TX A&M Begins Construction on Cross Laminated Timber Facility Using Texas Wood

Texas A&M University will soon begin construction on a 212,000 square foot cross-laminated timber building on campus. This building will serve as a campus visitor center, event space, winemaking and fermentation labs, food science facilities and student run-retail and restaurant operations. CLT an engineered wood product made from layers of lumber bonded at right angles, is becoming a major force in sustainable construction, and the wood for this building will be entirely sourced from Texas. Beyond architecture, CLT creates economic and environmental benefits for Texas by providing a new market for surplus timber, supporting forest stewardship, and reinforcing a circular economy that keeps private forests intact rather than converted to development. A new campus facility built entirely with Texas-sourced mass timber will serve as a hands-on learning space, demonstrating the structural, aesthetic, and ecological value of CLT while linking architecture, forestry, and applied science. Learn more about the Aplin Center here.

July 2025 Housing Market Report from VT, VCES, & USFS Now Available

The July 2025 monthly housing market commentaries that are produced by Virginia Tech University (VT)and the Virginia Cooperative Extension (VCES) in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). The report provides in-depth data and commentary on the evolving U.S. housing market. Highlights from the July report include the following data points: total housing starts rose 5.2% month-over-month and 12.9% year-over-year. Single-family starts increased by 2.8% month-over-month and 7.8% year-over-year. Multi-family starts grew 9.9% month-over-month and 24.1% year-over-year. In contrast, housing permits fell 2.2% month-over-month and are down 5.2% year-over-year. Housing under construction increased by just 0.1% month-over-month and is down 12.4% year-over-year. The full report outlines how these shifts in housing activity and supply may influence the demand for forest products and the industry’s broader business strategy. The full report can be downloaded here.

Collapse & Renewal of US Timber Grower Stumpage Markets: A Forest Landowner Perspective

Dougherty & Dougherty Forestry Services recently released a report titled: “The Collapse and Potential Renewal of U.S. Timber Grower Stumpage Markets: A Forest Landowner Perspective” on their website. This report was written and published in association with a recent meeting titled “Market Loss Reactions and Adaptations for Operational Pine Plantation Growers in the Southeast US” that was held in Buena Vista, GA and included speakers from Forest Landowners Association, Auburn University, and several forestry and nursery companies. Derek Dougherty, of Dougherty & Dougherty Forestry Services, Inc., examines recent trends in U.S. private timber grower stumpage markets. The report highlights both ongoing challenges and potential avenues for recovery. Across the Southeast, sawtimber stumpage prices have declined from approximately $48 per ton in 1994 to $24 per ton in 2025, while pine pulpwood in some markets has fallen below $8 per ton as a result of oversupply, mill closures, and industry consolidation. Global competition, restructuring in the pulp and paper sector, and evolving environmental regulations have further limited market access and returns for landowners. The report indicates that market recovery will require practical strategies, including improved coordination among landowners, more effective timber marketing, support for domestic manufacturing capacity, and alignment of sustainable forest management with market realities. View and download the report here. Read more about the Buena Vista, GA meeting here.

NCSU Extension Releases Newly Revised Fact Sheet on Ruffed Grouse

North Carolina State University (NCSU) Extension has announced the release of its newly revised fact sheet on the ruffed grouse, one of the mountain region’s game birds. Written by NCSU Extension wildlife researchers, the updated fact sheet includes the latest insights on the ruffed grouse’s population trends, habitat needs, and practical management strategies. The fact sheet also explains how shifts in forest age and structure have reduced suitable habitats and shares science-based recommendations for bringing them back by utilizing practices such as selective harvests, prescribed fire, and targeted habitat improvements. The publication is an at-a-glance guide for foresters, land managers, and conservation professionals for managing early successional forest conditions that benefit the ruffed grouse, as well as other mountain wildlife species, to help keep Appalachian forests dynamic, diverse, and productive. Read the ruffed grouse fact sheet here.

3^rdAnnual Invasive Species Ambassador Training Program Accepting Applications for 2026 Class

Applications are now open for the “Wild Spotter Invasive Species Ambassador” Training, which will take place February 3–5, 2026 at Lake Guntersville State Park Lodge in Alabama. Natural resource professionals, educators, volunteer coordinators, and organizations dedicated to protecting native ecosystems will gain practical tools to strengthen local programs, mobilize volunteers, and foster long-term stewardship of public lands. The Wild Spotter program is a nationwide initiative supporting “Invasives Free USA,” with a goal of engaging communities and building local capacity to manage invasives (aquatic and terrestrial species). The hands-on program, hosted collaboratively the University of Georgia’s Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health and partner agencies, is designed to provide training in combatting invasive species through education, outreach, and community engagement. The curriculum combines classroom and field sessions focused on invasive species identification, mapping, and reporting using the Wild Spotter app, along with leadership, outreach, and volunteer coordination strategies. Tuition for the three-day training program is $335. To learn more and apply, find the website here.

The Sustainable Forestry & African American Land Retention Network’s “Roots to Resilience” Podcast Series Highlights Black Land Stewardship

The Sustainable Forestry & African American Land Retention (SFLR) Network was established to empower Black landowners, nurture sustainable forestry, and protect generational legacies. Its "Roots to Resilience" initiative focuses on storytelling, education, and community-building to address historic inequities in African-American land retention and as part of that, they’ve launched a podcast. SFLR's “Roots to Resilience: Stories of Land, Legacy, and Resilience” podcast series highlights the challenges and triumphs of African-American land stewards across eight Southern network sites. Episodes explore themes such as preserving family land through trusts, transitioning from urban life into forestry, navigating intergenerational healing, cross-state land stewardship, and cooperative models of ownership. Through its programming, SFLR aims to encourage and support sustainable practices, resilience, and connection to heritage. Read more about SFLR, the Roots to Resilience initiative, and the podcast series here.

Climate-Informed Resource Stewardship Tools & Processes Highlighted in Recent Article

“Toward a Shared Vision for Climate-Informed Resource Stewardship” found in the journal Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment highlighted climate-change adaptation tools planning processes. In recent years, the number of tools and processes developed to address climate-change adaptation have increased quickly, but the rapid increase can cause confusion and duplication. A shared, coherent vision of what is needed and what these tools/processes are or should be, is needed so planners can integrate tools effectively across different regions and missions. Many tools—such as scenario planning, conceptual frameworks, structured decision making, and impact evaluation—can work together to support flexible, transparent, and uncertainty-aware decisions. The authors show how these tools align within a general planning process, emphasizing complementarity rather than competition. Clear understanding of how tools connect will improve communication, reduce inefficiencies, and strengthen cross-jurisdictional collaboration in managing natural resources under changing climate conditions. Click here to read the full article.

EPA Releases New Guidance to Prevent Catastrophic Wildfires and Encourage Prescribed Fire Use for Mitigation

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released new policy guidance on October 16, 2025, directing regional offices to collaborate with state, Tribal, and federal partners to remove air quality barriers in State Implementation Plans (SIPs) that hinder prescribed fire use. The guidance aligns with President Trump’s Executive Order on wildfire prevention and response, emphasizing prescribed burns as a critical tool to reduce catastrophic wildfire risks. EPA Administrator first Lee Zeldin stated that effective forest management can save lives and property. Under the Clean Air Act and the Exceptional Events Rule, prescribed fires can be treated as exceptional events, exempting related air quality impacts from National Ambient Air Quality Standards determinations. The memorandum instructs EPA offices to ensure SIP provisions do not restrict prescribed fire use, improve coordination on smoke management, and strengthen recordkeeping. This policy builds on EPA’s 2025 review of prior regulations and supports broader wildfire mitigation and environmental protection goals. Read more here.

13th U.S. Symposium on Harmful Algae 2026: Advancing Research, Management, and Community Engagement

The 13th U.S. Symposium on Harmful Algae will take place October 25–29, 2026, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, bringing together researchers, managers, and community stakeholders addressing harmful algal blooms (HABs). The program committee invites proposals for sessions and workshops by January 16, 2026, focusing on bloom dynamics, monitoring, management, mitigation, technologies, community engagement, and forecasting. The symposium will feature keynotes, talks, posters, workshops, networking, student events, sponsor displays, and practical training to support research and professional work. Find out more here.

National Urban & Community Forestry Advisory Council Ten-Year Action Plan Public Input Opportunity

The National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC) is requesting public input to support the development of the 2027–2037 National Urban and Community Forestry Action Plan. NUCFAC, established under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act as amended by the 1990 Farm Bill, advises the U.S. Forest Service on national urban and community forestry priorities and is responsible for developing and evaluating the ten-year action plan. The Council is seeking feedback from individuals, organizations, and community partners to identify needs, challenges, and opportunities within urban and community forestry. Comments may be submitted through the public input online portal, and participants may provide multiple submissions across topic areas. Each entry is expected to take approximately 2–5 minutes. The submission deadline is June 30, 2026, at 5:00 PM Eastern. A tutorial webinar is available to assist with using the portal. Learn more here.

Cultural Burns for Resilience: A Guide for Indigenous Communities

The “Create a Cultural Burn Pathway” workbook, developed by Canadian First Nations Emergency Services Society (FNESS) and the Indigenous Leadership Initiative (ILI), supports Indigenous Nations in creating cultural fire programs to reduce wildfire risk and restore traditional land stewardship practices. Recognizing that Indigenous communities have diverse experiences with cultural burning, the workbook was shaped through a multi-year, community-based research project involving over 50 Elders and knowledge holders, numerous gatherings and workshops, extensive peer review, and multiple revisions. It offers seven practical worksheets that guide communities at any stage in developing strong, culturally grounded fire management programs that promote ecological and cultural resilience. Find out more here.

Advancing Forest and Natural Resource Economics in Fort Collins: 2026 Joint Meeting of ISFRE & WFE

The 2026 joint meeting of the International Society of Forest Resource Economics (ISFRE) and Western Forest Economists (WFE) will be held May 18–20 at the Hilton Fort Collins, Colorado. The conference will gather industry, academic, and government representatives to discuss forest and natural resource economics, covering topics like forest management, policy, environmental change, timber markets, investments, and ecosystem services. Highlights include technical sessions, student posters and presentations with awards, expert panel discussions, continuing education credits, and a field trip. Fort Collins offers outdoor recreation, cultural attractions, and proximity to the Rocky Mountains. Find out more about the agenda here.

UMN & Tribal Partners Weave TEK to Make Case for Wildfire Resilience in Journal Article

The University of Minnesota (UMN) along with tribal partners integrated Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) with Western Science in a new study focused on enhancing climate and landscape resilience, especially in pyrogenic (fire-influenced) systems. Indigenous Knowledge provides insights from centuries of local land stewardship, while Western Science offers broader understanding of novel ecological and climatic conditions. In this study, Indigenous knowledge (current and oral histories) combined with tree-ring–samples to depict the link between people, fire and forest development at various locations in Wisconsin and Minnesota. Fire was a kay process in creating the desirable open pine woodlands in the past. Study results showed that fires stopped when the Anishinaabe (Indigenous population) had their access to the land restricted (through treaties, legislation, policy and removal) considerably earlier than widespread fire suppression efforts. The red pine woodland ecosystem is at risk from ecological succession as well as high-severity fire, whereas the study suggests that low severity, more frequent fire had maintained this system previously. Results from this study have significant implications for how the protected areas of Minnesota and Wisconsin are managed in the future, as well as providing a roadmap for creating better fire and ecological histories of other areas. Read the full research article 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

Reducing Woody Encroachment to Conserve Rangeland Production in the Great Plains

On Demand Webinar

Beaver Related Restoration Training Series

On Demand

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

November 10-19

Virtual Workshops | 3:00PM

Decision Support Tools for Stakeholders in Coastal Southeast, USA

November 20 | 1:00PM

Options for Managing Beaver Damage

November 20 | 12:00PM

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

2025 Timber Taxation Workshop

December 9 | 7:30AM

Assessing Storm Damaged Pine Plantations and Reforestation Options for Severe and Catastrophically Damaged Stands

December 18 | 3:00PM

Department of Finances and Economics at Mississippi State University Analytics Associate

The Department of Finances and Economics at Mississippi State University is seeking a highly analytical and motivated student or recent alumnus for a remote position as an Analytics Associate. This role presents an excellent opening to engage in meaningful faculty-led research initiatives, providing hands-on experience in Re-modeling, data analysis, and economic research.

The Analytics Associate will contribute to projects that may involve market analysis, economic forecasting, data-driven policy evaluation, or corporate finances research. This position is ideal for individuals aiming to enhance their quantitative, analytical, and research skills in a professional academic environment. Interested and qualified candidates are requested to submit the following materials - A current resume or CV, a brief cover letter outlining your interest and relevant skills. and name, student ID number and a reliable email address - to Assistant Professor of Finances, Professor Nicolas Rodriguez Gonzalez on (332) 272-0227 via text.

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.

Helene Mitigation Crew Leader

The North Carolina Forest Service is seeking a Helene Mitigation Crew Leader. The Lead will be

primarily focused on invasive species management, fuel mitigation, prescribed burning and wildfire control in

Helene impacted areas. They will assist with the supervision of Helene mitigation crew of up to 10 and be responsible for keeping track of crew work. Conducts daily inspection and maintenance of equipment and spray apparatus. The Lead will properly complete daily work logs and reporting logs for equipment maintenance hours and ensure time is submitted weekly as well as assume responsibility for crew safety, navigation, and training.

The Lead may work in variable weather conditions, at remote locations, on difficult and hazardous terrain and under physically demanding circumstances. Find out more here.

Helene Mitigation Assistant Crew Lead

The mission of the North Carolina Forest Service (NCFS) is to protect, manage, and promote forest resources for

the citizens of North Carolina. The Helene Mitigation Assistant Crew Lead will assist the crew lead of the

Helene Mitigation Crew with primarily focused on invasive species management, fuel mitigation, prescribed

burning and wildfire control in Helene impacted areas. Assists with the supervision of Helene mitigation crew of

up to 10. Responsible for keeping track of crew work. Conducts daily inspection and maintenance of equipment and spray apparatus. Properly completes daily work logs and reporting logs for equipment maintenance hours

and ensuring time is submitted weekly. Assumes responsibility for crew safety, navigation, and training. Find out more

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

2025 Partners in Community Forestry Meeting

November 19-20, | Henderson, NV

Northeast Texas

Forest Pest Seminar

November 21 | Texarkana, TX

Forestry and Wildlife Management

December 3 | White Plains, GA

Wild Spotter Invasive Species Ambassador Training

February 3–5, 2026 | Lake Guntersville State Park & Lodge, AL

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

2026 Joint Meeting of the International Society of Forest Resource Economics and Western Forest Economists

May 18-20, 2025, at the Hilton Fort Collins, Colorado

13th U.S. Symposium on Harmful Algae

Proposals Due January 16, 2026

October 25-29, 2026 | Cedar Rapids, IA

International Conference on Forest Fire Research

October 31 - November 6, 2026 | Coimbra, Portugal