Forest Landowners’ Opinions are Needed for COVID-19 Impact Study

Share this survey with forest landowners to help researchers from North Carolina State University (NCSU), Auburn University, the University of Georgia, and the United States Forest Service learn more about COVID-19’s impacts on southern forestry. This online survey was created to explore changes and impacts from the pandemic on landowners, revenues, networks, land management, stewardship practices, and plans in southern forestry. Information from responses will be used to help strengthen landowner programs, forestry markets, and forest management policy. There are no personal questions in the survey and all responses are confidential. The whole survey will take only 20-30 minutes. Please, circulate the survey link, to increase participation in producing an impact paper on COVID-19. A postcard with a QR code is also attached, find it here. 

FL FWC & Partners Steps up to Prevent CWD Spread 

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) recently confirmed a positive test result for chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Holmes County, FL. Following the first-time CWD detection, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) implemented a management action plan to prevent the possible spread of the fatal disease in the state. CWD is an infectious disease of cervid animals (deer, elk, moose, etc.) that affects the central nervous system. It was reported in Colorado Wildlife in 1981. Since then, more states have reported finding it in their deer and other animal populations. There is no cure for CWD, which is caused by mutated prions, and the incubation period can be quite long, with no signs for 18 months to 3 years after the initial exposure. Diseased animals can show signs of lethargy, drooping ears, excessive salivation and urination, loss of fear, and finally gradual emaciation that leads to death. The prion can easily transmit between animals through their feces, saliva, urine, and other bodily fluids. As part of the cohesive response plan, FWC will collect samples from established zones of North Florida to further assess the spread of the disease. The results from this initial sampling effort will inform resource managers who can respond with appropriate management strategies. Find out more in this newsletter from the University of Florida IFAS Extension here. Read more details about this on the FWC’s website. 

Tree Nursery Highlights the Importance of Average Annual Minimum Temperature in Pine Seedling Survival

In their recent newsletter TreeLines, ArborGen which is a tree nursery company, highlighted the importance of knowing the annual minimum temperature of an area, before selecting loblolly pine seedlings for replanting. Loblolly pine trees are found across a wide range of climatic zones in the South and their ability to withstand cold temperatures depends on where their original parent tree grew. The average annual minimum temperature is the climatic variable that seriously affects loblolly pine seedling survival and growth. Scientists divided the US Southeast into several planting zones for loblolly pine based on the geographic location and climate. According to the findings, loblolly pine seedlings sourced from the same zone of origin are likeliest to have the best survival rate. However, extensive research has shown that loblolly pine seed sources from warmer climates can grow faster if they are planted in an area that is not more than 5 degrees colder than the seed source. Find out more about the different pine seedlings and planting regions from the original United States Forest Service 2001 publication, Southern Pine Seed Sources, click here. To find out about the latest pine seedling research, check out the Tree Improvement Program, based at North Carolina State University here.

North Carolina Urban Forest Council Hosts the 14^th Annual Great NC Tree Conference

North Carolina Urban Forest Council (NCUFC) in partnership with the North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS) and other partners is hosting the 14^th Annual Great NC Tree Conference September 7-8, 2023, in Cary, NC. This year’s conference focus is creating and managing urban green spaces for trees in a changing climate with the theme “Beyond the Basics: Planning for Urban Trees.” The North Carolina Tree Conference is a knowledge-sharing and networking event for arborists, urban foresters, landscape architects, planners, and other urban tree-related professionals. The first day of the two-day conference includes several concurrent and general sessions. The concurrent sessions are on two tracks: arboriculture and urban planning. On the second day, there will be a field tour of the city of Cary’s unique approach to tree conservation. Early registration for the conference ends August 11th. To learn more about the conference schedule and register, click here.

SGSF Launches New Website with Updated Resources on Southern Forestry

The Southern Group of State Foresters (SGSF) recently launched their new website with updated resources on Southern forestry. The renovated website provides comprehensive online resources for forestry personnel, policymakers, landowners, and communities. The website features the Southern perspective on national issues, new policy development, and legislation impacting the forestry community and profession. One section of the website includes news and analysis on issues related to Southern forestry such as key legislation including the Infrastructure, Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The website resources are divided into topic areas such as wildland fire management climate solutions and forest markets, as well as information on forest management and forest health – to forest products, environmental services, and urban and community forestry. To learn more about the SGSF’s new site, click here.

FL Forestry Assoc. Celebrates its 100-year Anniversary at its 2023 Annual Meeting & Trade Show

Florida Forestry Association (FFA) is hosting its 100th Anniversary Celebration at its 2023 annual meeting with the theme "Stronger Together”. This year’s annual meeting will be held August 29-31 at Miramar Beach, FL in conjunction with the state’s largest forestry trade show. The first day of the event includes the FFA council meeting and prescribed fire working group meeting as well as the trade show set-up. The second day includes a golf tournament, a networking brunch for Women of Forestry, and multiple breakout sessions. The final day of the meeting has several general sessions such as “Florida Climate Smart Agriculture Initiatives,” “Current Status & Challenges Facing Logging Businesses in FL & GA” and “Leading Generations to Make Bold Change.” The trade show exhibits will feature innovative equipment and service providers with the latest developments in today’s forestry marketplace. To learn more about the schedule or how to register, click here.

SGSF Honored Forestry Professionals’ Works

The Southern Group of State Foresters (SGSF) awarded five forestry professionals in downtown Oklahoma City during the SGSF 2023 annual Meeting in mid-June. SGSF honors and celebrates the achievements of forestry professionals who make significant contributions to forest management and stewardship, community outreach, wildland fire management, conservation, and sustainability as well as demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, and collaboration in their work. This year’s SGSF award winners are Steve Grantham & Up With Trees from Tulsa, OK ( the Urban & Community Forestry Partnership Award), Virginia State Forester Rob Farrell (State Forestry Agency Personnel Award), Tennessee Assistant State Forester Wade Waters (Southern Area Coordination Group Wildland Fire and Aviation Excellence Award), North Carolina Service Forester Joshua Johnston (USFS Southern Region Forest Stewardship Forester Award) and Arkansas State Forester Joe Fox (George E. Dissmeyer Outstanding Service Award for Forest Water Resources). The award ceremony was attended by a diverse group of forestry professionals, government officials, and industry leaders. To learn more about the SGSF awards and the 2023 ceremony, click here.

Clemson University Hosts Wood Engineering Workshop

Clemson University's Glenn Department of Civil Engineering and its Wood Utilization and Design Institute in addition to the Softwood Lumber jointly hosted a 2.5-day, hands-on workshop for engineering faculty members in June in Clemson, SC. The purpose of the workshop was to integrate wood engineering into the teaching curriculum and research program of the civil engineering and design department. This collaboration will enhance faculty members’ capacity to incorporate wood into their civil engineering courses and research and foster the use of more wood products. Technical sessions of the workshop focused on “Organization and Implementation of a Wood Design Course” and "Overview of Relevant Design Standards and Codes”, ” Course Activities, Projects and Student Engagement” and ” The Link Between Wood Design and Our Forests.” Additional sessions on the second and third days of the workshop included: “Light Frame Timber Design,” “Educational Resources and Real World Project Examples,” “Advanced Topics and Mass Timber Design Education” and “Research Overview/Cross-Disciplinary Engagement.” To learn more about the workshop, click here.

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FL FWC Invites Citizens to Log Their Wild Turkey Sightings

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) welcomes landowners, citizen scientists, conservationists, hunters, and other outdoor enthusiasts to join their annual wild turkey survey between June 1 to August 31, 2023. FWC conducts a summer survey annually to learn more about distribution, and abundance of wild turkeys in Florida, as well as annual nesting success and brood survival. Florida’s summer wild turkey survey is part of a larger regional study designed to provide more insight into the abundance and distribution of wild turkeys. Information from this study, combined with harvest data, helps FWC biologists to better manage the wild turkey population. To learn more about the summer turkey survey and reporting options, click here.

Bioblitzing: Leveraging Community Science Techniques for Land Management

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Polk County Extension is hosting two ‘Bioblitzing’ sessions on July 19 and September 27 to engage the local community in conservation and land stewardship. The first session in July will be held from 9 am to 12 pm, in-person, and will focus on the logistics of organizing a BioBlitz, using the iNaturalist app. The September event will be a hybrid event with in-person (Bartow County Extension office) and virtual options held from 2:30 - 4 PM and will focus on curating and verifying the data collected during the BioBlitz. The sessions will not just be engaging for participants, but also yield high-quality data that contribute to global biodiversity databases. After completing the course successfully, participants will be able to organize their own ‘Bioblitzes’ while maintaining high-quality standards. Continuing education credits are available from Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service. To learn more about the training and register, click here.

US Forests are Likely to Absorb Less Carbon in Future According to New Report from Resources for the Future

A new report titled “Prospects for Land Sector Carbon Dioxide Removal in the United States” released by scientists from Resources for the Future (RFF) estimates that, over the next four decades, the rate of carbon dioxide stored by US land will decrease by 21 percent each year. RFF is an independent, nonprofit research institute based in Washington, DC that works to improve environmental, energy, and natural resource decisions. The US Long-Term Strategy for reaching net zero emissions by 2050 is based on growth to nearly double the current rate of removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere each year. The current rate of removal is 0.84 gigatons (GT) of /year and the Long-Term Strategy aims for an average of 1.0-1.8 GT/year removal over the next 30 years. Most of the future carbon-dioxide removals would come from conventional land-based carbon sequestration, mainly forests, unless there are large-scale uses of novel technologies to reduce carbon dioxide. In this report, they modeled the potential rates of carbon dioxide removals while accounting for land use change as well as forest growth and mortality in the coming years. While the US Long-Term Strategy anticipates an increase in the rate of land carbon sequestration, their modeling efforts found that these rates would decline annually as the nation’s forest age and sequestrations slows, unless there are policy interventions. To make up the gap, it is urgent to undertake more afforestation as well as carbon sequestration projects with existing and novel technologies. However, they did find that afforestation programs could keep the rate of carbon dioxide removal to its current baseline with a 30-million-acre afforestation program. Their models showed that a 90-million-acre afforestation program would grow the rate of carbon dioxide removals by approximately 0.95 GT/year. To read the original report, click here

Forest + Climate Visualization Partnership Creates Interactive Virtual Reality Media that Communicates Forest and Climate Connections

The Forest + Climate Visualization Partnership (FCVP) is a collaboration between scientists at the Michigan State University Forest Carbon and Climate Program (MSU FCCP) and communication experts the State University of New York's College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF) Climate and Applied Forest Research Institute (CAFRI) with a goal of creating engaging science-based media to effectively communicate the challenges, solutions, and interactions between forests and climate. The FCVP creates virtual-reality media using a suite of visualization tools including geospatial and 3D modeling, graphics, animation, and immersive virtual reality. Their visualizations can be experienced via Virtual Reality Technology or with smartphones and computers. FCVP works to create tailored educational media that is understandable and relevant to foresters, policymakers, resource managers, education professionals, landowners, and the public. To learn more about the Forest and Climate Visualization Partnership, click here. To access some of their videos on youtube, click here.

Registration Open for Extension Knowledge Exchange Conference (IUFRO)

The International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) Extension and Knowledge Exchange Working Party (EKE) opened registration for the Working Party Conference to be held on Sunday, Oct.8-12, 2023 in the Padua, Veneto region of Italy. This conference aims to present, highlight and focus on the blending of our new tools and technologies with the inclusion of local information and tradition. The conference theme is “Forest Knowledge Exchange: Advancing Innovation with Tradition.” The official language of the meeting is English. Registration closes September 1st. To find out more about the conference, please click here.

New USFS Fire Prediction App for Firefighters and Prescribed Fire Practitioners

The United States Forest Service (USFS) fire behavior researchers developed WILDFIRESAFE, a web-based wildfire prediction app that combines weather updates and information on the local fuel conditions to forecast fires. The new application program provides multi-temporal and multi-spatial views of fire weather and fire potential, including fuel moisture that may lead to severe wildfires, determining expected fire behavior, and can forecast severe fire hazard conditions and fire danger classes using lower atmospheric stability and vegetation conditions data up to seven days of. This app should improve firefighter’s and public safety as it improves situational awareness and will help fire practitioners with their risk mitigation planning in fire operations. The app uses data from the US National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS), and Keetch-Byram and Palmer drought indices. To learn more about this app, click here. The app can be accessed here.



MI State Univ. Forest Carbon & Climate Program Suggest New Framework for Defining Climate Smart Forestry

Researchers from the Forest Carbon & Climate Program at Michigan State University (MSU) recently published a paper titled, “Climate-Smart Forestry: Promise and Risks for Forests, society, and Climate” where they reviewed peer-reviewed literature and other sources to find definitions and descriptions of “climate-smart forestry (CSF).” They found that CSF is loosely defined and applied inconsistently. The review’s authors also suggested that sustainable forest management practices are often connected to CSF definitions and descriptions. In the paper, they further explored gaps in definitions of CSF and potential risks and presented a new framework to encompass what can be considered CSF. Their new framework includes five elements: 1. assess current forest condition and use (on a spectrum), 2. calculate carbon storage and actual and potential greenhouse gas fluxes, 3. determine strategy and tactics (which are differentiated from sustainable forestry management), 4. consider the feasibility and implementation, and 5. assess broader impacts of CSF strategy. To read this paper, click here.

Forisk’s Blog Posts on Forest Products and Timber Market Economics

Forisk, a forestry consulting firm recently posted a two-part summary of “Forest Products and the Economics of Timber Markets” on their website.These posts are related to their upcoming virtual training on Timber Market Analysis in October 2023. The first post addresses the importance of forest management, and a brief overview of traditional wood products which are vital for basic human needs, such as toilet paper and chairs as compared to more sophisticated emerging markets for forest carbon and a focus on Environmental and Social Governance projects. The second post addresses the question of how to decide what to do with timberlands and focuses on three approaches. To read these posts click here: Part-I & Part-II.

USDA’s Recent Investment, Partnership, and Program Expansion in Wildlife Conservation

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will mobilize at least $500 million over the next five years; $250 million from the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) and $250 million from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to vastly expand US wildlife conservation efforts.. The USDA will leverage all available conservation programs, including the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), through its Working Lands for Wildlife (WLFW) effort. In the western U.S., at least $40 million of EQIP and ACEP funding will go toward USDA’s ongoing efforts to help conserve migratory big game habitat, allowing a continuation of an existing partnership with the state of Wyoming and an expansion to the neighboring states of Idaho and Montana. In 25 central and eastern U.S. states, an additional $14 million in new EQIP funding will be dedicated to the conservation of bobwhite quail and associated species in the grasslands and savannas of the central and eastern U.S. The WLFW Frameworks are an important part of NRCS’s work to implement the Inflation Reduction Act, as wildlife habitat conservation in forests, grasslands, and sagebrush can also provide important carbon storage opportunities and climate-mitigation benefits. The USDA will be working with partners on the ground to develop four new frameworks to be released in 2024-25: Western Migratory Big Game, Eastern Deciduous Forest, Eastern Aquatic Connectivity, and Southeastern Pine Ecosystems. To learn more about on USDA’s funding, partnership, and programming, click here.

Additional $43M Funding in Wood Products and Wood Energy

The Biden-Harris Administration recently allocated an additional $43 million to fund new wood products and biofuel development through President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act. These funds are being invested in 123 projects nationwide through Community Wood Grants (CWG) and Wood Innovations Grants (WIG) in the 2023 Financial Year “Wood Pellet Plant in Western Kentucky” in Kentucky and “Log Merchandising System for Expanded Forest Utilization in Southern Appalachia” have been funded in Kentucky and Tennessee respectively under WIG this year. More wood product and wood energy projects funded through CWG and WIG funding from Southeastern region would help properly utilize huge wood biomass production from forestry in the southern region. To learn more about wood products and energy funding, click here. 

US DA Mobilizes $500M for Partner Driven Conservation Projects in Agricultural Land 

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) is seeking applications for funding from partner organizations. Agricultural or silvicultural producer associations or other groups of producers, state or local government units, Indian tribes, or other organizations can apply for funding through the RCPP. RCPP funding will be awarded to advance partner-driven solutions to conservation in agricultural lands. The proposal submission deadline is August 18. Project proposals need to be submitted through the NRCS website’s proposal management portal. Detailed information on proposal submissions are provided here. To learn more about the RCPP funding, click here.

USDA Announces $188M Investment in Forestry Legacy Program

The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Forest Legacy Program (FLP)will invest $188 million dollars towards conserving some of the nation's most economically and ecologically significant forestlands. The FLP, administered by the US Forest Service (USFS) in coordination with state forestry agencies, protects environmentally significant forest areas that are otherwise threatened by conversion to non-forest use. By helping to prevent the loss and fragmentation of working forests, the program encourages sustainable forest management and supports sustainable markets for forest products. The FLP has two funding sources, Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) allocated by Congress and funding that has been made available through the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). As a result, there are now two separate annual application cycles for LWCF and IRA funding. To learn more about the FLP program and access the funding announcements click here. For a complete list of fiscal year 2023 projects, or to learn how states can apply for fiscal year 2024 funding, click 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.

Research Program Manager at Virginia Department of Forestry

Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) is accepting applications for the position of ‘Research Program Manager’ to lead and manage the applied forest research program at the agency. The job responsibilities include program development, planning and conducting research, preparing written reports and presentations, technology transfer and training, etc. Required qualifications include experience with designing, installing, and measuring applied research studies as well as knowledge of math, statistics, forest inventory, field sampling and measurement techniques. Knowledge and skills in Geographic Information Systems and genetics are preferred. Contact Kristina Clore for further information. To learn more or submit an application, click here.

Virginia Department of Forestry-Area Forester-Southern Rivers District

The Virginia Department of Forestry is seeking applications for an Area Forester for the Southern Rivers District in the Central Region. The area forester provides forest resource information to partner agencies, local governments, private businesses, conservation organizations, and citizen groups. This position provides leadership in preventing and suppressing forest fires and enforces the seed tree, water quality, and fire laws. Demonstrated knowledge of silviculture, forest measurements, wildfire suppression, prescribed burning, urban & community forestry, watershed protection, and forest health are required for this position. The position is hybrid in nature, the job requirements include a valid driver’s license; ability to negotiate different types of forested terrain on foot; ability to travel around the state and stay overnight on occasion; and experience with and ability to use a PC and Microsoft Office software required. The chosen candidate needs to reside in Halifax County, Virginia. To learn more about the required qualifications and application procedure, click here.

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources-Natural Resources Forestry Specialist

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is looking for two full-time regular Natural Resources Forestry Specialist positions for its Bagley and Outing locations. Natural Resource Forestry Specialists will perform professional-level program support by completing field assignments and special administrative assignments that include State Land Management, Resource Protection, Cooperative Forest Management, Forest Resource Information and Planning, Nursery and Tree Improvement, and Administrative & Technical Support. The minimum qualification for application is a Bachelor of Science Degree in Forest Science/Management (or a closely related field of academic study) from a university program accredited by the Society of American Foresters, or comparable accrediting institution, or a current Society of American Foresters Certified Forester status and knowledge of aerial photography, forest mensuration, wildlife species, and their habitat, forest fire management, forest economics, recreational use of forest, statistics and human relations. Knowledge of the Minnesota forest department’s working procedure is a plus. This position requires an unrestricted Class D Driver’s License with a clear driving record. Applicants must have the ability to meet the physical requirements and work in the environmental conditions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation. The application deadline is 07/11/2023. To learn more about this position’s requirements and application procedure, click here.

Tennessee Department of Agriculture-Forester-3

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is seeking applications for the Forester-3 position (posting no. 06292023-47632), in its operations division at Montgomery County. The required educational qualification is graduation from an accredited college or university with a bachelor’s degree in forestry and experience equivalent to two years of professional forestry work. Educational qualifications might be flexible; however, the applicants must have a valid vehicle operator’s license may be required for employment in some positions. The application deadline is 07/12/2023 at 12:59 PM Eastern Time. To learn more about the position or application procedure, click here.

Community Outreach Representative-Ohio State University Wooster Campus

The School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) in the Ohio State University College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) is accepting applications for the position of a full-time Community Outreach Representative. Being based on the OSU/CFAES Wooster Campus, the position holder will work to build and support outreach and engagement activities with Ohio’s non-timber forest products producers and organizations including gathering and disseminating research-based information on the production of Christmas Trees, Maple Syrup, and other non-timber products. The key job qualifications include a degree in forestry or a related field (BS required; MS preferred), two years of experience working in relevant Extension and outreach roles and technical experience with maple syrup and/or Christmas tree production. To apply, please submit a letter of interest describing your relevant experience and qualifications, a copy of your resume, and the names and contact information of 3 references using this link. Feel free to contact Dr. Douglas Jackson-Smith with any pertinent questions.

Open Extension Faculty Positions at Mississippi State University

Mississippi State University (MSU) Department of Forestry has two faculty positions open and will accept applications until they are filled up. Both positions are full-time, 12-month, tenure-track, and located on the Starkville campus:

1. Assistant Professor (Forest Resource Economics)
2. Assistant/Associate Professor (Forest Ecosystem Productivity Extension)

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.

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.