Issue 155: WEEK of June 19th, 2023
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RECENT NEWS
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Regional News


  • Texas Rangeland Carbon Markets Report Released
  • AL Extension Hosts Webinar Series on Southern Forestry & Related Natural Resources
  • UK Forestry Extension & Others Host 40th Anniversary Kentucky Wood Expo
  • SC Rural and Limited Resource Landowner Symposium
  • NCSU Hosts 52nd Annual Hardwood Kiln Operator’s Course
  • USFS Research Finds Forests Purify Downstream Water Sources
  • 81st Professional Agricultural Workers Conference
  • Tips for Better Group Brainstorming



National News

  • USFS Application Program AirNow Monitors Air Quality, Smoke and Fire 
  • Phasing out of Ozone Depleting Substance Saved the Planet from Disastrous Warming
  • US DOE Hosts Policy Leadership Event on Energy Transition Financing
  • NASF Awards Committee Seeking 2023 Nominations 
  • Federal Funds to Scale Up State Nurseries for Supplying More Seedlings for the Reforestation Program
  • USDA Releases Science and Research Strategy for 2023-2026
  • USFS Forester Writes Article Summarizing Millennials’ Views of U.S. Lumber Industry 
  • Seven Questions to Help Forest Landowners Clarify Their Management Goals
  • Ecosystem Restoration Conference Calls for Abstracts
  • Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network Shares Tips for Creating Consistent Messaging about Fire


Webinars

  • Carbon Financing in City Forests Through Verified Carbon Credits
  • U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program
  • Organic Soil Health Practices for Water Management and Water Quality
  • Data and Communications: Utilizing Innovative Tools to Communicate Climate Impacts
  • Fostering Health and Well-being Across Extension Summer School Webinar Series
  • Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Forestry in the U.S. South
  • Recommended NC Tree Species and Availability


Funding Opportunities

  • USDA Seeks Proposals to Strengthen Rural Community and Economic Development
  • New $848M Funding from DOT for Nature-Based Solutions
  • USDA AFRI Sustainable Agricultural Systems Request for Applications
  • NFWF Central Appalachia Habitat Stewardship Program Requests for Proposals
  • USDA Offers $5.15 Million Grants in 2023 to Bring Innovative Wastewater Systems in Underserved Areas
  • DOD and DOI Launch Readiness & Recreation Conservation Initiative RFP Around Military Installations


Job Opportunities

  • Extension Faculty Positions Open at Mississippi State University
  • USDA Opens Full-Time, Entry-Level Soil Conservationist Positions across the United States
  • SE CASC Fellowship Opportunity on Climate Change and Wildlife Action Plans
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REGIONAL NEWS

Texas Rangeland Carbon Markets Report Released 

The Texas A&M University Natural Resources Institute (TAMU NRI) recently released a report on the history, function, and processes related to the carbon storage of Texas rangeland systems and the potential for related carbon markets. The report outlines information on carbon markets useful for natural resources professionals, landowners, agricultural producers, and anyone involved in making land management decisions. Carbon storage is the amount of carbon already in the system and is generally described as residing in carbon pools such as above-ground biomass (trunk, stems, and leaves), below-ground (root system), and soil organic matter. The voluntary carbon market landscape is complex and often shifting, so the report authors also provided additional resources that cover more policy information. To access NRI’S Rangeland Carbon Market Report, click on the link. 

 

AL Extension Hosts Webinar Series on Southern Forestry & Related Natural Resources  

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES), which includes Alabama A&M and Auburn Universities, is hosting a webinar series focused on natural resources on the first and third Wednesdays of every month at 1:00 PM ET. Past webinars in the series covered the importance of native plant species, forest pests, climate-smart forestry, managing plantations for wildlife, and wildfire management. The upcoming sessions include topics such as the significance of season in prescribed burning, the connection between algal blooms and forest management, drone applications in forestry, and many more. For each live webinar session attended in its entirety, participants can receive one Professional Logging Manager (PLM) Credit and/or one Continuing Forestry Education (CFE) Credit. The next webinar will highlight the United States Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife program on June 21. To learn more about the ACES webinars, click here. Find the registration link for the next webinar here.


UK Forestry Extension & Others Host 40th Anniversary Kentucky Wood Expo

The Kentucky Wood Expo celebrates its 40th anniversary on September 15 & 16th, 2023 at Masterson Station Park Fairgrounds in Lexington, KY. The Wood Expo is sponsored by the Kentucky Forest Industries Association with support from the University Of Kentucky Department Of Forestry and the Kentucky Division of Forestry. This logging and sawmill expo show features equipment vendors, chainsaws, knuckle boom, and skidder competitions, chainsaw carving, and several educational events for the general public, youth, foresters, and loggers. Landowner and logger education programs conducted during the show on both days will provide guidance on properly managed forests and the many benefits they provide to everyone. Educational programming provided by the University of Kentucky Forestry Extension includes:

  • Small Scale Logging Equipment Program
  • The Interactive Critter Wildlife Tent
  • 4H Youth Forestry Competitions
  • Collegiate Conclave Competition
  • Make Your Own Cutting Board Workshop and Educational Forestry Video
  • Invasive Species and Forest Health Workshop
  • Kentucky Master Logger Continuing Education Hours
  • Society of American Foresters Meeting and Continuing Education Hours

To learn more, visit the Kentucky Wood Expo website: Kentucky Wood Expo, KFIA Wood Expo or contact Michele Brewer at 502-695-3979. 

SC Rural and Limited Resource Landowner Symposium

The Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation is hosting the 8th annual South Carolina Rural & Limited Resource Landowner Symposium for rural forest landowners on August 11-12. This free, two-day event is primarily virtual but does include limited in-person activities at the Florence Center in Florence, SC. Participants will learn more about land ownership, agriculture, and forestry for smallholders as well as opportunities to network with other landowners. In addition, experts and representatives from partner organizations will be present to provide connections to technical and financial assistance. Landowners with heirs’ property issues will be able to receive special assistance as well. To learn more or register, click here.


NCSU Hosts 52nd Annual Hardwood Kiln Operator’s Course

North Carolina State University’s (NCSU) Southeastern Dry Kiln Club is hosting a short course from July 25th through mid-day on July 28th. This is the club’s 52nd session conducting this annual course. This firsthand training provides practical knowledge, training, and information on how lumber is effectively kiln-dried, wood drying processes, and related wood properties. The course is appropriate for beginner and experienced kiln operators & supervisors as well as wood sales, and marketing personnel. Workshop participants will learn from presentations, demonstrations, and firsthand practice led by NCSU faculty and industry experts. Contact Frederik Laleicke for any specific questions. More information on the course including links to registration can be found here.



USFS Research Finds Forests Purify Downstream Water Sources

The United States Forest Service (USFS) Southern Research Station (SRS) released a research report showing that water quality is highly dependent on upstream land cover. The study used both observed (measured on the ground) water quality data (where available) and modeled water quality across the South. The modeled water quality data is derived from observed data that is extrapolated more broadly across and within regions and helps to overcome the limitations on available observed data. Upstream land cover (forest, other natural land covers, development, and agriculture) was related to observed and modeled water quality data from 1,746 public water systems’ drinking water intake facilities. Data included total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and suspended sediment (SS) concentrations, which were found to decrease significantly at the intake points in relation to increasing forest cover upstream. However,  these values increased when the percentage of developed or agricultural landcover upstream was higher. To learn more about the connection between upstream land use and water quality, click here.


81st Professional Agricultural Workers Conference

The University of Tuskegee in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture and Natural Resource Conservation Service, is hosting the 81st Professional Agricultural Workers Conference (PAWC) on October 29-31, in Montgomery, Alabama. PAWC is a forum that promotes equal opportunity, equitable access, and sustainable development of communities and natural resources. PAWC brings together industry, academic, and outreach personnel from all over the United States to share their knowledge and network. The conference program is being finalized. The three-day conference program is being finalized, but it will include many plenaries and break-out sessions on the future of agriculture as well as field visits. Anyone working or interested in the agricultural industry can attend the conference. To learn more, stay updated, and register, visit the conference website.



Tips for Better Group Brainstorming

The Goodman Center, an outreach center that leads workshops and consults on communication and messaging, published an article in the center’s recent issue of ‘The Free-range Thinking,’ a monthly newsletter. The article has several tips for better group brainstorming. Brainstorming in group meetings can help with team building, promote democratic values among participants, and more. However, some ground rules are necessary to make the brainstorming process most fruitful. Access the tips here.

National News

USFS Application Program AirNow Monitors Air Quality, Smoke and Fire

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Interagency Wildland Fire Air Quality Response Program and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) collaboratively developed an online application program, AirNow Fire and Smoke Map, which provides information that you can use to help protect your health from wildfire smoke. The map shows current particulate matter pollution for your location, as well as the location of any wildfires and smoke plumes. AirNow reports air quality, at the ground level, using the United States official Air Quality Index (AQI). Finally, AirNow also includes links to information on how to protect yourself against air quality impacts from smoke. To access the AirNow app, click here.


Phasing out of Ozone Depleting Substance Saved the Planet from Disastrous Warming

Scientists from Environment and Climate Change Canada have found that the Montreal Protocol, enacted to ban chemicals such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) to protect the atmospheric ozone layer, has helped to slow down global warming substantially. The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty that was signed by United Nations member states on September 16, 1987, and came into effect on January 1, 1989. It was designed to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production and consumption of numerous ozone-depleting substances like CFCs. Only recently have scientists realized that ozone-depleting substances act as long-lasting greenhouse gases and are one of the most damaging warming agents. Therefore, eliminating these substances protected the earth from an additional 1 degree of global warming. To learn more about the role of ozone-depleting substances in global warming and climate change, click here. 

 

US DOE Hosts Policy Leadership Event on Energy Transition Financing

The United States Department of Energy’s (US DOE) Loan Programs Office (LPO) in partnership with Resources for the Future (RFF), a nonprofit research institution; is hosting a policy leadership event titled “Financing the Energy Transition” for relevant stakeholders on June 20 from 3:30 pm to 4:30 pm ET at the Resources and Conservation Center in Washington, DC. This event is part of the RFF’s Policy Leadership Series, the flagship public forum on environmental, energy, and natural resources topics that brings together some of the world’s most influential policy researchers and decision-makers to discuss global sustainability challenges. In addition, more information on this series can be found in the Policy Leadership Series Podcast. The event has both in-person and virtual options. More information on the event and registration is found here. 

 

NASF Awards Committee Seeking 2023 Nominations

The National Association for State Foresters (NASF) is accepting nominations for its 2023 awards in eight categories: forest public policy, fire protection, forest resource management, urban and community forestry, communications, leadership, partnerships, and lifetime achievement. Descriptions of the awards and guidelines for selection are included on the first page of the online form. Only nominations submitted on or before Friday, July 28 will be considered. Award winners will be honored in person at the 2023 NASF Annual Meeting in Baton Rouge, LA. Click here to learn more about the selection process and access the online form.

 

Federal Funds to Scale Up State Nurseries for Supplying More Seedlings for the Reforestation Program

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is funding state nursery programs to meet the demand for more seedlings to support the ongoing reforestation across the country according to a recent article in Stateline. The funding will support adding new greenhouses, expanding irrigation systems, upgrading seeding equipment, and employing more staff as part of a collaborative effort to supply more seedlings. The USDA announced $10 million to support reforestation work, funded by the infrastructure law passed in 2021. About $4.5 million of the $10 million already went to 29 state and territorial nursery programs. To learn more about this, click here.

USDA Releases Science and Research Strategy for 2023-2026

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently released a new “Science and Research Strategy, 2023-2026: Cultivating Scientific Innovation,” that presents a vision for transforming the country’s agriculture through science and innovation. This Strategy paper also outlines USDA’s highest scientific priorities including accelerating innovative technologies, driving climate-smart solutions, increasing nutrition security and health, cultivating resilient ecosystems, and translating research into actions. The strategy paper is focused on driving new ways for multi-disciplinary partners to work together to find novel solutions to new and emerging challenges facing the nation’s agriculture and forestry systems. Under each of the five scientific priority areas, there are strategic objectives and tangible action items that are targeted toward the USDA, external researchers, the Cooperative Extension System, and anyone else invested in solving these challenges. This strategy paper built on USDA’s latest Strategic Plan, covers food production systems as well as the whole agroforestry sector and envisions a model bioeconomy. To learn more about the USDA Science and Research Strategy, click here.



USFS Forester Writes Article Summarizing Millennials’ Views of U.S. Lumber Industry 

In a recent Forest Business Network magazine article, “Addressing the U.S. Wood Products Industry’s Ongoing Efforts to Promote and Position Itself Effectively,” author Craig Rawlings highlighted the work of Dr. Iris Montague. Montague, a research forester with the United States Forest Service co-authored an article in a 2021 edition of The Merchant Magazine, which summarized millennials’ perceptions of the lumber industry. “Do you see what I see? How millennials view the lumber industry” depicted the misconceptions held in public about the U.S. forestry industry and which lead to negative perceptions. Forestry is one of the top ten industries in 47 states in the United States. The article addressed the industry's ongoing efforts to promote and position itself effectively among the public and how the Millennial generation’s perceptions are especially important. Millennials, individuals who were born between 1980 to 2000, are currently the biggest generation in the U.S. workforce. Only 65% of the respondents knew about the U.S. forestry industry before this survey. Though there are good job opportunities in the U.S. forest industry, only 52% of respondents were aware of them. To find the Forest Business Network article, click here. To find the original article, click here.

 

Seven Questions to Help Forest Landowners Clarify Their Management Goals

Michigan State University Forestry Extension (MSU Extension) faculty recently reshared an article titled, “Seven Questions that Can Help Forest Landowners Clarify their Goals.” MSU Extension defined seven questions to ask a forest landowner that are fundamental to defining their forest management goals, which are critical for preparing their forest management plan. Answering several specific and brief questions about natural resource-related values is much easier for a landowner to do than defining their goals overall. These questions, which can be answered in a short worksheet, focus on wildlife habitat, timber, wetlands, stream sides, fisheries, cultural/historic features, other unique features, and any other conservation issues. To learn more about the seven questions, click here. 


Ecosystem Restoration Conference Calls for Abstracts

The Society of Ecological Restoration and the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (UF IFAS) are jointly sponsoring the National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration (NCER) on April 14-19, 2024, in Albuquerque, NM to share work, experience, and research findings of the ecosystem restoration projects. NCER is a gathering of scientists, engineers, policymakers, planners, and partners across the United States working on ecosystem restoration. The organizing committee invites abstracts on success stories, best management practices, and solutions on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem management related to any part of the United States. The abstract submission deadline is September 1, 2023. To learn more about the conference or to register, click here.


Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network Shares Tips for Creating Consistent Messaging about Fire

The Greater Yellowstone Fire Action Network (GYFAN) recently hosted a workshop on effectively communicating fire messages with its partner organizations to communicate about fire more consistently. In a recent blog post from the Fire Adaptive Learning Network, showcased takeaway points from the workshop. Three themes were highlighted: smoke, wildfire mitigation, and resilient landscapes, and workshop attendees participated in extensive exercises to draft ideas on the topics. Five general messaging tips were shared: 1. know your audience, 2. think of an analogy, 3. focus on what the audience will hear vs. what you say, 4. show you are a human, and 5. show people about what you are talking about. Finally, the workshop participants developed key messages for each of the three themes for the Greater Yellowstone Communities.’ To access the blog, click here.

Webinars

MONTH

WEBINAR INFORMATION





June 20 * 3:00 pm

Carbon Financing in City Forests Through Verified Carbon Credits

Learn how to register an urban forest carbon project, including how to develop a forest carbon offset project. City Forest Credits (CFC) is the national nonprofit carbon registry for greenhouse gas emission reduction and removal among tree projects in, or near, cities and towns. It offers local governments and other entities a process to finance their urban forestry projects in a way that contributes to the health and well-being of people and the environment. Examples of completed CFC projects will be provided. Learn more and register here.






June 21*1:00 pm

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) provide landowners technical and financial assistance through its Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program to restore and enhance wildlife habitat. The program aims to make it easier for private landowners to conserve wildlife habitat through its custom-designed projects to fit landowners’ needs. It focuses on areas of conservation concern, such wetlands and native prairies, and undertake projects to benefit federal trust species including migratory birds, endangered, threatened, and at-risk species. The USFWS officials will describe the Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program in the webinar. To learn more about the webinar, click here. To register for the webinar, click here.







June 26 * 1:00 pm

Organic Soil Health Practices for Water Management and Water Quality

Farmers must manage water resources to provide sufficient yet not excessive moisture to their crops, and to protect surface and groundwater from nutrients and other contaminants. While the soil’s capacity to hold and provide moisture to crops is determined in part by soil texture and other inherent properties, organic soil health management practices can improve soil water relations, expand water holding capacity, and enhance crop resilience to drought and flood, which have become more intense as a result of climate change. Today’s webinar will describe how soil health enhances water use efficiency and nutrient retention and will outline conservation strategies that organic farmers use to optimize stewardship of the water resource. Learn more and register here.








June 29 * 2:00 pm

Data and Communications: Utilizing Innovative Tools to Communicate Climate Impacts

Climate change is not just a global issue, but a local and regional reality. Action is needed at all levels, and the integration of landscape conservation strategies and the natural solutions the landscape conservation community can implement at scale must be considered and supported as part of the climate solution to mitigate and adapt to our changing climactic conditions. One of the key findings from the ‘How Landscape Conservation Partnerships Are Working to Address Climate Change’ working paper is that land conservation organizations often struggle to communicate how their work impacts climate. Better data integration and tools that measure how conservation impacts climate can play a role in simplifying complex information. Applying these tools to a comprehensive communication strategy is a critical component to successfully communicate landscape conservation as a natural climate solution. Register for the webinar here.







July 10 * 3:00 pm

Fostering Health and Well-being Across Extension Summer School Webinar Series

Join the NAEPSDP Professional Development Committee and the Southern Regional Program Leadership Network Program, and Staff Development Committee for their webinar series of one-hour webinars from July 10-14 from 3:00 PM-4:00 PM Eastern Time. This webinar series will focus on the efforts at organizational, managerial, employee, and community levels to provide health and well-being programs and opportunities for employees and clients. This series is available to anyone from Extension directors, and mid-managers, to program and development specialists. Each day will feature a different topic and hear from several speakers. More information about speakers and registration can be found here.








July 18*12:00 pm

Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Forestry in the U.S. South

The webinar will provide information on how the COVID-19 pandemic affected the timber industry, forest-based employment, and overall forest management in the U.S. South. Results suggest that mandatory lockdown orders for all individuals led to a decrease in roundwood prices and employment in the aggregate forest sector. However, researchers found that forest landowners were sensitized about the future of their business and became more involved in forest management and planning due to the pandemic. In this webinar, researchers will also briefly discuss their ongoing regional forest landowner survey about forest management in the post-pandemic period. More information on the webinar can be found here. The webinar registration information can be obtained here.




July 18 * 3:00 pm

Recommended NC Tree Species and Availability

Greg Paige, the Director of Horticulture at the JC Raulston Arboretum, has worked in public gardens across North Carolina and Ohio for at least 25 years. He has immense knowledge about the natural history and care of a multitude of tree species. Attend this webinar to tap into his expertise and learn how to choose the best tree species for your urban forestry projects. Click here to learn more or to register.

Funding Opportunities

USDA Seeks Proposals to Strengthen Rural Community and Economic Development

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Community Development Initiative program is accepting proposals for grants that will improve rural housing, community facilities and economic development around the country. Grants may be used to train sub-grantees to conduct educational training on homeownership or minority-owned business entrepreneurship. They also may be used to provide technical assistance to sub-grantees on strategic plan development, accessing alternative funding sources and training and resources for board operations, management, financial systems and information technology. Deadline is June 28, 2023. To learn more, read the full Stakeholder Announcement here.


New $848M Funding from DOT for Nature Based Solutions

The United States Department of Transportation (US DOT) is seeking proposals to fund projects addressing climate resilience of transportation systems, including improving highways, public transportation, ports, and intercity passenger rail under its Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Program. Eligible entities include states, local governments, and Tribes. However, federal land management agencies can partner with a submitting entity. Selected projects will use innovative and collaborative approaches to climate risk reduction using nature-based solutions, including conservation, restoration, or construction of shade trees, native vegetation, bioswales, marshes, wetlands, breakwaters, reefs, and dunes. Applications are due on August 18, 2023. To learn more about this funding or submit your application, 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. This grant program closes Thursday, July 13, 2023. A Letter of Intent is a prerequisite for application submission. For more information or to apply, click here. 

NFWF Central Appalachia Habitat Stewardship Program Requests for Proposals

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is seeking proposals from qualified parties under its Central Appalachia Habitat Stewardship Program to award grants to projects that restore and sustain healthy forests, rivers, and stream habitats for diverse native bird and aquatic species populations. Approximately $3.2 million in grant funding is available this year. The full proposal is due July 13, 2023 by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. To learn more about the scope and scale of the funding, as well as the criteria to qualify for proposal submission, click here.



USDA Offers $5.15 Million Grants in 2023 to Bring Innovative Wastewater Systems in Underserved Areas

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is offering grants to regional consortiums for projects implementing innovative solutions to longstanding wastewater issues in underserved rural areas under the Technical Assistance and Construction for Innovative Regional Wastewater Treatment Solutions Grant Pilot Program. Priority will be given to regional consortiums that coordinate with universities, academic, health, and research institutes, or economic development entities to solve untreated raw sewage issues with innovative technologies. The grants may be used to study, design, or construct regional wastewater systems in underserved areas. Applications must be submitted electronically on grants.gov and received no later than 11:59 PM ET on July 31. For more information, read the full stakeholder announcement here.



DOD and DOI Launch Readiness & Recreation Conservation Initiative RFP Around Military Installations

The United States Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of the Interior (DOI) have taken new initiatives to preserve land around military installations and improve access to outdoor recreation through a new Readiness and Recreation Initiative. The DOI’s National Park Service will provide $40 million in funding from unobligated Land and Water Conservation Fund (LCWF) balances to safeguard natural areas, protect water resources, preserve cultural heritage sites, and provide recreation opportunities for the public. The Department of Defense's Readiness and Environmental Protection Integration Program (REPI) will provide a matching $40 million in funds to support these projects. The departments will work with states to identify and support REPI projects that fit the desired criteria that include abilities to provide recreational opportunities without compromising military operations. States can apply for funding, which could support projects on public, private, state, or local lands, through a competitive process. To learn more about this initiative, click here. The deadline to apply for this request for proposals is August 21, 2023. To go directly to the grant application details, click here.

Job Opportunities

Open Extension Faculty Positions at Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University (MSU) Department of Forestry has four open Extension faculty positions. Two are located on the Starkville campus, one is located near Starkville, and one is on the coast in Biloxi, MS. All four positions are full-time, 12-month, and tenure-track.

  1. Assistant Professor (Forest Resource Economics) position is located in the Department of Forestry, College of Forest Resources, on Mississippi State University’s main campus in Starkville, Mississippi. 
  2. Assistant/Associate Professor (Forest Ecosystem Productivity Extension) is open at the same location.


Individual job information can be accessed by clicking on the linked positions above. Detailed job descriptions, required qualifications, anticipated start dates, and application procedures are available on the university career website.


USDA Opens Full-Time, Entry-Level Soil Conservationist Positions across the United States

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) plans to hire a new group of Entry-Level Soil Conservationists over the next few years with the funding support of $19.5 billion from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) for conservation programs. NRCS already opened job announcements for GS 5/7/9 soil conservationists. These jobs are part of a broader effort by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to help producers develop conservation plans and implement conservation practices, including critical climate-smart practices. Learn more here.

SE CASC Fellowship Opportunity on Climate Change and Wildlife Action Plans

The United States Geological Survey’s (US GS) Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (SE CASC) is offering an ORISE Fellowship on Climate Change and Wildlife Action Planning. The fellow will conduct research on climate change effects on wildlife species and habitats in the Southeast and be based in Knoxville, TN, or Raleigh, NC, or work remotely. Initially, the fellowship will be offered for one year with a monthly stipend though there is a possibility of renewal. The job responsibilities include Scientific synthesis, evaluation, interpretation, and communication of species and ecosystem-level impact of climate change. The application deadline is July 21. To learn more about this fellowship and application procedure, click here. 

Upcoming Events


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 2-3 | Baton Rouge, LA

SAF Forest Tech Conference 

The Society of American Foresters (SAF) is hosting a Forest Tech Conference to showcase various uptodate products and technologies related to the forest industry including planting propagules, inventory and monitoring of forest health, timber management and harvesting. To learn more about the conference, click here.


August 19-23 | Oulu, Finland.

4th World of Congress of Environmental History

The International Consortium of Environmental History Organizations (ICEHO) in partnership with the University of Oulu and Biodiverse Anthropocene (a program of the University of Oulu) is organizing this congress. A call for papers will be open on May 15, 2023. The conference details, panel, and paper submission guidelines are available 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.


September 7-8|Raleigh, NC

4th Annual Great NC Tree Conference

Learn how arborists, urban foresters, landscape architects and planners can incorporate trees into climate-change resiliency planning and implementation projects. Regardless of your role in urban forest protection and management, it is necessary to understand the role trees across our state play in combating rising temperatures, increasing precipitation and declining biodiversity. To learn more, click here.



October 4-7|Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

The 3rd World Conference on Forests for Public Health 

The International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) and two universities from Canada are organizing the conference. The conference organizers welcome abstracts on 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.


October, 8-12| Veneto Region of Italy

IUFRO Extension & Knowledge Exchange Meeting & Conference

The International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) Extension and Knowledge Exchange (EKE) is hosting a 2023 Working Party Meeting and Conference. To submit an abstract, click here. To access the IUFRO EKE page, 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.


October 29-31|Montgomery, AL

The 81st Professional Agricultural Workers Conference (PAWC)

PAWC brings together industry, academic, and outreach personnel from all over the United States to share their knowledge and network. The three-day conference will have many plenaries and break-out sessions on the future of agriculture as well as field visits, Anyone working or interested in the agricultural industry can join the conference. To learn more, stay updated, and register, visit the conference website.

 

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, 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 are 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.

April 14-19 | Albuquerque, NM

National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration (NCER)

The Society of Ecological Restoration and University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (UF IFAS) are jointly sponsoring the National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration (NCER) on April 14-19, 2024 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. NCER is a premier gathering of ecosystem restoration professionals that brings together scientists, engineers, policy makers, planners, and partners from across the United States. The deadline for abstract submission is September 1, 2023. Click here to learn more.