The Southern Regional Extension of Forestry

Issue 175: Week of July 22nd, 2024

Recent News

Regional News

• The Four Biggest Forest Health Threats in the South
• UT Forestry Extension Publishes Oak Regeneration Factsheets
• GA Prescribed Fire Council Annual Meeting & Nomination for the Prescribed Burner of the Year Award
• The Hidden Risks of Afforestation
• Fire’s Effect on Pollinator Abundance and Diversity
• Forisk Launches New Mill Capacity Database

National News

• NOAA Expands Availability of HeatRisk Tool
• SFI Partnership to Launch New Cohort of Green Mentors & Accepting Applications for New Mentors & Mentees by July 24
• New App for EUDR Compliance Released by ResourceWise
• Forest Carbon Reports from the Forest Resources Association
• Western U.S. Non-Governmental Entities Prescribed Fire Research
• Alliance of Natural Res. Outreach & Service Programs 2024 National Conference
• Natl Deer Association Article on Planting Deer Food Plots for Fall
• National Old Growth Amendment Draft from USFS
• OR State Univ. Research Suggests Wildfire Smoke May Benefit Seedlings

Webinars

Access previously listed webinars here.

• Southeast Monthly Webinar Series: Urban Heat and Infrastructure
• USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service: Prescribed Fire as a Forest Management Tool
• 2024 Designation Cycle Sentinel Landscapes Spotlight
• Production and Utilization of Biochar: A sustainable and Eco-friendly Approach
• Water Cooler Talk: Community Science Tool to Track Stream Health
• Understanding and Navigating the U.S. Forest Service
• Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management Stewardship Series: Aldo Leopold’s Cow Friend or Foe for Wildlife Habitat Management on Texas Rangelands
• Virtual Forum on Urban Tree Supply
• Forest Service Grants & Agreements 101
• SAF Urban Wood Network Webinar Series
• The Heat is On: Using Tree Canopy to Cool Communities
• Agricultural Conservation Easements and Military Partnership Easements
• Grants & Agreements: People and Processes
• SAF Forest Pollinator Webinar Series
• Is it Time to Thin Your Timber Stand?
• Energy Efficient Building Envelope (CPS 672) Criteria and Implementation requirements
• A Squeal for Help: Preventing Feral Hog Invasions
• Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Headed: The Direction of Municipal Tree Care & Management
• Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management Stewardship Series
• Eradication Efforts and Research Successes (and Failures) in the Ongoing Battle Against the Asian Longhorned Beetle in South Carolina
• AICUZ and REPI Partnerships for Enhanced Land Protection
• Watershed Forestry Webinar Series: Riparian Forest Buffer Successes and Innovations
• Beech Leaf Disease: An Emerging Threat to the Queen of the Forest the American Beech
• Navigating Military Readiness Through Responsible Project Execution

Funding Opportunities

• Climate Hub Partnership Program Request for Proposals
• USDA to Invest $50 Million Through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership
• 2024 Hurricane Response Marine Debris Removal Fund
• USDA Announces New Forest Landowner Support Funding for Tribes
• The Arbor Day Foundation’s Community Roots Program

Job Opportunities

• Assistant/Associate Professor – Silviculture (Mississippi State University)
• USDA Forest Service Data Science Research on Spatially Explicit Timber Products Demand (Durham, NC)
• Texas A&M-Assistant Professor Forestry (Temple, TX)
• Texas A&M-Assistant Professor Forest Science (Overton, TX)
• Community Engagement Specialist (South Carolina)
• Director of Development (various locations, SC)
• Staff Forester - Markets & Utilization (Wake County, NC)
• NCSU Extension Associate in Prescribed Fire 
• Family Forest Research Center- National Woodland Owner Survey Research Fellow
• Family Forest Research Center- Timber Products Output & Corporate Owner
• Family Forest Research Center- Post Doctoral Research Assoc.
• UGA- Asst./Assoc. Professor - Tree Biology, Structure, & Health Care
• UKY Dept.  of Forestry & Natural Resources Dept. Chair
• Tennessee Dept of Agriculture (Forestry)- Multiple positions

UT Forestry Extension Publishes Oak Regeneration Factsheets

Extension Foresters at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) published a review of various red and white oak regeneration approaches titled “Oak Regeneration Practices.” This publication includes ten fact sheets that describe the benefits and weaknesses of silvicultural practices such as prescribed burning, social scarification, midstory removal, afforestation plantings, and more. Concepts for regenerating oaks are emphasized such as (1) oaks are advance growth dependent that require advance reproduction before the harvest, (2) oaks are dependent on disturbances in order to maintain shade-intermediate light conditions, and (3) establishment of oak regeneration is a process rather than a post-harvest event. The oak regeneration practices and recommendations described are based on forested environments common in Tennessee and adjacent areas. Read more details and download the publication here.

GA Prescribed Fire Council Annual Meeting & Nomination for the Prescribed Burner of the Year Award

The Georgia Prescribed Fire Council (GPFC) is inviting attendees to their annual meeting, which will be held at the Lake Blackshear Resort in Lake Blackshear, GA on September 19th. At this meeting, participants will learn more about prescribed fire in Georgia and receive updates from organizations like the Georgia Forestry Commission (GFC). The meeting will conclude with the presentation of the Prescribed Burner of the Year Award. The GPFC is seeking nominations for The Mark Melvin: Prescribed Burner of the Year award. This award will be presented to two outstanding practitioners who have demonstrated significant achievements in the field of prescribed fire. Nomination criteria is not limited to number of acres burned annually, but may also include overcoming obstacles to prescribed burning, assisting with implementing prescribed burning, and demonstrating marked enhancement or improvement of natural resources through the implementation of a successful prescribed fire regime. This year the Council is offering a super early bird rate of $35 to the first 75 attendants. Additional early bird tickets are available for $50 until August 19th. Access the nomination form here. Learn more about the GPFC Annual Meeting here.

The Hidden Risks of Afforestation

Pam Knox, Director of the University of Georgia (UGA) Weather Network and Agricultural and the author of “Climate and Agriculture in the Southeast,” shares information and an article explaining why planting trees isn’t always helpful for the environment. Planting trees in places where forests did not exist historically can cause ecological harm. In addition to this, poor site selection for a particular tree species means that the tree is likely to die and waste valuable resources. Often afforestation projects in previously non-forested areas are monoculture and the trees are not monitored after planting, leading to high mortality rates. Read the article here.

The Four Biggest Forest Health Threats in the South

The Southern Group of State Foresters (SGSF) highlighted how state forestry agencies have partnered with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and others to uncover the top threats to forest health and develop effective strategies and solutions to combat them. These top four threats are (1) drought/ips bark beetles, (2) southern pine beetle, (3) spongy moth, and (4) brown spot needle blight. These threats have killed thousands of trees when left untreated. The USFS has been working diligently to protect forests using programs like the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP), Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Program, Slow the Spread Program, and more. Learn more about efforts to protect southern forest health by clicking here.

Fire’s Effect on Pollinator Abundance and Diversity

Recent research conducted by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Southern Research Station reveals that pollinator richness declines significantly near the center of burn units as opposed to edges. They studied bees, butterflies, and hoverflies at various distances along 500-meter transects in forests units ranging from 220 to 380 hectares, burned every three years in the southeast. Findings show that pollinator richness declined by about 23.9% near the centers of burn units compared to the edges, regardless of time since fire. Abundance of mall pollinators decreased the closer they were to the center of the burn while abundance of large pollinators increased at the same distances. No significant relationship was found between overall pollinator abundance and distance. Pollinator richness and abundance increased with canopy openness and plant richness. To read the full publication, click here.

Forisk Launches New Mill Capacity Database

Forisk, a forestry industry analytics and research firm, has launched a new online North American Forest Industry Capacity Database. This tool offers users access to real-time mill capacity data, assisting forestry professionals in their ability to make informed decisions with reliable data. The Mill Capacity Database is intended to be utilized by a wide variety of stakeholders, including forest product companies, investors, consultants, and government agencies. Key features include detailed information on mill capacities across North America, covering over 2,300 facilities such as sawmills, pulp mills, Oriented Strand Board (OSB) mills, and mass timber. The platform also offers real-time updates, a user-friendly interface for easy data analysis, and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) for access via Power Business Intelligence (PowerBI), Environmental Systems Research Institute (ESRI), and other analytics platforms. Learn more by clicking here.

NOAA Expands Availability of HeatRisk Tool

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) has expanded the availability of their new HeatRisk tool to include all 48 states of the contiguous U.S. HeatRisk is an experimental color-numeric-based index that provides a forecast risk of heat-related impacts to occur over a 24-hour period. Colors range from green to magenta with green representing little to no heat risk and magenta representing long-duration extreme heat. HeatRisk considers the unusualness of the heat for the time of year, the duration of heat, including daytime and nighttime temperatures, and the potential risk of heat-related impacts based on CDC data. This tool is meant to provide risk guidance for decision makers in heat-sensitive communities. The HeatRisk tool can be accessed here.

SFI Partnership to Launch New Cohort of Green Mentors & Accepting Applications for New Mentors & Mentees by July 24

A partnership between the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Project Learning Tree (PLT), organizations with strong commitments to environmental education, has resulted in a Bi-National Green Mentor program. The program is seeking mentors living within the U.S. and Canada to mentor young adult with forest and conservation interests. Eligible mentors have at least three years of professional experience within forestry or conservation. This is a great opportunity to inspire the next generation of leaders, recruit employees, and gain new perspectives. Mentee applications are also open for students and recent graduates within the U.S and Canada. Applications for mentors or mentees are due July 24, 2024. Apply to build your network with sustainability career professionals. Learn more and apply here

New App for EUDR Compliance Released by ResourceWise

ReourceWise, a company that provides data, analytics, and consulting services for natural-resource-based industries, has released a new app, ForestLogger. ForestLogger simplifies the complex due diligence process implemented by the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), a law that aims to combat deforestation by requiring products in the European market to be deforestation-free. The EUDR is due to be officially implemented within the next six months. Key features include alerts for compliance issues or data discrepancies, integration with existing enterprise resource planning (ERP), audit trail management, the encryption of sensitive data, and more. The app is free on both the Apple App Store and the Google Play Store. To learn more about this app click here.

Forest Carbon Reports from the Forest Resources Association

The Forest Resources Association (FRA), a national advocacy organization for wood supply chains, has developed carbon reports for each state that are available for download on their website. The reports are a compilation of data collected by the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA). The report provides a few quick facts on the state’s forest carbon in addition to figures expressing state carbon trends, carbon sequestration, and more. Larger regions like the Appalachian or Northeast, for example, also have their own reports. These reports are great resources for those who are tracking forest carbon on state, regional, and national levels. To access the reports, click here.

Western U.S. Non-Governmental Entities Prescribed Fire Research

A blog published by Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network (FAC Net), a non-profit dedicated to connecting and supporting people working on wildfire resilience, features a summary of a recent survey targeted toon non-governmental entities who plan, support, and/or conduct prescribed fire. The majority of survey respondents were non-profits. Respondents were asked about their prescribed fire needs and strengths, including communication and outreach, funding support, workforce, planning, and more. Responses indicate most organizations have the highest capacities for outreach and education while the biggest prescribed fire barrier is active fire seasons that disrupt work. Read the blog here.

Alliance of Natural Res. Outreach & Service Programs 2024 National Conference

The Alliance of Natural Resource Outreach and Service Programs (ANROSP) is holding their annual national conference September 10-12 in Bloomington, MN. This conference is for professionals and partner organizations that coordinate, administer, or host training and volunteer programs in natural resource conservation, education, and outreach. Those interested in developing similar programming may also find value in attending. During this conference, participants can expect to gain knowledge from a diverse range of programs, network with colleagues, and obtain valuable tools to enhance their existing programs or develop a new one. In addition to informative program presentations, posters, and the ANROSP Annual Member Meeting, attendees can look forward to national award presentations, the silent auction, and field trips along with free time to explore the Twin Cities area. Click here to learn more.

Natl Deer Association Article on Planting Deer Food Plots for Fall

The National Deer Association (NDA) has recently published an informative article helping landowners decide when it’s time to plant fall food plots. The article provides information on weather considerations, vegetation diversification, planting timing, and more. Rain is a highly emphasized consideration as it is critical for a food plot’s success. This article also addresses how to recover if the food plot fails, especially during dry conditions. Read the full article here.

National Old Growth Amendment Draft from USFS

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has published a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a proposed National Old-Growth Amendment. The National Old-Growth Amendment is a proposal by the USFS to to provide guidance for conserving old-growth forests to all 128 National Forests and Grasslands. Specifically, this guidance is focused on helping forests adapt to climate change and reduce the risk of wildfires. The estimated implementation date of this amendment is January 2025. The USFS will be accepting public commentary on the draft until September 20, 2024. A virtual summary session will be held on July 31 at 12:00pm ET. Learn more here. The public commentary form can be accessed here. Register for the virtual summary session here.

OR State Univ. Research Suggests Wildfire Smoke May Benefit Seedlings

Research conducted by Oregon State University (OSU) College of Forestry suggests that wildfire smoke may have unexpected benefits for seedlings. The study’s goal was to describe how heat waves and other climate conditions affect canopy cover’s influence on temperature. Eleven different stands of recently thinned, 50-year-old Douglas-fir in the Upper Blue River Watershed in western Oregon’s Willamette National Forest were surveyed during the summer of 2021. Results show that widespread smoke from wildfires can lead to sunlight reduction, thus lowering extreme temperatures experienced by vulnerable seedlings. The  impact of smoke cover on temperature was similar to the differences in temperature from a 15% increase in canopy cover.  More research needs to be conducted to discover more about smoke’s impact on seedling development. Read the publication here.

This webinar series provides the region with information on current and developing climate conditions such as drought, floods, and tropical storms, as well as climatic events like El Niño and La Niña. Speakers may also discuss the impacts of these conditions on topics such as wildfires, agriculture production, disruption to water supply, and ecosystems. The July webinar will feature a special presentation on "Urban heat: the role of buildings, shade, and green infrastructure on urban heat.” Register here.

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

2024 Designation Cycle Sentinel Landscapes Spotlight

The US Forest Service in partnership with the US Biochar Initiative and the Southern Regional Extension Forestry will be presenting its latest monthly Biochar Webinar. Join Dr. Zhiyong for this webinar where he will be discussing his current research on biochar and lignin to develop biochar applications and new biochar based products. Learn more here.

Water Cooler Talk: Community Science Tool to Track Stream Health

This webinar is an introductory session to the Understanding Forest Service Grants, Agreements, and Partnerships Webinar Series, hosted by the Watershed Research and Training Center and the Fire Adapted Communities Learning Network. Join this webinar to learn about the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) structure, scope, and policies. Register here.

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

This three-part series will fully cover Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), working effectively with tribes, and ways to utilize CEMA 222, Indigenous Stewardship Methods and Evaluation. Part 1 of the three-part series covers and introduction to TEK, how to develop effective working relationships with tribes, the application and use of CEMA 222, resource concerns that can be addressed with TEK, and conservation practices that might be used. Register here.

The University of Florida (UF) will be hosting this virtual event where urban forestry practitioners will be discussing solutions to challenges in the urban tree supply chain. This forum is part of a larger project called “Addressing Regional Tree Supply Challenges and Opportunities,” led by UF researchers. Click here to learn more. The registration form can be found here.

The University of Florida (UF) will be hosting this virtual event where urban forestry practitioners will be discussing solutions to challenges in the urban tree supply chain. This forum is part of a larger project called “Addressing Regional Tree Supply Challenges and Opportunities,” led by UF researchers. Click here to learn more. The registration form can be found here.

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

This webinar, a collaboration between heat.gov and the US Forest Service (USFS), will assist participants with learning about communities who used heat maps to implement tree planting and maintenance plans. Learn more here.

An agricultural conservation easement is the best tool for the long-term protection of working farms and forests. Discover the restrictions of the agricultural conservation easement, what rights are retained and how to start the process of enrolling your land in farmland preservation programs. Register here.

Forest Service grants and agreements facilitate an array of partnership work in communities and landscapes across the country. The people and processes behind these tools often vary based on a project’s context, Forest Service unit, agency priorities, and more. Join to hear from a panel of Forest Service staff and nonprofit leaders – all with deep grants and agreements experience – who will walk through various ways these tools are put into practice, important steps and strategies, and their own lessons learned and advice for more successful outcomes with grants and agreements. Register here.

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

An important part of tending timber stands is managing the density of the trees. Thinning removes unhealthy and low quality trees and focuses the site resources on the best trees. Thinning can bring increased return on investment from the sale of higher-value forest products; periodic income from the multiple harvests that lead to those higher-value forest products; improved access for equipment, people, and wildlife; a healthy, vigorous forest with less risk of insect infestation and destructive fire; and enhanced wildlife habitat. This will be a TEAMS webinar. Register here

Energy Efficient Building Envelope (CPS 672) Criteria and Implementation requirements

In this webinar, participants will learn about the role humans play in feral hog invasions, strategies to slow their spread, and early intervention steps for new invasions. This webinar is intended for foresters, landowners, wildlife biologists, environmental consultants, etc. Click here for registration information.

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.

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.

The Arbor Day Foundation’s Community Roots Program

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Arbor Day Foundation are partnering to provide Community Roots Program funding to community-based nonprofit organizations that support urban forestry projects in underserved communities. The Community Roots Program is made possible through Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) funding. Eligible applicants are federally recognized Tribes and community-based non-profit organizations. Application will be accepted until August 12. The application can be accessed 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.

UKY Dept. of Forestry & Natural Resources Dept. Chair

The Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (M-G CAFE), University of

Kentucky (UK) seeks a Department Chair to support a shared vision with innovative and skilled administration of the Department of Forestry and Natural Resources. The Chair will facilitate the Department’s efforts to enhance and develop prominence in research and graduate education, foster nationally recognized extension and outreach programs, and provide leadership for its Society of American Foresters (SAF)-accredited forestry undergraduate program. Applicants must hold a Ph.D. in forestry, natural resources, or a related field of study encompassed by the Department’s programmatic areas. For more details, click here.

Tennessee Dept. of Agriculture (Forestry)- Multiple positions

Area Forester (Lawrenceburg, TN)

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is hiring an Area Forester. The Area Forester is the Division of Forestry’s field forester and is responsible for all division programs in their area of responsibility. In addition to private forest management, these programs include forest protection and health, water quality, urban forestry and forest industry promotion and assistance. The Area Forester works under the direct supervision of the District Forester. Learn more here.

Area Forester (Lebanon, TN)

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is hiring an Area Forester. The Area Forester is the Division of Forestry’s field forester and is responsible for all division programs in their area of responsibility. In addition to private forest management, these programs include forest protection and health, water quality, urban forestry and forest industry promotion and assistance. The Area Forester works under the direct supervision of the District Forester. Learn more here.

Area Forester (Lexington, TN)

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is hiring an Area Forester. The Area Forester is the Division of Forestry’s field forester and is responsible for all division programs in their area of responsibility. In addition to private forest management, these programs include forest protection and health, water quality, urban forestry and forest industry promotion and assistance. The Area Forester works under the direct supervision of the District Forester. Learn more here.

Forest Data and Analysis Unit Leader (Nashville, TN)

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is hiring a Forest Data and Analysis Unit Leader. This position provides vision, planning, administration, and supervision for the Division’s forest and business data and analytical services programs. The position ensures that the unit is positioned to address current and future forest and business services information and resource analysis needs that help people make good decisions. This unit plays the key role for integrating the Division’s information resources; providing timely and accurate information about Tennessee’s forest resources, supporting information acquisition needs, and implementing ways for users to have readily available access to forest resource data. Learn more here.

Forest Health & Sustainability Unit Leader (Nashville, TN)

The Tennessee Department of Agriculture is hiring a Forest Health and Sustainability Unit Leader. The Forest Health and Sustainability Unit is the largest unit with the Division and contains the forest health, water quality, urban forest management, rural forest management, landowner assistance programs, and the Strike Teams. This position oversees several program specialists and foresters who manage these programs state or region wide. Click here to learn more.

teStaff 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.

NCSU Extension Associate in Prescribed Fire

North Carolina State University Extension Forestry is seeking applicants for an Extension Associate in Prescribed Fire and Fire Science. This is a 12-month, full time position. The successful candidate must have a combination of knowledge, skills and experience that will allow them to work in areas relevant to prescribed fire and fire science. Responsibilities include providing leadership for the development, delivery, and evaluation of educational programming and materials with an emphasis on prescribed fire and fire science, assisting with project management and other responsibilities associated with both the Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability (SERPPAS) and the Southern Fire Exchange, and supporting NCSU’s student fire training program. Learn more here.

Family Forest Research Center- National Woodland Owner Survey Research Fellow

The Family Forest Research Center (FFRC) is seeking a motivated and personable Research Fellow to join their team. This position involves working closely with FFRC’s directors and other FFRC members, on various projects that explore the attitudes and behaviors of family forest owners and their impacts on the landscape, including the National Woodland Owners Survey (NWOS). Specific responsibilities will be tailored to the fellow’s interests and skills, providing a dynamic and flexible work environment. Projects are to be determined, but will likely include social-justice related topics, including Tribal Forest ownership. The minimum qualifications are a bachelor’s degree in social science, forestry, environmental science, or a related field and two years of related experience. Click here to learn more.

Family Forest Research Center- Timber Products Output & Corporate Owner

The Family Forest Research Center (FFRC) is seeking a motivated and personable Research Fellow to join our team. This position involves working closely with FFRC’s directors and other FFRC members on various projects that explore the role of corporate forest owners and national resource use, including the Timber Product Output Survey (TPO). Specific responsibilities will be tailored to the fellow’s interests and skills, providing a dynamic and flexible work environment. Projects are to be determined but will likely include corporate ownership dynamics and national resource use monitoring analyses. The minimum qualifications are a bachelor’s degree in forestry, environmental science, human dimensions, or a related field and two years of related experience. Learn more here.

Family Forest Research Center- Post Doctoral Research Assoc.

The Family Forest Research Center (FFRC) is seeking a dedicated and highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to join our team. This position will focus on work related to the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) funded Revegetation Assistance Assessment project. Specific research tasks will involve surveys, randomized control trials, and focus groups. The successful candidate will work closely with FFRC’s co-directors and other members of the Revegetation Assistance Assessment team. The minimum qualification is a Ph.D. in forestry, ecology, natural resources, or a related field. Apply here.

UGA- Asst./Assoc. Professor - Tree Biology, Structure, & Health Care

The Warnell School of Forestry at the University of Georgia invites applications for a

tenure-track faculty position in tree biology, structure, and health care at the Assistant or Associate Professor level with a 70% outreach, 25% instruction, and 5% university and professional service appointment. Terms of the appointment as 9 or 12 months are negotiable. Successful candidates will be expected to collaborate with faculty in forestry, urban forestry, and water resources and help grow an emphasis in community forestry and arboriculture within the Warnell School. A Ph.D. in forestry, natural resources, ecology, or a closely related field is required. Click here to apply.

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

The Alliance of Natural Resource Outreach and Service Programs (ANROSP) has opened registration for their annual national conference. This conference is for professionals involved with training and volunteer programs or those interested in developing a similar program. Participants of this conference can expect to gain knowledge from diverse programs and grow their network. Register here.

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 Georgia Prescribed Fire Council (GPFC) is inviting attendees to their annual meeting covering many aspects of prescribed fire, this year the meeting will be held at the Lake Blackshear Resort in Lake Blackshear, GA. This year the Council is offering a super early bird rate of $35 to the first 75 attendants. Additional early bird tickets are available for $50 until August 19th. Register here.

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.

Sponsored by The Longleaf Alliance, this event is focused on the restoration and conservation of the longleaf ecosystem that once dominated the landscape in the southeastern United States. The conference provides the opportunity for people from all over the southeast to get together, share, learn, and celebrate longleaf. It also serves as a rallying spot for several other organizations and government agencies seeking to stage additional events in order to better collaborate on the conference topics. Register here.

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