Shortleaf Pine Establishment and Management Workshop 

The University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources Outreach is hosting a day-and-a-half virtual workshop focused on “Shortleaf Pine Establishment and Management” on Aug 15 to 16, 2023. This workshop is geared towards foresters, land managers, forest landowners, wildlife biologists, and others interested in improving shortleaf pine resources. The workshop will cover a range of topics related to shortleaf pine range (pre-settlement to current), as well as its history, ecology, silviculture, and management. In addition, presenters will discuss some of the shortleaf pine’s advantages, situations where management is appropriate, the status of the species, natural regeneration possibilities, establishment, and more. Upon completion of this meeting, a forest landowner or land manager will have a better working knowledge of shortleaf pine and can make improved management decisions on property they own or manage. This workshop includes continuing education credits from the Society of American Foresters, Georgia pesticide applicator credits, International Society of Arboriculture credits as well Georgia Master Timber Harvester. The registration and agenda can be found in the respective links. To learn more about the training, click here. For more information on training opportunities from Warnell’s continuing education program, click here.

FL Land Steward Article Highlights Forest Management Techniques for More Productive Wild Turkey Populations

The Florida Land Steward newsletter produced by Extension foresters from the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (UF IFAS) and School of Forest, Fisheries & Geomatic Sciences included an article on forest management and turkey populations. The article titled “Integrate Brood Cover into your Forest Management for More Productive Wild Turkey Populations” highlights the importance of brood cover in boosting the turkey population. Though many Florida landowners are interested in supporting robust turkey populations on their properties, turkey populations are not thriving in most parts of Florida because there is not enough high-quality brood-rearing cover. This article includes descriptions of ideal brood rearing covers, information on why it is missing from the landscape, and tips on where and how to increase this type of cover. To learn more about turkey populations' relationship to brood cover and forest management, click here. 

AR Forestry Association “Voices of Forestry” Podcast Highlights Successful Family Forest Management

In a recent episode of their podcast “Voices of Forestry,” Arkansas Forestry Association (AFA) highlighted the successful management of the 500-acre Goggans family tree farm, which is also a hunting site and special family place. The Goggans family was recognized as AFA’s 2022 Tree Farmers of the year. This land has been in the family since 1850 and is planted with row crops. agricultural land with row crops. Though they hunted quail in the late 1970s, the quail population disappeared after a drought, and the planting of cotton. However, the Goggans family established pines on the land in 1988 and have recently started seeing quail on the land again due to their active forest management. The Voices of Forestry podcast episode about this family can be found here. A video featuring the Goggans’ family land and a “testimonial” from Miles Goggas can also be found on the AFA’s youtube channel here.

Longleaf Alliance & NC Forest Service Present Longleaf Academy 101

The Longleaf Alliance in partnership with the North Carolina Forest Service and the North Carolina Tree Farm Program is hosting a 3-day introductory level longleaf pine course, Longleaf 101 Academy, for forest landowners and forestry-related professionals from September 6 to 8, in Aberdeen, NC. The course will cover the cultural and natural history of longleaf pine, fire and longleaf, site preparation, proper planting techniques, deriving income from longleaf products, converting to longleaf, restoring groundcover, managing for wildlife objectives and other topics of local significance. It will also include both classroom and field learning. This training will enhance participants’ knowledge and ability to establish and maintain longleaf pines, regardless of their experience level. To learn more about the course or register, click here. 

76th LA Forestry Association Annual Meeting

The Louisiana Forestry Association (LFA) is hosting its 76^th Annual Meeting, with the theme “Ready? Set? Grow!” on Aug 29, in Lake Charles, LA. The LFA annual meeting is a knowledge sharing and networking event for large and small landowners along with foresters, employees of forest products industries, wood suppliers, loggers and related industries from around Louisiana. The event includes exhibitors, sessions on the forest economy, supply chain, logging, carbon markets, invasive species and more! LFA promotes healthy and productive forests in Louisiana for present and future generations through the practice of sustainable forestry. To find the conference agenda, registration link and hotel booking options, click here.

Southern Fire Exchange Introduces Downloadable Prescribed Fire-themed Sign Templates

The Southern Fire Exchange (SFE) has created and released original southeastern United States prescribed fire-themed sign templates that can be downloaded for free (for non-commercial use only). A team of professionals from SFE, the University of Florida School of Forest, Fisheries, and Geomatics Science and IFAS institute developed these signs which include multiple designs that are varied for horizontal and landscape printing. Signs include messages such as: “this land is proudly protected with prescribed fire,” and “prescribed fire protects nature, communities, and firefighters. Access the signs here. 

Learn more about the Health Impacts of Wildfire Smoke in a New Short Video from Southern Fire Exchange

With all the wildfire smoke impacts on regional air quality this summer, Southern Fire Exchange (SFE) recently released a short video that provides explanations of the health impacts of smoke. In addition, this video includes information on why wildfires burning in other regions affect southern air quality, as well as ways to take action to reduce risks from smoke. Access the video here.  

North America’s Biggest Biochar Plant Will Remove 75,000 Tons of Carbon Annually

North America’s largest biochar plant is planned to be constructed in Port-Cartier, Quebec, Canada by CARBONITY, a consortium of a Canadian cleantech startup Airex Energy Inc., lumber producer Groupe Rémabec and Paris-based waste treatment group Suez SA. Biochar, a charcoal-like substance made by incomplete burning of organic material from agricultural and forestry wastes, and it is recognized by the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change as one of five promising solutions to curb global warming. Biochar can be used as a soil amendment that increases nutrient and water retention capacities as well as optimizing soil aeration. The initial phase is planned to be completed in 2024, which will give the plant 10,000 tons/year annual capacity. Canada’s first and largest industrial-scale biochar plant is expected to remove 75,000 tons of carbon annually from the atmosphere. The $60M project will be fully functional in 2026. To learn more, click here.

Forest History Society Archived 500 New Photos from American Forest & Paper Association

More than 500 new pictures of the United States forest industry in the 1950s and 1960s have been scanned and added to the online image database by the Forest History Society (FHS) recently. The photos from the American Forest & Paper Association, (AF&PA) record different forest operations such as logging, pruning, wood products, mills, research, tree nurseries, tree farms, outdoor recreation, and much more, from Oregon and Wyoming. The AF&PA formed from the merger of two other industry organizations in 1992 and was previously called the American Forest Institute (AFI) as well as the American Forest Products Industries (AFPI). Now, there are more than 1,000 AFI photos from Oregon and Wyoming accessible online via the FHS Image Database. Click here to view the photos. For any questions or suggestions, contact Lauren Bissonette

Biden-Harris Administration Allocates $5M for Research Centers on Extreme Heat

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a new funding opportunity which is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda that will be focused on helping communities to address extreme heat. This announcement comes at a time when millions of Americans are affected by extreme heat which is growing in intensity due to climate change. Extreme heat is one of the deadliest extreme weather events in the US that disproportionately affects underserved communities. This funding will support two new virtual research centers that will provide actionable, place-based information that communities and individuals can use as climate change makes heat waves more frequent and intense. The Center for Community Climate and Health Observations, Monitoring, and Evaluation will provide technical and other assistance for community science projects designed to promote equitable heat resilience. The Center for Climate and Health Assessments, Policy and Practice will improve science and practice by learning from, scaling up and openly sharing approaches, policies, protocols and lessons to benefit all heat-affected communities. This initiative is a part of President Biden’s Justice40 Initiative, which is focused on advancing environmental justice by ensuring that 40% of the overall benefits of certain federal investments reach disadvantaged communities that are marginalized and overburdened by pollution and underinvestment. To learn more, click here.



Assoc. of Consulting Foresters Seeks Content Leaders for Presentations & Articles

The Association of Consulting Foresters of America, Inc. (ACF) is now accepting content leader proposals for upcoming educational events and publications. They are looking for subject matter experts interested in sharing information with consulting foresters around the country. There are many opportunities to speak to or write an article that reaches ACF's 750 consulting forester members and beyond. Sharing content or speaking creates opportunities to support the consulting forester profession. The different opportunities to engage are listed here. To submit a proposal via a simple online form Click here.

Carbon Credit Platform Launches First AI-Based Forest Carbon Evaluation Tool

Pachama, a technology company working to restore nature and solve climate change using satellite data and machine learning, recently released Project Evaluation Criteria 2.1, which is the first AI-based tool for the evaluation of forest carbon projects. Pachama claims that their machine learning-based carbon baseline and emission reduction approach should be more transparent and accurate than human calculation-dependent projections. The new algorithmic tool predicts carbon stocks and emissions using data from satellite monitoring. Moreover, the new machine-learning-based tool can calculate the uncertainty with its own prediction. This new technology may attract new companies in the carbon projects based on forest restoration and reforestation programs. To learn more, click here.

International Fire Ecology and Management Congress Calls for Abstract Submissions

The Association for Fire Ecology (AFE) in cooperation with the California Fire Science Consortium is hosting the 10th International Fire Ecology and Management Congress from December 4-8 in Monterey, California. The Congress, whose theme this year is “Igniting Connections: Celebrating our Fire Family across Generations, Cultures, and Disciplines,” includes ecologists and natural resource professionals whose works involve land management with fire. This bi-annual conference includes researchers, academicians, and professionals from across the United States and the world. The congress’ first day includes full and 1/2-day workshops and trainings. A Keynote speech, concurrent sessions, exhibit hall, poster session, and events with networking opportunities are available on subsequent days, followed by off-site field trips on the final day. The conference committee invites abstracts for oral and poster presentations as well as proposals for meeting activities with special focus on connecting science and management, fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion, indigenous fire and cultural ways of knowing, interdisciplinary fire science, intergenerational fire learning, partnerships and collaborations, workforce development solutions, and youth education and engagement. Oral presentation abstracts are due August 1 and poster presentation abstracts are due August 25. To learn more about proposal submission, click here. Check the schedule and click here to learn more about the conference.

LA Department of Agriculture & Forestry Hosts Natl Association of State Foresters 2023 Annual Meeting & Exhibition

The Louisiana Department of Agriculture and Forestry (LDAF) is hosting the 2023 National Association of State Foresters (NASF) annual meeting on September 18-21 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This year’s theme, “Getting the Work Done,” reflects both the working forests of the host state as well as a universal sense of urgency for the forestry sector. Foresters working in different capacities in state governments from all over the United States, including forestry and wildland fire-related positions, will attend this knowledge-sharing and networking event. The first day’s activities include the NASF foundation meeting, executive committee meeting, and vendor reception. NASF Committee Meetings, State Forester Executive Session, State Forester Executive Session, and President’s speech are the notable events of the second day. Four general sessions and the partnership award luncheon are the main agenda for the third day. Off-site field tours, a silent auction, and an annual banquet are the attractions of the last day. To learn more about the NASF annual meeting, click here. A detailed agenda, registration options, and hotel booking information are found on the NASF website, found here.

U&CF Challenge Cost Share Grant Program Seeking Proposals

The United States Forest Service (USFS) is seeking an entity or entities to conduct a national inventory of all the urban/community forestry management/maintenance plans and assess these plans for suitability for small to large communities, and geographical areas. The goal is to develop publicly available software to provide a comprehensive search, improved innovative urban forestry management/maintenance software, and workforce development integration. This year’s grant category addresses Goal 5 Improve Urban and Community Forest Management, Maintenance and Stewardship of the National Ten Year Urban and Community Forestry Action Plan. The Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) the linked here. Proposals are due August 15. Interested applicants may apply online here.

USDA 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.

Joint Chief’s Landscape Restoration Proposal Solicitation 2024

This year the Joint Chief’s solicitation was released as a National Bulletin. Joint Chief projects are a great opportunity for NRCS, Forest Service National Forests, state forestry agencies, and conservation districts to collaborate at a landscape level, across public and private forests, to reduce wildfire risk, improve water quality, and/or wildlife habitat. Please, find attached the national bulletin. Joint Chief proposals are due September 5. Programs will be hosting informational solicitation webinars in the coming weeks. Please reach out to Matthew Vandersande with questions or to discuss potential projects.

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.

NIHHIS FY2024 Funding Opportunity

The Climate Program Office (CPO) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in partnership with the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) and the Department of Commerce is seeking applications for two individual competitions in FY24 to set up two new National Integrated Heat Health Information System (NIHHIS) Centers of Excellence. Letters of intent are due on Monday, August 14 at 5 p.m. ET. Full applications are due on October 16 at 5 p.m. ET. To learn more about this funding opportunity, and application procedure, click here.

USFS Seeking Applications Under CWDG Program Second Round 

The United States Forest Service (USFS) under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting applications for funding through Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) program (second round) from the units of local governments, Native tribes, non-profit organizations, state forestry agencies, and Alaska native corporations. The program is authorized by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and prioritizes at-risk communities in an area identified as having high or very high wildfire hazard potential, are low-income or have been impacted by a severe disaster that affects the risk of wildfire. The program provides funding to communities for two primary purposes: to develop and revise Community Wildfire Protection Plans (CWPP) and implement projects described in a CWPP that is less than ten years old. To apply, follow the instructions in the Notices of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) and use the grant opportunity number specific to your notice by finding the specific NOFO here. The interested parties are encouraged to visit the CWDG Dashboard for more information and links on the datasets used to determine whether the community is eligible or gets priority for this funding. Applicants must register on the System for Award Management which will generate a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI). Creating a SAM registration may take several weeks or more to complete. Therefore, ensure application for SAM registration is done promptly. There are several webinars to assist the application process. Register for the relevant webinar by visiting the CWDG program at the USDA website. Webinar recordings will be made available soon after the webinars for those unable to attend one of the live offerings, check back on this website for more information. Applications will be accepted until 11:59 pm Eastern time on October 31, 2023. To learn more about this funding opportunity, click here.

Assistant Director - The Southern Region of the Forest Service

The Southern Region of the Forest Service is currently seeking applications for the Assistant Director (Supervisory Natural Resources Manager) positions from US citizens for the following units: Cooperative Forestry, Biological and Physical Resources, and Forest Management based in Atlanta, GA. A bachelor’s degree or equivalent education and work experience is required for this position. The Direct Hire Authority will be used to fill this position. Veterans preference and traditional rating and ranking of applicants does not apply to this vacancy. Please share this opportunity through your networks or apply using the announcement link below. Don’t wait until the last minute to apply. Use your personal email address for your profile. Read and understand the vacancy announcement before clicking the “Apply” button. The application deadline is August 9, 2023. To learn about the detailed job description, qualifications and required application documents click, here. More information about the application process is found here.

Agent Forester (Tenure Track) - University of Maryland Extension

The University of Maryland College of Agriculture & Natural Resources is seeking applications for a 12-month full-time faculty tenure track agent position for its extension program based in Keedysville, Maryland. The Forest Management Specialist serves statewide and provides leadership for educational program development, delivery, and evaluation on a variety of forestry and natural resources topics for stakeholders such as woodland owners, professional natural resource managers, policymakers, conservation groups, and others. The Specialist will report to the Assistant Director and Program Leader of the Environmental and Natural Resource Program. A master’s degree in forestry, natural resource management, or a closely related field is required; however, a Ph.D. degree is preferred for this position. For full consideration, apply before September 5, 2023. To find detailed job descriptions, qualifications, and application procedures, click here.

Assistant Professor of Forest Biometrics - Univ. of Georgia, Warnell School of Forestry & Nat. Res.

The University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources is seeking applications for a full-time nine-month tenure track assistant professor of Forest Biometrics position based in Athens, GA where the main campus of the state flagship university is located. The job responsibilities include research (45%), teaching (50%), and professional service (5%). This position will focus on the use of contemporary and advanced forest biometric methods to quantify and improve forest management through modeling, with an emphasis on pine plantations in the southern US. Required qualifications include a Ph.D. in forest biometrics, forestry, or a closely related field with a strong research background in statistics and quantitative modeling as well as forest growth and yield modeling, biometric sampling and estimation that relates to forest dynamics. Review of applications will begin on September 8, 2023. All applicants MUST apply online through UGAJobs. The starting date is preferably January 1, 2024 but cannot be later than August 1, 2024. For additional information contact the chair of the search committee, Dr. Bronson Bullock. The University of Georgia is an equal-opportunity employer and welcomes applications from women, persons with disabilities, protected veterans, and underrepresented minorities. To learn more about the job description, qualifications, and application procedure, click here.

Assistant/Associate Professor Forest Health - The University of Arkansas at Monticello

The University of Arkansas at Monticello College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources and the Arkansas Forest Resources Center are seeking applicants for a full-time tenure-track Assistant/Associate Professor position in forest health. The successful candidate will develop a nationally recognized forest health research program and educate the next generation of forest and land managers in the southeastern United States. Applicants should have a Ph.D. in forest health or a closely related field. Research interests may be focused on any of the following areas: forest insects and diseases, forest fire, invasive/exotic species, forest disturbance, climate change, forest-environmental interactions, and the influence of forest management on stand/ecosystem health. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States, have a valid driver’s license, and begin employment no later than January 3, 2024. Salary commensurate with qualifications/excellent fringe benefits. All application materials must be uploaded to the University’s Career Site. For application questions, contact Rhonda Parris and for inquiries regarding the position, contact the Search Committee Chair Robert Ficklin. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. UAM is an Affirmative Action/ Equal Opportunity Employer. To learn more, click here.

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.

FIA Staff Forester I - Texas A&M Forest Service (Two positions)

Texas A&M Forest Service is seeking applications for two full-time permanent FIA Staff Forester I positions for Lufkin, TX, and Henderson, TX locations. The Forester will serve as a forest survey crew leader and be responsible for the survey program in the assigned region. The duties include investigating land ownership in the tax office, contacting landowners, locating field plots, collecting and transmitting forest survey data, and achieving production goals. The work experience and skills requirement include strong dendrology and vegetation inventory knowledge and must have sound communication, organization, and documentation skills. A bachelor’s degree in forestry with an emphasis in Forest Management or a closely related degree program is required. The position also requires outdoor fieldwork and exposure to harsh environmental conditions such as wind, sunlight, rain, and temperature extremes. The successful candidate must have a valid Texas driver's license and maintain good physical fitness. To learn more about the position based in Lufkin, TX click here, and for the position at Henderson, TX here.

Staff Forester/Woodland Ecologist I - Urban & Community Forestry

Texas A&M Forest Service is seeking a full-time Staff Forester/Woodland Ecologist I - Urban & Community Forestry for its Alpine, TX location. The candidate needs to be a highly motivated, detail-oriented team member with a passion for community forestry and arboriculture. The Staff Forester / Woodland Ecologist will provide leadership to municipalities, non-profits, planning groups, and other community forestry stakeholders in the West Texas/Trans-Pecos region to help build sustainable programs that ensure healthy trees and forests. This job may require exposure to adverse weather conditions such as wind, sunlight, rain, and temperature extremes as well as frequent job stress from various project deadlines, frequent travel, and long hours. This position requires a bachelor’s degree in forestry, horticulture, or other related fields. Two or more years of experience in urban forestry, land management, conservation, or hydrology is a preferred qualification. For a detailed job description, qualifications, and application procedure, click here.

FIA Analyst- USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station

(Two positions)

USDA Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station (RMRS) Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program is seeking applications for two permanent positions in its Analysis Team. The FIA Analyst serves in a Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Work Unit which is one of four FIA Units across the country. The job role includes designing and implementing cutting-edge forest and vegetation reporting on FIA’s inventory with huge potential for innovation. To learn more about the job roles and responsibility, qualifications to apply and application procedure, click here to access the job circular.