The Southern Regional Extension of Forestry

Issue 179: Week of September 30th, 2024

Recent News

Regional News

• 2024 National 4-H Forestry Invitational Event 
• Liability Laws for Prescribed Fire in The South 2024 Report 
• Disasters & Heirs Property: Community Handbook released by GA Heirs Property Law Center
• NCSU Journal Article: Extension’s Role in Preventing Heirs Property Land Loss Through Partitioning
• USFS-IRA Forest Landowner Support Funded Project Awardees Include Nine Southern States
• NCSU Publishes 2022 Forestry Economic Factsheets
• USFS Study Estimates Wood Quality Wind Damage Using Acoustic Testing 
• VT-USFS Share June 2024 Housing Reports
• International Symposium on Biogeochemistry of Wetlands and Aquatic Systems Call for Abstracts

National News

• Forest to MI Faucet Initiative Led by Michigan DNR 
• Urban Wood Network Publishes an Introduction to Drying Wood
• New Version Released for EPA AirNow Fire and Smoke Map
• EPA Air Quality Design Value Reports
• Southeastern Society of American Foresters (SESAF) is now accepting Awards for Excellence nominations
• American Wood Council Continues its Annual Lifecycle Analysis Survey & Assessments

Webinars

Access previously listed webinars here.

• A Rooted in Research Webinar Series
• Urban Forestry Today Series
• The Arc of a Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Peer Learning Session
• The Future of Environmental and Energy Justice
• Essential Skills Series
• AICUZ and REPI Partnerships for Enhanced Land Protection
• Research Advance on Specialized Tree and Biochar to Remediate the Stabilize Mining Waste
• Watershed Forestry Webinar Series
• Planning for Giving Tuesday!
• Effects of fire on ecosystem carbon in the Midwest and Eastern United States – A Primer
• Yale Forest Forum – Conserving Mature and Old-Growth Forests in a Changing Climate
• Managing the right species on the right site
• Future Directions for Hurricane Disturbed Forests
• Southeast Monthly Webinar Series
• Coastal Forests as Sentinels of Climate Change and Sea Level Rise
• Clash and Connection on the Best Land
• Working with Private Landowners to Increase Prescribed Fire Capacity
• Naturally diverse plant communities do not resist invasion by the strong competitor, Microstegium vimineum
• Workforce Opportunity Webinar Series
• Creative Funding Opportunities
• Beech Leaf Disease: An Emerging Threat to the Queen of the Forest the American Beech
• Rangeland, Wildlife, and Fisheries Management Stewardship Series
• SC Women Owning Woodlands Fall 2024 Webinar Series
• Navigating Military Readiness Through Responsible Project Execution
• SAF Urban Wood Network Webinar Series
• Creating Compelling Proposals

Funding Opportunities

• USDA Seeks Applications to Create and Save Jobs in Rural Areas
• East Texas Landowners Prescribed Burning Grant
• Climate Hub Partnership Program Request for Proposals
• Landowner Cost Share Payment Programs for Climate Mitigation and/or Forest Resilience Practices
• National Urban & Community Forestry Advisory Council Ten-Year Action Plan
• Landowner Payment Programs for Carbon Stewardship Practices
• Electronic Monitoring and Reporting Grant Program
• Chesapeake Bay Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grants
• USDA NIFA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Grants

Job Opportunities

• Multiple Positions (Texas A&M Forest Service)
• Forest Products Specialist- (WI DNR)
• Natural Resources Specialist (University of Maryland Extension)
• Assistant/Associate Professor – Silviculture (Mississippi State University)
• UKY Dept. of Forestry & Natural Resources Dept. Chair
• Agriculture and Forestry Special Programs Manager (Alabama & Georgia)
• Prescribed Fire Coordinator (San Angelo, TX)
• Director of Development (various locations, SC)
• Community Engagement Specialist (South Carolina)
• 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.
• Asst./Assoc. Professor - Tree Biology, Structure, & Health Care (University of Georgia)
• Forest Products Specialist (Wisconsin DNR)
• Climate Science Communication/Tech Transfer Specialist (Clemson University)
• Endowed Director of the Wood Utilization and Design Institute (Clemson University)
• Extension Associate in Prescribed Fire and Fire Science (NCSU)
• Wildlife Faculty Positions – Three Positions (LSU Ag Center)
• Director of Agricultural Sciences and Forestry (Louisiana Tech University)

2024 National 4-H Forestry Invitational Event 

This year’s National 4-H Forestry Invitational, the "Super Bowl of 4-H", was hosted at West Virginia University (WVU) Jackson's Mill 4-H Center, in July 2024. Founded in 1980, the purpose of the invitational is for young foresters to develop a greater appreciation for forest land conservation, compete in competitions, including tree measurement, tree identification, forest evaluation, compass orienteering, topographic map use, and forest insect and disease identification, and to have fun. Each state has the opportunity to send a team representing their state to the event. Attendance has declined since the Covid-19 pandemic with only 10 states attending this year instead of the usual 15-16 teams seen previously. Some of the states that competed include Tennessee, Florida, and Mississippi, with Mississippi taking home the first-place prize. Click here to read about Mississippi’s team. The invitational was organized and planned by personnel from Virginia Cooperative Extension, West Virginia University Extension, Utah State University, West Virginia Division of Forestry, and other volunteers. Sponsors of the event included Green Diamond Management Company, Society of American Foresters, Farm Credit, F&W Forestry Services, West Virginia Extension, and Virginia Cooperative Extension. Read more about the event in this article from the West Virginia news here. Find the website and information on next year’s event, and how to indicate intent to attend here. 

Liability Laws for Prescribed Fire in The South 2024 Report 

The Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability (SERPPAS) and North Carolina Forestry Extension has released a guide to liability surrounding prescribed fire titled “Prescribed Fire Liability Report for the Southern United States: A Summary of Statutes & Cases.” This report is an updated version of an earlier publication that examines the legal liabilities that landowners and prescribed burners could be exposed to when conducting prescribed burns and ways to mitigate these risks. It provides an overview of each of the 13 Southern state’s prescribed fire laws and key legal cases, examining both civil and criminal liability. The report explains legal terms in a clear and simple way, ensuring the reader easily understands their meanings. Read and download the report by clicking here.

Disasters & Heirs Property: Community Handbook released by GA Heirs Property Law Center

The Georgia Heirs Property Law Center in partnership with the Georgia Department of Community Affairs has produced a Community Planning Handbook to educate community leaders and individuals on heirs’ property and natural disasters in Georgia. This handbook helps readers understand heirs’ property and disaster mitigation, provides pre and post-disaster solutions, and shares helpful resources for safeguarding documents and property interests. Read about common myths associated with heirs’ properties and learn the truth behind these misconceptions. The document is free to view and download here.

NCSU Journal Article: Extension’s Role in Preventing Heirs Property Land Loss Through Partitioning

A recent article in the Journal of Extension, released by North Carolina State (NCSU) Extension Forestry, covers the challenges associated with generational landownership, also known as heirs properties. Data was collected via in-person surveys at three rural eastern North Carolina landowner meetings. A second assessment of 10 southern states was conducted to determine which states were more vulnerable to partitioning of heirs’ properties by examining which states had passed the Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act (UPHPA), and which had not. UPHPA is a law designed to protect heirs property by providing a fair process for partition sales and preventing forced sales that can disproportionately harm heirs. Of the 94 landowners surveyed, nearly 60% had no knowledge of the practice of partitioning and 40% had no succession plan or trust for their property. Of the 10 southern states examined, five had passed UPHPA: Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and South Carolina. To learn more, click here.

VT-USFS Share June 2024 Housing Reports

Virginia Tech (VT), Virginia Cooperative Extension, and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) produce a free monthly report, which includes a significant amount of housing information. The reports are intended to help gauge future business activity. Topics covered include (but are not limited to) new housing starts, housing scorecards, 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.

USFS-IRA Forest Landowner Support Funded Project Awardees Include Nine Southern States

The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has awarded more than $15 million in funding to nine project proposals that will connect underserved and small-acreage forest landowners with emerging climate markets, as part of funding from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The Appalachian Carbon Exchange was awarded a little under $2 million to provide landowners with technical assistance, workforce training, and a community benefit fund to serve both landowners and the general public in West Virginia and Kentucky. Croatan Institute was awarded $1.92 million to explore markets for ecosystem services for Tennessee and North Carolina landowners by increasing regional knowledge of markets and barriers to participation, quantifying ecosystem services’ economic value, and implementing a pilot project to increase landowners’ access to these markets. Prairie View A&M University was awarded $1.52 million for a project located in Texas that will reduce carbon market risks for landowners through education and relationships between landowners and carbon buyers. South Carolina Rural Water Association was awarded $102 thousand to facilitate landowners’ access to new watershed protection markets in South Carolina by identifying forest lands best suited for market participation and public education. National Wildlife Federation was awarded $1.94 million to work with landowners in Georgia, North Carolina, Alabama, and Mississippi to train landowners in longleaf pine straw management, harvesting, and business development. Click here to see all the awardees.

NCSU Publishes 2022 Forestry Economic Factsheets

North Carolina State (NCSU) Extension has updated its forestry economic contributions factsheets for each county, congressional district, and North Carolina as a whole. These factsheets highlight forestry’s contributions to North Carolina’s economic activities, jobs created as a result of forestry, and a table showing direct and total contributions of forestry towards employment, labor income, gross state product, and industry output. Factsheets for each congressional district show the percentage of forested land, total number of jobs supported by forestry, total income, and total output in 2022. There is a factsheet for each county for every even-numbered year between 2012-2022. These factsheets show detailed tables with information about timber inventories of hardwood and softwood trees, forest land by ownership type (public, private, etc.), economic contributions to the forest sector, and more. Factsheets on overall North Carolina forestry contributions for the years 2013, and 2018-2022 can also be found at this link. All of these factsheets can be found by clicking here.

USFS Study Estimates Wood Quality Wind Damage Using Acoustic Testing 

A new study by U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and The Jones Center at Ichauway (JC) used acoustic testing to estimate wind damage’s effect on wood quality in Southern yellow pines. The researchers identified trees that had snapped stems due to storm damage from which to take wood quality measurements. They measured the speed the sound traveled through the damaged wood to detect internal defects. The findings show that wind damage-related compression failures significantly affect lumber quality. The compression failures and splits often occurred near the steam breaking point. Acoustic testing can assist in identifying internal defects but cannot reliably detect compression failures. Click here to read the full publication in Forest Products Journal.

International Symposium on Biogeochemistry of Wetlands and Aquatic Systems Call for Abstracts

The International Symposium on Biogeochemistry of Wetlands and Aquatic Systems has announced a Call for Abstracts to be presented at the symposium. Those interested in or actively working in wetland management, water quality, aquatic systems, restoration, or constructed wetlands are encouraged to submit an abstract for consideration as an oral (20 minutes) or poster presentation. The abstract must be no longer than one page in length, containing objectives, synthesis of methodology, results, and conclusions. The deadline for submission is November 15th. There is a non-refundable abstract submission fee of $35 due at the time of submission. Click here to learn more and access the form. To learn more about the symposium, click here.

Forest to MI Faucet Initiative Led by Michigan DNR 

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Stewardship Program, a program that connects landowners with foresters to meet their goals, is leading a team of 20 conservation partners in a new initiative called “Forest to Mi Faucet.” This initiative aims to explain how forests in Michigan protect drinking water quality. Watersheds with more than half forest cover, as opposed to watersheds with people, farms, and factories, have better water quality. Forest to Mi Faucet’s objectives are to educate people, implement source water protection plans, prevent forest land use change, manage forests, and expand existing forests. Learn more about these initiatives and partner organizations here.

Urban Wood Network Publishes an Introduction to Drying Wood

Urban Wood Network has published a factsheet explaining the wood drying process. The act of removing water from the wood, improves the quality and strength of wood products. The document explains the science behind wood drying, concepts like the fiber saturation point, free and bound water, and how different drying methods affect wood quality. It concludes with additional resources for readers that wish to learn more. Read and download the document here.

New Version Released for EPA AirNow Fire and Smoke Map

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has released a new version of their AirNow Fire and Smoke Map. The map provides real-time information about air quality, the locations of smoke and wildfire sightings, and health recommendations based on air conditions. The map has interactive icons that are color-coded from green (good air quality) to dark purple (hazardous air quality). The new version features four main improvements: faster loading and display, new icons for temporary monitors and air sensors, and a display (that now includes additional information). There are also tailored user interfaces for desktop and mobile. The map can be accessed by clicking here. Learn more about the new version here.

EPA Air Quality Design Value Reports

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has released air quality design values, which describe the air quality status of a given location relative to the maximum allowable levels of outdoor pollutants without harming public health. The webpage provides a detailed explanation of design values, along with access to the 2023 design value reports, interactive tools, map services, and an interactive map. Additionally, reports from previous years, dating back to 2005, are also available. These reports can be downloaded as Excel spreadsheets and include design values for pollutants such as carbon monoxide, lead, nitrogen dioxide, ozone, and more. Each spreadsheet contains columns for the designated area, EPA region, designation status (nonattainment, maintenance, etc.), 8-hour design value (ppm), whether it meets the EPA's air quality goal, and additional information depending on the year of the report. The reports can be accessed here.

Southeastern Society of American Foresters (SESAF) Awards

SESAF is now accepting Awards for Excellence nominations to be presented at its annual meeting. The awards include the Research and Development Award, the General Practice of Forestry Award, and the Public Education and Technology Transfer Award. The deadline for Submission is October 30th. View the nomination criteria for each award here. The nomination form can be downloaded here.

American Wood Council Continues its Annual Lifecycle Analysis Survey & Assessments

The American Wood Council (AWC) continues its efforts to strengthen the wood product industry’s sustainability data collection efforts through the launch of its yearly Life Cycle Survey and a recent $6 million grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The Life Cycle Survey collects life cycle impact data from wood product mills across the United States to promote data transparency. The grant will be used to reduce embodied carbon in the built environment by funding a variety of projects over five years. This includes developing an Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) generator, a funding mechanism to support mills as they develop their own EPDs, and programs to help educate Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) firms on whole-building life cycle assessments. This year’s Life Cycle Survey was launched on August 1 and is open to all U.S. mills. For information about participating, contact Anna Ostrander at aostrander@awc.org.

Remediating Mercury and Sulfur Pollution: A Rooted in Research Webinar Series – Session 2

This webinar is hosted by Penn State Extension for anyone eager to handle conflict situations more effectively. Conflict in the workplace is inevitable, but how you address it can determine whether it becomes a positive or negative force for your business. In this session, you’ll learn to identify the sources of conflict and discover strategies for managing it, fostering better relationships and a more productive work environment. Register by clicking here.

This webinar is part of a series hosted by the Yale Forest School and the Society of American Foresters (SAF). This webinar series invites federal agency staff, private foresters, forestry researchers, and forest advocacy organizations to share how they are responding to and shaping the discussion on mature and old-growth forests. Attendees will learn from a series of experts representing Tribal Nations, university researchers, and non-profits exploring core challenges to this effort. Register here.

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

Urban Forestry Today – Part 2

The Peer Learning Session objectives are to engage with Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP) practitioners and hear lessons learned from long-term forest restoration projects, learn how social dynamics and partnerships drove accomplishments and how challenges were overcome, and learn about landscape scale change over time, and how management strategies evolve over the long term. The suggested audience for this session includes collaborative groups and participants, US Forest Service staff, practitioners and planners of landscape-scale restoration work, and partners and alumni of CFLR Programs. Register for this webinar here.

Join experts from silviculture, economics, and geospatial disciplines as they present results from recent research exploring the dynamics of hurricane-impacted forests. These include how stand and tree characteristics influence damage severity after a catastrophic hurricane disturbance, how those characteristics interact with silvicultural regimes, as well as new tools that will aid decision-makers with damage assessment and salvage efforts. Register here.

Join Resources for the Future (RFF) on Tuesday, October 8, for a Policy Leadership Series event between Baker and RFF Fellow and Environmental Justice Initiative Director Suzanne Russo. This wide-ranging conversation will touch on Baker’s work at the Department of Energy, the role of environmental justice amid emerging legislation and the transition to clean energy, and how to foster a culture of cooperation while mitigating climate change. This event can also be attended in person at the Resources and Conservation Center in Washington, DC. Click here to register and learn more.

SC Women Owning Woodlands Fall 2024 Webinar Series: Implementing Wildlife Management

Join Penn State Extension to explore how understanding personality types can enhance communication skills by uncovering personal preferences and tendencies. Gain a deeper appreciation of how others perceive the world, leading to more effective interactions and reduced conflicts. Learn more and register here.

AICUZ and REPI Partnerships for Enhanced Land Protection

This webinar is presented by The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) in partnership with the U.S. Biochar Initiative and the Southern Regional Extension Forestry. This webinar’s guest speaker is Dr. Zalesny. He holds a Bachelor of Sciences on natural resources and environmental studies from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, and a Ph.D. from Iowa State University on Forest Biology. Dr. Zalesny studies genetic and physiological mechanisms regulating biomass production of short rotation woody crops grown for phytotechnologies, bioenergy and fiber. Click here to register for this webinar.

Watershed Forestry Webinar Series: Riparian Forest Buffer Successes and Innovations

This webinar is part of a series hosted by the Yale Forest School and the Society of American Foresters (SAF). This webinar series invites federal agency staff, private foresters, forestry researchers, and forest advocacy organizations to share how they are responding to and shaping the discussion on mature and old-growth forests. Attendees will learn from a series of experts representing Tribal Nations, university researchers, and non-profits exploring core challenges to this effort. Register here.

SC Women Owning Woodlands Fall 2024 Webinar Series: Implementing Wildlife Management

Planning for Giving Tuesday!

Prior to European settlement, fire was a common disturbance across most of the Midwest and Eastern United States. Today, prescribed fire is used as a management tool to promote native, fire-tolerant species and reduce vulnerability to high-intensity, unplanned fires. In this talk presenter Dr. Adrienne Keller will discuss how prescribed fire affects ecosystem structure and function, paying particular attention to the effects of fire on ecosystem carbon uptake and storage. She will also share management considerations related to the effects of prescribed fire on ecosystem carbon and greenhouse gas mitigation goals. Learn more here.

This webinar is part of a series hosted by the Yale Forest School and the Society of American Foresters (SAF). This webinar series invites federal agency staff, private foresters, forestry researchers, and forest advocacy organizations to share how they are responding to and shaping the discussion on mature and old-growth forests. Attendees will learn from a series of experts representing Tribal Nations, university researchers, and non-profits exploring core challenges to this effort. Register here.

Managing the right species on the right site: Part 2 - Species selection

Join Experts from silviculture, forest economics, forest management and operations, and geospatial disciples in a panel discussion on the potential opportunities and challenges for research and outreach related to hurricane disturbed forest. The panel will outline the needs and collaborations necessary for advancing current research and explore unknown and underappreciated issues related to the topic. The audience is also invited to ask questions to our panel and provide insight into the conversation. Click here to learn more and register.

The Southeast Climate monthly webinar series is held on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 10:00 am ET. This series is hosted by the Southeast Regional Climate Center (SERCC), the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), and the NOAA National Weather Service. These webinars will provide the region with timely 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 agriculture production, water resources, wildfires, and ecosystems. Learn more here.

Dr. Marcelo Ardón (Associate Professor – NC State University) will discuss ghost forests along the coast of the southeastern US and explain their connection to climate change and rising sea levels. What causes this mass death of once healthy forests? What are the ecosystem impacts and can anything be done to save the trees? In this webinar, Dr. Marcelo Ardón will answer all these questions and more as he explains ghost forests and what causes them. Click here to register.

In "The Best Land," author Susan Brewer  traces the history of a parcel of land in central New York and the stories of the two families, her own European settler family and the Mohawk/Oneida family of Polly Denny, who called it home. Her talk considers the struggle over land, tales of pioneer progress, and native dispossession. Although these two families lived as neighbors for centuries, they clashed over beliefs and practices regarding the land and its forests, streams, and soils. Register here.

Working with Private Landowners to Increase Prescribed Fire Capacity

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

This presentation will include research associated with the publication “Naturally diverse plant communities do not resist invasion by the strong competitor, Microstegium vimineum.”. Theory predicts and empirical studies have shown that ecologically manipulated communities with high species diversity are resistant to invasion, but do these predictions and results hold true when applied to highly competitive invaders in natural communities? Few studies of diversity-mediated invasion resistance have measured both invasion resistance and invader impact in the same study. Learn more by clicking here.

SC Women Owning Woodlands Fall 2024 Webinar Series: Benefits of Prescribed Fire

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

Workforce Opportunity Webinar Series: Career Development

Creative Funding Opportunities

The Southeast Climate monthly webinar series is held on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 10:00 am ET. This series is hosted by the Southeast Regional Climate Center (SERCC), the National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), and the NOAA National Weather Service. These webinars will provide the region with timely 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 agriculture production, water resources, wildfires, and ecosystems. Learn more here.

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

SC Women Owning Woodlands Fall 2024 Webinar Series: NRCS Cost Share Opportunities

Navigating Military Readiness Through Responsible Project Execution

SAF Urban Wood Network Webinar Series: USRW Standards

Creating Compelling Proposals

USDA Seeks Applications to Create and Save Jobs in Rural Areas

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is accepting funding applications for projects that will help rural businesses create and save jobs within their communities. USDA is making loans and grants available under the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant (REDLG) programs for the fiscal year 2025. Through the programs, USDA provides zero-interest loans to local utilities which they then provide to local businesses for projects to create and retain employment in rural areas. The USDA will be awarding approximately $50 million, with the largest loans being $2 million and the largest grants being $300,000. Applications are to be submitted to the USDA Rural Development State Office where the project is located at 4:30PM local time by the following dates: First Quarter – September 30th, Second Quarter – December 31st, Third Quarter – March 31st, 2025, or Fourth Quarter – June 30th, 2025. Click here for more information.

Electronic Monitoring and Reporting Grant Program

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) will be awarding grants to eligible organizations that propose a project that will catalyze the voluntary implementation of electronic technologies (ET) for fisheries catch, effort, or compliance monitoring, and improvements to fishery information systems in the U.S. NFWF anticipates awarding approximately 4.8 million with the majority awards being between $200,000 and $500,000. Matching contributions from non-federal applicants must be equal to or greater than the requested amount. Proposals for this grant opportunity are due by October 2 at 11:59 pm. Ineligible applicants include U.S. Federal government agencies and unincorporated individuals. Learn more about this grant opportunity here.

Chesapeake Bay Innovative Nutrient and Sediment Reduction Grants

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), in partnership with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP), is soliciting proposals for projects that will restore water quality and habitats of the Chesapeake Bay. Eligible applicants are non-profit organizations, state government agencies, local governments, municipal governments, Tribal governments and organizations, and educational institutions. NFWF estimates approximately $25-30 million will be awarded in grants with awards ranging from $500,000 to $2 million each. To learn more and apply, click here.

USDA NIFA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Grants

The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is awarding Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) research, education, and extension grants to improve rural economies, increase food production, stimulate the bioeconomy, mitigate impacts of climate variability, address water availability issues, ensure food safety and security, enhance human nutrition, and train the next generation of the agricultural workforce. The grants are provided to support six Farm Bill priority areas: (1) plant health and production and plant products, (2) animal health and production and animal products, (3) food safety, nutrition, and health, (4) bioenergy, natural resources, and environment, (5) agriculture systems and technology, and (6) agriculture economics and rural Communities. There are several different grants available with closing dates ranging from September 30 through December 31. Click here to learn more.

Texas A&M Forest Service Staff Forester, Fire Coordinator, Specialist Positions- Multiple Locations

Texas A&M Forest Service is hiring for multiple positions. A Program Specialist and Program Coordinator are being hired in College Station, TX, a Regional Coordinator in Lufkin, TX, a Regional Operations Chief and a Fire Coordinator in San Angelo, TX, a Resource Specialist in Nacogdoches, TX, a Fire Coordinator in Edinburg, TX, a Staff Forester / Woodland Ecologist in La Grange, TX, and a Regional Coordinator in Austin, TX. Learn more about each title's qualifications and responsibilities here.

Forest Products Specialist- WI DNR

The Forest Products Specialist will provide detailed knowledge of the forest resource and forest products industry in Wisconsin and be a key internal and external consultant for staff, leadership, inter-divisional teams, and partner groups. This position has statewide responsibilities and can be headquartered at most offices throughout the state. Learn more here.

Natural Resources Specialist (University of Maryland Extension)

The Natural Resources Specialist serves statewide and provides leadership for educational program development, delivery, and evaluation on a variety of natural resources and environmental sciences topics including forest management, soil and water conservation, environmental science topics and other related issues. The Specialist will facilitate partnerships with university colleagues, local, state, and federal agencies, forestry/natural resource associations, nonprofit organizations, and others to develop relevant educational products and programs. Click here to apply.

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.

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.

Climate Science Communication/Tech Transfer Specialist (Clemson University)

A full-time science communication specialist will be hired from Clemson's Climate Smart Forestry (CSF) extension project to work with Southeast Climate Hub scientists and collaborating natural resource extension specialists from other southeastern U.S. land-grant universities. The overall objective of the position is to promote climate-informed decision-making and increase access to CSF knowledge and decision support tools. Other duties as assigned. Minimum requirement is a master’s degree in forestry, agriculture, ecology, or a related field. The application deadline is October 1st. click here to apply.

organizations, and others to develop relevant educational products and programs. Learn more and apply by clicking here.

Endowed Director of the Wood Utilization and Design Institute (Clemson University)

The position is a 12-month faculty (or faculty equivalent) appointment with responsibilities in external relations and industry partnerships, facilitation of collaborative grantsmanship and research, public policy and government affairs, building collaborations within and outside of Clemson University, and WU D administration. Although this position does not have a formal teaching assignment, there will be opportunities for guest lecturing, seminar organization, and speaking engagements to represent Clemson WU D. The successful candidate will lead a group of dedicated and innovative faculty, research scientists, students, and staff committed to professional and inclusive excellence. Learn more and apply here.

Extension Associate in Prescribed Fire and Fire Science (NCSU)

This is a 12-month recurring, full-time, professional staff position. The successful candidate will 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 North Carolina State Uuniversity’s (NCSU) student fire training program. Apply here.

Wildlife Faculty Positions – Three Positions (LSU Ag Center)

LSU invites applications from emerging and established scholars for three tenure-track or tenured appointments and one instructor position. The appointments may be tenure-track at the rank of Assistant Professor or Associate Professor, or tenured at the rank of Associate Professor or Professor, depending on qualifications and experience. Except for the instructor, all positions will have 12-month appointments with primary responsibilities in research (60%) and teaching (40%). Spousal/partner hires will be considered for qualified applicants: we encourage qualified couples to apply if their skills align with the positions. Click here to learn more an apply.

Prescribed Fire Coordinator (San Angelo, TX)

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service is seeking applicants for a prescribed fire coordinator position. This role involves assessing landowner needs and developing Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs) to promote prescribed fire for agriculture, habitat restoration, and wildfire mitigation. Responsibilities include creating web resources, leading landowner workshops, liaising with state agencies and NGOs, and advising on the formation and management of PBAs. Additionally, the role seeks funding opportunities, fosters relationships with local government and fire departments, and serves as an advisor to the PBAT board. A bachelor’s degree and four years of experience are required. Click here to apply.

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.

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.

Asst./Assoc. Professor - Tree Biology, Structure, & Health Care (University of Georgia)

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.

*Director of Agricultural Sciences and Forestry (Louisiana Tech University)

This is a 12-month administrative position. The Director is responsible for long-range vision and planning, resource development, faculty and student recruitment, faculty development, comprehensive financial planning, facilitating faculty research and teaching, and management of the academic and farm units. This position is also expected to seek out and coordinate outreach and service activities, in addition to external relations with the agricultural, forestry, and rural communities through commodity and industry organizations, small business development organizations, and youth organizations (FFA and 4-H). The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills with students, faculty, staff, peers, and administrators. Apply here.

32nd Annual NAISMA Conference

International Conference on Chemicals and Products from Renewable Carbon

Attend this festival at Halyburton Park from 10am till 3pm for an event the whole family can enjoy. The festival will include kids activities including crafts, games, educational opportunities, fire equipment, hay-rides, conservation-related tables and displays, live music by Folkstone Stringband, food trucks, entertainment, and a live fire demonstration. Parking will not be available on site but there will be parking at Lifepoint Church on College Rd and 17th St with a free trolley to the festival. Learn more about the festival here.

The Sustainable Future of CLT in the South: Grow. Design. Build.

International Oak Symposium

Join Resources for the Future (RFF) on Tuesday, October 8, for a Policy Leadership Series event between Baker and RFF Fellow and Environmental Justice Initiative Director Suzanne Russo. This wide-ranging conversation will touch on Baker’s work at the Department of Energy, the role of environmental justice amid emerging legislation and the transition to clean energy, and how to foster a culture of cooperation while mitigating climate change. This event can also be joined virtually through Zoom. Click here to register and learn more.

15th Biennial Longleaf Conference

SEAFWA 78th Annual Conference

Forisk Hosts Timber Market Analysis Class

Certified Prescribed Burn Workshop with LDAF Certification

This event will be held at the University of Florida (UF) Austin Cary Forest Campus in Gainesville, FL. Join forest landowners, utilities, conservation groups, state agencies, and other entities and individuals interested in conserving forests and protecting drinking water sources. To be added to the notification list for this event, contact Kathy Hawes at info@southeasternpartnership.org.

Extension Disaster Education Network 2024 Annual Conference

The Forest Landowner Conference is held annually to educate landowners on sustainable forestry practices; on programs and technical assistance available through state and federal forestry and natural resource agencies; on the timber industry and emerging markets; and on strategies for estate planning, including wills and trusts. This year’s conference features a closer look at the role of private consulting foresters and forest industry foresters. It will be held at the Rocky Mount Event Center. Learn more by clicking here.

Generation NEXT Legacy Planning Workshop 

Innovation in Mass Timber Solutions (IMTS) Conference 

This event will be held at Montgomery Bell State Park in Burns, TN. Join forest landowners, utilities, conservation groups, state agencies, and other entities and individuals interested in conserving forests and protecting drinking water sources. To be added to the notification list for this event, contact Kathy Hawes at info@southeasternpartnership.org.

82nd annual Professional Agricultural Workers Conference (PAWC)

Partners in Community Forestry Conference

2024 Science Symposium

Texas A&M Prescribed Fire Field Day

A Community on Ecosystem Services Conference

Drought and Aquatic Ecosystems in the Southeast Workshop

Coastal GeoTools

Woodland Owners Retreat

The USDA Forest Service is organizing a National Forum for Biological Control in Natural Areas Conference in partnership with NAISMA and the National Association of State Foresters. The meeting will focus on both weed and arthropod biocontrol and will be a venue for all biocontrol practitioners, researchers, and policy makers to come together to address the shared challenges (i.e., communication, capacity, changing landscapes) and opportunities that exist in this area. The meeting themes are centered around biocontrol research, management, and impacts in natural areas. Register and learn more by clicking here.

This symposium is designed to bring together those actively engaged in applying principles of biogeochemistry to solving environmental and social problems from a wide range of systems. It provides a framework for scientists to share technical information on various topics related to coupled biogeochemical cycling of macro-elements and associated organic and inorganic contaminants. The goal is to improve our understanding of the role wetlands and aquatic systems perform in regulating and mitigating impacts of global climate change and sea level rise. This year’s theme seeks to acknowledge the critical coastal zone where freshwaters from rivers and lakes discharge into estuaries and coastal ocean waters, and where changes in runoff timing and discharge volume can cause dramatic shifts in major drivers of biogeochemical cycling including temperature, salinity, nutrients, sediment, and contaminant loading. Learn more about the symposium here.

38th Forest Products Machinery & Equipment EXPO