The Southern Regional Extension of Forestry

Issue 174: Week of July 8th, 2024

Recent News

Regional News

• Southern Group of State Foresters Releases Workforce Study Report
• VT- USFS Share April 2024 Housing Reports
• 2023 Report Highlights GA Forestry Workforce Development Study 
• WoodWorks Profiles GA’s First Locally Grown Mass Timber Building
• Texas A&M Hosts Prescribed Burn School and Prescribed Fire Field Day
• Texas A&M’s 2024 Great Plains Fire Summit
• Texas A&M Presents 2024 Advancing the Fundamentals of Brush Management Workshop Sessions
• New Heat Action Plan Toolkit from the NC Office of Recovery and Resiliency
• Southeast Conservation Blueprint to Soon Receive 2024 Updates

National News

• Resources for the Future Showcases Successful Community Mitigation Responses to Flooding
• National Association of State Foresters Seeking Nominations for Awards
• How Eldorado National Forest is Attracting Younger Generations of Wildland Firefighters
• FEMA to Provide $1 Billion for Climate-Impacted Communities
• Consumer Data Reveals Younger Shoppers Prioritize Sustainability
• EU Deforestation Regulation Update from the American Hardwood Export Council
• New Vermont Economic Development Authority Forestry Loan Program
• Free App Shares Wildfire Safety Information ASAP in the Western U.S.
• Satellite Imagery Reveals Relationship Between Economic Development and Protected Land
• UGA Professor Advocates for Honest Science Popularization
• American Chemical Society Research Concludes Wood Surfaces May Have Antiviral Properties
• USDA Publishes Request for Information on the Production of Biofuel Feedstocks Using Climate-Smart Practices

Webinars

Access previously listed webinars here.

• Building Brands that Build Movements
• Watershed Forestry Webinar Series
• Where Do You Find Clients and Who Can Help You? Forest Economic Development Allies
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Prescribed Fire as a Forest Management Tool
• 2024 Designation Cycle Sentinel Landscapes Spotlight
• Water Cooler Talk: Community Science Tool to Track Stream Health
• SAF Urban Wood Network Webinar Series
• Where We've Been and Where We're Headed: The Direction of Municipal Tree Care & Management
• SAF Forest Pollinator Webinar Series
• Beech Leaf Disease: An Emerging Threat to the Queen of the Forest the American Beech
• Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management Stewardship Series
• Eradication Efforts and Research Successes (and Failures) in Ongoing Battle Agianst the Asian Longhorned Beetle in South Carolina
• AICUZ and REPI Partnerships for Enhanced Land Protection
• Navigate Military Rediness Through Responsible Project Execution

Funding Opportunities

• Climate Hub Partnership Program Request for Proposals
• National Forest Foundation 2024 Collaborative Capacity Program Nationwide Grant Opportunity
• Central Appalachia Habitat Stewardship Program 2024 Request for Proposals
• Southeast Aquatics 2024 Request for Proposals
• USDA Announces New Forest Landowner Support Funding for Tribes
• USDA to Invest $50 Million Through Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership
• 2024 Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund
• USDA Rural Community Development Initiative Grants

Job Opportunities

• Assistant/Associate Professor – Silviculture (Mississippi State University)
• Urban & Community Forestry Case Manager (Remote)
• USDA Forest Service Data Science Research on Spatially Explicit Timber Products Demand (Durham, NC)
• Staff Forester - Markets & Utilization (Wake County, NC)
• Texas A&M- Assistant Professor Forestry (Temple, TX)
• Texas A&M- Assistant Professor Forest Science (Overton, TX)
• Director of Development (various locations, SC)
• Community Engagement Specialist (South Carolina)
• Forest Outreach Coordinator (Wilberforce, OH)

Southern Group of State Foresters Releases Workforce Study Report

The Southern Group of State Foresters (SGSF) has released a report, “Mapping the Southern State Forestry Workforce Landscape,” detailing results from a 2024 Southern State Agency Workforce Recruitment and Retention Study. The report includes a brief introduction and overview, and shares results from data collected from potential, current, and former employees of state forestry agencies. Results include information on demographics, education levels, skills, income, values, salary expectations, and more. The report concludes with recommendations for improving employee recruitment and retention and emphasizes the importance of competitive pay and clear career pathways. Click here to download a PDF of the document.

VT- USFS Share April 2024 Housing Reports

Virginia Tech (VT), Virginia Cooperative Extension, and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) produce a free monthly report, which includes a huge amount of information on housing. The reports are intended to help gauge future business activity. Topics covered include (but are not limited to) new housing starts, housing scorecard, housing under construction, new housing sales, construction sales, etc. All past housing reports are archived here. Click here to read the main section of the most recent report, and here to read the economic conditions section.

2023 Report Highlights GA Forestry Workforce Development Study

As part of a partnership between the Georgia Forestry Foundation (GFF) and the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia (UGA), a statewide comprehensive labor study of Georgia’s forestry sector was conducted in 2022. Results from this study were released in a report in 2023 that was divided into three major subsectors: 1) harvest and haul, 2) land management, and 3) industrial and mills. Some of the study’s findings include identifying that Georgia’s forestry workforce has a higher average percentage of employees over the age of 55, when compared to all industries and will affect the industry’s future. The full report can be found here. Results from this report were also profiled in a recent webinar, which can be accessed here.

WoodWorks Profiles GA’s First Locally Grown Mass Timber Building

WoodWorks, a non-profit that provides information, resources and direct assistance to developers and construction teams building with wood, published a case study on the first “locally grown” mass timber building in Georgia. Jamestown LP, a global, design-focused real estate investment and management firm, recently built “619 Ponce,” a four-story class A office space, completely out of mass timber constructed from wood harvested and processed in Georgia. This building is the first project to participate in Georgia’s Sustainable Development Carbon Sequestrations Registry, a program that allows developers to earn carbon credits by utilizing materials like mass timber in their buildings, and is made from locally grown southern yellow pine. The case study highlights project details, innovative design elements, carbon impact, and the future of mass timber markets. Read the case study here. In addition, an educational mass timber display next to Ponce City Market was developed by the Georgia Forestry Foundation, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and others to promote the “Seedlings to Solutions,” story element of this project. Learn more about Seedlings to Solutions here.

Texas A&M Hosts Prescribed Burn School and Prescribed Fire Field Day

Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center is hosting a Prescribed Burn School (July 22-24) and a Prescribed Fire Field Day (December 3) both in San Angelo, Texas. The Prescribed Burn School will follow the Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Manager 24-hour curriculum developed by the Texas Department of Agriculture. Participants will gain hands-on experience with prescribed fire by participating in fire ignitions, weather measurements, and holding suppression support. The school has two registration options: 1) general registration is $200, 2) the field day and exam only is $100. Learn more here. The Fire Field Day meets the in-person field day requirement for the Texas Department of Agriculture Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Manager (CIPBM) license program, required to be a burn manager in Texas. Six Continuing Fire Training credits are available for licensed CIPBMs. Protective equipment is required. Registration for the field day is $100. Learn more here.

Texas A&M’s 2024 Great Plains Fire Summit

The Great Plains Fire Summit, hosted by West Texas A&M University (WTAMU) in Canyon, Texas from August 12-15, is an applied-prescribed fire conference dedicated to all types of land stewards. This summit will allow attendees to network with and learn from prescribed fire advocates from across the Great Plains. Activities include a fire summit kick-off social, plenary speakers, basic and advanced prescribed fire sessions, field tours, panels, and more. Registration is $150 with discounts for students, landowners, and county extension agents. For more information, click here.

Texas A&M Presents 2024 Advancing the Fundamentals of Brush Management Workshop Sessions

Texas A&M University is hosting “Advancing the Fundamentals of Brush Management” workshops at multiple locations in Texas. Register for the day-long workshop devoted to teaching both basic and advanced knowledge of herbicide applications from leading industry experts, producers, and Farm Bill funding agencies. Each workshop session includes the same information, so attendees only need to register for one to receive the full experience. Dates and locations include session one in Wichita Falls on September 10th, session two in Corpus Christi on September 17th, and session three in San Angelo on September 19th. Learn more and register here.

New Heat Action Plan Toolkit from the NC Office of Recovery and Resiliency

The North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR) has published a Heat Action Plan Toolkit that provides guidance and resources to local decision-makers, including health departments, local government staff, and community partners to help North Carolina communities become more resilient to extreme summer temperatures. Heat is the top weather-related killer, often underreported as it exacerbates other conditions, exacerbating existing illness or conditions that are not attributed to extreme heat. This toolkit addresses identifies those most vulnerable, addresses funding concerns, provides fill-in-the-blank template for designing a heat action plan, and links additional resources. Download the toolkit here.

Southeast Conservation Blueprint to Soon Receive 2024 Updates

Progress is underway for the 2024 update to Southeast Conservation Adaptation Strategy’s (SECAS) Southeast Conservation Blueprint, a spatial plan that identifies priority areas for a connected network of lands and waters across the Southeast and Caribbean. A new version of the creation software, Zonation 5, recently became available and has been phased in gradually. This new version of Zonation uses a “ranking algorithm,” that is significantly more efficient, that reduces processing time. Plans for the new blueprint include delineating more arid desert subregions from their wetter counterparts, use inputs relevant to subregions to better stratify priorities,  and implementing indicator-level weighting solutions. These new features are the result of a series of focus group discussions held by SECAS staff. Learn more about the update here.

Resources for the Future Showcases Successful Community Mitigation Responses to Flooding

Resources for the Future (RFF), a non-profit research institution committed to improving natural resource decision-making, recently released a report which documents results of a study that assesses the impact of natural disasters on communities’ engagement in risk mitigation activities. Risk mitigation actions are measured using communities’ scores in the Community Rating System (CRS), an incentive program introduced by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as part of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). NFIP has served as the primary flood insurer since 1969, although private market coverage has increased in that time. Communities can enroll in the NFIP if they implement minimum floodplain management practices and building codes. The CRS scores flood preparedness and mitigation activities and subsequently rewards communities that score highly with flood insurance premium discounts for all insurance policy holders in the community. Study findings show that after a flood, there is a significant and persistent increase in a community’s participation in risk mitigation efforts. High-income areas close to urban centers typically have the strongest post-natural disaster response, amassing three times as many CRS points. Click here to read the full report.

National Association of State Foresters Seeking Nominations for Awards

The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) is now accepting nominations for the 2024 NASF Awards. These awards recognize individuals who have made outstanding national-level contributions to the protection and sustainable management of America’s trees and forests. To complete this nomination, the NASF Awards Committee must be provided with a holistic picture of the individual background, accomplishments, and contributions to forestry. Award winners will be honored at the 2024 NASF Annual Meeting on September 23-26 in Providence, RI. The deadline for nominations is August 2nd. Find award descriptions, criteria for selection, and the nomination form here.

How Eldorado National Forest is Attracting Younger Generations of Wildland Firefighters

The Eldorado National Forest, part of the U.S Forest Service (USFS) National Forest System, is moving away from a temporary wildland firefighting workforce in favor of adding permanent positions. To fill these new positions with qualified workers, Eldorado National Forest has opened many avenues of entry for young people. One of those avenues is the Wildland Firefighter Apprenticeship Program, where participants gain 3,000 paid hours of on-the-job training and experience from the USFS. Because of these efforts Eldorado National Forest is currently 97% staffed, which is up 10% from 2023. Soon the USFS will have a weekly physical and firefighter training program, Wildland Fire Explorer program, for young people ages 15-21. Junior and Senior students at El Dorado Union High School are being offered a course called the Fire Control Technician Regional Occupational Program (ROP). Students will earn an Emergency Medical Responder (EMS), First Responder, Basic Wildland, and American Heart Association CPR certifications. Find more information here.

FEMA to Provide $1 Billion for Climate-Impacted Communities

Last fall, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) labelled almost 500 census districts nationwide as Community Disaster Resilience Zones, zones where communities are disproportionally effected by climate-related hazards and are socioeconomically vulnerable. FEMA will be distributing $1 billion in grants to support resilience projects such as upgrading stormwater systems or managing forests to reduce the risk of wildfire in these communities and others, s. Disaster Resilience Zones will be prioritized for funding and have a larger share of a project’s cost covered. To read more about this funding effort, visit this article from Yale Climate Connections, visit this website.

Consumer Data Reveals Younger Shoppers Prioritize Sustainability

Two Sides, a global non-profit organization dedicated to promoting sustainable print and paper products, recently released an article that included an analysis of consumer data. Data collected by Blue Yonder, an American supply chain management company, reveals that young shoppers tend to prioritize legitimately sustainable products and will even pay a bit more for those products. With 85% of Generation Z and 84% of Millennials reporting that sustainability considerations are important to them, their willingness to spend more should indicate to companies that investing in sustainable solutions is worthwhile. However, skepticism about sustainability claims remains high as many consumers report feeling distrustful or needing to do additional research. Read the full article here.

EU Deforestation Regulation Update from the American Hardwood Export Council

The American Hardwood Export Council has published a European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) Update. The EUDR is a regulatory effort focused on reducing deforestation by prohibiting forest products sourced from deforested land to be imported to or exported from EU countries. However, a large number of stakeholders have serious concerns about the implementation of the EUDR as there is strong evidence that the regulators and the industry are not adequately prepared., and there have been numerous calls to delay its implementation, especially from within the EU. European wood organizations have sent signed letters calling for a delay and agriculture ministers from 20 of the EU’s 27 member countries have opposed it, stating challenges of implementation will undermine the competitiveness of European industries and contribute to inflationary pressure in the food sector. Despite this, groups described as “green,” in the brief, are continuing to insist on keeping the original implementation date of December 30, 2024. In practice, there is no simple legal mechanism to delay or alter EUDR at this late stage as the law is already on the books and endorsed by the European Parliament, Council, and Commission. The results of recent elections in early June may influence EUDR’s implementation date but this remains to be seen. Click here to read the full update.

Free App Shares Wildfire Safety Information ASAP in the Western U.S.

Watch Duty, a non-profit organization focused on disseminating public safety wildfire information in real-time from verified sources, has developed an app by the same name. The app tracks and alerts users of wildfires in the western U.S. and firefighting efforts as they are happening. Watch Duty is operated by a mix of government employees and volunteers including active and retired wildland firefighters, dispatchers, first responders, and reporters. The app features current wildfire maps and alerts, monitoring of wildfires and prescribed burns, evacuation information, power outages, consolidated information that includes warnings from a variety of sources, and more. The app has many partners including the U.S Forest Service (USFS), California State Parks, and Amazon. Watch Duty is available is 13 states: Washington, Montana, Idaho, Oregon, Wyoming, Colorado, Utah, Navada, California, Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. Download the app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store or access it on a web browser. Click here to learn more.

Satellite Imagery Reveals Relationship Between Economic Development and Protected Land

A recent article by Anthropocene Newsletter summarizes research conducted by Dr. Binbin Li, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science, and colleagues at Duke University and Shandong University in China that compares the relationship between economic growth and protected land. They identified over 10,000 protected areas globally and examined changes in economic conditions and gross domestic product (GDP), in nearby communities between 2013-2020. Using remote sensing they tracked changes in land and night-time light emission and , as a way  Changes in landcover are used as a proxy to evaluate long-term protected area effectiveness. Nighttime light emission changes are widely used as a proxy for national gross domestic product (GDP), poverty, and inequality in human development. The images revealed that, in many cases, when more protected land was present GPD also increased. This suggests that economic development and conservation can coexist, benefiting both the environment and humans. However, regions like the Amazon and Southeast Asia, prime candidates for protection, face significant challenges as impoverished settlements are usually situated near these areas. Read the full article here.

UGA Professor Advocates for Honest Science Popularization

Dr. J. Marshall Shepherd, a Professor of Geography and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of Georgia (UGA), advocates for the importance of popularizing science in a recent article published by The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (The National Academies), a scientific journal that advocates for science-based decision-making to benefit humanity. He defines science popularization as “an endeavor to image scientific ideas in such a way that everyone (especially non-scientists) can grasp the fundamental concepts and have an idea of what science in essence is.” He further adds that science popularization is only possible if advocates are honest in their efforts to both science and the public to not mislead people. However, Dr. Marshall mentions that some critics believe scientists should refrain from writing public-facing literature as they purport that it can discredit scientists’ research by making them appear to care more about their public appearance than the evidence. To read more, click here.

American Chemical Society Research Concludes Wood Surfaces May Have Antiviral Properties

Research by the American Chemical Society (ACS), a scientific society that supports scientific inquiry in the field of chemistry, suggests wood may have antiviral properties that can be used to produce sustainable antiviral materials. Viruses, including COVID-19, can be transmitted via contaminated surfaces. However, wood has natural antiviral properties that can reduce the time a virus persists on its surface. Researchers examined how long viruses could live on various wood species. Results from experiments from COVID-19 showed that many wood types needed only an hour to completely reduce the infectability of the virus. Pine had the fastest onset of antiviral activity, beginning after five minutes. For a nonenveloped enterovirus, incubation on oak and spruce surfaces resulted in a loss of infectivity within an hour, with oak having an onset time of 7.5 minutes. Based on the data, the researchers were able to conclude that the chemical composition of a wood’s surface is primarily responsible for its antiviral functionality. The exact chemical mechanisms responsible are yet to be discovered, requiring further study. Learn more here.

USDA Publishes Request for Information on the Production of Biofuel Feedstocks Using Climate-Smart Practices

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking information from the public on procedures for quantifying, reporting, and verifying the effect of climate-smart farming practices on the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with U.S.-grown biofuel feedstock crops. This request for information will help inform policies to create additional market opportunities for U.S. farmers and provide reliable environmental benefits. The USDA is seeking feedback on several topics: 1) biofuel feedstock crops and practices, 2) greenhouse gas emissions outcomes of climate-smart agricultural practices and conventional farming practices, 3) documentation to verify practice adoptions and maintenance, 4) systems used to trace feedstocks throughout the biofuel supply chain, and 5) third-party verification of practice adoption and maintenance. Read the press release here.

New Vermont Economic Development Authority Forestry Loan Program

A new Forestry Loan Program has been announced by the Vermont Economic Development Authority (VEDA). Through this program, up to $500,000 can be provided in loans to each organization, at a subsidized rate (from a total available $3 million). Eligible applicants including foresters, loggers, log truckers, biomass producers, sawmills, firewood producers and wood product manufacturers must use the loan money for a project in Vermont that improves the forest economy. In addition to this program, the Vermont Governor recently signed into law expanded access to existing VEDA agricultural and forestry loan programs for farmers and forestry industry businesses. Learn more here.

Keeping Forests invites participants to join them for a presentation by 3 experts with background in branding, storytelling, visual communication, and behavior change marketing. Learn how to engage audiences and form lasting relationships. Register here.

The US Forest Service (USFS) invites participants to their next Grantee Spotlight Session all about mass timber. They will be highlighting mass timber projects that have been supported through Wood Innovations Grants. Click here to register.

SAF Urban Wood Network Webinar Series: Different Materials to Incorporate into Urban Wood

Where Do You Find Clients and Who Can Help You? Forest Economic Development Allies

Join the U.S. Forest Service for this webinar about phytoremediation, the use of trees to clean contaminated soils and waters of pollutants. Learn the science behind phytotechnologies, new technological developments and advances, and the real-world challenges associated. Register here.

Join Maureen G. Frank, Ph.D. for this webinar presented by Texas A&M Department of Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management (RWFM) She will discuss different types of bird migration and how land can be managed to help birds make a successful journey. Take-away lessons will include: 1) how to evaluate your space and choose target species, 2) how to improve food, water, and shelter on your land, and 3) where to learn more about these birds. Register here.

SAF Forest Pollinator Webinar Series: Pollinators in the Woods? The Place of Wild Bees in a Changing Forested Landscape

USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Prescribed Fire as a Forest Management Tool

2024 Designation Cycle Sentinel Landscapes Spotlight

Water Cooler Talk: Community Science Tool to Track Stream Health

Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management Stewardship Series: Aldo Leopold’s Cow Friend or Foe for Wildlife Habitat Management on Texas Rangelands

SAF Urban Wood Network Webinar Series: Second Life of an Urban Tree - Work Competitively in Collaboration

SAF Forest Pollinator Webinar Series: Restoring Bee Communities in Harvested Forests

Join Rich Hauer, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, as he outlines what we know about the state of municipal forestry, and what we hope to learn with the 2024 Urban & Community Forestry Census of Tree Activities. Click here to pre-register.

Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management Stewardship Series: Geospatial Tools and Resources for Texas Landowners

SAF Urban Wood Network Webinar Series: Urban Wood and Climate

SAF Forest Pollinator Webinar Series: Bringing Forest Ecology to Bumble Bee Conservation

Eradication Efforts and Research Successes (and Failures) in the Ongoing Battle Against the Asian Longhorned Beetle in South Carolina

Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management Stewardship Series: CWD and Whitetail Deer Health and Management

AICUZ and REPI Partnerships for Enhanced Land Protection

Watershed Forestry Webinar Series: Riparian Forest Buffer Successes and Innovations

Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management Stewardship Series: Drones and Technology for Rangelands

SAF Urban Wood Network Webinar Series: Funding, Grants, and Investors

Beech Leaf Disease: An Emerging Threat to the Queen of the Forest the American Beech

Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management Stewardship Series: Top 10 Ag Laws

Navigating Military Readiness Through Responsible Project Execution

SAF Urban Wood Network Webinar Series: USRW Standards

Climate Hub Partnership Program Request for Proposals

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced their 2024 Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) Competitive Grants Program. The goal of this program is to invest in agricultural production research, education, and extension projects to produce more sustainable, productive, and economically-viable plant and animal production systems. Applications that address climate change, food, and nutrition security, expanding markets for producers, Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), and equity for underserved producers are welcome. Approximately $300 million has been made available for programs included in the FY 2024 AFRI Foundational and Applied Science (FAS). See pages 4 and 5 to see priority areas and application deadlines. Deadlines range between August 2024-October 2024.

National Forest Foundation 2024 Collaborative Capacity Program Nationwide Grant Opportunity

The National Forest Foundation is thrilled to announce the 2024 funding round of the Collaborative Capacity Program for Forests & Communities (CCP). Financial awards available through the CCP will provide resources, invest in skills and tools, and support activities that make collaboration with the USDA Forest Service and co-stewardship with Tribes for forest stewardship successful. Eligible applicants must describe how investments in collaboration will support a long-term strategy for achieving stewardship outcomes into the future and how these outcomes benefit National Forest System lands. Nonprofits, local governments, Tribes, and colleges and universities are eligible to apply. The National Forest Foundation has provided a quiz to determine eligibility for this funding. One quiz is for federally-recognized Tribal Applicants and one for All Applicants. July 12, 2024 is the deadline for CCP Applications. Click here to learn more.

USDA to Invest $50 Million Through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be investing $50 million in the 2024 fiscal year through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP). The goal of this funding is to support conservation partners with local projects that help protect, restore, and enhance critical wetlands on agricultural lands. This is part of President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to mitigate climate change. Proposals are capped at $10 million and will be accepted until August 16, 2024. This NRCS bulletin contains information on how to apply. To read the original press release, click here.

2024 Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund

The Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund, established by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), was designed to support projects that will assess, remove, and dispose of marine debris in, and around coastal communities impacted by hurricanes and other severe storm events. The Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund will be awarding up to $6 million in grants to projects that will remove marine debris and prevent further harm to fish and wildlife populations. Eligible projects are focused on coastal counties in Alaska, Florida, Georgia, Puerto Rico, and South Carolina impacted by the 2022 hurricanes Fiona, Ian and Nicole and Typhoon Merbok. Proposals are to be submitted by July 26, 2024 at midnight. Click here to learn more.

USDA Announces New Forest Landowner Support Funding for Tribes

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recently announced that the Forest Service will have at least $20 million from the Inflation Reduction Act available to federally recognized tribes and Alaska Native corporations and villages. The goal of this funding is to help recipients overcome barriers to accessing private markets for forest resilience or climate mitigation. Eligible applicants are federally recognized tribes, Alaska Native corporations and villages, and tribal organizations as defined in the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S. Code § 5304). Tribal leaders who are interested in this opportunity are encouraged to attend a live webinar on March 6, 2024 from 2:00-3:00 pm EST. Advanced registration is required for this webinar. Eligible applicants may each submit one proposal request for up to $20 million. Proposals are due by August 21, 2024. Learn more and apply here. To register for the webinar, click here.

Central Appalachia Habitat Stewardship Program 2024 Request for Proposals

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is seeking proposals for projects that voluntarily restore and sustain healthy forests, rivers, and streams and provide habitat for diverse native bird and aquatic species populations. The goal of this program is to improve the quality of forest and adjacent freshwater habitats to increase the distribution and abundance of birds, fish, and other wildlife species. Approximately $3.5 million is available this year by the Richard King Mellon Foundation, Forest Service (USFS), Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), and the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). Proposals are due July 18, 2024 before midnight ET. Learn more here.

Southeast Aquatics 2024 Request for Proposals

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is seeking proposals for projects from private landowners that voluntarily restore and sustain healthy forests, rivers, and streams by private landowners in the southeast and Texas. Approximately $8.45 million has been made available. The funding will be used to support projects that improve water quality, water quantity, instream condition, and riparian condition through technical assistance. Proposals are due July 18, 2024 before midnight ET. Learn more here.

USDA Rural Community Development Initiative Grants

The Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development is accepting applications for Rural Community Development Initiative (RCDI) grants. Grants will be awarded to public bodies, non-profit organizations, and qualified private organizations for projects that help non-profit housing and community development in low-income rural communities and federally recognized tribes. The minimum grant award is $50,000 and the maximum is $500,000. The matching fund requirement is equal to the amount of the grant funds received. Electronic applications are due July 10, 2024. Paper applications are due July 15, 2024. To learn more about applying and state specific information, click here.

Assistant/Associate Professor – Silviculture (Mississippi State University)

Mississippi State University is hiring an Assistant/Associate Professor. The minimum qualification for this position is a Ph.D. in Forestry or a related field. The successful candidate will initially teach current courses and eventually develop graduate courses in their area of expertise. This is a tenure-track, full time, 9-month teaching/research appointment. To read the full job description and apply, click here.

USDA Forest Service Data Science Research on Spatially Explicit Timber Products Demand (Durham, NC)

The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking applicants for Forest Service data science research on spatially explicit timber products demand position. The successful candidate must have data science knowledge and be able to use a statistical programming language. The project goal is to assimilate a national scale time series database of forest product mills based on publicly available data. All materials are due August 16, 2024 at 3pm. Click here to learn more and apply.

Texas A&M-Assistant Professor Forestry (Temple, TX)

Texas A&M seeks applicants for a Forest Management and Natural Resources Modeling Research Assistant Professor position. This is a 12-month appointment, non-tenure, and 100% research. The applicant will work collaboratively with other scientists to build a highly impactful, externally funded, nationally recognized, and self-sustainable research program that addresses issues facing the forestry sector in Texas related to productivity and sustainability. To apply, click here.

Texas A&M-Assistant Professor Forest Science (Overton, TX)

The Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center is seeking applicants for a non-tenure track Assistant Professor position in Forest Science. This is a 12-month, 100% research position. The applicant will work closely with other scientists to build a highly impactful, externally funded, nationally recognized, and self-sustainable research program that addresses issues facing the forestry industry in Texas related to productivity and sustainability. Click here to apply and learn more.

Forest Outreach Coordinator (Wilberforce, OH)

Central State University is seeking a Forest Outreach Coordinator. Responsibilities for this position includes tree identification, forestry planning, outreach support for the Ohio Interagency Forestry Team, coordination of technical assistance, developing outreach programs and materials for private landowners, interagency communication, tracking outreach efforts, seeking funding opportunities, and supporting fire prevention and education in southeast Ohio. A Master’s degree with 3-5 years of experience or bachelor’s degree with 5 or more years of experience in natural resource management, forestry or a related field is required. Apply and learn more here.

Urban & Community Forestry Case Manager (Remote)

GreenLatinos is looking to hire an Urban & Community Forestry Case Manager to work remotely. This position’s responsibilities are 10% program support, 50% project coordination and management, 20% compliance and reporting, and 20% relationship management. Minimum qualification for this role is a bachelor’s degree in urban forestry, ecology, environmental science, or related field and 3-5 years of project or case management experience, preferably with municipal or community experience. To lean more and apply, click here.

Staff Forester - Markets & Utilization (Wake County, NC)

The North Carolina Forest Service is hiring a Markets and Utilization Forester. The successful candidate will maintain a database of timber buyers and wood-using industries, conduct annual surveys of forest product mills, maintain relationships with the state’s forest product industry, and other related duties. Periodic travel is required. The minimum qualifications required to qualify is a bachelor’s degree in forestry from a SAF accredited institution and three years of related professional experience. Learn more here.

Director of Development (various locations, SC)

The Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation (CHPP) is seeking applicants for a Director of Development position. The successful candidate will serve as a lead in cultivating and developing strategic resource development, including, but not limited to, individual and major gifts programs, annual fund, planned giving, special events, and capital campaigns. A minimum of five years of direct development experience and solicitation, preferably in a nonprofit environment, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration or communications, or related field are required. Learn more here.

Community Engagement Specialist (South Carolina)

The Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation (CHPP) is inviting applications for a Community Engagement Specialist position. This position will conduct community outreach and education activities including scheduling, coordinating, and implementing outreach events within their assigned service area. A minimum of an associate degree in business, marketing, or related field is required. Click here to learn more.

Heirs Property Summit

Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center is hosting a Prescribed Burn School. The Prescribed Burn School will follow the Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Manager 24-hour curriculum developed by the Texas Department of Agriculture. Participants will gain hands-on experience with prescribed fire by participating in fire ignitions, weather measurements, and holding suppression support. The school has two registration options: 1) general registration is $200, 2) the field day and exam only is $100. Learn more here.

North Carolina State University (NCSU) Wood Products Extension and Oregon State University’s (OSU) Oregon Wood Innovation Center are partnering to offer a 2.5-day urban wood drying workshop. This workshop will provide participants with the knowledge to better control drying in urban wood operations & resources to develop a strategy & implement best practices. The workshop includes lectures, hands-on activities & labs. For more information, click here.

The US Forest and Wood Products Sector Inclusion Council (Inclusion Council) is hosting a kickoff meeting where they will establish an alliance representing the full forestry and natural resources community, including colleges and universities, public and private sector organizations, and industry. The Inclusion Council seeks to create systematic change in the forestry and natural resources community by using research-based methods for recruitment and retention. Click here to learn more Register here.

Great Plains Fire Summit, hosted by West Texas A&M University (WTAMU), is an applied-prescribed fire conference dedicated to all types of land stewards. This opportunity will allow attendees to network with and learn from prescribed fire advocates from across the Great Plains. Click here for more info and registration.

Join Texas A&M for their Advanced Forest Management Topics for Natural Resource Professionals workshop. Topics include new innovations from East Texas Pine Plantation Research Project (ETPPRP); mid-rotation weed control, nutrient and density management; effects of mid-rotation thinning; tree improvement, potential gains, and influence on silvicultural parameters; seed source deployment; and climate-smart forestry. Registration is $65. Register here.

The Northeast Regional Strategy Committee (NE RSC) has opened registration for their Northeast–Midwest Regional Prescribed Fire Science and Management Workshop. They will be hosting a myriad of presentations by state, federal, and tribal land managers as well as prescribed fire and fire ecology professionals to share Northeast-Midwest region-wide, science-based, fire ecology information. This information is oriented toward expanding and maintaining the use of prescribed fire across all landscapes, jurisdiction, and fire-dependent ecosystems. register before July 1 to receive the early rate! Click here for registration and more info.

Join the Society for Conservation GIS for their 27th Annual Conference. This year’s keynote speaker is Breece Robertson, a noteworthy conservation and restoration leader. Other activities include technical workshops, field trip excursions, presentations, networking, and more. Early registration ends June 30th. Visit this website to learn more. 

Hosted by the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals, the 3rd biennial National Tribal & Indigenous Climate Conference (NTICC) invites you to discuss climate-related impacts, assessments, tools, adaptation, mitigation, actions, and the intersection of western science and adaptation strategies with Traditional/Indigenous Knowledges. The NTICC invites Tribal nations and Indigenous Peoples to attend, listen, learn, and share the important work being done to protect our culture, non-human relatives and environment. This year’s theme is "Shared Responsibility for Indigenous Climate Resilience." Click here to learn more.

Northeast & Southeast Regional Conference

Register for the 7th National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy Workshop to participate in expert run workshops all about wildlife fire management. In addition to the 4 day workshops, there will also be pre-workshop training on the 14th and 15th. Need-based travel scholarships are available on their registration page. Register before August 15th for the early bird rate. Click here to view the workshop agenda. Register here.

2024 Society of American Foresters (SAF) Convention

The National Association of State Foresters has opened registration for their 2024 Annual Meeting. This meeting promises to be an outstanding forum on forestry issues with breakout sessions, networking, field tours, exhibits, and much more. Register by July 31st for $100 off with the code EARLY24. Learn more and register here.

32nd Annual NAISMA Conference

International Conference on Chemicals and Products from Renewable Carbon

Cross-laminated timber (CLT) stands as a burgeoning industry in the southern United States, capitalizing on the abundant presence of southern pine and other softwoods found in the region. The utilization of CLT offers a myriad of economic and environmental advantages across various sectors of the supply chain, benefiting stakeholders ranging from landowners and foresters to developers, contractors, architects, and engineers.

Discover more about this innovative construction material and other sustainable mass timber products at this Auburn University-hosted CLT conference. Click here to learn more and register.

Join the University of Tennessee for their 2024 Oak Symposium! This symposium is a platform for exchanging information and building connections around oak ecology and management for a global audience. Click here for more information and registration.

The Southeastern Association of Fish and Wildlife (SEAFWA)’s 78th Annual Conference, hosted by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR), is a forum for exchanging ideas and critical information regarding management and protection of fish and wildlife resources in the Southeast. Learn more here.

Extension Disaster Education Network has opened registration for their 2024 annual conference. Events include a tour of Utah Bishops’ Central Storehouse, professional development workshops, keynote speakers, and more. Early registration is recommended as prices will increase closer to the conference date. Click here to register.

The 2024 Science Symposium, coordinated by the US Forest Service (USFS), Pacific Northwest (PNW) Research Station, Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program, the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement (NCASI), and the Society of American Foresters (SAF), has opened registration. This year’s symposium theme is ‘Toward Tomorrow’s Forests Together.’ Click here to learn more.

Texas A&M AgriLife Research & Extension Center is hosting a Prescribed Fire Field Day. The Fire Field Day meets the in-person field day requirement for the Texas Department of Agriculture Certified and Insured Prescribed Burn Manager (CIPBM) license program, required to be a burn manager in Texas. Six Continuing Fire Training credits are available for licensed CIPBMs. Protective equipment is required. Registration for the field day is $100. Learn more here.

The A Community on Ecosystem Services (ACES) Conference provides an open forum to share experiences, methods, and tools for assessing and incorporating ecosystem services into public and private decisions. 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. ACES 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. Visit this website for more info.

Coastal GeoTools

38th Forest Products Machinery & Equipment EXPO