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The Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCE) has developed the Virginia Land and Energy Navigator (VaLEN), a collaborative effort that integrates GIS information related to farm and forest land, land conservation, electric utility infrastructure, and other themes to support land use planning for decision-making at a local level. The Virginia General Assembly recognized the importance of balancing economic development and natural resource conservation as an important issue to localities, the Commonwealth of Virginia, landowners, and the industry and thus adopted a house bill that tasked VCE with the development of what is now VaLEN. The goal of VaLEN is to support the decision-making process in local Virginian communities with critical information. Click here to explore VaLEN. 

Clemson Cooperative Extension has recently opened registration for The Master Tree Farmer (MTF) course. The goal of this course is to build on basic forestry knowledge to enhance timber and ecological resource management. This eight-week course combines online and in-person learning that includes web-based interactions as well as hands-on participation in the field. While the online portions of the course are self-paced and offered over an 8-week period, participants have four registration options. They can register for the online classroom portion only or do the online classroom and choose from one of three options for field days. Field days will be held April 21st in Kershaw County, April 21st in Newberry County and May 19th in Bamberg County (SC). The modules will start the week of February 27th and will be released weekly until the week of April 17th. Register for the Master Tree Farmer course here.

The Virginia Urban Wood Group, in partnership with the Southern Group of State Foresters Urban & Community Forestry Committee is seeking feedback on the development of a new app, Log Drop. Log Drop will mirror the Chip Drop app, which is used by tree care companies that offer wood chips to nearby residents. Chip Drop can be viewed here. The purpose of the new Log Drop app is to connect tree care companies with logs to businesses that would utilize them for locally produced wood products. Information gathered from the survey will help further expand urban wood economic opportunities in Virginia and across the Southern United States. Fill out the Log Drop interest survey here.

A research team from the Auburn College of Forestry, Wildlife, and the Environment in a recent review paper, provided a broad overview of climate-smart forestry including defining the term and describing the management actions that are relevant to it for loblolly pine plantations in the southern United States. They described climate-smart forestry as the “relationship between economic goals and ecosystem services recognized by forestry experts,” with an objective of increasing forest carbon storage to mitigate climate change. In their study, they also discussed how traditional plantation management practices including genetic improvement, site preparation, weed control and fertilization, etc., can increase the amount of carbon stored. Additionally, they concluded that forest products and carbon content in forest products are also essential components towards increasing carbon storage. Read more about the research here.

The theme of the 58th annual meeting of the Kentucky Forest Industries Association (KFIA) is “One Team-One Goal,” and will be held March 28-30, 2023, in Lexington, KY. KFIA works with many partners to address challenging industry issues and the agenda will address these issues include some of their partners such as the KY Fish and Wildlife Agency discussing endangered species and timber sales opportunities. Additional speakers will discuss markets for railroad ties, health insurance and the new Kentucky Forestry Works program designed to get young people more interested in working in the wood products industry. In addition, to the expert speakers in each field, the program is full of activities and provides excellent opportunities for networking and meeting with exhibitors. To find out more, or to register, click here. 

Clemson Forestry Extension agents are hosting a workshop focused on best practices for better pond management. In the workshop, they will cover topics including integrated pest management (IPM), controlling pond weeds, pond stocking, maintaining proper pond nutrient levels, and other management practices. This workshop offers two Continuing Forestry Education (CFE) credits. This will be held on March 7th from 8:30 am to 11:30 am in Lexington, SC. For more information and to register click here.

The White Oak Initiative (WOI), a coalition of researchers, conservationists, foresters, policymakers, and bourbon distilleries (and related industry partners), is focused on working across state lines to ensure the future of white oak trees. White oak (Quercus alba), a hardwood species, produces relatively sweet acorns and is food to a wide range of birds and animals including deer, bears, and squirrels. White oaks are also home to cerulean warblers, some forest-dwelling bats as well as over 100 species of moths and butterflies. The species is similarly important to humans and is used in furniture, flooring and for barrels to age bourbon. White oak regeneration has been threatened by a lack of forest management. Stands need open canopy conditions for oak seedlings to receive sufficient sunlight to grow. Prescribed burns help to maintain those conditions, but fewer burns are being conducted. Most of the forest land with white oak is privately owned. The WOI’s first project was an assessment, and it prepared a conservation plan for white oak that focused on the scientific data, best practices for forestry, and recommendations for each sub-region. In 2022, the WOI shared information with the U.S. House of Representatives and inspired the formation of the bi-partisan White Oak Caucus. The Caucus is committed to working with industry advocates and experts to improve and maintain white oak. To learn more about the White Oak Initiative and its recent efforts, click here. 

Clemson Cooperative Extension is offering a program to property owners to remove Bradford pear trees from their property in exchange for native trees. Bradford trees have quite a few flaws such as a pungent odor and susceptibility to breaking during storms, as well as producing seed that can grow into the invasive Callery pear trees. The goal of this program is to reduce the number of Bradford pear trees overall as well as the amount of seed produced by them and to promote a more diverse urban landscape. Homeowners can exchange up to five Bradford pear trees for the same number of native young trees to replace on their property. There are two dates at separate locations that are currently scheduled for the spring. The first program will be held on Saturday, February 25th from 8 am – 11 am in Aiken, SC, and the second will be held on Saturday, March 25th from 9 am – 12 pm at Spartanburg, SC. Pre-registration is necessary. Learn more about the program here.

Virginia Tech University (VT), the US Forest Service (USFS), University of Minnesota (UM), and Dovetail Partners conducted a life-cycle assessment of biochar with funding from a Biomass Research and Development Initiative (BRDI) grant they were awarded in 2018. The specific goals of the applied research project were to assess the impact of biochar applications on the soil carbon and nutrient retention capacity on a variety of soil types and cropping systems on working lands across the United States. The project was motivated based on a scarcity of specific information on effective rates of biochar applications, application methods, benefits to crop yield, soil fertility or carbon sequestration for agriculture and forestry stakeholders. Recent findings from the project are as follows: the biochar type needs to be matched with the soil type, the feedstock and pyrolysis process have profound effects on the type of biochar produced, and biochar is effective for improving soil organic matter. However, one interesting finding is the importance of ‘charging’ or inoculating the biochar before soil application to ensure that the raw biochar does not uptake nutrients from the soil. Charging is necessary because biochar is a porous material that tends to absorb nutrients from the soil where it is applied, however, if nutrients and/or microflora-rich water are added beforehand, the biochar can provide nutrients to soils. This report covers work completed already; however, the project study is ongoing. To learn more, Click here.

The Florida Chapter of The Wildlife Society and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission jointly organized a training event for prescribed fire to be held April 25-28, in Haines City, FL. The training will provide land managers and wildlife stewards with basic knowledge and skills on wildlife habitat management practices associated with prescribed fires in Florida. The training will be a combination of classroom lectures, panel discussion and field exercises that cover a variety of wildlife and habitats. While officially, registration was not supposed to close until March 12, the event has already reached capacity and registration is now closed, however, interested individuals can be added to a waiting list. To learn more about the training program, click here.

Virginia Forestry Association, a non-profit organization representing the forestry community, organizes forestry summits to promote learning and knowledge-sharing as well as to recognize champions in the forestry sector each year. This year, Virginia’s notable forest researchers, experts and policymakers will gather at the Williamsburg Lodge in historic colonial Williamsburg, VA on April 26-28, 2023. The agenda for this year’s summit includes presentations, breakout sessions and more focused on landowner legacy planning, projected sea level rise and its impacts on coastal Virginia, as well as information about emerging and current markets, transportation issues and more. In addition, various workshops and training sessions are also offered as part of the summit. To learn about the summit and registration process, click on here.

The Georgia Climate Project (GCP) is a coalition of faculty and staff from public and private universities across Georgia, that are involved in climate change research and adaptation. They are hosting their fourth annual conference May 15-17, 2023, in Athens, GA focused on bringing hundreds of attendees from multiple sectors and areas of expertise together to collaborate, raise awareness of work across the state, highlight progress, and identify opportunities to do more. The agenda includes breakout sessions on a large variety of topics from flood and drought resilience to public utilities, business talks, food security, community resilience planning, infrastructure, and more. The goal of the GCP coalition is for the state of Georgia to emerge as a leader of practical, science-based solutions to a changing climate that reduces risks to the state and its citizens and maximizes opportunities. They are building a network of experts across the state to advance four strategic priorities. These priorities include synthesizing and analyzing the science related to climate impacts and solutions and fostering constructive discussion about climate change effects on Georgia and what can be done about it. Their other two priorities include a focus on enabling practical steps towards solutions and strengthening the network of experts working to understand and act on climate. To learn more about the Georgia Climate Project, click here, and to learn more about the 2023 conference click here.

The Forest Owner Carbon and Climate Education (FOCCE) program is launching a training program for educators and professionals to prepare them to answer critical questions forest owners have about forestry carbon markets. In addition, the course will also teach participants a new program delivery that uses guided group discussions with clients and experts. The course includes four weekly webinars, assigned readings, and live discussions with forest carbon experts. Participants will have access to a library of FOCCE extension articles and have an opportunity to apply for a FOCCE grant to support educational programming. This course extends from March 8th to March 29th from 2 pm to 3 pm with one-hour long modules. The registration deadline is March 8th. Register here.

The International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) Extension and Knowledge Exchange (EKE) is hosting a 2023 Working Party Meeting and Conference Sunday, October 8-12 in the Veneto Region of Italy. Abstracts for either 20-minute oral presentations or 5-minute lightning talks will be accepted until April 14^th and presenters will be notified by May 15^th, if their abstract is accepted. The theme of the conference is “Forest Knowledge Exchange: Advancing Innovation with Tradition.”  The conference organizing committee is finalizing the venue, hotel, travel logistics, field trips and costs and will be providing those details soon. Questions about the event should be directed to Bill Hubbard, whubbard@umd.edu. The objectives of the IUFRO EKE Working Party are to: serve as a forum for information exchange amongst forestry Extension workers worldwide, promote Extension and knowledge-transfer, improve Extension programs worldwide and advance the quality and impact of research on Extension methodologies. To submit an abstract, click here. To access the IUFRO EKE page, click here. 

The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) and the Coalition of Prescribed Fire Councils (CPFC) have partnered to prepare prescribed fire activity reports since 2011. The reports represent the only survey data available that summarize national prescribed burning rates on state, federal, and private lands and are published to inform current prescribed fire projects and support the expansion of prescribed fire use. This year’s report is the first to depict the number of acres treated by ownership type. The purpose of the reports is to serve as a means to foster partnerships that increase the appropriate use of prescribed fires as a management tool to enhance forest health. To view the full 2021 report, click here.

American Forest Foundation (AFF) is seeking guest writers for ‘Forest Professional Friday’ posts on their ‘Family Forest’ online community platform. Forest management professionals, anyone who collaborates with landowners, and nonprofessionals with lots of experience are encouraged to share their knowledge with the forest landowner community. Guest writers can choose their topic and AFF is flexible with publication dates. Join the “Family Forest” online platform here. To sign up to provide a post, email Angela Wells.  

The National Deer Association (NDA) recently published an article comparing the cost of deer forage generated via different management practices including prescribed fire in hardwoods, warm-season food plots and supplemental feed. Their calculations of costs per pound of forage and per pound of protein show that prescribed fire is the lowest cost approach at ($0.02/lb. forage & $0.09/lb. protein). Warm-season food plots are calculated at $0.42/lb. forage & $0.13/lb. protein, while supplemental protein feed costs $0.50/lb. forage & $2.50/lb. protein This article details the calculations involved for each management practice and how to implement the most cost-effect management practice. For example, the article discusses the cost of prescribed fires and the cost per pound of deer forage, while also noting possible challenges from prescribed fires. Read the full article here. 

The 3rd World Conference on Forests for Public Health is scheduled to be held October 4-7, 2023, in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada for the scientists, researchers, and other stakeholders. The International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) and two universities from Canada are organizing the conference. The conference’s scientific committee welcomes submissions of abstracts for oral or e-poster presentations for a variety of topics including environmental health epidemiology, global public health issues related to greenspaces, mental and public health benefits of exposure to natural spaces, urban forestry and more. Abstracts are due by April 30, 2023. To learn more about the conference, click here.

Blue Ocean Closures has recently opened the company’s first production plant to produce screwcaps and seals for bottles and packaging made from cellulose fiber. The company’s goal is to reduce the number of plastic caps by producing biodegradable and recyclable screw caps in addition to developing other solutions that create less plastic waste. Using cellulose fiber products will move it closer to its goal of increasing the use of renewable materials in its products and decreasing its use of fossil-based plastics. Click here to learn more. 

In 2022, the Southern Rural Development Center conducted a survey and held listening sessions that focused on the topic "Investing in Rural Recovery." will be shared with the participants. A webinar will be held on Tuesday, February 28th, 2023, at 11:00 AM CST that describes findings from the survey and listening sessions. Click here to register for the webinar.

A free online lunch-and learn webinar will be hosted by Clemson Cooperative Extension to provide information on the seasonal topic of timber taxes. Attorney and CPA Andrew Bosserman will discuss “The Top Five Strategies Forest Landowners Use to Save Taxes.” The presentation will include different approaches to qualifying for capital gain taxation on timber sales to applying for reduced South Carolina property taxes. A Q&A will be hosted for webinar participants after the presentation. The webinar will be held Tuesday, March 14th from 12 pm – 1 pm over Zoom Meeting. Register here for the Timber Tax Webinar.

The Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies and the National Adaptation Forum are hosting a webinar on the Climate Change Adaptation Checklist tool on Wednesday, March 15th at 3:00 pm ET. The checklist tool was developed by a team that includes the state fish and wildlife agencies from California and Washington, along with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the organization EcoAdapt. The checklist was created to help natural resource managers evaluate a project’s potential vulnerability to climate change before it is implemented and to aid in improving the design or finding suitable sites and reduce risks. In this webinar, presenters will discuss the checklist and share case study examples. Click here to register for the Webinar.

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

The Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI) is now accepting requests for grant proposals. This grant program is geared toward community-based projects led by local partners, that support SFI’s mission to advance sustainability through forest-focused collaborations. The SFI Community Grants support SFI’s goal of increasing the understanding of the values and benefits of sustainably managed forests. Applications for this grant must be submitted by an SFI Implementation Committee (SIC) or non-profit organization. Projects submitted by non-profit organizations must include a SIC or SFI Certified Organization as an active project partner. Apply for this grant through the online form by March 17th here.

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) recently announced the release of their 2023 National Coastal Resilience Fund (NCRF) Request for Proposals (RFP). The goal of the NRCF is to strengthen the natural infrastructure to protect coastal communities from the impact of climate change while enhancing habitats for fish and wildlife. The Department of Defense (DoD) Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program, in partnership with the NCRF, will distribute funds to coastal resilience projects to strengthen and restore natural infrastructure. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, state and territory organization government agencies, local and municipal governments, tribal governments and organizations, education institutions, and commercial (for-profit) organizations. Applicants are strongly encouraged to coordinate with local military installations before applying. Pre-proposals are due on April 12th. For more information, click here.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agriculture and Food Research Initiative’s (AFRI) Sustainable Agricultural Systems grant program is now accepting applications. Applications must focus on approaches that promote transformational changes in the US food and agriculture system. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is seeking creative applications for projects that will significantly improve the supply of affordable, safe, nutritious, and accessible agricultural products and foster the development of rural prosperity. A Letter of Intent is a prerequisite for an application submission. For more information or to apply, click here. This grant program closes Thursday, July 13, 2023.

The Woodard & Curran Foundation is seeking proposals for projects that focus on the protection and/or management of watersheds and groundwater supplies in the face of climate change. Projects may include (but are not limited to) management through forestry, fire prevention, or remediation of impacted watersheds. One $100,000 Impact Grant will be awarded with a one-year period of performance. The deadline for submissions is March 15^th and the award will be announced in July. This grant is open to non-profit organizations that have 501(c)(3) designation, do not discriminate based on race, age, ancestry or national origin, sexual orientation, gender, disabilities, or religion and are not political organizations. To find out more or apply, click here

The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (Endowment) recently released a request for proposals for the 2023 Enviva Forest Conservation Fund (the Fund). This marks the eighth cycle of this program which funds programs that protect wetland forests that may be impacted by invasive species, climate change, or other issues. $500,000 funding will be awarded to protect bottomland hardwood and other wetland forests in eastern North Carolina and southeast Virginia. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, government agencies, and tribal agencies. The proposal deadline is March 10th. Click here to learn more or apply. 

The US Department of Agriculture's Forest Service recently announced that $41 million will be available through the 2023 Wood Innovations Grant and 2023 Community Wood Grant Programs. These programs are designed to spark innovation and create new markets for wood products and renewable wood energy. The application deadline is March 23, 2023 for both programs. To find more information on the program, click here. Connect to your regional Wood Innovations program coordinator for any questions or to discuss grant ideas. For the southern region (USFS region 8), Marcus Taylor is the Wood Innovations Grant coordinator and he will answer any questions, discuss proposal ideas and/or review drafts by March 1. He can be reached at Marcus.taylor@usda.gov.

2023 Enviva Forest Conservation NFWF Announces New RFP for Lower MS Alluvial Valley Restoration Fund

Approximately $1.4 million will be awarded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) for projects that restore, enhance and maintain bottomland hardwood forests and wetlands; implement conservation practices on working agricultural lands; and promote aquatic connectivity. Full proposals are due Thursday April 6, 2023. An applicant webinar will be held Feb. 15 at 3pm ET. Register for the webinar here. Find more information about this request for proposals here.

The Institute of Agriculture, School of Natural Resources at the University of Tennessee (UT), is recruiting a 12-month, tenure-track Assistant Professor of Silviculture and Forest Management. The position will provide leadership in statewide forestry and silvicultural planning, implementation, evaluation or reporting and work with UT researchers as well as maintain excellence in teaching, research, extension work and mentoring students. The incumbent will be expected to produce research and Extension publications. The review of applications will begin on March 24, 2023. To learn more about the position, click here.

North Carolina State University (NCSU) - Extension Forestry is seeking applicants for an Extension Specialist-Forest Management position. The required educational qualifications are MS or higher degree in forestry, natural resources, or related field. Additional qualifications include applied knowledge and experience in forestry and silviculture as well as having ability to plan, conduct and evaluate the participatory non-formal education program on forestry. Preferred qualifications include having an educational degree from a Society of American Foresters (SAF) accredited institution and being a registered forester in NC. To learn about detail requirements and application procedure click on here.

Clemson University is seeking to hire an interdisciplinary group of research scientists, graduate students, and technicians to implement the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Climate Smart Commodities program to incentivize landowners to adopt climate smart practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and enhance carbon sequestration in agricultural and managed forest ecosystems. Successful applicants will be located at Clemson’s Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology and Forest Science in Georgetown, SC as part of the Tom O’Halloran Lab.  Potential start dates for all positions will be in late Spring or Summer 2023.

For more information or to apply, click here.

The Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia (UGA) invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in Forest Finance. They will hire an Assistant Professor/Associate Professor/ Professor whose appointment will include: engagement in research (60%), teaching (33%), and professional service (7%). The candidate needs to be highly committed to developing or has already established a nationally and internationally recognized research and teaching program in forest finance and/or closely related areas. For more information, click here.

MS State University Extension/Assistant Professor of Forestry 

Mississippi State (MS) University is seeking an Assistant Professor of Forestry. This is a 12-month, tenure track position with a 100% Extension appointment. The incumbent will be responsible for developing a science-based Extension forestry program that addresses longleaf pine restoration and general forestry educational needs. Applications for this position (located in Biloxi, MS) will be reviewed as they come in and the incumbent could start as early as March 1, 2023. Click here to learn more or apply. 

Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) is seeking an Assistant Professor of Forestry. This is a 10-month, tenure-track position (Assistant Professor rank) or 10-month non-tenure track position (Lecturer rank). The successful candidate will teach undergraduate forestry courses, develop partnerships, improve course content, and more. This position is located in Tifton, GA. Applications should be submitted by March 17th. Click here to learn more.

Upcoming Events:  

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Registration is now open for the 22nd Biennial Southern Silvicultural Research Conference (BSSRC). The BSSRC provides a forum for scientists and practitioners broadly engaged in southern silviculture to report their study results, present new concepts and techniques, discuss topics of mutual interest, coordinate cooperative efforts, and stay current on developments in the field. Anyone who works in, or is interested in, silviculture is encouraged to attend. Click here to learn more or register.

2023 FIA National User Group Meeting Announced 

A save-the-date for the 2023 Forestry Inventory Analysis (FIA) national user group meeting has been announced. The meeting will take place April 11-13 in Charlotte, NC. Meeting organizers are planning for two full days of presentations and engagement opportunities. Registration information will be made available at a later date. 

Save the Date: 2023 Virginia Forestry Summit 

The 2023 Virginia Forestry Summit was recently announced. The Summit will take place April 26-28 in Williamsburg, VA. Registration and additional details will be available in February. Click here to view the Summit website. 

The Georgia Climate Conference aims to support and accelerate Georgia’s efforts to take practical steps to minimize the risks and maximize the opportunities associated with a changing climate. The conference will bring together attendees representing multiple sectors and areas of expertise to collaborate, raise awareness of work across the state, highlight progress, and identify opportunities to do more. The conference will take place May 15-17 in Athens, GA. Click here to learn more. 

The Oak Woodlands & Forests Fire Consortium, the Consortium of Appalachian Fire Managers and Scientists, and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department are hosting the 7th Fire in Eastern Oak Forests Conference. The meeting will take place May 16-18 from 8 AM to 5 PM ET in Tyler, Texas. This event occurs once every three to five years, and more information will be provided at a later date. Click here to learn more.

The third Women in Forestry Virtual Summit was recently announced. This year, the Summit will focus on topics such as indigenous inclusion and leadership, strategies for recruiting a more diverse workforce, balancing work, and family life, and embracing equity. Anyone who is interested in forestry, including landowners, is encouraged to attend. The virtual Summit will take place March 7th, beginning at 11:00 AM EST. Click here to learn more about the Summit. 

2023 Timberland Investment Conference 

The 2023 Timberland Investment Conference was recently announced. Join forestry experts to learn about changes in policies, economics, markets, and investments. The intended audience for this conference is managers of public and private funds, TIMOs, REITs, and family offices; attorneys, banks, lenders, consultants, and other forest industry experts. The conference will be held March 8-9 on Amelia Island, FL. Click here to learn more.

2023 Extension Risk Management Education National Conference 

The 2023 Extension Risk Management Education National Conference will bring together public and private sector educators, crop insurance agents, lenders, and other agricultural professionals to share ongoing and emerging successful risk management education efforts that target agricultural producers and their families. This conference will be held March 27-29 in Chicago, IL. More information will be available at a later date. Click here to view the Save The Date for this conference. 

The World Forum on Urban Forests (WFUF) is seeking presentation and poster abstracts for the second WFUF meeting. The 2022 WFUF meeting will cover three main themes: Healthy Cities, Inclusive Cities, and Resilient Cities. The Forum is intended for a wide variety of participants, including foresters, urban planners, and policy makers. The Forum meeting will take place October 16-20 in Washington, D.C. Click here to learn more. 

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