NOAA Partners To Develop Drought & Water Dashboard for Mississippi River Basin

The Mississippi River and its tributaries span 40% of the contiguous U.S., supporting drinking water, ecosystems, and vital commercial transport. Droughts in this region can have widespread impacts, making timely and reliable information essential for informed decisions. In response, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS), in collaboration with several federal and local partners, developed the Mississippi River Basin Drought and Water Dashboard. This tool provides real-time data on drought and river conditions through interactive maps and forecasts. Users can access information for the entire basin or specific sub-basins, such as the Upper and Lower Mississippi or Missouri and Ohio Rivers. The dashboard also offers downloadable maps for use in reports and presentations, along with easy-to-understand educational resources that explain drought impacts and forecast trends especially for the Lower Mississippi River. This centralized resource helps stakeholders monitor, plan, and respond more effectively to drought conditions. To learn more, click here.

Texas A&M Helps to Educate Texas Citizens on New World Screwworm

In response to the increased activity in Mexico regarding New World screwworm flies, the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service recently released a new factsheet. The New World screwworm is a parasitic fly native to the Americas that lays eggs in wounds of warm-blooded animals. Its larvae feed on living tissue, causing severe damage and death, if untreated. Though eradicated from the U.S. in the 1960s, the pest has recently reappeared in Central America and Mexico, raising concerns about future risks to livestock and wildlife. In this new factsheet, “New World Screwworm,” there is information on signs of new world screwworm in animals, how to report suspicious cases, how to identify the flies, information on potential control products and links to further online resources. Find the factsheet here.

Clemson WUD Institute Showcases New Developments & Potential Markets for South Carolina Timber

Amid a wave of major paper mill closures across the Southeast, South Carolina’s forestry industry faces significant economic disruption, affecting jobs, landowners, and the broader wood supply chain. The Clemson University's Wood Utilization + Design Institute (WU+D), which was founded in2013, has a mission of to fostering innovation in wood-based construction through research, public-private partnerships, and education. Now under new leadership, WU+D is expanding its strategic priorities to include advanced wood materials research, commercialization, workforce development, and life-cycle sustainability. The institute aims to position South Carolina as a leader in renewable wood-based industries, likened to “the Finland of the Southeast. The WU+D recently hosted an open house to showcase work focused on transforming wood by-products into valuable materials and securing federal funding for research in intelligent packaging, agriculture, and environmental remediation. WU+D also plays a key role in multi-million-dollar regional and global collaborations aimed at advancing circular economy systems. Read more about the WU+D and their recent open house here.

UF/IFAS Launches “Shared Canopy, Shared Ground” Virtual Lunch & Learn Speaker Series

The University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) Urban Forestry Extension Council announced its 2025 Fall Speaker Series titled “Shared Canopy, Shared Ground.” The goal of the UF/IFAS speaker series is to foster a learning community, advance dialogue and connections across sectors, and inspire innovative practices for more resilient, equitable, and better-managed urban forests in Florida and beyond. The sessions will run on select Wednesdays from 12:30 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. via Zoom. The UF/IFAS speaker series is designed for professionals, students, community members, and anyone interested in urban forestry. It will spotlight interdisciplinary topics, including urban tree health, community partnerships, youth engagement, invasive species, and green infrastructure, by featuring Florida-based and wider national case studies. The speaker series is free to attend and Zoom links for each session will be provided after registration. Participants are encouraged to bring their lunch, pose questions, and speak with presenters and peers. To view the flyer announcing the series, click here.

3 Rivers Energy Partnership with Distillery Focuses on Whiskey Byproducts to Support Sustainability

3 Rivers Energy Partners and the Jim Beam Distillery have formed an exciting partnership to transform bourbon byproducts into renewable energy sources and fertilizer. Every gallon of bourbon produces approximately ten gallons of “whole stillage,” a nutrient-dense byproduct traditionally spread on fields or used as animal feed. Instead of letting the stillage go unused, the Beam distillery located in Clermont, Kentucky is instead piping it into nearby anaerobic digesters operated by 3 Rivers Energy. The digesters break down the microbes found in stillage, which release methane gas for capture and nutrient-rich liquid fertilizer. The captured methane is refined into pipeline-quality renewable natural gas (RNG) that powers up to 65% of the distillery’s operations, while the fertilizer is repurposed across local agriculture. This synergy between whiskey production and renewable energy has transformed a costly waste management challenge into a value-added solution that supports sustainability, reduces emissions, and creates economic value. Read the full article about the process here.

NCSU, UGA & Clemson Extension s Educating about & Tracking Spread of Joro Spiders in Southeast

Since its introduction to Georgia in 2014, the Joro spider, (Trichonephila clavata), an invasive species native to East Asia, has rapidly expanded its range across the southeastern U.S. Extension faculty from Clemson University,ccand the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health or Bugwood Center at University of Georgia (UGA), joined forces to monitor the spread of the Joro spider. The Joro Watch program encouraged citizen scientists to report sightings of Joro spiders at the Joro Watch website or the EDDMapS app, which enabled users to submit photos and location data of invasive species that could then be verified by experts and added to a real-time distribution map. These reports helped researchers track the spider's distribution and assess its impact on local ecosystems. The peak observation period ran from August through October, and a special Spotting and Photo Contest was held October 6–12. Participants won prizes and contributed valuable data to the study of this species. This collaborative effort will help scientists better understand the Joro spider's behavior, spread, and ecological impact, as well as provide essential information for managing its presence in the southeastern U.S. Read more about the Joro Watch Program here.North Carolina State University (NCSU)Extension Forestry is also involved in educating the public about the Joro spider's presence in North Carolina and its potential effects on native ecosystems and released a new factsheet on Joro Spiders, “Joro Spiders in North Carolina: Everything you need to Know,” which can be accessed here.

UF/IFAS to Host Several Events for Working Forests Week

The week of October 28th, 2025, the University of Florida/Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) will host “Working Forests Week.” UF/IFAS invites forestry professionals, landowners, and community members to discover sustainable woodland practices across North Florida by participating in three events to be held that week. First there will be a hands-on workshop in Wakulla County that will guide participants through forest restoration, silviculture, and ecosystem resilience. Later in the week, attendees can join a plywood mill tour to see firsthand how timber is processed and turned into value-added products. The series concludes with a Drones & Forest Management session, which will showcase how aerial technology is transforming forest monitoring, mapping, and precision planning. Working Forests Week is intended to connect people to the science and stewardship that keep Florida’s forests productive, biodiverse, and resilient for generations to come through . Participants must register in advance using the UF/IFAS Extension Forestry & Natural Resources calendar. Click here to access the calendar and registration links for each event.

Project Drawdown - Launches Interactive Tool for Climate Solutions
Project Drawdown, an independent nonprofit organization focused on driving bold, science-based climate action, recently launched a new tool called Drawdown Explorer. Unveiled during NYC Climate Week, the Explorer is designed to help policymakers, investors, and business leaders identify the most effective climate actions by analyzing trillions of data points across sectors, regions, and timelines. This initiative supports Project Drawdown’s core mission: reaching “drawdown”—the point when greenhouse gas levels in the atmosphere begin to decline. Founded in 2014, the organization has become a trusted source for climate solutions through efforts like Drawdown Food and Drawdown Nexus, which connect climate action with agriculture, biodiversity, and human well-being. The Explorer aims to bring advanced science and big data into practical use, offering clear, evidence-based guidance to accelerate impactful climate action at a critical time. Read more about Project Drawdown and the Drawdown Explorer here. Find the tool here.

USDA Funds Grant Agreement to Cover Agricultural Losses in North Carolina

On September 5, 2025, U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden announced a $221.2 million USDA block grant to aid North Carolina farmers recovering from Hurricane Helene. The grant, part of the $30 billion American Relief Act of 2025, supports recovery from infrastructure, timber, market, and revenue losses. This funding, administered through NCDA&CS, addresses agricultural damage not covered by other USDA programs. USDA is partnering with 14 states for disaster recovery. Officials emphasized the importance of supporting farmers and rebuilding rural economies. Producers in North Carolina can access further details from NCDA&CS as relief efforts move forward. Learn more here.

Forest & Wood Products Industry Strategy for Pennsylvania Released

A new strategic report, “Advancing Pennsylvania’s Forest & Wood Products Industry Strategy,” was recently released Earlier this year, forest and wood products industry partners came together to create a forward-thinking strategy designed to strengthen and grow the industry. Pennsylvania’s forest and wood products industry has always been seen as one of the state’s strongest assets, but it is now in need of a new direction as a result of industry challenges, including worker shortages and shrinking markets for low-grade wood. The resulting plan, led by a consultant, highlights four main priorities for industry stakeholders: driving innovation and new market opportunities, building a strong and diverse talent pipeline, expanding trade connections, and improving supply chain systems. The industry strategy is considered a collaborative roadmap built to keep Pennsylvania’s forest economy viable. Read the full strategic report here.

USDA Grant Supports Long Term Sustainable Agriculture

Tree crop cooperatives are embracing long-term, sustainable agriculture by focusing on chestnuts as a climate-friendly, perennial alternative to corn and soy. Breadtree Farms in New York, backed by a $2 million USDA grant, is transforming a barn into the country’s largest chestnut processing facility to support a growing network of regional growers. Their goal is to make chestnuts, historically important but nearly wiped out by blight, a staple crop once again. With the U.S. importing most chestnuts, Breadtree aims to build a domestic industry using a blend of chestnut species. While not a co-op itself, the farm is creating infrastructure to enable others to participate, addressing the key barrier: processing. Across the eastern U.S., cooperatives like Route 9 in Ohio, Asheville Nuttery in North Carolina, and Keystone Tree Crops in Pennsylvania are collaborating to grow, process, and market tree nuts like chestnuts, acorns, and hickories. These efforts reflect a broader agroforestry movement focused on environmental restoration, economic viability, and community resilience. While challenges remain such as high costs, limited land access, and a need for market development, advocates believe cooperative models and patient investment can reshape the food system for future generations. Read more here.

Published Paper Examines “Power” in the World of Conservation

This paper critiques how power is often acknowledged but not deeply examined in conservation. It argues that conservation is inherently interventionist and shaped by the assumptions and positions of those involved—researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. The authors propose a reflexive framework combining three epistemological perspectives (objectivist, constructivist, relational) with six dimensions of power (material, structural, discursive, symbolic, networked, and relational). This framework helps users critically assess how their roles influence conservation outcomes. Without such reflection, conservation efforts risk reinforcing the very inequalities they seek to address. The paper emphasizes the need for conscious, situated engagement with power in conservation practice. Read the paper here.

Call for Proposals for 2026 Joint Council of Extension Professionals-Extension Leadership Conference

The Joint Council of Extension Professionals (JCEP) invites submissions for the 2025 Extension Leadership Conference (ELC) to be held February 4–5, 2026 in Savannah, Georgia. The conference theme is “Visionary Leadership in a Connected World.” Organizers encourage all interested Extension professionals to submit their session proposals by October 17, 2025. The annual ELC offers Extension professionals a platform to share innovative leadership practices, professional development strategies, and collaborative program models. By submitting a proposal, participants have the opportunity to contribute to a dynamic program that fosters growth, knowledge exchange, and networking across the Extension community. Individuals interested in presenting can submit their proposals through the Oxford Abstracts platform. Detailed submission instructions and the official Call for Proposals document are available here.

Webinars

Find the Full List of Upcoming Webinars and Events Here.

Improving Forestland for Wildlife

September 22, 2025 - April 30, 2026 | Virtual - Self Paced

A History of Scientific Forestry: From Extraction to Ecosystem Management

September 29 - December 4 | 12:00PM

UFEC Lunch and Learn - Shared Canopy, Shared Ground: Overcoming Barriers in Urban Tree Planting and Care

October 15 | 12:30PM

NRCS Watershed Programs part 2 of 2: EWP Property Buyouts and Sponsor Responsibilities

October 16 | 1:00

Heir’s Property & Land Preservation Resolution Overview: A Counselors Guide

October 16 | 1:00PM

Science-based targets: How are corporates turning ambition into business value?

October 21 | 3:00

Economic Shifts in Florida’s Timber Industry

October 23 | 7-8:30 PM

Community Forestry Institute

October 27 | 12:00PM

Teaching with Video

October 27 | 1:00PM

Reducing Woody Encroachment to Conserve Rangeland Production in the Great Plains

On Demand Webinar

Identification and Management of Invasive Vine Species

November 5 | 1:00PM

Conservation Tools & Trends for Private Land & Working Forests

November 6 |Virtual Meeting 8:30

Beyond Carbon: Maximizing a Forest’s Full Benefits

November 10 | 1:00PM

The Evolving Story of Emydomycesca Using Shell Erosive Lesions in Turtles

November 14 | 2:00PM

Options for Managing Beaver Damage

November 20 | 12:00 pm

Who Will Fill My Shoes: Succession Planning for Landowners, Farmers, Forest Owners, and Family Businesses.

November 10-19

Virtual Workshops | 3:00

Aldo Leopold & the Land Ethic: The Archival Record and Resources to Dig Deeper into the Making of A Sand County Almanac

December 4 | 1:00PM

Dean, W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation

The University of Montana is seeking an innovative leader to serve as Dean of the W.A. Franke College of Forestry and Conservation. This leadership role comes at a dynamic time, with the College well-positioned for growth and transformation in fields that include the environment, sustainability, energy, earth systems, natural resources, and conservation to address problems through multiple perspectives via research, teaching, and policy engagement. Apply here. Deadline October 20, 2025

Clinical Assistant Professor in the Human Health Benefits of Outdoor Spaces

The Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources at the University of Georgia in Athens, Georgia,

invites applications for a 9-month,

non-tenure clinical assistant professor with teaching (50%), applied research and outreach (45%), and service (5%) responsibilities. Successful candidates could come from a variety of

cross-cutting disciplines that study the multidimensional influence of forests, the environment, and access to natural areas on human health. Read more here.

Staff Forester I - Silviculture

The selected individual will support the Texas A&M Forest Service Silvicultural Program in by performing the following major and essential duties: Provide scientific expertise on the establishment, growth, productivity, vigor, and sustainability of forests by delivering up-to-date, research-based information to agency foresters, consulting foresters, and forest industry professionals. Support landowner and public education efforts by developing and delivering educational materials and outreach activities that promote understanding of forest science, management practices, and the environmental and economic benefits of forests. Translate silvicultural research into practice by synthesizing current forest science into actionable diagnostic tools, prescription methodologies, and decision-support models that enhance forest vigor, resiliency, and productivity. Develop and implement silvicultural strategies that address a broad range of landowner objectives, with a focus on providing practical, science-based guidance suitable for small-acreage landowners and diverse forest ownership goals. Collaborate with agency staff and partners to ensure integration of silvicultural science into forest management planning, policy development, and program delivery. Support and facilitate all activities related to financial assistance programs administered by the Silvicultural Program. Assist with local and statewide incident response and support other program duties as assigned, including wildfire and all-hazard response, preparedness, and recovery activities. Apply here.

Assistant Professor: Forest Entomology or Forest Pathology

Louisiana Tech University is seeking a candidate for a nine-month, tenure track appointment with a focus on teaching (60%), research (35%), and service (5%). The salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience, with potential for summer salary availability. Apply here.

Staff Forester II - Silviculture

The selected individual will support the Texas A&M Forest Service Silvicultural Program by performing the following major and essential duties: Provide scientific expertise on forest establishment, growth, vigor, productivity and sustainability by delivering current, research-based information to agency forester, consulting foresters and forest industry professionals. Support landowner and public education efforts by developing and delivering educational materials and outreach activities that promote understanding of forest science, management practices and the environmental and economic benefits of forests. Translate research into practice by synthesizing current silvicultural science into practical tools, including diagnostic guides, prescription methodologies and decision-support models to enhance forest vigor, resiliency and productivity. Develop and implement silvicultural strategies that address a wide range of landowner objectives, with an emphasis on practical, science-based guidance tailored to small-acreage owners and diverse forest management goals. Coordinate and deliver in-service training for agency Foresters and Resource Specialists on topics such as: 1) adaptive silviculture, 2) hardwood and pine production silviculture, 3) understory plant identification, 4) naturalist topics (e.g. animal ID, insect pollinators, wildlife management basics) and 5) ecosystem restoration (e.g. shortleaf and longleaf pine). Collaborate with internal staff and external partners to ensure silvicultural science is integrated into forest management planning, policy development and program delivery. Collaborate with state forest managers to establish and maintain "proof of concept" field plots primarily on state forest lands that demonstrate the effectiveness of current silvicultural strategies on forest productivity, resiliency, vigor, risk mitigation and economic return. Develop and lead outreach and marketing campaigns that effectively communicate silvicultural science using modern communication methods. Messaging should emphasize appeal, clarity, directness, brevity, credibility, transparency and memorability. Support and facilitate activities related to financial assistance programs administered by the Silvicultural Program. Assist with other Silvicultural Program needs and special projects as assigned. Assist with incident response and agency operations, including wildfire and all-hazard response, preparedness and recovery, as well as other program duties as assigned. Apply here.

UGA Deer Managment and Forestry BMPs - Self Paced Course

September 29 - December 30, 2025 | Virtual

UGA Forest Health Series

September 22, 2025 - June 5, 2026 | Virtual

ANROSP 2025 National Conference

October 14-17 | Destin, FL

Central Florida Prescribed Fire Council Meeting

October 17 | Kissimmee, FL

2025 Georgia Resiliency Conference “Minimizing Georgia’s Risk: Maximizing Georgia’s Future”

October 20-21 | Jekyll Island,

GA

2025 EDEN Annual Conference

October 21-24 | Portland, ME

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

October 23-27 | Lima, Peru

SEAFWA Annual Conference

October 26-29 | Biloxi,

MS

Fall 2025 Market Collapse Response Meeting

October 29 | Buena Vista, GA

Fall Longleaf Partnership Council Meeting

October 29-30| Biloxi, MS

4th Mass Timber Research Needs Assessment Workshop

November 4-6| Madison, WI

Advanced and Fundamental Heirs’ Property Training November 4-5 | Oklahoma City, OK

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

November 7 | Summerville, SC

The 83rd Professional Agricultural Workers Conference

Deadline for Proposals - October 3, 2025

November 16-18 | Montgomery, AL

2025 Partners in Community Forestry Meeting

November 19-20, | Henderson, NV

JCEP 2026 Extension Leadership Conference

Submission Deadline: October 17, 2025

February 4-5, 2026 | Savannah, GA

Inaugural Southeast Severe Weather Research Symposium

February 10 - 11, 2026 | Atlanta, GA

Municipal Forestry Institute Training

Application Deadline September 19, 2025

February 22-27, 2026 | Jekyll Island, GA

Be a WUI 2026 Speaker: Share Your Expertise! Wildland Urban Interface Conference

March 24-26, 2026 | Reno, NV

National Conference on Ecosystem Restoration

April 13-16, 2026 | Omaha, NE

2026 Extension Risk Management Education

National Conference

April 14 – 16, 2026

Salt Lake City, Utah

Association of Natural Resources Extension Professionals (ANREP) Conference

May 12-15, 2026 | Wilmington, NC

13th U.S. Symposium on Harmful Algae

Proposals Due October 31, 2025

October 25-29, 2026 | Cedar Rapids, IA

International Conference on Forest Fire Research

November 7-13, 2026 | Coimbra, Portugal