NCSU Forestry Extension Releases “FloodWise” Nature-Based Solutions Management Roadmap Factsheet

North Carolina State University’s (NCSU) Forestry Extension Program, recently released a fact sheet on research related to “FloodWise,”management. FloodWise research focuses on enhancing disaster resilience for communities, organizations, and states to adapt to and recover from the hazards, shocks, or stress from various natural disasters while not impacting future development. This research can inform farm and forest landowners in the best ways to improve their land for water retention and storage, in order to reduce flood-related health and safety concerns. This factsheet is a “step-by-step management roadmap,” which provides guidance for the planning implementation and monitoring of each of the 10 nature-based solutions identified from the research. Find out more about the research, its application and budgets tools for implementation in this factsheet here.

Auburn Extension’s Bi-weekly Natural Resources Webinar Series Covers Wide Range of Topics

Auburn Extension is hosting a “Natural Resources Webinar Series,” which takes place bi-weekly (Wednesdays, from 1 pm ET/12 pm CT) with varied topics related to natural resources management. Topics have included status reports on chronic wasting disease, portable sawmills, cogongrass identification and control, liability issues and so many more. The series is ongoing with the next webinar scheduled for Wed. July 31st (watershed management) and other recorded webinars available at the link below. The offerings and registration may be found here.

UGA Forestry Outreach Hosts Extension Urban Forestry Academy

Recently, the University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources Outreach hosted the inaugural Extension Urban Forestry Academy for 20 UGA Cooperative Extension participants. The academy shared best practices on tree pruning, tree risk management, and tree health, as well as an overview of common urban tree pests. The day-long event featured a mix of classroom lectures, group discussions, real-world scenario problem-solving, and a hands-on outdoor risk assessment exercise. The training also highlighted the role of wildlife in urban forests, emphasizing both habitat support and ways to manage nuisance behaviors. The academy is being proposed again through the UGA Extension Training System for 2026. Read more about the event here.

Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Article Highlights Why Prescribed Fires Escape

Texas A&M Agrilife Extension’s West Texas Rangelands program summarizes factors that contribute to the escape of prescribed fires in a recent factsheet titled, “Escaped Prescribed Fire Patterns.” A recent study, “Temporal and Spatial Pattern Analysis of Escaped Prescribed Fires in California from 1991 to 2020,” identifies key factors, including temperature, humidity, wind speed, and vegetation type, which can increase the likelihood of a prescribed fire escaping control. While this study focused on California, the factsheet highlighted factors that are relevant for many other states. Read the factsheet and find a link to the study here.

Eastern Innovation Landscape Network Releases First-Year Progress Report

Launched in March 2023, the Eastern Innovation Landscape Network (EILN) is a collaborative network of fire scientists and practitioners focused on advancing wildland fire tools and technology. EILN’s first annual report highlights the network’s progress in supporting safer, more effective fire and land management through co-produced innovation. During its first year, EILN identified six emerging tools and technologies for evaluation and innovation, assisted in delivering three terrestrial LiDAR training events, hosted three innovation co-production workshops, developed a website, and hosted several presentations at various national conferences and workshops. The annual report also outlines the network’s development, priorities, activities, and future direction. Click here to read EILN’s progress report.

Tall Timbers Showcases the Benefits of Prescribed Fire In and Around Wetlands

Prescribed fire in and around wetlands has been shown to significantly increase habitat for diverse amphibians According to a recent article published by Tall Timbers Research Station, fire managers and researchers have observed that regular burns help preserve clear shorelines, promote clean water conditions, and support the growth of grasses that fuel insect populations which serve as a primary food source for frogs, salamanders, and newts. Dipnet surveys conducted on privately managed wetlands also show that prescribed fire encourages a richer variety of amphibious species. The article surmises that well-managed uplands directly benefit adjacent wetlands, demonstrating how fire stewardship can foster a thriving and interconnected ecosystem. Read the full Tall Timbers article here.

Alabama Forester Becomes Successful Social Media Influencer By Showcasing Rare Plants

Registered Forester Kyle Lybarger, born and raised in Alabama has become a social media influencer by educating his followers about the importance of native plants and biodiversity overall. He has leveraged income from his social media towards purchasing land that supports critically endangered plants and assisting landowners in managing populations on their lands. He has become a keeper of a growing patchwork of rare and endangered plant populations across several counties in northern Alabama and beyond. Read more about his story here.

UF Researchers Need Help Finding Sites With Young Pines Affected by Hurricane Helene for Study on Disease/Water Transport Effects

University of Florida researchers are seeking sites with young slash and loblolly pines (5-8 years old) that were impacted by Hurricane Helene. They will conduct repeated assessments of these sites at 12, 18, and 24 months. If you have or know of sites with young pines on a property within the windfield of Hurricane Helene, and would consider providing access for this research, please contact Dr. Tania Quesada, tquesada@ufl.edu.

Find out more about this study & a link to more information here.

Share your Outreach Materials on Public Health & Smoke Mgmt with New Working Group

The Southeast Smoke Management Outreach for Public Health Working Group is creating a shared hub of outreach tools to support smoke management and public health communication across the region. Please share educational or outreach tools related to the public health impacts of smoke from prescribed or wildfires.

that you or your organization have created or used. The goal of this working group is to make it easier for prescribed fire practitioners, wildfire managers, and health professionals across the South can more easily deliver consistent, effective messaging and mitigation tools to better protect the public. Click on this link to find out more about the effort and to share your resources.

Texas A&M & SFI/PLT Offer Free Online Forest Literacy Course

A new free, self-paced online course titled Forest Literacy: Understanding the Values of Trees, Forests, and Sustainability is available to foresters, educators, and conservationists. Developed by Texas A&M Forest Service and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)/Project Learning Tree (PLT) with support from the U.S. Forest Service, the six-module course explains the ecological, economic, and social benefits of forests that can be completed in two hours. The curriculum covers sustainable forest management and more, and is designed for professionals entering or working in forest-related fields without a natural resources background, as well as educators seeking to expand their forest literacy. Read the press release here and enroll in the course here.

UGA Warnell Outreach Publication Highlights Surface Plants on Ponds

University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources Outreach describes different common surface growths found on ponds in a new factsheet. They highlight the importance of correctly identifying growth before using herbicides and other treatments. Click here to learn more about pond growth identification and control methodologies.

UF Releases Online Wild Turkey Manager Course

The University of Florida Game Lab and collaborators, recently released an online course titled, “Wild Turkey Manager: An Advanced Habitat.” The Florida Land Steward newsletter shared information about this course in its weekly newsletter, which can be found here. The course is credited for Society of American Foresters continuing education units (CEUs) and is geared towards private landowners and practitioners. Watch a trailer about this course here. Enrollment for the 12-hour course, which can be found here, can be done at any time, though the course material is available for 3 months from enrollment date.

UGA & Partners Hosts Agroforestry and Wildlife Field Day

The University of Georgia Environmental Sciences and Warnell School of Forest and Natural Resources, Georgia Forestry Commission, Georgia DNR-Wildlife Resources Division, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (ABAC) will host the “2025 Agroforestry and Wildlife Field Day,” September 18, 2025, at the University of Georgia’s campus in Griffin, GA. Topics covered in this one-day event include land and pond management techniques, managing for wildlife, forest management, backyard wildlife and financial assistance for landowners. Continuing Education Credits will be available too. To find out more or to register, click here.

Land Near Okefenokee Swamp Purchased by The Conservation Fund Ending Controversial Potential Mining Threats

In a historic deal, Twin Pines Minerals and The Conservation Fund in partnership with One Hundred Miles, a coastal Georgia based conservation group negotiated the sale of Twin Pines land near the Okefenokee Swamp. Twin Pines Minerals had applied for permits to mine titanium dioxide in this land, which critics said could disrupt the flow of water to the swamp, risking drought and fires. The Conservation Fund purchased these lands Most of the swamp is found within the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge which is home to hundreds of diverse plant and animal species, and is one of the largest wildlife refuges in the continental United States.Read more about it here.

Forest Productivity Cooperative & Southern Forest Resource Assessment Consortium Host Joint Meeting

Registration is now open for the joint meeting of the Forest Productivity Cooperative (FPC) & Southern Forest Resource Assessment Consortium (SOFAC) in Chapel Hill, NC from September 22-25, 2025. The meeting will include yearly presentations, a field tour, a reception/poster session, a yearly business meeting and a special session focused on five-year strategic planning. Registration also includes access to SOFAC indoor presentations and an optional Sub-Regional Timber Supply (SRTS) model workshop. Virtual attendance options are also available. To find out more or register, click here.

Assoc. of Natural Resource Extension Professionals (ANREP) 2026 Biennial Conference Call For Proposals

The Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals (ANREP) is hosting its 2026 biennial conference in Wilmington, NC, and the call for proposals is now open. This conference, with the theme of “Confluence of Knowledge: Charting the Future of Natural Resource Extension, is a great opportunity for Extension and outreach professionals to expand their expertise, exchange ideas, and learn. Any natural resource professional or student (undergraduate and graduate) who conducts outreach and/or is part of Cooperative Extension is invited to attend the conference, join ANREP, submit a proposal, etc. Individuals from all natural resource disciplines and career levels are invited to submit proposals for oral, ignite and poster presentations, as well as organized sessions. All proposals are due by October 1, 2025, 11:59 pm ET. For more details and instructions on submitting proposals visit the conference website Request for Proposals page. Find out more about the conference here.

USFS State, Private & Forestry Nursery Team Host Intertribal Nursery Council Webinar Series

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service’s (FS) State, Private and Tribal area’s Reforestation, Nurseries and Genetic Resources (RNGR) team is hosting the 2025 Intertribal Nursery Council Webinar Series, themed, “Back to Basics.” This webinar series aims to cover basic training information to help nursery personnel improve seedling quality for reforestation, restoration, and other types of land management projects. Whether you’ve been in the industry for a few decades or just a few weeks, reviewing these basics can help viewers produce healthy nursery stock destined for the field. These webinars will be held weekly from Thursday July 24 to August 7, 2025. To view the flyer click here to find links to all three webinars. Click on each individual webinar to find a calendar link. Please note that there is no pre-registration.

Council of Western State Foresters Hosts Ponderosa Pine Utilization Summit

The Council of Western State Foresters (CWSF) is co-hosting the Ponderosa Pine Utilization Summit, which will take place November 18-20, 2025, in Flagstaff, Arizona. The Summit will convene industry, government, research, academia, economic development, and non-governmental organizations to explore innovative solutions and strategies for the long-term sustainable use and marketability of ponderosa pine. Leaders and practitioners from across the western U.S. are invited to attend, including forest product industry professionals, land managers, research and academics, non-governmental organizations, policymakers as well as economic development experts. Additional details, including registration and agenda, will be shared in the coming months, but more information can be found here.

Nordic Forest Products Industry Round-Up

A new article describes the successes of forestry in Northern Europe. The Nordic forest products sector has seen significant transformations in 2025, ranging from strategic corporate moves and evolving market dynamics to pressing regulatory and environmental issues. This article provides a curated selection of five standout developments that professionals in the forest industry need to know. Staying on top of these changes could prove essential for professionals to remain informed and make strategic decisions. Click here to read more.

July 15| 1:00PM

July 22 | 10:00AM

July 22 | 2:00PM

July 23 | 3:00PM

July 24 | 2:00PM

July 31 | 2:00PM

July 31 | 2:00PM

Breeding to Battle CWD: Can Wildlife Evolve Their Way Out of Disease

Southeast Climate Monthly Webinar +

Flash Drought in the Southeast: Patterns, Impacts, and Agricultural Risk

Forest Factor: The Sustainability Tracker

Leveraging the Treatment and Wildfire Interagency Geodatabases

USFS-Intertibal Nursery Council, Webinar 1: Pest Management in Nurseries

USFS-Intertibal Nursery Council, Webinar 2: The Importance of Water Quality in Nurseries

Forecasting Daily Reference Evapotranspiration and Rainfall for Water Resources Conservation and Sustainable Agriculture

August 7 | 2:00PM

USFS-Intertibal Nursery Council, webinar 3: Growing Media 101

September 3 | 1:00PM

Biology and Management of Stem and Root Diseases of Southern Pines

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

October 13 | 1:00PM

Paddling Through Paradise: Educating on the Water

October 27 | 1:00PM

Teaching with Video

November 5 | 1:00PM

Identification and Management of Invasive Vine Species

Extension Assistant/Associate/Professor of Forestry (Knoxville, TN)

The School of Natural Resources (SNR) at the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture (UTIA) invites applications for a 12-month, tenure-track, 100% Extension Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor of Forestry. The successful candidate will develop, implement, evaluate, and report on a comprehensive statewide educational program for private (rural and urban), non-industrial landowners concentrating on forest management. The minimum required qualification is a doctorate in forestry, forest management, natural resources, or a closely related field. Apply here.

Alabama Extension Director Position

Auburn University invites nominations and applications for the position of Director of the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. The director serves as Alabama Extension’s chief academic and administrative officer providing vision and leadership that enhance the system’s tradition of excellence in education, research, service, and educational outreach. This position will be permanently located in Auburn, Alabama. Read the job description here.

The National Forest Foundation Collaborative Capacity Program for Forests & Communities

The National Forest Foundation’s (NFF) Collaborative Capacity Program Round 2 financial awards provide resources to support collaborative activities that increase wildfire resilience, recreation opportunities, forest health, and rural economies. Eligible efforts must describe how investments in collaboration will support a long-term strategy for achieving stewardship outcomes and how these outcomes benefit National Forest System lands. NFF is offering mini grant awards, up to $10,000, and standard grant awards from $10,001 up to $75,000. Proposals will be accepted from throughout the United States where there can be benefit to National Forest System lands. Eligible applicants are Federally recognized Tribal governments and Tribal organizations, non-profit organizations, local government entities, and colleges and universities. Activities in Round 2 will begin in late 2025 and may run for 12, 18, or 24 months. The deadline for mini grant applications is July 25. Standard grant applications are due August 1 for community partners and August 22 for Tribal applicants. Click here to learn more and apply.

Norfolk Southern’s New Community Disaster Relief Grant Program

To support communities affected 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 non-federal match funding. Eligible applicants include state, local, and municipal governments, non-profits, Tribal Governments and Organizations, and educational institutions. Full proposals are due July 16. Learn more and apply here.

July 15-18 | Washington DC

The American Forest Congress Meeting

July 18 | Farmersville, TX

Habitat at Home: Farmersville

July 23-25 | Columbia, MO

August 1| Waimea, HI

NASF Awards

North American Agroforestry Conference

The NASF Annual Awards Committee is now accepting nominations for the 2025 NASF Awards. The deadline for submissions is August 1, 2025. To nominate someone, click here.

August 6-8 | Nashville, TN

38th Forest Products Machinery & Equipment EXPO

August 6-8 | Nashville, TN

August 19-20 |

Tifton, GA

Forest Products EXPO

Longleaf Pine Management Workshop

The Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources is offering Continuing Education Credits for long leaf pine management. To register, click here.

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 16-17 |

Tifton, GA

September 9-11 | Asheville, NC

Pine Straw Production Workshop

The Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources is offering Continuing Education Credits for pine straw production. To register, click here.

Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Symposium

September 18-19 | Hanover, NH

2025 Local Solutions: Bouncing Forward to Create Resilient Communities

September 29-October 1 | Nashville, TN

Advancing Mass Timber Construction Conference

September 29-October 2 | Auburn, AL

2025 International Conference on Forest Carbon & Resilience

October 1-3 | San Antonio, TX

National Hardwood Lumber Association Annual Convention and Exhibit Showcase

October 23-27 | Lima, Peru

Forests Livelihoods, Assessment, Research & Engagement (FLARE) Annual Meeting

October 26-29 | Biloxi, MS

SEAFWA Annual Conference

October 29-30| Biloxi, MS

November 4-6| Madison, WI

Fall Longleaf Partnership Council Meeting

4th Mass Timber Research Needs Assessment Workshop

The USDA Forest Service Forest Products Lab (FPL) will be hosting this Workshop. To learn more about this event, please contact: Marco Lo Ricco at marco.loricco@usda.gov or (608) 231-9583.

November 7 | Summerville, SC

10th Annual South Carolina Rural and Limited Resource Landowner Symposium "Rooted in Legacy”

April 13-16, 2026 | Omaha, NE

National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration

May 12-15, 2026 | Wilmington, NC

Association of Natural Resources Extension Professionals (ANREP) Conference

November 7, 2026 | Coimbra, Portugal

International Conference on Forest Fire Research