mailing list. Get more information or view past presentations.
Sixth Annual International Biomass Conference and Expo--During April 8-10, 2013, North America's largest and fastest growing biomass conference will take place in Minneapolis, MN. The agenda--featuring four comprehensive tracks--is tightly focused on leading-edge developments in the biomass industry, from cultivation, harvest and storage to conversion technology, project finance and regulatory guidance. Visit the conference Web site.
Project Learning Tree International Coordinators' Conference--April 29-May 2, 2013, Point Clear, AL. The early bird deadline to register for the conference is February 28. Register for the conference. If you have any questions, after reading the conference materials, contact Kyle Cooper (202-463-2475) or Rachel Bayer (202-463-2751).
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