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 State & Private Forestry NewsMarch 21, 2013
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New Jersey Finally Free of Asian Longhorned Beetle
 Linden, N.J.--Federal and state agriculture officials delivered some welcome news for New Jersey residents in the state's long running battle against the Asian longhorned beetle (ALB).
"After more than a decade, we can declare New Jersey is free of this invasive pest," said New Jersey Secretary of Agriculture Douglas Fisher. "We could not have accomplished this eradication without this coalition of federal, state, and local agencies, and of course, the citizens of New Jersey, whose vigilance was critical in this fight." Read more.
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March 22 Is World Water Day!
Paris--Sponsored by the United Nations, International World Water Day is held annually on March 22 to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and to promote sustainable management of freshwater resources. This year's theme is cooperation around water. Read more.
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National Groundwater Awareness Week
Westerville, Ohio--March 10-16 marked the annual observance of Groundwater Awareness Week. Groundwater is our nation's and the world's most abundant freshwater supply. All people by their living habits can protect or harm groundwater. The first step toward protecting groundwater is to become aware of how it can be contaminated. The second step is to do your part to protect it. Learn what you can do.
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WikiWatershed Interactive Toolkit Sustainable Operations Tip
by Sally Claggett
Annapolis, Md.--Past Sustainable Operations tips on water have focused on water conservation (water quantity issues) for a good reason--less than 1 percent of the water on the earth's surface is fresh. And freshwater use has tripled over the last 50 years: demand for freshwater is increasing by 2,500 gallons per person per year worldwide! The main reasons for this increase are changes in lifestyles and eating habits, the increased production of biofuels, and accelerating energy demands.
In addition to this demand for more water is the all-important water quality issue! So, besides conservation techniques from past tips, what else can you do to lessen your impact on the stressed freshwater resource? A new and useful source of information for your local watershed is WikiWatershed. More than a map, it's an interactive toolbox that incorporates social media. Read more.
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Reardon Receives Invasive Species Lifetime Achievement Award
Washington--Richard C. (Dick) Reardon, Program
Manager, Biocontrol and Biopesticides Program, Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team, USDA Forest Service, has been recognized by the National Invasive Species Council for achievements over the course of his career. Probably no one else has had a greater effect on the management of gypsy moth in North America.
Read more. 
Thanks to Reardon's efforts over 20 years, private industry now handles the labor intensive process that produces Gypchek for use by the cooperative suppression program.
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Please Welcome Marc DiGirolomo
Durham, N.H.--Marc DiGirolomo is the new biological  technician for Forest Health Protection in the Durham field office of the Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry. Before the Forest Service, he worked for the State of New Hampshire as a forestry and forest health technician, and then for the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, where he spent over 3 years on the Asian Longhorned Beetle Eradication Program in Worcester, MA. He studied at the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry in Syracuse, NY., where he obtained degrees in forest technology, forest resource management, and entomology. Marc's professional interests include the broad spectrum of forest insects, with particular interest in wood boring beetle ecology and management. In his free time, Marc enjoys backpacking, fly fishing, playing bluegrass, and travelling with his wife, Rebecca. Please drop him a line and say hello! mfdigirolomo@fs.fed.us; 271 Mast Road, Durham, NH 03824; phone 603-868-7738.
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Forestry Research Advisory Council Seeking Nominations
Washington--The Forestry Research Advisory Council, a committee that advises the Secretary of Agriculture, is seeking nominations for new members. A total of 10 current and upcoming vacancies will be open in the following categories: forestry schools--2; State and Federal agencies--4; forest industries--2; voluntary organizations--2. Nominations are requested by April 29, 2013. The Federal Register announcement includes a link to the nomination form.
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Hemlock Conservation Strategy in the Making
Clarion, Pa.--The Allegheny National Forest, with a grant from the Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry (NA S&PF) and in cooperation with The Nature Conservancy, has begun developing a landscape-scale conservation strategy for hemlock throughout the Allegheny Plateau in northwestern Pennsylvania and western New York. Eastern hemlock, which provides ecosystem functions and services in important areas such as riparian zones, is threatened by the potential introduction of hemlock woolly adelgid. The closest known infestation was discovered about 30 miles east of the Allegheny National Forest. Development of the strategy will involve prioritizing hemlock stands based on their conservation value and evaluating suitability of priority stands for potential treatment, including biological control.
Hemlock woolly adelgid. Rick Turcotte from NA S&PF's Morgantown Field Office gave a presentation on the lifecycle of hemlock woolly adelgid at a February workshop at Clarion University for potential stakeholders in the hemlock conservation strategy. (Photo: Robert L. Anderson, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org)
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Forest Legacy Projects Completed This Fiscal Year
Durham, N.H.--The three Forest Legacy Program projects that have been completed so far this fiscal year are summarized below. Get more information.
Chippewa Flowage Forest in Michigan--Combined with Phase 1, the entire project protects more than 18,000 acres of productively managed hardwood and pine forests. Property is critical to forest connectivity in the area, where it is surrounded by nearly 1 million acres of forested and natural lands.
West Grand Lake Protected in Downeast Maine--The conserved lands protect an entire landscape surrounding the village of Grand Lake Stream, home of one of the highest concentrations of sporting guides in Maine. The lands add to a 1.4 million-acre contiguous block of conserved land stretching across eastern Maine and Canada.
Michigan Protects Over 2 Miles of Lake Superior Shoreline Forest-The project protects habitat for State and Federal endangered species; several game and nongame species; and public access for hunting, fishing, trapping, hiking, bird watching, kayaking, canoeing and other outdoor recreational opportunities. The project is adjacent to a portion of the 247,803-acre Northern Great Lakes Forest conservation easement.
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Upcoming Events
National Environmental Justice Conference and Training--It's time to register for the 2013 National Environmental Justice Conference and Training Program, April 3-5 at the Howard University School of Law in Washington, DC. This year's theme is "Enhancing Community Capacity through Technical Assistance." The Forest Service is a sponsor. Call Pat Jackman, Civil Rights, Equal Opportunity Manager, 202-205-0989 with questions.
Great American Backyard Campout--The National Wildlife Federation has announced the 9th Annual Great American Backyard Campout for June 22 (or pick a night that works for you). It doesn't matter whether you camp in your own backyard, with neighbors, in a local park, or campground-what matters is that you and your family get outside and enjoy the wonders of nature. Register for free.
National Tree Farmer Convention--This year's National Tree Farmer Convention will be held July 25-27 in Minneapolis. Join tree farmers, landowners, industry professionals, and partners in the quest to manage our forests and involve our families in ways to create healthy forests for a healthier future. General registration is open from March 16 to June 14. Get more information.
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