The Southern Regional Extension of Forestry

Issue 165: Week of December 18th, 2023

Highlights

Recent News

In our recent survey, SREF News Digest readers shared that they would love to have direct links to the articles at the top of the newsletter. We are trying it out this week. Click on the headlines below if you want to go directly to the external article.

Regional News

• SERPPAS Releases Longleaf Sustainability Analysis
• Celebrating 40 Years of the Regional Climate Center Program
• International Oak Symposium Call for Abstracts
• Tall Timbers Offering Incentive for Women to Join the Northwest Florida Prescribed Burning Association
• USDA Hosts Community Wildfire Mitigation “Best Practices” Training Course
• Project Learning Tree Publishes Article on Best STEM Strategies Citing UGA Extension Dean
• Georgia Heirs Property Law Center Publishes 2023 Annual Report

National News

• Solutions From the Land Applauds Final COP28 Agreement
• TNC Publishes Article on the Climate Ambition Gap
• USDA to Begin Issuing Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program Payments
• USFWS Call for Hunters to Help Cull 500,000 Barred Owls Over 30 Years in the PNW

Webinars

Access previously listed webinars here.

• Determining Seed Sources for Groundcover Restoration
• NC Community Tree Webinar: The Face of Arboriculture & Urban Forestry - Recruiting and Retaining Skilled Workers Across All Demographics
• The Dilemma for Control of Invasive Species: Incorrect Terms Limit Our Capacity to Respond
• Community Wildfire Protection Plans
• Woods in Your Backyard
• Frontiers in Forest Health: Beech Leaf Disease

Funding Opportunities

• USDA Announces 2024 National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Program
• USDA Announces Opening of Application Period for Regional Agriculture Promotion Program
• FEMA Offering BRIC Direct Technical Assistance for Communities and Tribal Nations
• 2024 Longleaf Landscape Stewardship Fund Request for Proposals
• Renewable Resources Extension Act – National Focus Fund Project Request for Applications
• USDA Accepting Requests for the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program
• Large Watershed Planning Grants in California Forests Request for Proposals

Job Opportunities

• Research Economist/Forester – USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station
• Director – UGA Harley Langdale Center for Forest Business
• Extension Educator (Tribal Climate Adaptation and Resilience) - Univ. of Minnesota
• Extension Leadership Specialist – Univ. of Georgia
• Uwharrie National Forest Prescribed Fire/Fuels Seasonal Crew Member (2 Positions)
• Assistant Professor – Forest Resources – Western Carolina Univ.
• Director of Land Retention & Advocacy – Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund

SERPPAS Releases Longleaf Sustainability Analysis

Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability (SERPPAS) recently announced the release of the Longleaf Sustainability Analysis (LSA) v.1. This important new longleaf ecosystem-centric map analysis was produced by the Florida Natural Areas Inventory and the University of Florida Center for Landscape Conservation Planning and guided by an LSA Working Group with funding from the USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). The LSA combines map data about extant longleaf, suitable sites for restoration, landscape connectivity, and other factors related to sustainability to prioritize areas on the landscape for implementation of restoration and conservation actions. Users are encouraged to spend time viewing the maps as well as documentation to fully understand the best uses and limitations. The Longleaf Sustainability Analysis can be found here.

Celebrating 40 Years of the Regional Climate Center Program

This year is the 40th anniversary of the Regional Climate Centers, a climate resource for the United States. The Southeast Regional Climate Center located in North Carolina provides incredible amounts of climate information, including the “Perspectives tool” that is used by climatologists nationally to help characterize the current climate. The Regional Climate Center (RCC) Program was formed in 1983 in response to the National Climate Program Act of 1978, which recognized the need for accurate, localized climate information to support government decision-makers and other stakeholders. This came on the heels of the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA), and its successor agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and a growing interest in applied climatology owing to factors such as the globalization of the agricultural economy and the impacts of major climate events around the world. Read more about the Regional Climate Center Program here.

International Oak Symposium Call for Abstracts

The International Oak Symposium recently called for abstracts for oral or poster presentations. The International Oak Symposium is hosted by the University of Tennessee Knoxville and will take place October 7-10. Oral presentations and posters should showcase research in silviculture, ecology, forest management, health, applied genetics, economics, forest products, or similar fields for a better understanding of oak regeneration, trees, stands, ecosystems, or landscapes. Oral presentations and posters on science-based collaborative projects or programs such as technology transfer, tree improvement, or other initiatives are also welcome. The deadline for abstract submissions is January 19. Read the full call for abstracts here. 

Tall Timbers Offering Incentive for Women to Join the Northwest Florida Prescribed Burning Association

Tall Timbers is offering to pay the $100 initiation fee for women to join the Northwest Florida Prescribed Burn Association. This is a limited-time offer that ends December 31, 2023. For more details, contact Jeremy Martin by email or by calling 850-333-4776.

USDA Hosts Community Wildfire Mitigation “Best Practices” Training Course

Coalitions & Collaboratives, Inc. and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service are offering a national-level training course on “Community Mitigation and Best Practices” for current or future mitigation specialists, wildfire program leads, and others who work with residents and their communities to reduce wildfire risk. The Mitigation Best Practices training concentrates on the science, methods, and tools that will help trainees engage communities/residents while also helping them eliminate ineffective practices. The course is required training for the Wildfire Mitigation Specialist Team Member (WMTM) and Wildfire Mitigation Specialist Team Lead (WMTL) positions with the United States Forest Service (USFS). Learn more about the training here or skip to registration here.

Project Learning Tree Publishes Article on Best STEM Strategies Citing UGA Extension Dean

For the past decade, Project Learning Tree (PLT) featured “STEM Strategies” in their branch newsletter. PLT had the opportunity to partner with Dr. Kris Irwin, Associate Dean for Extension at the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia, to author a total of 30 STEM Strategies that supplement activities within various PLT curriculum guides, including the Explore Your Environment: K-8 Activity Guide. In a recently published article, PLT highlighted some of Dr. Irwin’s favorite STEM Strategies from over the years as he plans his retirement for early 2024. Dr, Irwin devised the original template for STEM strategies by beginning with an essential question and at least one corresponding, student-driven task. Some of Dr. Irwin’s favorite articles to date include Trees as Habitats (2017), Living with Fire (2017), and Sounds Around (2020). The articles highlight the importance of place-based learning, having fun, being challenged, learning life skills, and appreciating our natural environments. To learn more about STEM Strategies and how they are structured, read the full article here.  

Georgia Heirs Property Law Center Publishes 2023 Annual Report

The Georgia Heirs Property Law Center recently published an annual report for FY2023. The Georgia Heirs Property Law Center increases generational wealth, economic value, and community stability by securing and preserving property rights of low and moderate-income Georgians. This year, they scaled up services to address the significant amount of “frozen equity” undermining Georgia’s economy.  The Center’s staff provides transformative intervention services that secure property rights by resolving heirs property through title clearing, preventing heirs property through estate planning, and providing asset education. Read the full annual report here. 

Solutions From the Land Applauds Final COP28 Agreement

Solutions from the Lands (SFL) celebrates the central outcome of COP28, the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP) annual United Nations (UN) climate meeting, where governments discussed how to limit and prepare for future climate change. Nearly 200 countries that participated in COP28 reached a historic agreement that recognizes the fundamental priority of safeguarding food security, the vulnerabilities of food production systems, and ending hunger. A highlight for SFL was the adoption of the declaration on sustainable agriculture, resilient food systems, and climate change by over 150 countries. This declaration addresses global emissions while protecting the lives and livelihoods of farmers who live on the frontlines of climate change. SFL has been participating in COP since 2009, earning official standing as a “non-party” observer in 2019. Going forward, SFL will continue to share its vision, across multiple UN system platforms, of a 21st Century Agricultural Renaissance, where sustainable farms, ranches, and forests not only improve food and nutrition security but concurrently deliver high-value ecosystem services. Read the full article here.

TNC Publishes Article on the Climate Ambition Gap

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) recently posted an article on the goal of reaching net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 or sooner- the climate ambition gap. Despite all the progress that has been made, the world is not on track to achieve the goal. Surpassing 1.5 degrees Celsius of global warming is likely to have dangerous and widespread impacts on the earth and the planet is currently on track for 2.7 degrees Celsius. Closing the climate ambition gap requires a level of determination and global coordination to eliminate 150 billion tons of greenhouse gas pollution between now and 2030. Efforts such as decarbonizing society, restoring ecosystems, and funding verified climate action opportunities are important to reaching the goal of helping close the gap. According to this article, the Voluntary Carbon Market also has the potential to help protect and restore nature by incentivizing companies to decarbonize almost twice as fast. Learn more about the climate ambition gap by reading the full article here.

USDA to Begin Issuing Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program Payments

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced that it will begin issuing more than $233 Million in Pandemic Assistance Revenue Program (PARP) payments. These payments help producers who suffered a decrease in allowable gross revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic for the 2020 calendar year. Eligible PARP applicants must have been in the business of farming during at least part of the 2020 calendar year and had a 15% or greater decrease in allowable gross revenue for the 2020 calendar year, as compared to a baseline year. PARP benefits help address gaps in previous pandemic assistance, which was targeted at price loss or lack of market access, rather than overall revenue losses. PARP was designed to help deliver financial assistance to a broader set of producers, including underserved communities, small and medium-sized producers, and farmers and producers of livestock and less traditional crops. The PARP application period closed July 14, 2023. More than 38,500 PARP applications triggered payments totaling nearly $7 billion, meaning PARP program participation exceeds available funding. Therefore, consistent with PARP regulations, to ensure equitable funding distribution to all eligible producers, a 9.5% payment factor has been applied to all payments. Read more about PARP payments here.

USFWS Call for Hunters to Help Cull 500,000 Barred Owls Over 30 Years in the PNW

The United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has put out a call to hunters to help cull 500,000 Barred Owls in the Pacific Northwest over the next 30 years as part of a new management plan. Barred owls have lived in the Pacific Northwest since the 1950s. Over the past 70 years, they have slowly displaced the native northern spotted owl, causing spotted owls to be listed under the Endangered Species Act. In just the past 20 years, northern spotted owl populations have declined between 35 to 80%. The USFWS plans to start culling them in 2025 with an initial push of 20,000 birds for the year, an increase to 13,000 birds the next decade, and a continual increase each decade. If successful, the plan will eliminate 30 percent of the barred owl population, which should be enough to give spotted owls a fighting chance. Landowners and land managers will be able to apply for permits to shoot barred owls. Managers are also considering capturing and euthanizing barred owls in more developed areas with higher concentrations of people. Read the full article here. 

Learning from the Capacity Building Pilot

Native groundcover provides numerous benefits in longleaf pine systems, from wildlife habitat and food sources, fuel for frequent prescribed fires, host plants for pollinator species, nutrient cycling, and aesthetic benefits. But it can often be degraded, or absent, as a result of prior land use practices. This webinar will introduce guiding principles of restoration projects including how starting conditions affect the restoration process, determining which plant species are appropriate for your site, how to select plant materials with respect to source populations, and how seed sources and transfer zones can impact progress in restoration projects. The webinar will focus on research done in longleaf ecosystems; the methods and practices presented could be applicable to other grass-dominated, fire-dependent systems. Register here.

Are you searching for strategies to expand your tree care workforce among women and other under-represented groups? Let Erin and Naomi help you out! During this webinar they will discuss: how arboriculture and urban forestry are distinct careers that interact in a synergistic manner; the current demographics of the arborist and urban forestry workforce; how to develop a potential workforce, from which employers can recruit qualified individuals; strategies to recruit and retain skilled individuals for your team; and, challenges women and other under-represented groups confront when advancing their careers as an arborist or urban forester. Register here. 

NC Community Tree Webinar: How to Recruit and Retain Women and Under-represented Groups in Arboriculture 

Are you searching for strategies to expand your tree care workforce among women and other under-represented groups? Let Erin and Naomi help you out! During this webinar they will discuss: how arboriculture and urban forestry are distinct careers that interact in a synergistic manner; the current demographics of the arborist and urban forestry workforce; how to develop a potential workforce, from which employers can recruit qualified individuals; strategies to recruit and retain skilled individuals for your team; and, challenges women and other under-represented groups confront when advancing their careers as an arborist or urban forester. Register here. 

FLA’s Year in Policy 2023

Arborist Short Course Series 

Learn what a CWPP is and why your community may need one, what the process involves and what the components are, what resources you need to complete a CWPP, how to use CWPPs to support funding for implementation, and more! Whether you are new to building CWPPs or have experience and are looking for new ideas, you are encouraged to join! Hosted by The Ember Alliance, the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network, Coalitions and Collaboratives and the Hispanic Access Foundation as part of a partnership with the USDA Forest Service Community Navigators Program. Register here. 

Tree Tenders Training Series

Hosted by PennState Extension. The series will cover topics such as forest ecology and soils, tree planting and native landscaping, tree identification, enhancing wildlife habitat, water in the woods, invasive species management, and woodlot management techniques. Register here. 

Presented by PennState Extension. During Frontiers in Forest Health: Beech Leaf Disease, participants will learn all about beech leaf disease: how to identify it, what causes it, and the threat that it poses to the forests. Also, learn about the newest research and potential management response to beech leaf disease. Learn more and register here.

How Foresters Can Become Certified Technical Service Providers

USDA Announces 2024 National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost Share Grant Program

The United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA FS) recently released a notice of funding opportunity under the Urban and Community Forestry Program (U&CF). This is the only program dedicated to the urban forest program in the federal government. The program works in partnership with State and local forestry agencies, non-profit and tribal organizations, and institutions of higher education to restore, sustain, and manage more than 140 million acres of urban and community forest lands for the benefit of communities across the United States. The Forest Service is seeking proposals to address the National Ten Year Urban and Community Forestry Action Plan (2016-2026) Goals 4 and 5. Goal 4 is to increase the biodiversity, health, and resilience of trees in urban and community forests. Goal 5 is to support the use of more locally grown, regionally adapted, insect and pest-resistant, and diverse native or sire-appropriate species. Proposals are to be received by 5:00 pm Eastern Time on February 29, 2024. The Action Plan can be accessed here. The full notice of funding opportunity and application can be found here.

USDA Announces Opening of Application Period for Regional Agriculture Promotion Program

The United States Department of Agriculture’s Regional Agricultural Promotion Program (USDA RAPP) recently announced the Notice of Funding Opportunity for the first tranche of funding. USDA is providing up to $300 million in funding in its first year to support eligible projects that enable exporters to break into new markets and increase market share in growth markets. RAPP funds are available to non-profit U.S. agricultural trade organizations, non-profit State Regional Trade Groups (SRTGs), U.S. agricultural cooperatives, and state agencies that conduct approved market development activities to foster expanded exports and market diversification by encouraging the development, maintenance, and expansion of diverse commercial export markets for U.S. agricultural commodities and products. RAPP awards will be generally granted for a period of performance of five years, with an expected period of performance starting on June 1, 2024, and ending on September 30, 2029. Applications are due by 5:00 pm on February 2, 2024. Read the full announcement here.

FEMA Offering BRIC Direct Technical Assistance for Communities and Tribal Nations

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is offering direct technical assistance for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program. The BRIC Direct Technical Assistance (BRIC TDA) initiative provides tailored support to communities and tribal nations that may not have the resources to begin climate resilience planning and project solution design on their own. The program will partner with communities interested in enhancing their capability and capacity to design holistic, equitable hazard mitigation solutions that advance community-driven objectives. The wide-ranging non-financial support FEMA provides to BRIC DTA communities includes climate risk assessments, community engagement, partnership building, and mitigation and climate adaptation planning. Support for BRIC DTA communities can range from pre-application activities to grant closeout. The wide-ranging non-financial support FEMA provides to BRIC DTA communities includes climate risk assessments, community engagement, partnership building, and mitigation and climate adaptation planning. Support for BRIC DTA communities can range from pre-application activities to grant closeout. The open period to submit the form is October 16, 2023 to February 29, 2024. Learn more about BRIC TDA and find the request form here. Completed forms can be emailed to the BRIC DTA inbox.

2024 Longleaf Landscape Stewardship Fund Request for Proposals

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation has today announced the release of the 2024 request for proposals (RFP) under the Longleaf Landscape Stewardship Fund. This RFP expects to award approximately $30 million in federal and private sector funding in support of on-the-ground projects that help accelerate longleaf pine restoration on private and public lands to support wildlife, sequester carbon, safeguard water quality, and increase forest resilience. Limited funding also is available to support bottomland hardwood restoration and enhancement activities as outlined within the RFP. In pursuit of habitat and species restoration goals, applicants are encouraged to prioritize projects that also address co-benefits of proposed restoration activities (carbon sequestration, water quality/quantity, etc.) and engage local communities and historically underserved landowners. All proposals must specifically address how projects will directly and measurably contribute to the longleaf pine and associated species goals outlined in the Longleaf Forest and Rivers Business Plan. Full proposals are due Thursday, February 15, 2024, by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. An applicant webinar will be held on Tuesday, December 12, 2023, from 2:00 PM – 3:30 PM Eastern Time. Registration is required and applicants can register here. See the full RFP here.

Renewable Resources Extension Act – National Focus Fund Project Request for Applications

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced a request for applications for fiscal year 2024 Renewable Resources Extension Act – National Focus Fund Projects (RREA-NFF). The purpose of the grant program is to provide funds for extension projects that have national or regional relevancy. In particular, the program supports extension projects that address emerging forest and rangeland resources through the adoption of climate-smart technologies among forest and rangeland owners. The RREA program of NIFA is soliciting applications in priority areas that are extension projects that ensure the adoption of climate-smart technologies and practices in forest systems and rangeland systems. The technical assistance webinar related to this FY 2024 funding opportunity will be scheduled soon. The deadline for applications is March 13, 2024. Learn more and apply here. 

USDA Accepting Requests for the Discrimination Financial Assistance Program

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is now accepting requests for discrimination financial assistance for farmers, ranchers, and forest landowners who experienced discrimination in the USDA farm lending programs prior to January 2021. This program is an important step in delivering on USDA’s commitment of providing financial assistance to those who have faced discrimination in the USDA farm lending programs. Filing the application in free and does not require a lawyer. Borrowers can apply for assistance online or through a paper-based form. The deadline to apply is January 13. All applications received or postmarked before the Jan.13, 2024, deadline will be considered. Learn more about this assistance program and apply online here. 

Large Watershed Planning Grants in California Forests Request for Proposals

Partnering with the Pacific Southwest Region of the United States Forest Service (USFS), the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), is managing over $50 million for landscape-scale grants — encompassing up to 250,000 acres — to address comprehensive efforts to restore forest ecosystems. The California Forests Program will award approximately $50 million in grants in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, state agencies, local/municipal agencies, and tribal governments and organizations. NFWF expects that average awards for projects will range between $5 million and $15 million. Projects may extend from 5 to 7 years. Applicants will have to exhibit their competency to manage not only funding, but also project activities across the landscape. NFWF will accept Pre-Proposals for projects through Thursday, January 18, 2024, at 8:59 PM Pacific Time. Applicants whose Pre-Proposals are selected for further consideration will be asked to submit a Full Proposal for review. Learn more here.

Research Economist/Forester – USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service’s Economics and Policy Research Work Unit recently announced the opening of a permanent, full-time position at the Southern Research Center as a Research Economist or Research Forester at the GS-12 or GS-13 level. They are seeking applicants with a background and interest in the economics of wildfires to support the Forest Service’s Wildfire Crisis Strategy. The position is located at the Forestry Sciences Laboratory in Research Triangle Park, in Durham, NC. The application portal on USA Jobs is open for applications from Thursday, December 7th, 2023, until Thursday, January 4th, 2024. See the full announcement and apply here.

Director – UGA Harley Langdale Center for Forest Business

The University of Georgia is seeking to fill a 12-month, academic professional (non-tenure track) faculty position in the Harley Langdale Jr. Center for Forest Business of the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. The successful candidate will be responsible for planning and conducting the biennial Timberland Investment Conference and other periodic continuing education programs. They will also oversee the CFB budget, assist in strategic planning efforts, market forest business graduate programs and recruit students, support and promote CFB faculty research efforts, and expand and maintain close ties to program employers and stakeholders. To ensure full consideration, please apply on or before January 12, 2024. Review of complete applications will begin January 13, 2024, and continue until the position is filled. Read the full posting and apply here.

Extension Educator (Tribal Climate Adaptation and Resilience) - Univ. of Minnesota

The University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership is seeking a Tribal Climate Adaptation and Resilience Extension Educator who will bring in-depth climate science and adaptation expertise to assist Tribal food systems, water and natural resource managers, growers, gatherers, and other community members from Minnesota and the greater Midwest by responding to impacts of a changing climate. This full-time position will be based in the Extension Regional Office in Cloquet and may be of interest to the Extension Forestry and RREA networks and partners. The application deadline is January 1. Learn more and apply here.

Extension Leadership Specialist – Univ. of Georgia

The University of Georgia College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) seeks a dynamic and innovative professional for the position of Extension Leadership Specialist. This is a full-time, faculty appointment position. The successful candidate will be appointed as a Non-tenure Track Public Service and Outreach faculty member. Candidates should have a background that includes leadership, training, and facilitation. They must also qualify for appointment in the Public Service Faculty Ranks as defined in the Guidelines for Appointments and Promotion Public Service and Outreach Faculty Rank. For full consideration, applications should be received by December 15, but the position is open until filled. Learn more and apply here. 

Uwharrie National Forest Prescribed Fire/Fuels Seasonal Crew Member (2 Positions)

The Ember Alliance is hiring 2 seasonal, 4-6 month prescribed fire crewmember positions in Troy, NC. This position will participate in the day-to-day operations of a module focused on aiding partners on prescribed fire and natural resource management projects. The position is predominantly in the field, in potentially difficult environmental conditions such as hot and humid or cold weather, loose footing, and steep terrain. Crewmembers will be required to pass the Arduous Work Capacity Test. The position is open until filled with an initial assessment deadline of December 1. Learn more and apply here.

Assistant Professor – Forest Resources – Western Carolina Univ.

Western Carolina University is seeking applications for a 9-month, tenure-track, Assistant Professor of Natural Resource Conservation and Management position to begin in August 2024 in Cullowhee, NC. Courses to be taught may include forest management, silviculture, natural resource measurements, dendrology, and other topics related to the candidate’s area of expertise. The teaching load also includes participation in WCU's general education curriculum. Review of applications will begin December 8 and will continue until the position is filled. Find more information and apply here.

Director of Land Retention & Advocacy – Federation of Southern Cooperatives/Land Assistance Fund

The Federation of Southern Cooperatives/ Land Assistance Fund (FSC/LAF) is the nation’s leading nonprofit organization focusing on Black land retention and cooperative economic development. FSC/LAF seeks a Director of Land Retention and Advocacy in its administrative office in East Point, GA. This is a full-time, executive-level position that reports to the Executive Director. The Director of Land Retention and Advocacy leads the development and management of outreach, education, and technical assistance programs that support the land retention and advocacy initiatives of FSC/LAF and as part of its Regional Heirs Property and Mediation Center. Salary is competitive on a non-profit scale and commensurate with experience. Benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, vacation, and paid sick leave. Applications close on December 31 or until the position is filled. Contact FSC/LAF to learn more or apply. Learn more about the organization here.

Hosted by Texas A&M Forest Service. The East Texas Forest Carbon Symposium is an event designed for East Texas forest landowners who are interested in learning about carbon-focused forest management and some of the available carbon-focused forest management funding opportunities. Learn more and register here. 

Wildlife & Invasive Species Education (WISE) Workshop

Heirs Property Summit

Southern Wood-Based Economic Development Workshop 

Red Hills Fire Festival

SAF Rising Professionals Conference

Heirs Property Summit

The aim of ELC is to build leadership capacity and provide professional development and networking opportunities for state officers and members of the Extension Associations. Learn more here. 

18th North American Agroforestry Conference (NAAC)

Prepare yourself for a day filled with engaging discussions, insightful presentations, and networking opportunities. The 2024 SESAF Annual Meeting aims to bring together like-minded individuals passionate about exploring the latest advancements and trends in the industry. Register here.

Southern Missouri TREX

Project Learning Tree (PLT) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) is hosting the Green Schools Conference & Expo. The impact of the climate crisis on education and the role schools play is undeniable. To address this, leaders and advocates must unite to make tangible progress towards greener schools, healthier environments, and sustainability for literate students and staff. This collaborative mission is shared by PLT and reflected in resources like the PLT Green Schools program, printed and downloadable student-led investigations to improve school sustainability, the Connecting for Health and Planet Activity Collection, and the SFI Community Grants Program. Learn more here.

Heirs Property Summit

2024 Forest Farming Conference

USFS FIA User Group Meeting

Heirs Property Summit

National Conferene on Ecosystem Restoration (NCER)

The purpose of the PILD Conference is to provide professional development to broaden understanding of public policy issues impacting Extension and Extension clientele, enhance advocacy and public policy education skills, share how changing political environments affect support for Extension, build support for Extension through consistent and targeted communication with decision makers, strengthen partnerships and explore new linkages with local, state, and federal agencies, and encourage visits with federal legislators and decision-makers. Learn more here. 

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension is hosting a conference to enhance knowledge sharing and foster collaboration to facilitate the efficient, sustainable, and socio-economically equitable implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) technology. This event marks the third annual AI in Agriculture conference, where we aim to explore the cutting-edge developments in AI and its applications in the agricultural sector. Learn more here. 

7th International Fire Behavior and Fuel Conference

Alabama Forest Owners' Association Annual Meeting

Hosted by Oregon State University. The Biennial Conference on University Education in Natural Resources provides a unique opportunity for college- and university-based natural resource educators from across the country to share and explore pedagogical innovations and strategies. Learn more here.

ANREP conferences are offered on a biennial basis and offer abundant opportunities for professional growth and development. Presentations, field tours, workshops, poster displays and informal networking provide a variety of options for skill building, knowledge sharing, collaboration and idea generation in a welcoming atmosphere. It's a great chance to share your outstanding work with a national audience and get involved with ANREP. Learn more here.

Heirs Property Summit

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

Heirs Property Summit

Great Plains Fire Summit 2024

ACES represents a dynamic and growing international assembly of professionals, researchers, and policymakers involved with ecosystem services. The goal of the conference is to link state-of-the-art science, practice, and decision-making by bringing together the ecosystem services community and decision-makers from around the United States and the globe. The conference theme is Investing in Community Resilience and Equity, and we will engage leaders in government, NGOs, academia, Native American tribes, and the private sector to advance the use of ecosystem services science and practice in resource management and other societal decisions. Learn more here.