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Landscape Scale Conservation in the Northeast and Midwest
 On July 15, the Northern Research Station, Region 9, Forest Products Laboratory, Northeastern Area Association of State Foresters, and the Northeastern Area signed an updated agreement to work together in new and better ways.
This agreement, Landscape Scale Conservation in the Northeast and Midwest, describes the foundations of collaboration that will guide our work into the future.
Each of our units can address and uniquely contribute to Landscape Scale Conservation through our mission, authorities, and individual strengths. Using this document as our guide, we can increase the value of our collaborative work and the opportunities for synergy and innovation.
Thanks again to all of you for your continued commitment to working with Research, the National Forest System, and State Foresters to deliver our programs in the most successful way possible. You can view Landscape Scale Conservation in the Northeast and Midwest here.
Sincerely,
Tony L. Ferguson
Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry
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Landscape Scale Restoration Competitive Request for Proposals
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa.--The landscape scale competitive process is a significant way that the Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry is helping State Forestry agencies achieve priorities in their state forest action plans, while meeting regional and national priorities of the U.S. Forest Service. Organizations interested in working on priority issues should familiarize themselves with their State forest action plan(s), and consult with their State Forester(s) or appropriate staff on proposal development. The deadline for applications to be submitted to State foresters is September 15, 2014. Learn more on our Web site.
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U.S. Forest Service Awards $14 Million for Working Forests
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The Groton-Marshfield cliffs are included in the Groton Forest Legacy Initiative, which will protect managed forestland, rare species, streams, and undeveloped lake and pond frontage in Vermont. (Photo: Vermont Land Trust)
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WASHINGTON--Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the U.S. Forest Service will award more than $14 million in funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund to seven Forest Legacy Program projects aimed at protecting over 28,000 acres of working forests. Two of the projects are in Vermont. Read the news release with project descriptions on the Forest Service Web site.
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NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa--The U.S. Forest Service wants to prove the immediate, measurable effects of tree loss on human health. Several studies have suggested that tree-filled settings can reduce stress or boost mental health. Now, new research is going further: Late last month, a study published in the journal Environmental Pollution suggested trees prevent 850 deaths a year and save billions in health care costs. And that isn't even the starkest link the U.S. Forest Service has made between trees and human health. Watch the video on Slate.com.
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Are Wildfires More Severe?
WASHINGTON--Right on the heels of California's declaring a state of emergency over wildfires, the Obama Administration released a video linking the blazes to climate change. In it, White House science adviser John Holdren explains how global warming brings higher temperatures and reduces moisture in the soil, thus increasing the odds wildfires will occur as well as their intensity when they do occur. Watch the video on the White House Web site.
On the other hand, three papers recently published by three separate institutions in the West make the case that forest fires today burn less than in the past. The timeframe you choose to look at makes the difference. In recent decades there is a notable rise in acres burned, but in historical times of the early settlers fires burned more. Read the article on KUOW News and Information Web site.
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White Pine Needle Disease Generates Concern
AUGUSTA, Maine--Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry officials have received numerous calls recently regarding the extensive early "casting" of white pine needles. Callers have stressed that the white pine crowns of affected trees have turned from the dull winter green to a yellow-straw color and then quickly to tan and brown. Heavy rains resulted in the near complete removal of the affected needles from the trees, leaving crowns appearing thin. With many trees now having only the current-season needles left to photosynthesize, concerns have been raised prompting this informational bulletin from the Department.
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At-Risk Trees Tagged in Public Places
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Visitors to several popular parks and recreation areas in Rhode Island will find bright orange tags hanging on maple trees.
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PROVIDENCE, R.I.--Staff from the Department of Environmental Management's Division of Agriculture tagged several trees in selected parks as part of a public outreach effort to raise awareness of the risk of invasive forest pests. Tree species being tagged are those at risk of being infested by Asian longhorned beetle or emerald ash borer. Read the news release on the Department of Environmental Management's Web site.
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Emerald Ash Borer--No Safe Time to Move Firewood
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People can unknowingly spread emerald ash borer larvae by moving ash firewood. (Photo: Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources - Forestry Archive, Bugwood.org)
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The emerald ash borer was recently found in two counties in Iowa. Read more about these finds in Henry and Muscatine Counties on the State's Department of Natural Resources Web Site. Finding a larvae in in July shows that there is no safe time to move firewood, which is the quickest way to start a new infestation. In Connecticut the insect infestation has expanded from one to five counties of the State's eight counties. The movement of firewood into and within the State is regulated. Read more on the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's Web site.
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Final Phase Completed in Forest Legacy-Funded Project
DURHAM, N.H.--The State of New Hampshire, in partnership with Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, Plum Creek, and The Trust for Public Land, acquired a conservation easement on 12,603 acres in Coos County, New Hampshire. This final phase in the Androscoggin Headwaters project promotes a diverse economic base for recreation, tourism, and forest products for the community, and creates a resilient ecological base for fisheries and wildlife. The Forest Legacy Program is a partnership between States and the Forest Service to identify and protect important forest lands threatened by conversion to nonforest uses.
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Fire Career and Education Resources Online
Fire Science Online recently launched a Forestry career and education guidebook. Their Forestry guide features career and employment information, internship listings, scholarships, instructor information, and a degree search tool. Accurate and actionable information for the forestry fields can be difficult to find. All guides from Fire Science Online are no-cost. Access the Forestry guide online. Fire Science Online also recently launched a unique New Hampshire guide. Access the New Hampshire guide online.
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Deputy Under Secretary Tours Pennsylvania and New Jersey Sites
NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa.--The Northern Research Station, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, and the Alliance for Community Trees hosted an urban forestry field tour for USDA Deputy Under Secretary Butch Blazer on July 17-18. Innovative USDA-supported partnerships with community organizations championing youth engagement, tree planting and stewardship, urban farming, citizen monitoring, and greening of contaminated sites were highlighted at the Philadelphia, PA, and Camden, NJ, tour sites.
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Happy Birthday, Smokey Bear!
 Smokey Bear's friends from the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR), U.S. Forest Service, Northeast Forest Fire Compact, and Boston Fire Department, joined the Red Sox mascot at Fenway Park to wish Smokey a happy 70th. (Photo: Jack Eertonassi, Massachusetts DCR). In New York City, the "Today" show crowd joined in the celebration when Smokey stopped by to remind everyone to help prevent wildfires. Watch clips of his visit on YouTube.
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Forest Service Provides Expertise at National 4-H Invitational
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Teams of 4-H foresters aged 14-19 from around the country came to Jackson's Mill State 4-H Camp in West Virginia, July 27-31, to compete. (Photo: David Jackson, Penn State Extension)
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WESTON, W.V.--Entomologist Rick Turcotte with the Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry served as subject matter expert in forest insects and diseases at the 35th National 4-H Forestry Invitational. The Alabama 4-H team placed first among teams from12 states, the New York team placed second, and Georgia placed third. The competition tests students' knowledge in tree identification, tree measurement, compass and pacing, insect and disease identification, topographic map use, forest evaluation, the forestry bowl, and a written forestry exam.
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Please Welcome New Employee
Ray Ciancaglini
 Ray Ciancaglini (pronounced "ching-a-lini") has joined the Business and Grants Management Group as a management and program analyst. Stationed in the headquarters office in Newtown Square, PA, he supports grants administered through the Morgantown, WV, field office for the six Mid-Atlantic States and Washington, DC.
Read full article.
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Find Fresh Produce and Support Local Farmers
 WASHINGTON--Find a farmers market near you in USDA's National Farmers Market Directory on the Agricultural Marketing Service's Web site. (Photo: www.flickr.com/)
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Forty-Eight Schools Receive Green Ribbon School Awards
WASHINGTON--This year the U.S. Department of Education (USED) Green Ribbon Schools award went to 48 schools, for their exemplary efforts to reduce environmental impacts and costs, promote better health of students and staff, and ensure effective sustainablility education. In addition, nine districts were honored with the District Sustainability Award. Of the award winners, nine schools and one district were also participants in Project Learning Tree's GreenSchools program, which is funded in part by the U.S. Forest Service.
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Public Lands Partnership Academy, September 15 - 19, 2014
Back by popular demand, this weeklong online blended learning academy offers partnership competency building skills and understanding for agency staff and nonprofit leadership. Presenters will engage participants in learning how to align and leverage resources, while collaborating with partners in working towards shared visions. Special rates are available for groups of five or more. Get more information and register online. Contact Chuck Benjamin or Amy Matthews at the Association of Partners for Public Lands.
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"Green" Schools National Conference
MADISON, Wisc.--The Fifth Annual Green Schools National Conference will be held March 4-7, 2015, in Virginia Beach, VA. This conference brings together experts and stakeholders to influence sustainability throughout K-12 schools and school districts. The Green Schools National Network has created a "culture of collaboration," as a result of year-round networking and partnerships, and through an annual national conference. Get more information and register at the conference Web site. Early bird rates are available through October 31.
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