ISSUE 150: WEEK OF April 10th, 2023
Recent News

Regional News

  • Prescribed Fire Workshop for Cooperative Extension Personnel- Save the Date
  • Forest Carbon & Climate Change in the Southeast: White Paper published.
  • NCSU Co-Hosts 6th Women-in-Fire WTREX in Eastern North Carolina
  • Clemson Extension Hosts Workshops on Bird-friendly Forestry & Controlling Invasive Plants 
  • 14th Southern FNR Management GIS Conference Accepting Abstracts
  • Auburn Extension Specialist Appointed to National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee 
  • SCFC Issues New “Best of Tree Country” Magazine 
  • Forestry Industry is Expanding in Alabama  
  • USFS Highlights Successful Restoration of Pine Savanna in SC
  • AFC & Tall Timbers Assist Poarch Creek Tribe with Prescribed Fire Training & Support
  • USFS SRS, Clemson Univ. & Partners Create More Opportunities for Women in Fire


National News

  • New Resilience Project Funding Guide Released by DOD Readiness & Environmental Protection Integration
  • TNC Creates Roadmap to Wildfire Resilience
  • SAF Proposes Streamlined Membership Structure with Expansion of “Affiliate” & “International” Categories
  • Forest C Sequestration and Forest C Markets Short Courses Offered by SAF
  • USFS FIA Data Opens Carbon Markets to Family Forest Owners
  • Registration Open for SFI Annual Conference & PEFC Week
  • USFS & NAFO Sign MOU to Cooperation in Fire Suppression 
  • Woodworks Announces 2023 Wood Design Award Winners.
  • Home Decoration Magazine Highlights Benefits of Homes Built with CLT
  • NAISMA Mapping Standards Short Course
  • AF Launches One Million Tree Challenge

Webinars



Funding Opportunities
  • Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings Grant Program
  • RFA for FY23 funding of USDA NIFA’s RREA National Focus Fund Projects 
  • USFS Urban & Community Forestry Program Funding Opportunity 
  • 2023 National Coastal Resilience Fund RFP Open
  • Cumberland Plateau Habitat Stewardship Fund 2023 Request for Proposals
  • Bats for the Future Fund 2023 Request for Proposals
  • Acres for America 2023 Request for Proposals
  • NFWF Announces America the Beautiful Challenge RFP
  • USDA funding to Expand Conservation Assistance to Underserved Producers  
  • USDA AFRI Sustainable Agricultural Systems Request for Applclude presentations and hands-on activities related to Extension Wild

Job Opportunities 
  • Texas A&M Forest Service - Two Staff Forester 1 Positions
  • Assistant Professor of Forestry Extension, Mississippi State University, Verona, MS (On-Site)
  • Forest Inventory & Analysis Interim Forester 1
  • Mississippi State University Recruiting Assistant/Associate Professor 


Want to see all upcoming events in one place? Check out the SREF event calendar here!
Regional News
Prescribed Fire Workshop for Cooperative Extension Personnel-
Save the date for an in-person workshop in eastern North Carolina for Extension Professionals from across the country who are interested in learning more about prescribed fire. The workshop will be held June 7-9, 2023 in eastern North Carolina. The workshop will include presentations & hands on activities related to Extension wildland fire programs. In addition, as long as the weather cooperates, the workshop will include participation in a prescribed burn. More details are coming soon, but hosts and organizers of the workshop include the National Extension Wildland Fire Initative (NEWFI) of the Association of Natural Resource Extension Profesionals (ANREP), North Carolina State University forestry Extension and Southern Fire Exchange. For questions, contact Jennifer Fawcett. Download a flyer for the event here.

Forest Carbon & Climate Change in the Southeast: White Paper Published.
Michigan State University (MSU) Department of Forestry, Forest Carbon and Climate Program (FCCP) in partnership with Michigan Technological University (Michigan Tech) and with technical support from the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science (NIACS) developed three regional forest carbon and climate white papers for the Northwest, Pacific Northwest and Southeast regions. In addition, they developed educational content on forest carbon and climate mitigation with a grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA). The white paper on the Southeast region includes information and spatial maps on key climate parameters like temperature and precipitation, canopy cover, tree density, forest classification and distribution of carbon in different pools. The white paper also included strategies to enhance carbon sequestration in Southeastern forests across state borders. To read the “Forest Carbon and Climate Change in the Southeast Region” white paper, click here 

NCSU Co-Hosts 6th Women-in-Fire WTREX in Eastern North Carolina  
North Carolina State University (NCSU) Extension Forestry with support from the North Carolina Prescribed Fire Council (NCPFC) successfully held the 6th Women-in-Fire Prescribed Fire Training Exchange (WTREX) in eastern North Carolina in late February. WTREX, a training program on prescribed fire specially designed for women, combines indoor learning sessions, discussions, and direct maneuvering of prescribed fire. This year’s 12-day training event was attended by forty participants of all genders and included six practice burns covering 1,419 acres of wildland at eight locations throughout North Carolina. Jennifer Fawcett, a NCSU Extension associate in forest & environmental resources and an advisor to the NCPFC led in organizing and planning this event. The first implementation of WTREX in the US was held in 2016 in California as a pilot project, since then the training has been held every year except 2020 due to COVID. Click here to learn more about the 6th WTREX.

Clemson Extension Hosts Workshops on Bird-friendly Forestry & Controlling Invasive Plants
Clemson Forestry Extension is hosting a workshop titled “Invasive Plant Management Identification and Control of Common Species” on April 14, 2023, from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. in Columbia, SC. The training will cover identification, and management methods for common plant pests as well as basic pesticide handling issues. The afternoon program includes a field visit where there will be demonstrations of mechanical and herbicide application pest control techniques. To register for the invasive plant control workshop, click here. A bird-friendly forestry workshop will be held in Jackson SC, on Wednesday May 3, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.at Silver Bluff Audubon Center and Sanctuary This workshop is intended for forestry professionals and forest landowners to expand their knowledge of bottomland hardwood forest management and learn about Audubon’s “bird-friendly” principles. To register for the bird friendly workshop, click here. For more information, or to register by mail, contact: jmwatt@clemson.edu

14th Southern FNR Management GIS Conference Accepting Abstracts
The University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources invites researchers and professionals in forestry and natural resource management to a conference devoted to issues and advances in the use of geographic information systems (GIS) and related geospatial spatial technologies including mapping, UAVs, LiDAR, GPS, forest inventory, forest health, remote sensing, invasive species, and other GIS topics. The conference will take place December 11-12, 2023, at the Georgia Center for Continuing Education in Athens, Georgia. The presentation and poster abstracts proposals need to be sent by email to soforgis@uga.edu . The deadlines for presentation abstract submissions and poster abstract submissions are May 15, and October 9, 2023, respectively. More information is available at conference website: soforgis.uga.edu.

Auburn Extension Specialist Appointed to National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee
United State Department of Agriculture (USDA) appointed Auburn University Forestry and Wildlife Sciences professor & Extension Specialist, Mark Smith as a member of the National Wildlife Services Advisory Committee (NWSAC), a guiding entity for the USDA’s Wildlife Services program. Dr. Smith will be a member of the NWSAC committee for a two-year term. He joined Alabama Extension and Auburn University in 2007 as an Extension specialist and assistant professor of wildlife sciences. Dr. Smith is regarded as an expert of wildlife management by the Alabama Forestry Extension, especially in wild pig damage management. This appointment by Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack is an exceptional recognition to the Auburn professor’s career and work. To learn more about the appointment of Dr. Smith as NWSAC member, click here.

SCFC Issues New “Best of Tree Country” Magazine.
South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) released another issue of the “Best of Tree Country” Magazine. The magazine features success stories from SCFC work, an update on forestry’s economic impact to the economy, next fiscal year budget requests, as well as other stories about events such as the “Wood Magic Festival,” fire prevention and training efforts, and more. Other stories highlight collaborations with local communities such as the Day of the Catawba festival and SCFC’s efforts to assist Georgetown County SC after hurricane Ian. SCFC also provided funding for the statewide update of green infrastructure plans which included identification of possible wildlife crossings, conservation targets, solar development, and increasing connectivity in landscapes. To read more about the SCFC’s work in the latest issue of Tree Country, click here.

Forestry Industry is Expanding in Alabama 
Alabama’s forest industry contributions to the economy have grown in recent years according to an IMPLAN study conducted by Jacksonville State University’s Center for Economic Development and Business Research for the Forest Workforce Training Institute. A total of 53,777 and 119,272 people are directly and indirectly employed in the Alabama forestry sector. The economic contribution to the state, from forestry, was $27.6 billion dollars in 2017 which grew to $28.9 billion in 2018. The Forest Workforce Training Institute President, Chris Isaacson says this economic increase is the result of production capacity shifting from other regions and internationally. However, this shift has resulted in more sawmills and enhanced capacities of existing mills bringing new jobs to rural people and has strongly impacted rural economies in Alabama. To learn more about the contribution of forestry to Alabama’s economy, click here.
 
USFS Highlights Successful Restoration of Pine Savanna in SC
Gunrise Farms, a 300-acre hunting reserve located in Newberry County, SC; close to the Sumter National Forest has received attention from the United States Forest Service (USFS) for its successful vegetation and quail habitat restoration. This reserve has been restored ecologically in only three years by its owner Ty Holland with guidance from the South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) and Quail Forever (QF), a division of Pheasants Forever, a nation-wide bird conservation organization. The USFS assisted Holland with restoring the forest ecosystem with use of prescribed fire, through its Forest Stewardship Program. Quail Forever guided him in developing quail habitat within the reserve. As a result of Holland’s efforts, broods of quail already started returning. Read more about Holland’s success and other efforts started in 2004 by the USFS, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SC DNR), and QF to restore Pine Savannahs in South Carolina here.
 
AFC & Tall Timbers Assist Poarch Creek Tribe with Prescribed Fire Training & Support
Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) and Tall Timbers Research Center staff members collaborated with the Poarch Band of Creek Indians on a prescribed fire on tribal lands in February 2023. AFC staff demonstrated the IGNIS drone-based prescribed fire ignition system, while members of the Poarch Creek Tribe shared their traditional ecological fire knowledge. Staff from Tall Timbers and from the Southwest Georgia Prescribed Burn Association provided additional instruction on fire behavior and ignition planning. To learn more about this collaboration on Poarch Creek land click here.
 
USFS SRS, Clemson Univ. & Partners Create More Opportunities for Women in Fire
Clemson University and the United States Forest Service’s (USFS) Southern Research Station (SRS) and the Student Conservation Association are working together to prepare the next generation of female firefighters with funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The USFS SRS already formed an all-women firefighting team called Wildland Fire Crew. The USFS recently hired female fire leaders to mentor the Student Conservation Association interns to prepare future female conservation leaders. The crew is based in Clemson, South Carolina, but will work throughout the southern region gaining firsthand experience in hazardous fuels reduction, prescribed fire, and fire suppression alongside the regular USFS firefighters. To learn more about all women fire crew, click here. 
 



National News
New Resilience Project Funding Guide Released by DOD Readiness & Environmental Protection Integration
The Department of Defense (DOD)'s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) program has created a "Resilience Project Funding Guide." The Guide includes a program calendar, list, and descriptions of each grant. Funding programs are from many different organizations including the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Department of the Interior, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Department of Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Bureau of Reclamation and more. The Full Resilience Project Funding Guide, newly updated Resilience Fact Sheet and Resilience Primer can be found on the REPI website here. To learn more on how REPI Program funding can serve as a non-federal match for the federal programs listed in the guide, read the REPI Funds as Match Fact Sheet here.

TNC Creates Roadmap to Wildfire Resilience
The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in partnership with the Aspen Institute launched a partnership to improve resilience to and mitigate the risk of catastrophic wildfires in the United States. They developed and released a “Roadmap for Wildfire Resilience: Solutions for a Paradigm Shift” in March 2023. This paper outlines a roadmap for building wildfire resilience in western states. The new fire resiliency roadmap has been built on three pillars: resilient landscape, resilient community and effective response that were emphasized in the 2014 National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy. The wildfire resilience roadmap has been developed and validated through a series of workshops that included all levels of government, tribal nations, private sector, fire-prone communities, academics and more.  The Wildfire Resilience Roadmap was developed as an authoritative reference for policymakers and forest health and community advocates. To read the full wildfire resiliency roadmap, click here.
 
SAF Proposes Streamlined Membership Structure with Expansion of “Affiliate” & “International” Categories
Society of American Forester (SAF), a forestry professional organization, recently proposed a new membership structure based on the opinions of the members, non-members, and former members’ input from a comprehensive survey in November 2021. Results from the survey include two main action items of simplifying SAF’s membership structure and updating SAF’s bylaws to reflect the new structure and eligibility for membership. Though waiting for final approval from members, they have proposed seven categories of memberships under the proposed structure. The previous platinum and gold memberships are combined and renamed “premium” memberships. The new full membership combines the old Silver and full memberships. SAF also proposes creating an “Affiliate” membership type for those who are working in, are supporters of and/or are otherwise connected to the forestry profession, but do not have a forestry or natural resources degree. The student membership annual fee has been reduced again and SAF hopes that students from other related disciplines might be interested in joining SAF with lower dues. In addition, broadening the “international” membership types and changing the dues for the “transitional” membership are also suggestions. SAF voting members will be able to vote on the referendum in May, and if passed, it will be implemented starting on Jan.1, 2024. To learn about the new membership structure, click here.
 
Forest C Sequestration and Forest C Markets Short Courses Offered by SAF
The Society of American Foresters (SAF) and Forest Carbon and Climate Program at Michigan State University Department of Forestry jointly introduced two fundamental short courses on forest carbon for forest professionals. The short course titled “Physical Science of Forests, Climate Regulation, and Carbon Storage” is suitable for any early career natural resource professional to start learning the basic science of forest carbon pools and how they vary across geographic location and ecosystem types. The other course titled "Forest Carbon Markets and Initiatives” is an overview of forest carbon projects including project goals, types of forest carbon projects, steps of forest carbon project development including reporting, monitoring, and verification of carbon offsets. The deadline for registration for both courses is April 10, 2023. To learn more about the courses offered by SAF or register for any of the courses, visit this page.

USFS FIA Data Opens Carbon Markets to Family Forest Owners
The largest portion of America’s forests (39%) are owned by Families and individuals in small parcels from 10 to 2,000 acres. However, traditionally, the forest carbon market has only been accessible to large landowners who own 5,000 acres or more. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service (USFS) Forest Inventory and Analysis program, also referred to as FIA, collects data from permanent plots on forest land across the country annually. FIA data plots are at a great enough scale that they may be able to help family forest owners to access forestry-based carbon credit projects. A new program developed by the American Forest Foundation (AFF) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) uses the FIA data combined with modeling and analysis to help owners of small forests participate in the carbon market. The Family Forest Carbon Program is uniquely designed for family forest owners with forested properties as small as 30 acres. To learn more about how FIA data can help family forest owners take part in forest carbon markets, click here. 
Registration Open for SFI Annual Conference & PEFC Week
The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) are working together on the 2023 SFI annual conference in linked to PEFC week, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada from May 14-18. The five-day conference includes sessions on many diverse topics such as urban and community forestry, climate smart forestry, nature positive solutions, indigenous rights and reconciliation, supply chain leadership, and a diverse and resilient workforce. SFI offers a limited number of sponsorships for students and young professionals to attend the conference that covers registration fee, travels, accommodations and meals. To learn more about this conference, click here

USFS & NAFO Sign MOU to Cooperation in Fire suppression
The United States Forest Services (USFS) and the National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) recently to create a partnership that will enhance cooperation while fighting wildfires. NAFO, a national advocacy organization representing private working forest owners, works to advance public policies to support working forests through sustainable practices and strong markets. Under the MOU, USFS and NAFO will explore common avenues to work together to reduce wildfire risks and protect communities and forests. To learn more about the MoU between USFS and NAFO, click here.
 
Woodworks announces 2023 Wood Design Award Winners
WoodWorks has announced its 2023 Wood Design Awards winners in wood-building categories that include: mass timber, heavy timber, light-frame, and hybrid building designs. The annual award program marks wood’s growth as a material of choice and recognizes developers and design teams for their excellence in design and creativity that exemplify wood as a sustainable building material. The links for information on each project are here. Find all projects and team members on the WoodWorks Innovation Network.  

Home Decoration Magazine Highlights the Benefits of Homes Built with CLT
The benefits of building residential housing with Cross-laminated timber (CLT), was highlighted in a recent article featured in the magazine “Elle Decoration,” which is focused on audiences in the United Kingdom (England, etc.), CLT, an engineered wood, is made of multiple lumber layers pressure-glued in alternating directions. It has many good qualities that make it ideal as a construction material, such as strength comparable to steel or concrete but lighter in density. Though CLT has been being used in office construction and large buildings for two decades, this material can also be used in building small residential projects, and many architects are huge fans. CLT is created from wood sourced from sustainably managed forests. Germany and Austria have produced CLT for years, but manufacturing of CLT in the U.S. is growing exponentially. Many studies have highlighted the psychological benefits of being surrounded by wood. To learn more about CLT and benefits of its in small scale residential houses, click here.
 
NAISMA Mapping Standards Short Course
The North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA), a nation-wide network of professionals who work in invasive species control programs, launched a new course. NAISMA Mapping Standards is an asynchronous, professional, online short course that provides the guidance necessary for implementing NAISMA Mapping Standards. The course has six segments: introduction, glossary, required mapping fields, optional mapping fields, creating an Excel spreadsheet, and a summary. NAISMA charges a $75 course fee for non-members, but the course is free for the association members. To learn more about the course, click here.
 
AF Launches One Million Tree Challenge
American Forests (AF) has recently launched a One Million Tree Challenge through the support of the Melitta company, a leader in coffee filtration, and their partner of 20 years. The brand is also inviting its customers to join the pursuit to collectively reach one million trees planted as it will donate one tree for every one tree donated by customers. The goal of the One Million Tree Challenge is to help to reduce environmental pollution and the effects of climate change by restoring 4,000 acres of forest and absorbing 6,161 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually. To learn more about One Million Tree Challenge, click here.
Webinars
Communicating Risk in a Changing Climate
A panel of risk communication experts from multiple organizations including the National Severe Storms Laboratory of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Oklahoma University (OU)and the Museum of Life and Science in Durham, NC will discuss “Communicating Risk in a Changing Climate” in a virtual seminar on Wednesday April 12, 2023, at 4pm ET. Panelists will share their expertise regarding risk perception and societal impacts of climate hazards. The Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (SE CASC) hosts the event with the support of NOAA, North Carolina State University (NCSU) and OU. To learn more or register for the webinar, click here.

Forest Carbon for Forest Landowners
University of Vermont Extension Forester will discuss forests’ role in sequestering and storing carbon a webinar sponsored by the Securing Northeast Forest Carbon Program (SNFCP), a cooperative effort among the State forestry offices in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The webinar is scheduled to go live on Wednesday April 12, 2023, from noon to 1:30 PM eastern standard time. Though the event is focused on the Northeast, participants will benefit from expanding their knowledge on forest carbon sequestration. To learn more about the webinar, click here and register for the webinar, click here.
 
Meet Mark Schonbeck, Research Associate from Organic Farming Research Foundation, Santa Cruz, CA will present in a webinar titled “Cover Cropping for Soil Health and Fertility in Organic Production” on Apr 17, 2023, 1:00 pm ET. The webinar will cover information on choosing cover crop species and mixes, steps in successful cover cropping, seasonal, climate and soil considerations while implementing cover cropping and the need of the main crops when choosing cover crops. The program is hosted by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). To learn more about joining the webinar, click here.
Learn more about ESG and the Forestry Sector.
The Forest History Society (FHS) has been offering monthly webinars on forest history over the past year. Historian Jamie Lewis hosts online seminars with different guests in each episode. Videos of all presentations can be found on the FHS YouTube Channel. Join In a recent webinar, Jason Metnick, Senior Vice President, Sustainable Forestry Initiative, Inc. discussed the Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) movement in the Forestry sector. ESG ratings aim to measure a company’s long-term management of financially relevant ESG risks and opportunities and represent more than $30 trillion in assets under management. To watch previous episodes of the webinars, click here.

USDA National Agroforestry Center Hosts Webinar Series
The USDA National Agroforestry Center has been hosting a webinar series on agroforestry that started September 2022 and continues this spring with three more upcoming webinars. Each month, a different topic is covered. For April 7th at 3 pm ET, the webinar focuses on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS)’s specialty crop multi-state program. May’s webinar focuses on the US Forest Service’s Community Forest program and will be held May 5th, from 3 pm ET. In June, the Farm Service Agency (FSA) will present information on Conservation loans (June 2, 3 pm ET). Register for each webinar individually but find information on upcoming and past webinars here


Biochar: A Look at Production, Benefits, and Barriers in Forested Lands
The US Forest Service (USFS) in partnership with the US Biochar Initiative and Southern Regional Extension Forestry (SREF) hosted a webinar on biochar in late Feb. 2023. Dr. Derek Pierson, a Research Soil Scientist at the USFS Rocky Mountain Research Station presented information on the production, benefits of biochar and barriers to overcome for the extension of biochar use in forest soil. To watch the recorded webinar and learn more about the benefits and barriers to using biochar, click here.
Interested in more webinars on-demand? Check out the Forestry Webinar Portal! Click here to subscribe.

Funding Opportunities
Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings Grant Program
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking proposals under a grant program for Wildfire Smoke Preparedness in Community Buildings. Proposals can focus on conducting demonstrations, technical assistance, training, education and/or outreach projects that seek to improve public health protection against smoke from wildfires by enhancing preparedness in community buildings. It is expected that project activities will improve the capability and capacity of communities and buildings to effectively reduce indoor air pollutants concentration in wildfire smoke, especially particulate matter (PM). The proposal submission deadline is May 09, 2023.To learn more about the proposal preparation guideline and submission process, click here.

RFA for FY23 funding of USDA NIFA’s RREA National Focus Fund Projects 
USDA National Institutes of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) recently announced a request for applications (RFA) for its FY23 Renewable Resource Extension Act (RREA), National Focus Fund Projects. They are soliciting applications in the following program priority areas: 1. Extension projects that ensure the adoption of climate-smart technologies and practices in forests systems and 2. Extension projects that ensure the adoption of climate-smart technologies and practices in rangeland system These program priorities are designed to support extension activities that involve stakeholders in developing and rapidly applying new knowledge or practices. This program also supports: 1. Projects that will build on and expand existing extension efforts in forest and rangeland management that advance climate smart technologies and practices; 2. The application of technological innovations (e.g., artificial intelligence, virtual realities, etc.) to increase adoption of climate smart technologies and practices; 3. Extension efforts that when adopted, provide social, economic, and environmental benefits including carbon credits and the delivery of commodities that support renewable energy development and new markets for wood products. For more details about the priorities of the RREA-NFF program, please refer to the RFA. The deadline for applications is May 8th. For more information on the funding opportunity, click here. 

USFS Urban & Community Forestry Program Funding Opportunity 
In early April, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service will announce a Notice of Funding Opportunity for the Urban and Community Forestry Program. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, the Urban and Community Forestry Program received a historic $1.5 billion to support urban tree-planting, urban forest planning and management, and related activities, particularly in disadvantaged communities. A webinar was held on Wednesday, March 29 at 3:00pm ET about the upcoming funding opportunity and how to apply.  Watch the recorded webinar via this link. Find more information about the USFS Urban and Community Forestry Program Home page here. Find more information about the Inflation Reduction Act and opportunities in this guidebook.  

2023 National Coastal Resilience Fund RFP now open
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) requested pre-proposals for grant money in four project categories including: community capacity building and planning, site assessment and preliminary design, final design and permitting and restoration implementation. NFWF will fund projects that create and restore natural systems to increase community protection from coastal hazards including storms, sea- and lake-level changes, inundation, and coastal erosion, while improving habitats for fish and wildlife species. Projects that are community led or incorporate direct community engagement and benefits to underserved communities facing disproportionate harm from climate impacts will be prioritized. An informational webinar was arranged to provide an overview of this funding opportunity on Thursday, March 2, 2023. Pre-proposals are due on Wednesday, April 12, 2023.To learn more about coastal resilience funding process, click here.
Cumberland Plateau Habitat Stewardship Fund 2023 Request for Proposals
NFWF is soliciting proposals within the Cumberland Plateau region that will help accelerate the restoration and enhancement of critical forest, grassland, and freshwater habitats and increase the voluntary adoption of conservation practices on working agricultural lands in the region. Approximately $2 million is expected to be available. Learn more
Full Proposal Due Date: April 13, 2023, by 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Bats for the Future Fund 2023 Request for Proposals
NFWF is soliciting proposals to take action to slow or halt the impacts of white-nose syndrome disease (WNS) in North America and promote the survival and recovery of WNS-affected bat populations and species. The Bats for the Future Fund will award an estimated $1 million in grants in 2023. Learn more. Full Proposal Due Date: April 27, 2023, by 11:59 PM Eastern Time

Acres for America 2023 Request for Proposals
Acres for America is NFWF's premier land conservation program and was established to provide urgently needed funding for projects that conserve important large-scale habitats for fish, wildlife, and plants through voluntary land acquisitions and perpetual conservation easements. Up to $4 million will be available to support projects in 2023. Learn more Pre-Proposals Due Date: May 3, 2023, by 11:59 PM Eastern Time

NFWF Announces America the Beautiful Challenge RFP
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) in partnership with the Department of the Interior, the Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has allocated $116 million for its “America the Beautiful Challenge” (ATBC) program and announced a request for proposals (RFP) for the 2023 funding cycle. Recently, the Department of Defense’s Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration (REPI) Program has joined the NFWF as a federal partner. There are five different types of grants such as implementation grants, planning grants, Sentinel Landscape Grants, National Forest grants and Private Forests, Rangeland and Farmland Grants.  Funding will be provided in the following categories: conserving and restoring aquatic ecosystems (rivers, coasts, wetlands, and watersheds), terrestrial ecosystems (such as forests, grasslands & ecosystems important carbon sequestration), wildlife corridors, topics related to ecosystem & community resilience (flood, drought, and climate change) and expanding access to the outdoors, especially for underserved communities. are requested and Proposals are due on April 20, by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. To learn more about the ATBC and get instructions on how to submit the RFP click here.

USDA funding to Expand Conservation Assistance to Underserved Producers  
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is currently accepting project proposals that envision improving outreach to underserved producers, underserved communities, and opportunities for students to pursue careers in agriculture, natural resources, and related sciences. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is offering up to $70 million for two-year projects that encourage underserved communities’ and urban and small-scale producers’ participation in NRCS programs.  Proposals are due April 27, 2023To learn more about the application procedure, click here.

USDA AFRI Sustainable Agricultural Systems Request for Applications
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 hereThis grant program closes Thursday, July 13, 2023.
Job Opportunities
Texas A&M Forest Service- Staff Forester I Position
Texas A&M Forest Service is recruiting a Staff Forester I for its Lufkin, TX location. Staff Foresters will provide scientific knowledge to partners and stakeholders related to the forestry industry on the establishment, growth, productivity, and sustainability of forest resources. A bachelor’s degree in forestry with an emphasis on forest management is one of the application requirements. Successful applicants should demonstrate a strong command of southern forestry and have strong skills in communication, problem-solving & project management. These positions require the ability to work independently and in outdoor settings. To learn more about the requirements, application deadline and submission procedure for the Lufkin position, click here .


Assistant Professor of Forestry Extension, Mississippi State University, Verona, MS (On-Site)
North Mississippi Research and Extension Center, Mississippi State University at Verona, MS is seeking applications for a full-time 12-month tenure-track position of Forestry Extension Assistant Professor. The responsibilities of this position include teaching, advising graduate students, and building nationally reputed extension forestry. The minimum qualifications for submitting applications are a PhD in Forestry and proven practical experience of forestry and natural resources management. Candidates with a minimum of five years of extension forestry experience and working knowledge of forestry and natural resources management will be given preference for the appointment. To learn detail job description and application procedure, click here. 



Forest Inventory & Analysis Interim Forester 1
Tennessee Division of Forestry (TDF) Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program seeking a Forest Inventory & Analysis Interim Forester 1. Though this position is based in Knoxville, TN the incumbent will need to collect data from statewide FIA plots on tree measurements, health parameters, understory vegetation composition, habitat type, down woody materials, silvicultural practices, natural disturbances, and landownership based on the quality standard set United States Forest Service (USFS). The job responsibility of tree data collection might be challenging based on tree location and terrain condition. The minimum requirements for application include graduation from college or university in forestry, natural resources or related fields and a valid Tennessee driver’s license. To know more or apply, click here.

Mississippi State University Recruiting Assistant/Associate Professor
The Department of Forestry under Mississippi State University in Starkville, Mississippi is accepting applications for a full-time,12-month, tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor with Extension (87.5%) and Teaching (12.5%) responsibilities. The selected candidate is expected to start on July 1, 2023. The minimum requirements include a Ph.D. specializing in forest productivity/forest ecology/forest ecosystem services; however, at least one forestry degree is required. The successful candidate will participate in and develop excellent regionally, nationally, and globally relevant forestry extension programs on forest productivity. The screening of applications will start on April 7, 2023. Mississippi State University is an R1 and land grant university located in Starkville, a beautiful college town in northeast Mississippi. To learn about the position and application procedure, click here.
Upcoming Events:  

April 11-13 | Charlotte, NC
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. 

April 16-19, 2023 | Arlington, VA
ANREP Public Issues Leadership Development Conference
The 2023 Public Issues Leadership Development Conference will allow participants to learn about the structure and funding of Extension, learn and practice leadership skills, meet with federal partners, and explore national priorities and funding streams. The conference is open to all Extension professionals in 1862, 1890, and 1994 institutions.

April 26-28 | Williamsburg, VA
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. 

May 15-16 | Athens GA
2023 Georgia Climate Conference
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. 

May 16-18 | Tyler, Texas
7th Fire in Eastern Oak Forests Conference
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.

June 19-21 | Nashville, TN
FLA National Forest Landowners Conference
The Forest Landowners Association (FLA) is hosting the National Conference of Private Forest Landowners in Nashville, Tennessee on June 19-21. This event is structured as an opportunity to talk with other landowners with similar management ideas, questions, and concerns, and network with others. The conference includes all-day sessions, an awards lunch, and a Forest Family Business Transition Workshop. To learn more and register, click here.

July 28-30 | Jekyll Island, GA
Annual Conference of Georgia Forestry Association 2023
This year’s GFA conference brings together the largest and most diverse gathering of forest stakeholders in Georgia including landowners, investors, professionals, and forest product manufacturers in the U.S. To learn more about the conference and stay up-to-date, click here.

August 23-25 | Nashville, TN
Forest Products Machinery & Equipment Exposition
The Southern Forest Products association is arranging the Forest Products Machinery & Equipment EXPO 2023 from August 23-25, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee. The association members, exhibitors, and staff are waiting for this august industry gathering. The registration and stall booking will start in April 2023. To learn more about the Expo, click here.

October 16-20 | Washington, DC
World Forum on Urban Forests
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 policymakers. The Forum meeting will take place October 16-20 in Washington, D.C. Click here to learn more. 

October 25-28 | Sacramento, CA
National Society of American Foresters Convention
The National Society of American Foresters (SAF) convention will be held October 25-28, in Sacramento, CA. The convention is a mix of presentations, lightning presentations, workshops, posters and more. For more information, click here.
 
November 7-10 | Nairobi, Kenya
International Congress on Planted Forests
The European Institute of Planted Forests and partners are organizing the 5th International Congress on Planted Forests (ICPF) for Nov. 7-10, 2023, at the World Agroforestry (ICRAF) campus in Nairobi, Kenya. To learn more about the congress, click here.

December 4-8 | Monterey, CA
10th International Fire Congress
The Association for Fire Ecology (AFE) in cooperation with the California Fire Science Consortium is hosting the 10th International Fire Ecology and Management Congress in Monterey, California on December 4-8, 2023. The event will include workshops, field trips, and three full days of presentations, group discussions around the theme, and networking opportunities. To learn more about the fire congress, and abstract submissions, click here.

December 11-12 | Athens, GA
14th Southern Forestry and Natural Resource Management GIS Conference
The University of Georgia and the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources is inviting researchers and professionals in forestry and natural resource management to a conference devoted to issues and advances in the use of geographic information systems (GIS) and related mapping and spatial technologies. A call for presenters and posters is now available. Click here to learn more.
Southern Regional Extension Forestry | www.sref.info | lboby@sref.info