Issue 162: Week of October 30th, 2023

Regional News

• Texas City and NRCS Plant Materials’ Program Team up to Add Native Plants in Urban Landscapes
• Update on American Chestnut Hybrid Seedling Survival and Growth After Eight Years
• Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Publishes Factsheet “The New Wildfire Season”
• SFE Publishes Short Video on Smoke, Air Quality, and Public Health
• Prescribed Fires as a Tool to Control Tick Populations in the Southeast: New Factsheet
• The SE Regional Partnership for Planning & Sustainability Receives 2023 Climate Adaptation Leadership Award
• UT Extension Releases New Back Porch Forestry Videos
• SGSF External Workforce Survey

National News

• OR State Univ. Extension Releases Booklet to Guide Media as they Report on Wildfires 
• National Urban Extension Conference Call For Presentation For the ANREP 2024 
• Dovetail Partners Releases Report on Forest & Nature Therapy 
• Nature-based Solutions for Cities Book Released by Urban Systems Lab of New School
• Spanish-English Glossary of Natural Resource Terminology Now Available
• TNC Publishes Report Highlighting Wildfire Policy Recommendations for Congress
• American Forests Survey for Private Forest Landowners

Webinars

• Introduction to Prescribed Fire Online Course
• Rooted in Research Webinar Series: Soil Heating in Fires: Process, Measurement, and Effects
• 2023 RWFM Stewardship Webinar Series: Wildfire and Prescribed Fire on Your Property
• Rooted in Research Webinar Series: How Canopy Gaps and White-Tailed Deer Influence Invasive Earthworms
• Wildfire and Prescribed Fire on Your Property
• Rooted in Research Webinar Series: Mitigating Soil Compaction in Log Landings with Subsoiling and Biochar Treatments
• Growing Next Generation Scientists and Advocates for Nature in Cities
• Rooted in Research Webinar Series: Fungi and Forest Management
• NC Community Tree Webinar: Documentation and Conservation of Champion Big Trees in Urban Forests
• A Deep Dive Into the Latest Cost and Trends of Managing Working Forests
• TREE Fund Webinars: Analyzing Timing and Causes of Individual Tree Loss After Land Development: Insights for Urban Forest Management
• Timber Tax: Landowner Issues and Considerations
• 2023 NAISMA Annual Biocontrol Summit
• 2023 RWFM Stewardship Webinar Series: Minimizing Drift on Grazing Lands
• NC Community Tree Webinar: How to Recruit and Retain Women and Under-represented Groups in Arboriculture
• FLA’s Year in Policy 2023
• Arborist Short Course Series
• Tree Tenders Training Series

Funding Opportunities

• ERME Announces Funding Opportunity for Projects Designed to Help Agricultural Producers Improve Economic Viability
• USDA Announces $188M Investment in Forestry Legacy Program
• USFS Seeking Applications Under CWDG Program Second Round
• USDA Announces Funding for Conservation Innovation Grants

Job Opportunities

• Area Forester – Virginia Department of Forestry
• State Forester/Assistant Commissioner – TN Division of Forestry
• Outreach Program Coordinator – University of Georgia, off-campus
• Endowed Director of the Wood Utilization and Design Institute – Clemson University
• Assistant Professor or Lecturer of Forestry – Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College
• Executive Director - Asheville GreenWorks
• Assistant Professor - Natural Resource Conservation & Management - Western Carolina University

The Guidebook for Prescribed Burning in the Southern Region Is Now Available

Whether you started burning with your grandparents as a toddler, or you’ve never held a drip torch, the "Guidebook for Prescribed Burning in the Southern Region" will help you set and meet your burning goals. Written by a team of Forestry Extension professionals from across the South and reviewed by nearly 50 prescribed burning experts, extension personnel, state forestry agency personnel, and fire scientists, this 200+ page, full-color spiral-bound book presents fire concepts in an easy-to-read manner. 

To access the PDF version of the Guidebook and learn more, click here. To be notified when more printed copies are available, click here.

Texas City and NRCS Plant Materials’ Program Team Up to Add Native Plants in Urban Landscapes

The City of Nacogdoches, Texas worked with the East Texas Plant Materials Center (ETPMC) and Texas Native Seeds to beautify three highway medians with native plants as part of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service’s Plant Materials Program. ETPMC and Texas Native Seeds developed a seed mix of native wildflowers, grasses, and legumes that would cover and color the medians and benefit pollinators. The city wanted to decrease the frequency that the grass-covered medians needed to be mowed, while also providing erosion control and sustainability. After being planted in February, the flowers bloomed and attracted attention from local news and drivers pulling over to take pictures. This project attracted attention and created an opportunity to promote the importance of native plants to the public. To learn more about the project, click here.

Update on American Chestnut Hybrid Seedling Survival and Growth After Eight Years

The United States Forest Service (USFS) recently posted an article with an update on the American Chestnut and Chinese Chestnut hybrid seedlings that were planted in Cherokee National Forest in Tennessee more than a decade ago. In 2010, a team of researchers planted 513 seedlings that were developed using backcross breeding techniques in hope that they would have enough resistance to chestnut blight. Eight years later, the seedlings grew to sizes similar to the American chestnut but did not exhibit enough blight resistance for reforestation. The results of this study were published in a special issue of the Forest Ecology and Management journal. To read more about the results of this study, click here.

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Publishes Factsheet “The New Wildfire Season”

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension recently a new factsheet titled “The New Wildfire Season,” authored by Dr. Morgan Treadwell. Extreme wildfire events result in considerable economic, environmental, and agricultural losses yearly in the United States. The financial burden, regional impact, and seasonal length of wildfires have significantly expanded in recent decades, causing national and global concerns. This factsheet provides an overview of wildfire in Texas, including the causes of the fires, economics, building fire-resilient communities and more. Free downloads are available here.

SFE Publishes Short Video on Smoke, Air Quality, and Public Health

Southern Regional Fire Exchange (SFE) recently published a short video to explain why smoke from wildfires burning in other regions is something that should be taken seriously in the South and what we can do to mitigate the risks it presents to our health. Smoke can have harmful effects on human health as it has been linked to hospitalizations, respiratory illnesses, and pregnancy complications. While healthy adults are not at major risk from short-term exposure to smoke, there are ways to protect one’s health. To learn more, watch the video here. Additional resources are also linked in the video description.

Prescribed Fires as a Tool to Control Tick Populations in the Southeast: New Factsheet

The University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Science (UF/IFAS) recently published a factsheet highlighting how prescribed fire can be used as a tool to control tick populations in the southeastern US. Fire affects ticks by directly killing them and by changing their habitat to limit their ability to find shelter and hosts. The heat from prescribed fires can burn hot enough and long enough to kill ticks directly as it only requires 2.5 seconds to kill a tick at any life stage. However, ticks may seek refuge in unburned patches or moist places to escape, thus repeated burning is required to maintain lower tick populations. Burned areas also affect tick-host interactions and increase populations of tick predators. To learn more about the effects of prescribed fires on tick populations, click here.

The SE Regional Partnership for Planning & Sustainability Receives 2023 Climate Adaptation Leadership Award

The Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability (SERPPAS) was recently awarded the 2023 Climate Adaptation Leadership Award for Natural Resources at the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies Annual Meeting in Calgary, Alberta. SERPPAS was recognized in the Broad Partnerships category for exemplary leadership in reducing climate-related threats and promoting adaptation of the nation’s natural resources. The Climate Adaptation Leadership Award for Natural Resources was established in 2016 to bring to light many of the outstanding people leading projects or activities that are advancing the resilience of our nation’s valuable fish, wildlife, and plant resources in a changing climate. These awards acknowledge the leadership of those individuals, organizations, businesses, and agencies that are making it happen and promote their work as examples of successful climate adaptation. Learn more about the SERPPAS nomination here, and learn about the Climate Adaptation Leadership Award here.

UT Extension Releases New Back Porch Forestry Videos

The University of Tennessee (UT) Extension recently released two additional videos on YouTube as part of their Back Porch Forestry series. Back Porch Forestry is an educational series on trees, forests, and forest management. The episode “Tree Growth Characteristics” explains how trees grow, and addresses the differences between primary and secondary growth, as well as shoot growth patterns and the allocation of energy. The second episode, “Classifying Hardwood Trees for Harvest Purposes,” examines four classes of hardwood timber based on hardwood feasibility. These two new episodes and all 33 episodes in the series can be found here. 

SGSF External Workforce Survey

The Southern Group of State Foresters has recently started a survey for individuals between the ages of 18-34 that have not worked for a state forestry agency. Tell them about your career goals for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card. Click here to take the survey.  

OR State Univ. Extension Releases Booklet to Guide Media as They Report on Wildfires

The Oregon State University Extension (OSU) Fire Program and the University of Oregon School of Journalism and Communications partnered to create a new booklet titled "Stories of Fire: Resources for Media Covering Wildfire Events and Topics in Oregon.” The booklet provides the media with information that can help them cover wildfires and related topics in Oregon in a more efficient and accurate manner. Interviews with journalists, newsrooms, fire scientists, and public information officers across the state were conducted to learn about their needs and interests in reporting wildfires. Topics in the guide include a glossary to explain fire operations terminology, what to expect when covering a wildfire, information on land management in the state, a brief summary of notable fires in Oregon’s history as well as story ideas for reporting on what happens before, during, after fire events, and outside of fire season and more. This guide, which could be adapted for other states, can be accessed here.

National Urban Extension Conference Call For Presentation For the ANREP 2024

The National Urban Extension Leaders and Tennessee Extension are now accepting presentation proposals for the National Urban Extension Conference (NUEC) that will be held May 28-31 in Nashville, TN. The Urban Extension Conference provides an opportunity for Extension professionals and applied researchers to learn about innovative approaches, receive recognition, and find inspiration for their work from colleagues. NUEC24 will provide opportunities to share research and innovative educational strategies that address the needs of urban, suburban, and peri-urban populations as well as urban-rural interdependencies. Proposals will be accepted for presentations, posters, and panels for the 2024 Conference. Abstracts that highlight research or outreach activities that involve partnerships between researchers, practitioners, and Extension professionals are especially encouraged. Proposals are due December 1. Find the full call for proposals here.

Dovetail Partners Releases Report on Forest & Nature Therapy

Dovetail's “An Introduction to Forest & Nature Therapy” report explores the development of training and certifications to support credentialed practice and incorporate research findings from around the world. Dovetail is a team that collaborates to develop unique concepts, systems, models, and programs. Their mission is to provide authoritative information about the impacts and trade-offs of environmental decisions, including consumption choices, land use, and policy alternatives. The development of forest and nature therapy creates green job opportunities such as forest therapy guides and trainers, research and development roles, certified forest therapy trail implementation, and other associated products and services. These practices are now being introduced in the US and Europe and the scientific basis is being expanded, including adoption within the USDA Forest Service.  The full report can be found here.

Nature-based Solutions for Cities Book Released by Urban Systems Lab of New School

The Urban Systems Lab is an interdisciplinary research, design, and practice space at The New School University, that provides knowledge and analysis for developing more equitable, resilient, and sustainable cities. They recently published a book that describes nature-based solutions for cities. The goal of the book is to be a handbook for graduate students, early career professionals, and emerging and advancing scholars to begin working with nature-based solutions in ways that consider multiple perspectives, disciplines, and ways of knowing. Through chapters led by experts in both the global south and north contexts, the book describes key knowledge and learning for advancing the interdisciplinary science of nature-based solutions in, for, and with cities and discusses the frontiers for next-generation nature-based solutions. Access the book here.

Spanish-English Glossary of Natural Resource Terminology Now Available

The United States Forest Service (USFS) recently published a Spanish-English glossary of terminology used in forestry, range, wildlife, fishery, soils, and botany. This glossary provides translations from Spanish to English terms, and vice versa that are equivalent translations of scientific and management terms commonly used in the field of natural resource management. The glossary can be accessed here.

TNC Publishes Report Highlighting Wildfire Policy Recommendations for Congress

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) recently published a four-page report highlighting key wildfire policy recommendations for Congress. The nonpartisan report was commissioned by Congress to address the increasingly severe risk from extreme wildfires and the nation’s relationship to fire. The report calls for urgent, integrated approaches to the wildfire crisis as it lays out 148 federal policy recommendations that address almost every aspect of wildfire management in the US. Congress established the commission as part of the Infrastructure Investments and Jobs Act in 2021 and was developed as a nonpartisan body with diverse members from all relevant sectors, including federal agencies, state, local, and Tribal governments, non-governmental organizations, academia, and the private sector. The commission was charged with developing a set of comprehensive policy solutions to address all facets of the wildfire crisis. Learn more about the report here. The report can be found here.  

American Forests Survey for Private Forest Landowners

American Forests recently started fielding an online survey among private forest landowners in the US regarding carbon programs. They are looking to better understand the experiences and challenges of landowners as well as their thoughts and opinions regarding different types of programs that exist for enrollment. The survey will take about 10 to 20 minutes and you will be entered into a drawing to win 1 of 20 $50 gift cards. Please note that confidentiality and anonymity are guaranteed, and your name and/or other personal identifiers will never be revealed in conjunction with any aspect of this study or the analysis. Click here to take the survey.

Interested in learning how to conduct a safe and effective prescribed burn? Enroll in the OSU Extension Introduction to Prescribed Fire online course to learn best practices for conducting a safe and effective burn. The course features interactive learning activities and custom videos. Click here to enroll.

Hosted by USDA Forest Service. Fire can significantly transform soil biological, chemical, and physical properties in terrestrial ecosystems. This presentation will cover an open-source model that can estimate fire-driven soil heating, cooling, and the biotic effects of heating across depths and over time (Soil Heating in Fires, or SheFire), as well as the effects of fire on soils. Access the webinar here.

Presented by Todd Nightingale, Project Manager, Texas A&M Natural Resources Institute. This program will discuss activities landowners can implement to prevent and prepare for a wildfire on their property. Additionally, what to expect when a wildfire is on your property, how you can help responders during the fire and what happens next after the fire is controlled. Finally, the program will close with information to know about prescribed burning and professionals who can assist you. Register here.

Hosted by USDA Forest Service. Invasive earthworms are the scourge of many forest soils and pose a threat to native plants, nutrient cycles, and more. Presenters will discuss how white-tailed deer and canopy gaps can influence earthworm invasion and how these aboveground-belowground interactions might influence forest management. Click here to join the webinar.

This program will discuss activities landowners can implement to prevent and prepare for a wildfire on their property. Additionally, what to expect when a wildfire is on your property, how you can help responders during the fire and what happens next after the fire is controlled. Finally, the program will close with information to know about prescribed burning and professionals who can assist you.

Hosted by USDA Forest Service. Log landings, often left disturbed after timber harvesting, hold potential for establishing pollinator habitats, but soil compaction resulting from the harvesting process hinders seed germination and growth. To address this issue, a study was conducted in three National Forests (Hoosier, Shawnee, and Mark Twain) to test subsoil ripping and biochar application as remediation methods. Access the webinar here.

This webinar series creates a stage for experts to share the latest science, practice, and policy on urban and community forestry. Topics include issues affecting the health of people and the health of the trees and forests that communities depend on to moderate local climate extremes and provide food, shelter, water, wildlife habitat, environmental justice, artistic expression, and spiritual healing. Click here to watch. Previous episodes can be found here. 

Hosted by USDA Forest Service. Forest management practices, such as thinning and soil amendment application, can influence the composition of fungal communities in forests, which can then influence carbon and nutrient cycling. NRS scientists are currently elucidating these complex interactions, aiming to ultimately provide insights on how foresters can consider fungi when managing forests. Join the webinar here.

Champion big trees growing in urban forests are a source of wonderment and community pride. Documenting these trees is a passion shared by people from many walks of life – both hobbyists and professionals. Discovering that a tree has reached an exceptionally large size for its species often affords the tree special attention and care from arborists and conservationists. In this presentation, we will discuss the documentation of champion big trees, common threats that they face in urban environments, and arboricultural best practices of big tree conservation. Click here to learn more or register.

Hosted by Forest Landowners. The Cost and Cost Trends of Southern U.S. Forestry Practices Survey has been conducted periodically from 1952 through the current survey. The Forest Landowners Foundation in partnership with Dr. Adam Maggard of Auburn University has worked in recent years to get the survey into a workable online format resulting in significantly more responses. This online landowner learning session will go through the results of the latest survey data including planting, herbicide application, prescribed fire and more. The full report will be available in Forest Landowner Magazine in the November/December issue. Click here to register.

Dr. Susan Day and Laura Grant will be presenting their findings and research. CEUs will be available for this free webinar. Click here to learn more and register.

This one-hour webinar will provide an overview on various timber tax topics. Topics include timber basis, IRS distinctions between a business, investment or a hobby, what is a back cruise and when is it helpful in determining taxes, when to use form T, and a host of other helpful topics for a landowner considering harvesting timber and curious about the tax implications and best strategies. Learn more here.

Presented by Dr. Mark Matocha, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. This drift minimization program will discuss the two basic types of drift: particle drift and vapor drift. Physical characteristics of spray solutions, factors that influence drift, and applicator influence on drift will also be discussed. Finally, strategies such as delayed applications, nozzle type and droplet size, boom height, and adjuvants will be covered as methods to minimize drift. This webinar will offer 1 Drift CEU from the Texas Department of Agriculture. Register here.

Presented by Dr. Mark Matocha, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. This drift minimization program will discuss the two basic types of drift: particle drift and vapor drift. Physical characteristics of spray solutions, factors that influence drift, and applicator influence on drift will also be discussed. Finally, strategies such as delayed applications, nozzle type and droplet size, boom height, and adjuvants will be covered as methods to minimize drift. This webinar will offer 1 Drift CEU from the Texas Department of Agriculture. Register here.

Are you searching for strategies to expand your tree care workforce among women and other under-represented groups? Let Erin help you out! During this webinar, she will discuss the current demographics of the arborist workforce, the challenges women and other under-represented groups confront when advancing their arborist careers, and strategies employers can use to attract and keep employees on their team. Learn more and register here. 

Hosted by Forest Landowners. Join Craig Anderson, FLA’s Director of Government Affairs, and Katie Moss, FLA’s Director of Stewardship Initiatives and Regulatory Affairs as they review the progress and ongoing initiatives of FLA’s policy team for 2023. From the Disaster Reforestation Act to the Endangered Species Act, learn about the advancement of FLA’s policy priorities in 2023 and how you can get involved in 2024. Click here to register.

Join us for 10 days of three-hour presentations where attendees will be prepped to take the ISA Certified Arborists Examination and gain ISA credits. Designed to increase working tree knowledge and professional arborist skills, successful completion of the ten-day Arborist Short Course Series will prepare participants for the ISA Certified Arborist exam, as well as improve their marketability. This certification designates a level of professionalism that most arborists do not have. Learn more here.

Hosted by PennState Extension. The Tree Tenders Training Series program empowers concerned residents to make dramatic strides toward restoring and caring for the tree canopy in their communities. Join thousands of other concerned citizens like yourself. Become a Tree Tender and help increase tree canopy cover in your community. Learn more and register here. 

ERME Announces Funding Opportunity for Projects Designed to Help Agricultural Producers Improve Economic Viability

The Southern Extension Risk Management Education (ERME) Center in conjunction with the North Central, Northeastern, and Western Centers has recently announced a competitive funding opportunity for educational projects designed to help agricultural producers improve their economic viability through targeted risk management strategies. This announcement seeks applications from qualified public and private groups, organizations, and institutions including land grant colleges and universities, Cooperative Extension, other colleges and universities, and other public and private entities with a demonstrated capacity to develop and deliver results/impact-based risk management education projects for agricultural producers and their families. This funding opportunity is specifically designated for the delivery of risk management education to agricultural producers underserved by the Federal crop insurance program, with proposed educational programming that aligns with one or more of the five areas of risk: production, marketing, financial, legal or human. To learn more or apply for 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. 

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.

USDA Announces Funding for Conservation Innovation Grants

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced the availability of $65 Million in funding through two funding opportunities for new tools, approaches, practices, and technology to further natural resource conservation on private lands through the Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. CIG is a competitive grant program that addresses the nation’s water quality and quantity, air quality, soil health, wildlife habitat challenges, and improving agricultural operations. Of the two funding opportunities, $50 Million is available through CIG On-Farm Trials and $15 Million through CIG Classic. CIG On-Farm Trials projects feature collaboration between NRCS and partners to implement on-the-ground conservation activities and then evaluate their impact. Strong consideration will be given to proposals that include Historically Underserved entities and individuals. Applications are now being accepted and are due by October 30. To learn more, click here.

Area Forester – Virginia Department of Forestry

The Virginia Department of Forestry is seeking to hire an Area Forester for our Rappahannock District in the Central Region. Area Foresters spend most of their time outdoors providing professional forestry advice and assistance to private landowners. This is a full-time remote position. Duties include, but are not limited to providing professional forest management advice to forest landowners through technical assistance and forest management plan development, administering state and federal cost-share programs to support forest management projects, assessing and addressing forest health concerns, establishing and managing riparian buffers to protect streams, waterbodies, and wetlands, educating the general public and organizations of the benefits of trees and forests, preventing and suppressing wildland fires, including enforcing Virginia's fire laws and inspecting logging jobs for compliance with Virginia's Silvicultural Water Quality Law. Learn more and apply here.

State Forester/Assistant Commissioner – TN Division of Forestry

The Tennessee Forestry Commission is soliciting resumés for the position of Tennessee State Forester to fulfill the Commission’s statutory obligation for submission of a list of three qualified candidates to Tennessee Governor Bill Lee. The State Forester will head the Tennessee Division of Forestry, composed of approximately 400 employees within the Tennessee Department of Agriculture. The selected candidate will serve at the pleasure of the Commissioner of Agriculture. This is a full-time position in Nashville, TN. A bachelor's degree in forestry from an institution accredited by the Society of American Foresters and a minimum of five (5) years of full-time experience in the management of state, federal or private forests is a minimum requirement. Click here to learn more or apply.



Outreach Program Coordinator – University of Georgia, off-campus

The Mary Kahrs Warnell Forest Education Center is an off-campus enterprise located in Effingham County, GA and is part of the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. The Program Coordinator is the only UGA employee at this site and is responsible for the daily operation of the Mary Kahrs Warnell Forest Education Center including the delivery of all education outreach programming, managing the annual budget, and maintenance and security of facilities and grounds. Includes use of state-issued purchase card to purchase supplies for the facilities and grounds. On-site housing is available. Preferred skills include knowledge of forestry and natural resource management, the ability to deliver technical content knowledge using appropriate in-person and online teaching methods for diverse audiences, Project Learning Tree, Project WET, Project WILD certification, and possessing interpersonal, organizational, written, and verbal communication skills. To learn more about this position or to apply, click here.

Endowed Director of the Wood Utilization and Design Institute – Clemson University

Clemson University invites applications for the position of Patricia “Pat” Layton Endowed Directorship of the Wood Utilization Design Institute (WUD). The position is a 12-month faculty (or faculty equivalent) appointment with responsibilities in external relations and industry partnerships, facilitation of collaborative grantsmanship and research, public policy and government affairs, building collaborations within and outside of Clemson University, and WUD administration. Although this position does not have a formal teaching assignment, there will be opportunities for guest lecturing, seminar organization, and speaking engagements to represent Clemson WUD. The anticipated start date is May 2024. To learn more or apply, click here.

Assistant Professor or Lecturer of Forestry – Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College

The Department of Forest Resources, housed within the School of Agriculture and Natural Resources, seeks applicants for an Assistant Professor or Lecturer of Forestry. This is a 10-month, tenure-track position (Assistant Professor rank) or 10-month non-tenure track position (Lecturer rank). The successful candidate will teach undergraduate courses in support of the BS in Natural Resource Management, which may include Silviculture, Dendrology, Forest Management Planning, Forest Operations, Fire Ecology and Management, or Forest Entomology and Pathology. At the Assistant Professor rank, the candidate will also advise students and student organizations; engage in scholarly activities and engage in service activities. In addition, the successful candidate will work with the community and college on initiatives and activities that enhance the student learning experience and community relationships and promote student engagement. Specific assignments will depend on the successful candidate’s experience and area of interest. To learn more or apply, click here. 

Executive Director - Asheville GreenWorks 

GreenWorks is seeking to fill a full-time, 40 hours a week, Executive Director position based in Asheville, NC. Responsibilities of this role will include: working with the board to share the organization’s mission, diversifying fundraising strategies, overseeing planning and budgeting systems, and acting as the public face of the organization. The key priorities of this role are securing a diversified revenue stream, investing in infrastructure and internal capacities, leading staff, and prioritizing equity. The candidate should be an effective communicator, have values aligned with the company, have had past experience in leadership, and demonstrate commitment to climate and sustainability issues. This role will ideally start in January of 2024. To apply, send a letter of interest and resume in PDF form to careers@ashevillegreenworks.org. This position will remain open until it is filled. Resume review will begin in mid-October. Click here to learn more about GreenWorks. More information and the application can be found here.

Assistant Professor - Natural Resource Conservation & Management - Western Carolina University

Faculty in the Department of Geosciences and Natural Resources (GNR) at Western Carolina University (WCU) are seeking applications for a 9-month, tenure-track, Assistant Professor of Natural Resource Conservation and Management position located on the Cullowhee Campus. The candidate should have a background in forestry or a closely related field, and have an interest in fire ecology. Courses to be taught include forest management and silviculture as well as dendrology, natural resource measurements, and other topics related to the candidate’s area of expertise, in addition to WCU’s general education curriculum. The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong commitment to excellence in teaching and the ability to develop a research program that provides experiential learning opportunities for students while also contributing to community service. This position will begin August 2024 and will remain open until it is filled. Review of applications will begin on November 10, 2023. This job was posted September 8. For more information on this position, 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 related 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 3 | Kissimmee, FL

Central Florida Prescribed Fire Council Meeting

If you are interested in learning more about prescribed fire, you may wish to attend a Prescribed Fire Council meeting. Topics can include the basics of prescribed fire burn plans, what to do about smoke on a road, fireline first aid, predicted weather conditions for prescribed burning, government cost shares to help landowners prescribe burn, and talks given by expert burners on successes and failures that they have had. Click here to learn more or register.

November 6-10 | Santa Fe, NM

6th National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy Workshop

The Workshop will be grounded in the opportunity for presenters and audience members to learn from each other about tools, ideas, and examples of successful Cohesive Strategy implementation. In addition, most sessions will “workshop” the development of coherent actions and solutions for challenges that are keeping interest-holders from implementing the Cohesive Strategy. These actions will be prioritized by the audience and carried forward by audience members, the Wildland Fire Leadership Council and its three regional strategy committees. Learn more about the event here.

November 7-10 | Nairobi, Kenya

International Congress of 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.

November 9 | Charlotte, NC

Carolina Canopy Soil Management Workshop, Western Region

The goal of this workshop is to inform arborists and landscape contractors and planners about soil science and soil management techniques. During this event, presenters will discuss and demonstrate soil texture and water holding capabilities, soil health (e.g., micro-organisms, aeration needs), soil remediation techniques & technology, soil management during construction, and demonstration of flexi-pave installation. Learn more and register here.

November 16 | Tamassee, SC

2023 SC Shortleaf Conference

The SC Forestry Commission will be hosting our first-ever shortleaf conference this November at the agency's Piedmont Forestry Center near Tamassee for the landowners and foresters in upstate South Carolina. The conference topics include shortleaf pine's fire resistance, timber potential, and suitability for wildlife habitat enhancement. Registration opens on August 15. To learn more, contact Carla Castro at SC Forestry Commission. 

November 28 | Wilson, NC

Carolina Canopy Workshop: Tree Ordinance, Eastern Region

In sum, the workshop will open with two presentations by Keith O'Herrin (urban forester for Union County) and Joseph Joyner (project manager of urban forestry at Davey Resource Group). They will address the complexities of how you can implement and enforce tree protection ordinances. Representatives from local municipalities will also be present to provide case study reports of how they have updated and implemented their own tree protection ordinances in recent years. Click here to learn more and register. 

November 29 | Statesville, NC

Carolina Canopy Workshop: Tree Ordinance, Western Region

In sum, the workshop will open with two presentations by Keith O'Herrin (urban forester for Union County) and Joseph Joyner (project manager of urban forestry at Davey Resource Group). They will address the complexities of how you can implement and enforce tree protection ordinances. Representatives from local municipalities will also be present to provide case study reports of how they have updated and implemented their own tree protection ordinances in recent years. Learn more and register 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 6-7 | Greensboro, NC

Winyer 2023 Certified Arborist Prep Course & Review

Participants of this two-day workshop will receive professional instruction that improves their technical competency as an arborist in the tree care industry. As sponsors of this preparatory course, the NC Urban Forest Council, NC Cooperative Extension, and Southern Chapter of ISA seek to accomplish the following objectives: Create incentives for nascent arborists to continue their professional development, and provide the public with a means to identify tree care professionals who have demonstrated trusted competency in tree care practices, through a professionally developed education program and exam. Learn more and register 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.

February 3 | Tallahassee, FL

Red Hills Fire Festival

Mark your calendar for the 2024 return of the Red Hills Fire Festival hosted at Tall Timbers. This all-ages educational event about prescribed fire and its benefits is hosted in the Red Hills on even years. Odd-years feature the Flatwoods Fire & Nature Festival in Gainesville. After missing 2022 during the pandemic, we are excited to invite community members back out in 2024 to learn about prescribed fire in a casual and fun setting. Learn more here. 

February 6-8 | Baton Rouge, LA

SAF Rising Professionals Conference

This brand-new annual event is tailored specifically for young professionals (under 40 years old) and students in natural resources and forestry! Themed “The Role of Innovations in Forestry,” the 2024 SAF Rising Professionals Conference will allow attendees to delve into the latest sector tech and broaden their professional circle, all while participating in presentations, demonstrations, and hands-on trainings on technology and leadership. Learn more and register here.

February 20-22 | Turrialba, Costa Rica

18th North American Agroforestry Conference (NAAC)

The Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), an international institute for agricultural development and biological conservation in Central America and the Caribbean will host the 18th NAAC. To learn more about this event, click here.

March 4-15 | Marshfield, MO

Southern Missouri TREX

All practitioners are welcome at this event hosted by The Nature Conservancy with support from a USFS Cohesive Strategy grant. See the announcement for details, including course and gear requirements. Nominations are due by November 10. Learn more here.

April 2-3 | Tucson, AZ

USFS FIA User Group Meeting

The next in-person FIA User Group meeting will be held on April 2-3, 2024, in Tucson, Arizona. For those who are interested in extending their stay, NCASI will also be tentatively hosting a session the morning of April 4th. Registration and hotel information coming in December. We have several important updates and new resources to share. Please read each update below and feel free to reach out with any questions or ideas. As always, please visit and bookmark the FIA User Group webpage for the latest information. 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.

April 15-19 | Boise, ID

7th International Fire Behavior and Fuel Conference

The 7th International Fire Behaviour and Fuels Conference offers a forum where past Fire Management experience and lessons learned are documented, current work showcased, and emerging research, innovation, and techniques on fire management are shared, towards developing integrated solutions to these challenges. Learn more here. 

April 16-17 | Eufaula, AL

Alabama Forest Owners' Association ANnual Meeting

Richard Cristan is organizing a field trip on the 16th to look at Best Management Practices for Water Quality. Learn more here.

June 22-25 | Ponte Vedra Beach, FL

ACF National Conference - Florida's Forests: Fire & Rain

The 2024 ACF National Conference will be held June 22-25 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Registration will open in February 2024. Click here to learn more.