Marsh shoreline along Eastern Shore of Virginia National Wildlife Refuge (Photo: Courtesy Chesapeake Bay Program)

ANNAPOLIS, Md.--A new agreement by the Chesapeake Bay Commission, the District of Columbia, and the six States in the Bay watershed-Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia-has 10 goals built into it and milestones towards a target date of 2025, to improve the health of the largest estuary in the country.  See the list of goals and access the full agreement on the Chesapeake Bay Program Web site.

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WASHINGTON, June 9, 2014 -- The U.S. Department of Agriculture today released information showing how limited Federal firefighting budgets have impacted States over the last two fiscal years (FY 2012 and 2013).  The state-by-state report provides examples of how funding for local wildfire preparedness, forest restoration, and other activities in nearly every state across the country has been used to instead fight fires when wildfire suppression budgets did not fully cover firefighting costs.  View the full report on the USDA Forest Service Web site.

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Winter moth larva on oak (Photo: Milan Zubrik, Forest Research Institute - Slovakia, Bugwood.org)

DURHAM, N.H.--A recently-published study in Massachusetts revealed winter moth defoliation severely impacts the growth of certain oak species.

The study examined the potential impacts of winter moth defoliation on three tree species, red and black oaks, along with red maples in eastern Massachusetts. Scientists closely studied trees in the Hanson, Hingham, Wellesley, Wenham and West Bridgewater communities.

Winter moth defoliation of affected trees reduced growth of red and black oaks by up to 47 percent. Interestingly, the study found no harmful impacts of the same winter moth defoliation on red maple. Read the full news release on the NA S&PF Web site.

DURHAM, N.H.--Scientists have determined the emerald ash borer's origin and early spread in North America.

They studied tree rings to reconstruct when and where the ash-killing invasive insect first arrived and how rapidly its population spread thereafter.

U.S. Forest Service and Michigan State University scientists analyzed samples collected from EAB-killed ash, revealing a progression of dying trees in southeast Michigan dating as far back as 1997.

Read the full news release on the NA S&PF Web site.

DURHAM, N.H.--The New Hampshire Educational GIS Partnership won a Special Achievement in GIS (SAG) award for professional development workshops!  Recipients of the award are submitted by Esri staff from thousands of organizations worldwide, then personally reviewed and selected by Jack Dangermond.  Information about the 2014 award will be posted on the ESRI Web site at the end of the month.

Rebecca Lilja of the Durham, NH, field office of the Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry built the ArcGIS online maps and editable feature services the students are using. A YouTube video gives a snapshot of the workshops.  Visit the New Hampshire Educational GIS Partnership Web site.

Black River Harbor, Ottawa National Forest (Photo: USDA Forest Service)

IRONWOOD, Mich.--The Ottawa National Forest's Black River Scenic Byway was identified as one of the 10 Best Bucket-List Road Trips in a recent USA Today article. The area was highlighted for having road trip magic with thick forests and waterfalls and expansive Lake Superior vistas. The byway leads to the Forest's Black River Harbor, one of only two harbors within the National Forest System. Read the USA Today article. 

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WASHINGTON--Join other woodland owners for educational sessions on a range of topics, a field day, and optional tours, July 17-19, Pittsburgh, PA. Fee: $360. You can contact the American Tree Farm System at (202) 765-3660. Visit the Convention Web page.

A brief video introduces users to the Eco-Health Browser. (Source: http//enviroatlas.epa.gov/)

WASHINGTON--EnviroAtlas on the EPA's Web site is designed to help communities and researchers make informed policy and planning decisions related to the environment and ecosystems. EnviroAtlas includes over 300 data layers, letting you analyze how decisions affect ecosystems and their ability to provide benefits (often referred to as ecosystem services). Key components of EnviroAtlas include a multi-scaled Interactive Map,  The Eco-Health Relationship Browser, Ecosystem services information, GIS and analysis tools, and written resources. 

A young, migrating red-tailed hawk used an urban parking lot as a pitstop, stopping just long enough to get a squirrel snack and a shady rest. (Photo: William Medina)

JACKSON, Miss.--The Envirothon Web site has information on the urban forestry issue.   Missouri will host the 2015 Envirothon. Canada will host in 2016 and Maryland in 2017. As of April 1, 2014, Envirothon is part of the National Conservation Foundation, which is working to secure funding as a public 501(c)3 organization. In the past most of the funding came from Canon. Several regional competitions are being held this year in place of the North American Competition that was cancelled.

WASHINGTON--The U.S. Forest Service published a Federal Register Notice on Wednesday, June 18^th, seeking public comment on a proposal that would help standardize where and when over-snow vehicles, such as snowmobiles, are used on national forests and grasslands. The notice will amend the existing Travel Management Rule to establish consistent guidance for how forest and grassland managers decide the appropriate use for over-snow vehicles.

View the proposed rule on the Federal Register Web site.