SUBSCRIBE | SREF.INFO | CONTACT

Want to see all upcoming and past events in one place? Check out the SREF event calendar here!

Urban Tree Diversity Conference 

The Urban Tree Diversity Conference (UTDC) series brings the world’s leading researchers and real-world experts together to discuss how science, practice, policy, and community engagement can be used to expand the palette of trees grown and planted in urban environments. Discussions will include the selection and improvement of urban trees, ecosystem services and the public health benefits of diverse urban forests, and the role of diversity in pest and storm resilience. Arborists, community foresters, and natural resource professionals are encouraged to attend. The conference will be held from August 2nd to 3rd in St. Petersburg, FL. Click here to learn more or to register.  

Florida Forestry Association Annual Meeting and Trade Show 

The Florida Forestry Association (FFA) Annual Meeting, a three-day conference for foresters, forest business associates, and natural resource professionals to network and celebrate the forest industry, will soon take place The state’s largest forestry trade show will be held in conjunction with the annual meeting, featuring cutting-edge equipment and service providers will offer the latest and greatest developments in today’s marketplace for forestry professionals. The conference will take place from August 30th to September 1st in Fernandina Beach, FL. Click here to register or to learn more.  

ABFFC Hosts Sassafras Moon Herbal Festival & Forest Farming Conference 

The Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmer Coalition (ABFFC) recently opened registration for the Sassafras Moon Herbal Festival & Forest Farming Conference. The Sassafras Moon Herbal Festival is a day full of free herbal classes and herbal product vendors. The Forest Farming Conference will be the following day with forest farming classes, networking, field sessions, and hands-on learning. Agroforesters, foresters, and natural resource professionals are invited to attend. The festival will be held on September 24th and the conference will be held on September 25th in Erwin, TN. Click here to register or learn more. 

UGA CASE Article Discusses New Heat.gov Website 

The University of Georgia (UGA) Climate and Agriculture in the Southeast (CASE) blog recently released an article discussing the new website, Heat.gov. This website provides resources for dealing with extreme heat. Heat.gov is a product of the National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS). The site displays the current number of people in the US that are under National Weather Service (NWS) extreme heat advisories, watches, and warnings, along with an interactive map with current and future heat tools to understand dangerous heat conditions. Click here to read the CASE article. Click here to view Heat.gov. 

FFS Offers BMPs Technical Training 

The Florida Forest Service (FFS) is hosting a one-day free technical training to educate forestry professionals, forest landowners, and landowners about Florida’s Silviculture best management practices (BMPs) for water quality and the Forestry Wildlife BMPs for State Imperiled Species. The training will be held on August 30th from 9:30 AM to 4 PM at the FFS Perry Forestry Station in Perry, FL. Pre-registration is required. Email robin.holland@FDACS.gov by August 19th to register.  

UM Extension “The Woods in Your Backyard” Online Course 

The University of Maryland (UM) Extension’s Woodland Stewardship Education program recently opened registration for the Fall session of “The Woods in Your Backyard” online course. The course will help landowners convert lawns to natural areas and enhance stewardship of existing natural areas. It provides strategies to landowners of small parcels of land (1-10 acres) that improve the stewardship of the property for personal enjoyment and environmental quality. Landowners and others interested in forestry are encouraged to register. The course will run for 10 weeks from September 6th to November 15th. Click here to learn more. Click here to register.  

UGA Warnell School Hosts Forest Herbicide Workshop 

The University of Georgia (UGA) Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources will soon host a Forest Herbicide Workshop. The course will provide detailed information on various forest herbicide applications or pine management, hardwood management, invasive plant management, herbicide adjuvants, herbicide application safety, and recent or ongoing forestry herbicide research presented by instructors with decades of experience. The workshop will off CEUs through the Society of American Foresters (SAF) and Georgia Master Timber Harvesters (GaMTH). The workshop will take place August 23-24th in Tifton, GA. All forestry professionals are encouraged to attend. Early registration ends on August 5th. Click here to register or learn more.

UGA Forestry Professor’s Paper Burning Woody Biomass Could Reduce Carbon 

Researchers at the University of Georgia’s (UGA) Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources recently released a study explaining that replacing coal in Georgia’s power plants with woody biomass could not only meet Georgia’s power needs, but reduce carbon emissions. Dr. Farhad Masum, first author of the study, found than replacing coal with another fuel source could reduce Georgia’s 7 million ton of coal emission by 43% each year. Even though more trees would need to be cut to replace coal, the research showed that this would benefit the environment by keeping carbon out of the atmosphere. Click here to read more.  

Southern Regional Extension Forestry (SREF) assists with multiple forestry-related projects, including RNGR.net. RNGR.net is the Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources website and is sponsored by the US Forest Service (USFS). This website has resources such as the National Nursery and Seed Directory which contains a comprehensive list of all native plant nurseries in the US and Canada. RNGR.net also contains the Tree Planter’s Notes dating back to 1950, which is a publication dedicated to technology transfer and research information relating to nursery production and out planting of trees, shrubs, and native plants for reforestation, conservation, and restoration. Click here to read more about the RNGR.net site. 

USFS Takes Emergency Action to Protect Giant Sequoias 

The US Forest Service (USFS) recently announced that the agency is initiating emergency fuel reduction treatments to provide for the long-term survival of giant sequoia groves against wildfire threats. Encompassing approximately 13,377 acres that will protect 12 giant sequoia groves, the emergency fuel treatments would remove surface and ladder fuels that present the greatest wildfire risk and include hand cutting of small trees, mechanical removal of trees, application of borate on green stumps, pulling duff away from the base of large giant sequoias and prescribed burning. Click here to read the full press release.  

ALA Releases Report “Can Prescribed Fires Mitigate Health Harm?” 

The American Lung Association (ALA) recently released a report titled “Can Prescribed Fires Mitigate Health Harm? A Review of Air Quality and Public Health Implications of Wildfire and Prescribed Fire”, prepared by the PSE Healthy Energy. The report looks at the current research on the potential of prescribed burning to mitigate the increasing health and air quality risks from catastrophic wildfires. The report shows that wildfire activity is predicted to increase in the decades ahead and that historical fire suppression policies are insufficient for longer-term fire management, deferring rather than preventing catastrophic wildfires. It finds that responsible expanded prescribed burn activity can be used to mitigate the negative air quality, health, and safety impacts of large-scale wildfires. Click here to read the full article.  

US Endowment for Forestry and Communities Receives Wood Innovations Grant 

The US Endowment for Forestry and Communities (the Endowment) has been awarded a $250,000 grant through the 2022 US Forest Service (USFS) Wood Innovations Grant Program. The award, matched by the Endowment, will fund a collaboration between the Endowment and Michigan State University Forest Carbon and Climate Program (MSU FCCP) to develop and deploy ForesTrust, a cost-effective blockchain network to accurately and efficiently track wood and wood fiber from forest to consumer. MSU FCP will investigate methodologies for accurately tracking stored carbon through the value chain, which will be incorporated into ForesTrust technology. Click here to read more.  

SOFOR GIS 2021 Conference Proceedings Now Available 

The Southern Forestry and Natural Resource Management (SOFOR) Geospatial Information Sciences (GIS) Conference Proceedings are now available on the conference website, along with several of the presentation videos available on YouTube. Presentations include “Navigating the Maze of GIS Tools and Solutions” and “ArcGIS Field Maps”. Proceedings include “Virtually exhausted: Experiences in hybrid conference and management during the pandemic” and “Evaluation of vegetation success on reclaimed natural gas pipelines”. Click here to read the proceedings, and click here to view the presentations.  

USDA Releases Details on Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities Second Funding Pool Submissions 

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that it has received a total of $2 billion in submissions for the second funding pool for the Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities (CSC), with offers to match $1.3 billion in non-federal dollars. This funding builds on the more than $18 billion in submissions from the first funding pool. CSC funds pilot projects that create market opportunities for commodities produced using climate-smart practices. The applicants were wide-ranging, including minority-serving institutions, tribal and underserved groups, state and local governments, and private companies. The USDA is in the process of evaluating the applications for completeness and will rank them based on the technical criteria provided in the funding opportunity. Click here to read the full press release.  

Biden-Harris Administration Announces Plans for Reforestation 

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced a strategy for how the Biden-Harris Administration will address a reforestation backlog of four million acres of national forests and plant more than one billion trees over the next decade. The reforestation strategy will serve as a framework to understand reforestation needs, develop shared priorities with partners, expand reforestation and nursery capacity, and ensure the trees planted grow to support healthy, resilient trees. Click here to read the full press release.  

Biden-Harris Administration Announces $1B in Community Wildfire Defense Grants 

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently launched a new $1 billion Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) program. This program is designed to assist at-risk communities, including Tribal communities, non-profit organizations, state forestry agencies, and Alaska Native corporations with planning for and mitigating wildfire risks. Individual grants will fund up to $250,000 to create and update community wildfire protection plans or conduct outreach and education, and up to $10 million for associated infrastructure and resilience projects. Click here to read the full press release. 

USFS RMRS Works to Make Forestry Information More Accessible by Adding Spanish Translations 

The US Forest Service (USFS) Rock Mountain Research Station (RMRS) recently released a “Science You Can Use (in 5 minutes)” article in both English and Spanish to increase accessibility across land managers. The article discusses “Building Resilience in Colorado Front Range Forests for the Future”. These forests are vulnerable to large wildfires, insect epidemics, and disease. The best-available information on the historical conditions of these forests helps develop “desired conditions” for restoration in the RMRS publication “Principles and Practices for the Restoration of Ponderosa Pine and Dry Mixed-Conifer Forests of the Colorado Front Range”, also available in English and Spanish. Click here to read the article in English, and here to read in Spanish. Click here to read the publication in English, and here to read in Spanish. 

New Impact Investing Tool Can Help Non-Profits/Foundations Connect to Donors 

Impact Finance Center (IFC) launched a game-changing tool for foundations and donors to better understand the needs of nonprofits they support and discover opportunities to provide additional, non-grant resources for greater community impact, and learn about financial innovation and impact investing. The Philanthropic Opportunity Scan (POS) provides the tool, which involves educating organization staff and grantees, surveying grantees, and providing technical assistance when needed. Click here to learn more.  

NRCS Climate Change Adaptation Plan 

The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently released a Climate Change Adaptation Plan (CCAP) that works to ensure its programs and services meet the demands of the changing agricultural landscapes. The plan evaluates seven current vulnerabilities to NRCS’s mission, operation, and infrastructure that may be affected by climate change such as increasing climate literacy strengthening partnerships and ensuring future conservation investments. Click here to read the CCAP.  

CREE Insight Summit Online Course 

The Center for Rural Enterprise Engagement (CREE) recently announced the sixth annual Insight Summit Conference. The conference will be offered as an online course with periodic live sessions for collaboration and hands-on training. Topics will include trends in social media, CREE research, building a business narrative, and establishing a new-media baseline. Natural resource and forestry entrepreneurs are encouraged to attend. Registration is now open, and the course will become available on September 14th. Click here to register or learn more.  

Landowner Liability Webinar 

The North Carolina Tree Farm Program (NCTFP) is sponsoring the Landowner Liability webinar. This webinar will focus on matters of premises liability and timber protection for forest landowners, including matters of trespass, the legal sufficiency of boundary and hazard marking, as well as disputes over boundaries and easements. This webinar will be hosted by Robert Branan, JD, Assistant Professor of Agriculture and Resource Economics at North Carolina State University (NCSU). There are CEUs offered by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) and the Georgia Master Timber Harvester – Continuing Logger Education (GaMTH CLE) program. The webinar will be held on August 31st from 1PM to 2PM EST. Click here to register.  

AAAS EPI Center, EPA OW, and White House Release Webinar Series 

The American Association for the Advancement of Science’s Center for Scientific Evidence in Public Issues (AAAS EPI Center), the US Environmental Protection Agency Office of Water (EPA OW), and the White House recently hosted a webinar in a series that highlights regional examples of green infrastructure and nature-based solutions. Speakers including Dr. Nic Kinsman of the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Amy Pickle, Director of Duke University’s State Policy Program, and others will discuss their unique, regional experiences planning and implementing green infrastructure and nature-based solutions in the Gulf Coast and Southeast region. Click here to learn more and view the webinar recordings.

Interested in more webinars on-demand? Check out the Forestry Webinar Portal! Click here to subscribe.

USFS Community Wildlife Defense Grant 

The US Forest Service (USFS) recently announced the Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) program, created by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The program will make approximately $200 million available to communities in its first year. The selected projects will either develop or revise a Community Wildfire Protection Plan (CWPP), or will implement wildlife risk reduction projects described within a CWPP. Local governments, non-profit organizations, tribes, state forestry agencies, or Alaska Native corporations may apply for a CWDG. CWDGs will support hazardous fuel reduction and community wildfire preparedness exclusively on non-federal lands. Applications are done by region; the Southern region applications are due October 7th. Click here to apply or learn more.  

USFS Research & Development Sustainability Assessment Position 

The US Forest Service (USFS) anticipates advertising a permanent position to provide national leadership for the agency’s Research & Development Forest Sustainability Assessment efforts. The position requires a degree or equivalent work experience as a Social Scientist or Economist. The position is located in Washington, DC at the USFS national headquarters, but other locations or remote work locations may be considered. The position is responsible for strategic direction and implementation of research and development activities related to the monitoring, assessment, and reporting of forest sustainability conditions across ecological, social, and economic dimensions. Click here to view the early alert notice, or to submit interest.  

NCSU Extension Associate Prescribed Fire & Fire Science 

The Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at North Carolina State University (NSCU) is seeking an effective and dynamic educator to fill the Extension Associate in Prescribed Fire and Fire Science position. This is a full-time, 12-month professional staff position within the department’s 10-person Extension Forestry team. This position is based in Raleigh, NC, but requires travel throughout NC. Duties include conducting coordination, implementation, and education and outreach components of the Southern Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability (SERPPAS) Comprehensive Strategy for Prescribed fire in the Southeast US. Applications for this position will remain open until the position has been filled. Click here to view the full job description or to apply.  

Mississippi State University Assistant Professor 

The North Mississippi Research and Extension Center (MNREC) is currently seeking an Assistant Professor to lead the Forestry Extension program based at the NMREC in Verona, Mississippi. This is a 100% Extension 12-month tenure-track faculty appointment. Duties include providing leadership to Forestry Extension programming in Northeast Mississippi and serving as a resource to County Extension Agents, developing a robust Extension program in forestry based on needs assessments and funding opportunities. A Ph.D. in Forestry is required, and a minimum of five years of Extension experience is preferred. This position has an anticipated appointment date of August 15th. Click here to view the full job description or apply.  

Mississippi State University Forest Health/Silviculture Assistant/Associate Professor 

Mississippi State University is now accepting applications for a Forest Health/Silviculture Assistant/Associate Professor in the Department of Forestry, College of Forestry Resources on Mississippi State University’s main campus in Starkville, MS. This appointment is 88% Extension and 12% Teaching. This is a tenure track position. This position participates in the department’s statewide forestry Extension and research program in the areas of silviculture and forest health. Responsibilities include planning, developing, and implementing educational programs through short courses, workshops, and field days. A Ph.D. in silviculture, forest management, or a related field is required, and all but dissertation (ABD) applicants will also be considered. Screening of applicants will begin on August 1, 2022, and will continue until a suitable applicant is found. Click here to apply or learn more. 

UGA Cooperative Extension 4-H Program Assistant 

The University of Georgia (UGA) Cooperative Extension Athens-Clarke County office is currently accepting applications for a 4-H Program Assistant. This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position located in Athens-Clarke County. The Program Assistant will perform duties necessary to assist the County Extension agent in the day-to-day conduction of the 4-H and Youth Development program. Strong organization and other soft skills, working knowledge of office practices and procedures, and the ability to use independent judgment and discretion are preferred. Click here to apply or learn more.  

NSCU Assistant Professor & Extension Specialist in Land Retention 

The Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources at North Carolina State University (NSCU) is seeking applications for a full-time 12-month, tenure-track, assistant professor position in forestry with emphasis on land retention, incentive programs, and taxation for non-industrial private forest landowners. This position is 75% extension, 15% teaching and mentoring, and 10% research. Duties include developing an innovation, a state-wide extension program, to include evaluation and accountability, and seeking external funding in support of extension-related projects. A review of applications began on July 1 and will continue until a suitable candidate has been identified. Click here to view the full job description or apply.  

USFS Research & Development Sustainability Assessment Position 

The US Forest Service (USFS) anticipates advertising a permanent position to provide national leadership for the agency’s Research & Development Forest Sustainability Assessment efforts. The position requires a degree or equivalent work experience as a Social Scientist or Economist. The position is located in Washington, DC at the USFS national headquarters, but other locations or remote work locations may be considered. The position is responsible for the strategic direction and implementation of research and development activities related to the monitoring, assessment, and reporting of forest sustainability conditions across ecological, social, and economic dimensions. Click here to view the early alert notice, or to submit interest.

Mississippi Forestry Association Executive Director 

The Mississippi Forestry Association (MFA) is now accepting applications for the Executive Director position. The Executive Director will serve as the chief staff officer of the association. The position is responsible for the operation of the headquarters, including recruiting, hiring, development, supervision, performance review, discipline, and termination of all staff and contractors. This position will also oversee the annual budgets of the MFA, the Mississippi Forest Foundation (MFF), Mississippi Tree Farm Committee (MTFC), among others. Click here to apply or to read more.  

Mississippi Forestry Association Executive Director 

The Mississippi Forestry Association (MFA) is now accepting applications for the Executive Director position. The Executive Director will serve as the chief staff officer of the association. The position is responsible for the operation of the headquarters, including recruiting, hiring, development, supervision, performance review, discipline, and termination of all staff and contractors. This position will also oversee the annual budgets of the MFA, the Mississippi Forest Foundation (MFF), Mississippi Tree Farm Committee (MTFC), among others. This position was listed on July 25th. Click here to apply or to read more.  

AFC Forest Product Economic Development Specialist 

The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) is now accepting applications for a Forest Product Economic Development Specialist. This position will be involved with various aspects of forest product economic development recruitment and marketing for the state of Alabama. The position will work for AFC, a state government agency, along with other economic development allies within the state for the purpose of economic development. The AFC works to protect forests, service and help landowners, and educate the general public. The expected start date for this position is October 1st. Click here to apply or to read more.  

SCFC Program Coordinator II 

The South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) is now accepting applications for a Program Coordinator II – Forest Products Marketing Specialist. This position will develop programs to promote SC manufactured forest products, assist in developing markets for timber and non-timber forest products, develop funding mechanisms, and complete grant applications. A bachelor’s degree with an emphasis in forest product marketing and two years of experience is preferred. This position is located in Columbia, SC. Applications will be accepted until August 31st. Click here to apply or learn more.  

Upcoming Events:  

The Urban Tree Diversity Conference (UTDC) series brings the world’s leading researchers and real-world experts together to discuss how science, practice, policy, and community engagement can be used to expand the palette of trees grown and planted in urban environments. Click here to learn more or to register. 

Prairie View A&M University (PVAM) is hosting the Sustainable Forestry and African American and Retention Program (SFLR) Outreach Workshops. During these workshops, forestry, agriculture, and laws experts will discuss how sustainable forestry can become a multi-generational source of revenue for landowners and how landowners can navigate matters related to heirs’ property. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) and Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) will also discuss technical and financial assistance available to landowners through the USDA. Workshops will be held on the second Thursday of every month at 2 PM – 5 PM EST. Click here to register. Click here to view all upcoming events from PVAM.  

The Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia (UGA) is hosting three workshops titled “The Landowner Series: Women in Forestry”. The first workshop will focus on tree identification, federal tree-planting incentives, and wildlife management. Click here to register.

Registration is now open for the Forisk Consulting Virtual Conference focusing on maximizing returns from timberland assets and wood-using facilities. It will include tangible content that directly applies to strategic plans, market analyses, valuations, and competitive benchmarking. Click here to register.

The Florida Forest Service (FFS) is hosting a one-day free technical training to educate forestry professionals, forest landowners, and land owners about Florida’s Silviculture best management practices (BMPs) for water quality and the Forestry Wildlife BMPs for State Imperiled Species. Email robin.holland@FDACS.gov by August 19th to register. 

Prairie View A&M University (PVAM) is hosting the Sustainable Forestry and African American and Retention Program (SFLR) Legal Clinics. These clinics will offer legal education to help landowners with estate planning, wills, trust agreements, title clearing, and more. Clinic will be held on June 30th, August 25th, October 27th, and December 15th from 2 PM – 4 PM EST. Click here to register. Click here to view all upcoming events from PVAM.  

The National Association of State Foresters will be hosting their annual meeting in person with upwards of 200 forestry and wildlife leaders with the opportunity to learn about new and exciting developments in the field of forestry and explore opportunities for wood product markets, sector partnerships, and emerging biotechnologies. Click here to register.  

This is a unique opportunity for climate adaptation scientists and resource managers from across the Southeast to come together and learn from one another. All resource managers, researchers, and fish and wildlife decision-makers in the Southeastern US are encouraged to attend. Abstracts are due by July 25th. The symposium will take place from September 19-21st in Gulf Shores, AL. Click here to register or learn more. 

The Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia (UGA) is hosting three workshops titled “The Landowner Series: Women in Forestry”. The second workshop will focus on prescribed fire. Click here to register.

The Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmer Coalition (ABFFC) recently opened registration for the Sassafras Moon Herbal Festival & Forest Farming Conference. The Sassafras Moon Herbal Festival is a day full of free herbal classes and herbal product vendors. The Forest Farming Conference will be the following day with forest farming classes, networking, field sessions, and hands-on learning. The festival will be held on September 24th and the conference will be held on September 25th in Erwin, TN. Click here to register or learn more. 

Prairie View A&M University (PVAM) is hosting the Sustainable Forestry and African American and Retention Program (SFLR) Reckoning Program. The program was designed to educate minority landowners and assist them with a general understanding and addressing their property family issues. The program session also outlines an Heirs Incubator Program, which will select five families and take them through the process as cohorts with Kaiser’s Legacy Program. Programs will take place September 28th and December 14th from 2 PM – 3 PM EST. Click here to register. Click here to view all upcoming events from PVAM.  

The Alliance of Natural Resource Outreach and Service Programs (ANROSP) is joining the University of California Naturalist Statewide Conference in Tahoe City, CA from October 7-9th. There is a travel scholarship fund to support ANROSP members who may wish to participate in the conference this year. Click here to register. 

The Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia (UGA) is hosting three workshops titled “The Landowner Series: Women in Forestry”. The third workshop will focus on federal forest incentives. Click here to register.

The Professional Agricultural Workers Conference (PAWC) is a forum held at Tuskegee University for anyone who is associated with the agricultural industry. Farmers, government representatives, and land-grant faculty or staff are encouraged to attend, engage with others in the field, and explore the latest developments in agriculture and outreach. Click here to register.  

February 23-24, 2023 | Brunswick, GA

A national event to bring together women professionals and women landowners to hear various topics to enlighten women to be engaged with their land. This symposium is for new, beginning, and experienced women landowners. There will be plenary speaker, breakout sessions, and a social reception. Click here to register.  

Landowner Liability Webinar 

The North Carolina Tree Farm Program (NCTFP) is sponsoring the Landowner Liability webinar. This webinar will focus on matters of premises liability and timber protection for forest landowners, including matters of trespass, the legal sufficiency of boundary and hazard marking, as well as disputes over boundaries and easements. This webinar will be hosted by Robert Branan, JD, Assistant Professor of Agriculture and Resource Economics at North Carolina State University (NCSU). There are CEUs offered by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) and the Georgia Master Timber Harvester – Continuing Logger Education (GaMTH CLE) program. The webinar will be held on August 31st from 1PM to 2PM EST. Click here to register. 

Southern Regional Extension Forestry | www.sref.info | lboby@sref.info