NATURE

The plight of bees is stoking debate about restricting pesticides. It turns out that changes in forest canopy cover affects bees. Scientists show us that birds are multi-lingual and that fruit can be super-sized. The Great Green Wall of China is an appropriately massive endeavor. A black widow bite in Vermont and good news about loons in New York. An ironic finding: the development of human intelligence is linked to a memory disorder. And floating earth art defies gravity...very cool.

INDUSTRY

Biodegradable computer chips come out of the forest lab. Deer are taking their toll on the forests of western New York. Working lands grants are made in Vermont, where a forest and wood products industry event will be held in June. An assessment of biomass operations in New Hampshire. A national park in Maine? New Hampshire loggers who swear by a shiny skidder. And a logging accident in Vermont proves cell phones can serve a useful purpose.

STORIES YOU'VE SHARED

Vermont's Forest Pest First Detector Program will provide a free training on June 13 in Montpelier. For volunteers interested in scouting for three invasive insects - the Asian longhorned beetle, emerald ash borer, and hemlock woolly adelgid - in their communities. Early detection of these invasive pests will help minimize economic and ecological damage to forests and may prevent populations from becoming established in the state. Click here to learn more. If you have questions or wish to register, contact Gwen Kozlowski via email or 802-656-6646, by June 9.

New Hampshire Fish and Game is updating the New Hampshire Wildlife Action Plan, which guides efforts to protect wildlife species and manage habitats. Members of the public are being invited to share their concerns about wildlife and ideas for action by taking an online survey. The deadline to do so is May 29, so don't delay!

One hundred years ago, Vermont state legislators gave towns the ability to buy forestland to provide marketable timber, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities for their residents. Today, 168 of 255 towns have a town forest, totaling more than 67,000 acres statewide. To mark the centennial of the town forest legislation, a Vermont town forest and conservation summit will be held on November 7, 2015 in Middlebury, Vermont. One of the goals will be to look ahead to the role of town forests in the next 100 years. For more details on the event, email Katherine Forrer.