Webinar Spotlight ⭐

ANREP Annual Online Meeting and Awards Ceremony

Join the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals (ANREP) members via Zoom for this special event. Hear updates about ANREP and recognize the accomplishments awardees from around the nation. The webinar will be held Thursday, May 21st at 3 pm ET.

Intro to Branding: What It Is and Why It’s Important For Natural Resources - Webinar

As part of an ongoing webinar series from the Association of Natural Resources Extension Professionals (ANREP), Southern Regional Extension Forestry (SREF) marketing & communications coordinator will present about “branding.” This webinar will provide an overview of the essentials of building a professional, trustworthy brand that resonates with landowners, partners, and the broader public. In addition, the presenter will explain why it is important to natural resource professionals and how it can help their work. The webinar will be held Thursday, May 29th at 2 pm ET, and the recording will be available at the same link within a day or two. Find a calendar reminder link here. Find all of the upcoming and recorded webinars in the ANREP “Reaching Your Target Audience & Providing Innovative Programs,” 2025 webinar series here. Previous webinars focused on social media outreach, digital media engagement, delivering high-powered webinars, creating videos and more.

2025 Smokey Bear Award Recipients

The Wildfire Prevention Partners recently announced the 2025 Smokey Bear Award recipients. The Smokey Bear Awards are reserved for individuals, teams, and organizations that provide outstanding service with significant and sustained program impact in the wildfire prevention arena. The South Carolina Forestry Commission (SCFC) won a bronze award for its “Cancel Wildfires in South Carolina” campaign. This campaign included a short commercial that featured the head college football coaches from Clemson University and the University of South Carolina (USC), reaching over 1 million people. Several individuals were also recognized with a certificate for their local achievements and potential to earn a Smokey Bear Award in the future. One of these recipients was Todd Chlanda, a Wildfire Mitigation Specialist with the Florida Forest Service. He has worked with local Braille organizations, Florida libraries, and the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) to develop a Braille edition of The True Story of Smokey Bear. More information about the accomplishments of the Smokey Bear awardees can be found here.

Brown Spot Needle Blight Affecting Pine Trees in Alabama

The Alabama Forestry Commission (AFC) has distributed a news release cautioning Alabama forest landowners about brown spot needle blight, a fungal disease that causes needle discoloration and needle drop. The AFC Forest Health Coordinator Drew Metzler indicated that the disease seems to be infecting loblolly pine trees with greater severity in west Alabama due to mild wet weather that provides ideal growing conditions for brown spot needle blight. The infections typically start in the lower canopy and spread upward through the crown if conditions allow. Fortunately, as summer approaches, daytime temperatures will increase, creating unsuitable conditions for the disease and allowing trees to regrow lost needles. For more information, AFC suggests contacting a local county forester or AFC office. To reach AFC’s media contact, email elishia.ballentine@forestry.alabama.gov. Download the news release here.

NCSU Extension Outlines Requirements for Voluntary Agricultural District Programs in North Carolina

North Carolina State University (NCSU) Forestry Extension published an article that outlines the requirements and benefits of voluntary agricultural district (VAD) programs in North Carolina and explains how forest landowners can join these programs. The article highlights how VAD and Enhanced VAD (EVAD) programs can help promote and preserve traditional rural land uses like forestry and farming and offer benefits like public hearings on condemnation of farmland, waiver of water and sewer assessments, signed statements and registration, and more. There are three requirements to enroll in VAD or EVAD; (1) Have at least 20 acres of forestland and a forest management plan; (2) The land must be subject to a conservation agreement; (3) The land will be managed in accordance with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service defined erosion control practices for highly erodible land. Learn more here.

USFS Southern Research Station’s New Report Analyzes Future Wildfire and Smoke Risks

The U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) Southern Research Station (SRS) has published a report assesses current and future risks associated with wildfire and smoke in the Southern U.S., through a synthesis of literature review and new analysis. The researchers utilized various methods for assessing wildfire and smoke including smoke exposure modeling, a fire escape analysis, a risk assessment, and projected future changes. The modeled future changes indicate a shift towards warmer climates and forests more prone to hazardous fire, with differences in risks to people and ecosystem services varying geographically. Additionally, the results suggest that most areas with moderate risk are projected to become high risk in the future. The SRS researchers recommend the use of preemptive forest management efforts, such as prescribed fire or enhanced fuel treatment programs, can offset future changes in wildfire and smoke risks. Read the report here.

Southern Fire Exchange Complies Resources for Understanding Hurricane Helene Impacts on Prescribed Fire and Wildfire

The Southern Fire Exchange (SFE) has compiled various resources to help fire managers better understand Hurricane Helene’s impact on prescribed fire and wildfire in the Southeast. These resources include fact sheets and reports that will increase fire managers’ understanding of thew new fuel conditions created by the hurricane and prepare them for potential future dangers. One resource, LANDFIRE, which is a program that provides landscape scale geo-spatial products for wildland fire management, has released a short fact sheet providing details on how it has integrated USFS forest damage data into its spatial dataset. This collection also includes a University of Florida (UF) Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) factsheet describing how hurricanes and tropical storms significantly affect wildfire and prescribed fire management by altering forest structures, fuel loads, and fire behavior. Many other resources can be found in this collection. Click here to find all these resources and more.

New Louisiana Sawmill Utilizes State of the Art Technology to Increase Efficiency and Safety

A recent video news story from a network that focuses on agribusiness, equine, and rural lifestyles, covered the opening of a new sawmill in Bienville Parish, Louisiana. The sawmill, owned by Hunts Forest Products, uses state of the art technology to scan timber, maximizing yield, reducing waste, and minimizing the number of trees that need to be cut down. Using this technology, the mill’s entire process, from intake to final product takes only a week to complete. The technology also enhances worker safety by reducing the need for manual equipment handling. Additionally, the new sawmill is boosting the local economy by employing 190 people and purchasing timber from private landowners. The video about this new sawmill can be found here.

Georgia-Pacific Completes Significant Upgrade to Alabama Containerboard Mill

Georgia-Pacific’s Brewton, Alabama Containerboard Mill has recently completed its latest significant upgrade to replace outdated, inefficient equipment. Since the mill’s purchase in 2007, it has become one of the most advanced paper facilities in the United States with nearly $1 billion invested in new technology and equipment. Additionally, the upgrades have improved energy performance and significantly reduced the mill’s environmental footprint, leading to the mill being recognized with the ENERGY STAR Certification for the past 4 years. This certification is a joint effort between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) that certifies products, homes, and buildings that meet strict energy efficiency guidelines, helping consumers save money, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. To learn more about the improvements to The Brewton Containerboard Mill, click here.

The Nature Conservancy’s New Initiative Works to Restore Minnesota’s Forests with “Climate Smart” Seedlings

Minnesota, like many other states, are facing increasing threats to their forests due to land use changes, climate change, and other factors. The state has lost almost half its forests since the 19th century. The Nature Conservancy Minnesota Million project, a coalition supported by federal, state, and local agencies, is on a mission to reforest 1 million acres of the state, requiring around 780 million trees. A subset of this enterprise, the Climate Smart Seedling Production Network, is supporting the reforestation effort with “climate smart” seedlings, trees adapted to better survive the warmer temperatures. As climate change creates warmer weather in Minnesota, the state’s native species are struggling to migrate to cooler climates fast enough. Additionally, Minnesota is struggling to collect enough seeds for reforestation due to the previous seed collecting workforce aging out of the profession, with few workers in the younger generations taking their place. This project focuses on all aspects of reforestation, from identifying the land, to sourcing the seeds, finding the nurseries and so on. Learn more about The Minnesota Million project here. Read the full article here.

Microsoft Recently Purchased 3.7 Million Tons of Carbon Removal Credits from Pulp & Paper Mills

Microsoft recently announced that it bought 3.7 million metric tons of carbon removal credits from CO280, a project developer that works with pulp and paper mills. This purchase covers 12 years of emissions from CO280’s first carbon capture project at a mill on the Gulf Coast. Microsoft’s purchase should help it meet its goal of becoming a carbon-negative company by 2030. The capture technology used by CO280 is based on the amine process, a chemical process that removes CO₂ and H₂S from gas using liquid amines, and it will be attached to a large paper mill’s recovery boiler, which helps recycle various chemicals for reuse. To read the article, published by TechCrunch, a technology news source, click here.

New Report from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety Shares Early Insights from the 2025 California Fires

A new report from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) outlines the timelines of the Palisades and Eaton fires that destroyed over 16,000 structures in Los Angeles County, California in early 2025. These two fires now rank as two of California’s three most destructive fires on record. The Palisades Fire burned over 23,000 acres, destroyed a little under 7,000 structures, and claimed 12 lives. The Eaton Fire began around eight hours after the Palisades Fire began, burning 96% of its final area in the first 24-hours. It burned over 14,000 acres, destroyed 9,418 structures, and claimed 17 lives. Both fires were fully contained on February 20th. Highlights from the report were captured in this article from Wildfire Today. To read the full report, click here.

Natl Institutes of Standards & Technology Releases Evacuation Guidance Report for Communities Vulnerable to WUI Fires

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Technical Note, titled Evacuation and Sheltering Considerations for Communities Exposed to Wildland Fire, provides information that can help communities with assessing, planning, and implementing a notification or evacuation plan leveraging pre-fire conditions, local knowledge, and during-event information. The goal of this report is to enhance the safety of civilians and fire responders during a wildland urban interface (WUI) fire event. The document covers community evacuations and alternatives, the technical challenges of community evacuations from WUI fires, proposed approaches, and implementation. The full document can be downloaded here.

May 21 | 11:30AM

American Forest Congress: Reforestation

May 21 | 3:00PM

ANREP Annual Online Meeting and Awards Ceremony

May 21 | 3:00PM

Wildfire Advancing Science Partnerships for Indoor Reductions of Smoke Exposures (ASPIRE) Study

May 29 | 12:00PM

Urban Forest Inventory Analysis Training

May 29 | 2:00PM

Intro to Branding: What It Is and Why It’s Important for Natural Resources- Webinar

This webinar will provide an overview of the essentials of building a professional, trustworthy brand that resonates with landowners, partners, and the broader public. In addition, the presenter will explain why it is important to natural resource professionals and how it can help their work. Find a calendar reminder link here.

May 30 | 2:00PM

Intercultural Leadership Series: International Opportunities for Extension Professionals

June 3 | 2:00PM

Tribal Climate Resilience Webinar Series: Session 3

June 5 | 12:00PM

Living With Fire in North Carolina

This webinar will address wildfire risk in the wake of Hurricane Helene and how to protect homes from wildfire. Find a calendar reminder link here.

June 24 | 7:00PM

Missouri Deer Management Webinar Series – Forests, Woodlands, and Whitetails

July 1 | 2:00PM

Tribal Climate Resilience Webinar Series: Session 4

September 3 | 1:00PM

Biology and Management of Stem and Root Diseases of Southern Pines

Dr. Katie McKeever (Forest Pathologist – USFS) will cover the biology and management of some non-needle pine diseases including pitch canker, littleleaf disease, and fusiform rust. Find a calendar reminder link here.

September 8 | 1:30PM

Leveraging Podcasts in Agricultural and Natural Resources Communication and Outreach

September 22 | 1:00PM

Capturing the Impact of Natural Resource Extension Programs

This presentation will use a scenario-based approach to discuss how to identify, measure, and communicate the impact of natural resource Extension outreach and programs through alignment of program activities with expected outcomes, use of effective data collection approaches, and extrapolation of existing research to demonstrate impact. Find a calendar reminder link here.

October 13 | 1:00PM

Paddling Through Paradise: Educating on the Water

Join Dr. Laura Tiu, Marine Science Extension Agent with the University of Florida (UF), as she navigates the essential elements of running a smooth and memorable kayak tour. Find a calendar reminder link here.

October 27 | 1:00PM

Teaching with Video

This session will give novices some quick “straight” shooting information and learn the simple ways of video editing. Find a calendar reminder link here.

November 5 | 1:00PM

Identification and Management of Invasive Vine Species

Chris Evans, an Extension Forester with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC), will discuss the biology, impact, and management of some common invasive vines including roundleaf bittersweet, kudzu, Japanese honeysuckle, Chinese yam, and wintercreeper. Find a calendar reminder link here.

Private Forest Lands Coordinator (West Boylston, MA)

The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation in Massachusetts is seeking qualified individuals to apply for a Private Forest Lands Coordinator position. The successful candidate will be responsible for the planning, implementation, and coordination of regulatory, educational publications and programs, and forest policy on the 2.4 million acres of private and municipal forest land in the Commonwealth and has the primary responsibility of program guidelines and implementation of the business and private landowner incentive portion of Forests as Climate Solutions Initiative which expands the breadth and scope of the former position. The minimum qualification for this position is five years of full-time experience or a combination of education and experience. Apply and learn more here.

Fire Science Innovations through Research and Education (FIRE) program

The Fire Science Innovations through Research and Education (FIRE) program invites innovative multidisciplinary and multisector investigations focused on convergent research and education activities in wildland fire. FIRE is a new initiative that supports convergent research, education and networking activities to improve understanding, prediction and resilience to wildland fire and its interactions with communities, infrastructure and the natural environment. Proposals should demonstrate strengths relevant to wildlife fire in one or more of the following areas: (1) new advances in data collection, storage, and sharing; (2) new modeling and computational approaches; (3) new understanding of the cross-scale interactions of wildland fire across local, regional and global extents; (4) new insights into community adaptation and governance; (5) new approaches to reduce the vulnerability of built infrastructure, natural fuels, and social systems; and (6) engagement of a variety of community members and stakeholders. The application window is between June 12-20. To learn more and apply, click here.

Norfolk Southern’s New Community Disaster Relief Grant Program

To support communities effected by recent storms in the south and Midwest, Norfolk Southern, a major freight railroad company, has launched a new Community Disaster Relief Grant Program. This program will provide up to $250,000 to non-profits that are assisting residents in Norfolk Southern’s operating areas affected by the recent weather event. Non-profits are encouraged to apply by submitting how they are responding to the storm. Learn more and apply here.

Cumberland Plateau-Southern Appalachians Stewardship Fund 2025 Request for Proposals

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is soliciting proposals within the Cumberland Plateau region, located in certain parts of Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, and Tennessee, for projects that will help accelerate the restoration and enhancement of critical forest, grassland, and freshwater habitats in the region. Grant awards are expected to range from $250,000 to $750,000 with a project period of 24–48 months following finalization of a grant agreement. Projects should have a minimum of 1:1 nonfederal match funding. Eligible applicants include state, local, and municipal governments, nonprofits, Tribal Governments and Organizations, and educational institutions. Full proposals are due July 16. Learn more and apply here.

May 20-23 | Minneapolis, MN

SFI Annual Conference

May 30-31 | Abingdon, VA

Southwest Virginia - Beginning Woodland Owner Retreat

June 1-5 | Baton Rouge, LA

International Symposium on Biogeochemistry of Wetlands and Aquatic Systems

June 2-5 | Ames, IA

National Extension Technology Community (NETC) Conference

June 8-9 | Charleston, WV

Understanding Heirs' Property at the Community Level Train-the-Trainer Workshop

June 9-11 | Clemson, SC

Timber Design Faculty Development Workshop

June 9-11 | Omaha, NE

Sustainable Fuels Summit

June 13 | Brookshire, TX

Habitat at Home: Brookshire

June 27 | Weatherford, TX

Habitat at Home: Weatherford

July 15-18 | Washington DC

The American Forest Congress Meeting

July 18 | Farmersville, TX

Habitat at Home: Farmersville

July 23-25 | Columbia, MO

North American Agroforestry Conference

August 6-8 | Nashville, TN

38th Forest Products Machinery & Equipment EXPO

September 5-6 | Providence Forge, VA

Southeast Virginia Woodland Owner Retreats

September 8-10 | Everett, WA

Joint IUFRO Small Scale Forestry and EKE Conference

September 9-11 | Asheville, NC

Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Symposium

September 18-19 | Hanover, NH

2025 Local Solutions: Bouncing Forward to Create Resilient Communities

September 29-October 2 | Auburn, AL

2025 International Conference on Forest Carbon & Resilience

October 1-3 | San Antonio, TX

NHLA Annual Convention and Exhibit Showcase

October 23-27 | Lima, Peru

FLARE Annual Meeting

April 13-16, 2026 | Omaha, NE

National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration

May 12-15, 2026 | Wilmington, NC

ANREP Conference

November 7, 2026 | Coimbra, Portugal

International Conference on Forest Fire Research