SREF Releases 2021-2025 Multi-Year Report Southern Regional Extension Forestry

Southern Regional Extension Forestry is pleased to share with you our 2021-2025 report highlighting the work and impact of the only regional forestry Extension office in the nation. The report reflects several years of collaboration, innovation, and service in forestry and natural resources and showcases how SREF: Creates robust communication & learning networks for Extension & agency forestry and natural resource professionals; Develops Strategic Partnerships and Expands Institutional Capacity with regional resources & access to cutting-edge IT tools. In addition, thanks to the seven universities: Auburn College of Forestry, Wildlife & Environment, Texas A&M Agrilife Extension, Mississippi State University College of Forest Resources, University of Kentucky Department of Forestry & Natural Resources, Virginia Tech University College of Natural Resources and Environment, University of Tennessee School of Natural Resources and University of Georgia’s Warnell School of Forestry whose financial contributions have made SREF’s work possible, with additional support from the US Forest Service (USFS) State, Private & Tribal Forestry Program, as recently, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Read about the report here and find a direct link to download it here.

VA & MD Urban Wood Utilization is Highlighted in New Documentary

A new YouTube documentary titled “How an Innovative City Rescues Trash Trees,” created by Maryland filmmaker Bryce Plank, highlights urban wood initiatives in Harrisonburg, Baltimore, and the University of Virginia. The 45-minute film had more than more than 40,000 views in its first five days, providing significant visibility for these urban wood efforts. Watch the video

here.

Forest & Rangeland Taxation Meeting Hosted in NC in 2026

In summer 2026, researchers from Duke University and the US Forest Service (USFS) Southern Research Station will co-host the “Forest and Rangeland Taxation” Meeting. The meeting will focus on how tax policy influences the management, retention, and sustainability of forests and rangelands and is geared towards researchers, educators, practitioners, and landowner-focused professionals. The conference aims to bridge research and practical land management, identify gaps in knowledge and policy, strengthen professional networks, and attract new experts to the field. Topics may include conservation-related tax incentives, carbon project tax implications, natural capital losses, preferential property tax programs, and estate planning. More information will be forthcoming, but the conference will be held August 4–5, 2026 in Durham, NC. Questions may be addressed to Greg Frey gregory.e.frey@usda.gov or Richard Bin Mei bin.mei@duke.edu.

2025 Southern Area Fall Risk Assessment Now Available

The Southern Area normally has two fire seasons—spring and fall—with summer’s higher humidity usually reducing fire danger. The 2025 fall wildfire risk assessment reviews late-summer conditions, fuel moisture data, weather trends, and National Fire Danger Rating System (NFDRS) metrics to evaluate potential fire activity from October through December. La Niña is expected to bring drier-than-normal conditions, but tropical systems could still alter moisture patterns, making predicting fall fire behavior difficult. Another source of uncertainty is the recent transition from Weather Information Management System (WIMS) to the new Fire Environment Mapping System (FEMS), which calculates fuel moisture differently and may change fire danger index outputs. The assessment provides best-case, worst-case, and most-likely scenarios, along with recommendations based on the findings. Click here to view the full report.

TX Forest Service Awards $164 Million to State Fire Departments

Texas A&M Forest Service has approved $164 million in funding to provide 558 fire trucks and 321 slip-on units to rural volunteer fire departments through the Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program. Established in 2001, the program has awarded over $500 million in grants to support essential firefighting equipment and training. This funding, part of a historic appropriation by the 89th Texas Legislature, enhances local departments’ capacity to respond to wildfires and other emergencies. Additional grants for equipment, protective gear, and training will be awarded in the coming months, with applications managed through the FireConnect portal. Find out more here.

UNC Lesson on Wildfires, Smoke Impacts, and Preparedness

The University of North Carolina Institute for the Environment has introduced Exploring Wildland Fires, Smoke, and Health, a new lesson designed for North Carolina high school environmental science classes. This lesson explores the drivers of wildfire frequency and intensity, the health effects of smoke, and the ways communities can prepare for fire and smoke conditions. It also uses smoke science and fire behavior to highlight how prescribed burning can help lower hazardous fuels and reduce the risk of severe wildfires. Click here to register for the lesson.

SGSF Blog Post Highlights Southern Forests’ Economic Contributions

The Southern Group of State Foresters (SFGSF) showcased the economic contributions of forestry to southern economies, especially in rural areas in a recent blog post. Wood-product manufacturing supports more than a million jobs and generates over $250 billion each year in the South. When mills close—as seen recently in Tennessee, South Carolina, Louisiana, and Florida—job losses spread quickly, underscoring how vital these facilities are. Since nearly 90% of southern forestland is privately owned, strong timber markets are essential for families who rely on harvest income to keep their land forested. Despite challenges, the sector is advancing through major new investments, expanding mills, and a growing mass-timber industry. These innovations help maintain sustainable forest management, support rural economies, and strengthen America’s broader manufacturing network. Read more here.

Forest Landowners Foundation USFS Release Forest Sustainability Tracking Tool

Developed by the Forest Landowners Foundation (FLF) in collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), the Forest Factor sustainability tracker is a free, publicly available online tool created to help forestry stakeholders – from owners to policymakers to conservation organizations to community members – access real data that describes the sustainability of specific forests. By entering a ZIP code or choosing a location on the interactive map, users can obtain a “sustainability score” along with six key characteristics which include forest-land area, growth and carbon capture, wildlife diversity, forest resiliency, water quality, and community economic value for the selected area. The online tool also shows timber-harvest and market activity, as well as provides insight into how sustainable forest management contributes to environmental health and to economic and community stability. The Forest Factor offers a data-driven lens for evaluating working forests, supporting sustainable forestry decisions, and highlighting the sustainability and benefits of America's forests. Explore the Forest Factor sustainability tracker here.

AFF & TNC Family Forest Carbon Program Issues First IFM Credits To Small Acreage Forest Owners

The American Forest Foundation’s (AFF) & The Nature Conservancy's (TNC) Family Forest Carbon Program (FFCP) has officially issued its first Improved Forest Management (IFM) credits. The program partially focuses on paying small forest holders to implement improved forest management practices. This milestone represents the inaugural issuance of credits developed under Verra’s VM0045 improved forest management methodology—created specifically to open the voluntary carbon market to small-acreage landowners. Verra is an organization that sets the world’s standards for climate action and sustainable development and hosts the “Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) Program. These credits are also among the first IFM credits to receive the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) Core Carbon Principles (CCPs) label, underscoring FFCP’s commitment to high quality and integrity. This achievement marks a significant advancement for forest-based carbon projects, setting a global standard for how small-acreage forest owners can maximize their climate mitigation potential. Find out more here.

USGS Launches Nationwide Geological Mapping Tool for Public & Research Use

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has launched the Cooperative National Geological Map, the first nationwide tool that compiles more than 100 geological maps of the lower 48 states into a single, free, user-friendly platform. Designed for educators, researchers, industry, and government, it allows users to explore geological layers, materials, and ages through multiple filtering options. The tool supports scientific research as well as practical applications such as disaster preparedness, infrastructure planning, water management, and mineral exploration. Built in just three years using automated mapping technologies, it enables rapid updates as new data becomes available. The USGS expects the tool to deliver significant economic and public safety benefits, with future expansion planned for Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories. Read more here.

TSU to Host “Empowering U.S. Extension Through GenAI” National Workshop

Tennessee State University (TSU), in partnership with the Cooperative Extension System, is hosting the “Empowering U.S. Extension Through GenAI: Tools for Agribusiness Management, 4-H Programming, and Community Resources & Economic Development” workshop” December 11–12, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. This two-day workshop will bring together educators, specialists, and administrators from across the U.S. to discover how GenAI can enhance Extension’s mission through smarter tools, creative applications, and responsible innovation. The workshop will offer hands-on training sessions, demonstrations, and collaborative discussions focused on agribusiness and entrepreneurship, 4-H youth programming and development, and community resources and economic development. Participants will learn practical ways to apply GenAI to business planning, marketing, curriculum development, resource management, and community data analysis. The workshop will provide attendees with actionable skills to modernize Extension practices and strengthen the impact of programs in an increasingly AI-driven world. Learn more about the workshop here. Persons interested in participating in the workshop should contact Abdel Lawani directly at alawani@tnstate.edu.

“Wildfire Research Through the Lens” Photo Contest Connected to the Intl Conference on Forest Fire Research

The Association for the Development of Industrial Aerodynamics (ADAI), host of the 10th International Conference on Forest Fire Research (ICFFR) ], is sponsoring the “Wildfire Research Through the Lens: The ICFFR Photo Contest.” The contest seeks to showcase photography that depicts wildfire science, behavior, and recovery. Researchers, students, fire-management professionals, and conference attendees are invited to submit compelling photographs that fall into one the following themes: wildfire dynamics and response; post-fire ecology and recovery; or systems, society, and fire science. Submissions will be evaluated based on their technical merit, visual insight, and alignment with current research priorities. Winning entries will receive recognition and be awarded valuable discounts toward conference registration. Participants enter up to three original, high-resolution images taken after January 1, 2021. All photographs should be submitted by September 15, 2026. Review contest rules and submission guidelines here.

Webinars

Find the Full List of Upcoming Webinars and Events Here.

Improving Forestland for Wildlife

December 9, 2025 - April 30, 2026 | Virtual - Self Paced

Conservation Legacies: New Methods, Evidence, and Directions in Conservation Impact Assessment

December 11, 2025 | 9:00 AM

Tax Management Tools Before and After Year End

December 11, 2025 | 3:00PM

Reducing Woody Encroachment to Conserve Rangeland Production in the Great Plains

On Demand Webinar

Beaver Related Restoration Training Series

On Demand

Opportunities in Your Working Forest

December 16 | 6:00PM

Plan, Predict, and Burn: The New Prescribed Burn Planner

December 17 | 1:00PM

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

December 18 | 3:00PM

2026 Texas Timber Tax Workshop

February 3-4 | 8:30AM

Healthy American Forests Initiative Request For Proposals

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF), through an agreement from the Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is pleased to announce the Healthy American Forests Initiative (HAFI) Request for Proposals (RFP). This funding opportunity will support watershed restoration and vegetation management projects on National Forest System lands to achieve a healthy forest ecosystem. The award sizes will range from $250,000 to $2 million and the maximum project length is 2 years. Projects may not have an end date beyond May 30, 2028. Projects are required to provide non-federal match valued at 20 percent of total project costs (25 percent of the grant request to NFWF). Click here to learn more and here to submit proposal. Proposals due by January 13, 2026.

Southeastern Sun Grant Center 2026 Competitive Grants Program

This year's Request for Applications (RFA) is funded through the US Department of Agriculture ­National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA). Through this RFA, our Center expects to award up to $420,000 in competitive grants. The Center seeks proposals that address the priority areas and goals of the Sun Grant Program. Proposals may seek up to $60,000 total for a maximum duration of 7 months. Projects must address the regional priority areas outlined in this RFA to be considered for funding. Proposals are due January,16 2026. to sungrant@tennessee.edu. Link to grant application here.

National Forest Foundation 2026 Matching Awards Program Nationwide Grant Opportunity

The National Forest Foundation’s 2026 Matching Awards Program (MAP) is now open for applications. MAP funds projects that directly benefit U.S. National Forests and Grasslands by pairing federal dollars with a 1:1 nonfederal cash match. The program prioritizes in-person community engagement, stewardship activities, and projects that create lasting benefits for communities connected to National Forest System lands. Eligible applicants include nonprofits, Tribal governments and organizations, and universities. Projects must occur on or adjacent to National Forests or Grasslands, last no more than 18 months, and begin in May or June 2026. Applications are due January 22, 2026, with an informational webinar on December 4, 2025. A USFS support letter is no longer required at submission, though applicants must coordinate with Forest Service contacts and obtain acknowledgment if selected for funding. Find out how to apply here.

Longleaf Landscape Stewardship Fund 2026 Request for Proposals

The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) is seeking proposals for projects that work with landowners to voluntarily restore, enhance, and conserve longleaf pine and bottomland forests across the historical longleaf range. Through the Longleaf Landscape Stewardship Fund—supported by federal and private partners—NFWF will fund on-the-ground natural resource conservation efforts. This year’s RFP places special emphasis on recovery from Hurricane Helene, encouraging projects that restore damaged longleaf forests or establish longleaf on suitable impacted lands. Applicants pursuing post-storm restoration are encouraged to coordinate with other disaster-recovery funding sources, such as USDA’s Emergency Forest Restoration Program, and may contact NFWF staff for guidance. Proposal Due Date: January 29, 2026. Click here for more information.

Northern Great Plains Program 2026 Request for Proposals

NFWF is requesting proposals for projects that voluntarily conserve and restore grasslands and wildlife across the Northern Great Plains. The program aims to maintain and enhance connected grassland landscapes that support grassland-dependent species, while also promoting sustainable land use and protecting cultural traditions, including those of tribal communities. This initiative is supported by a coalition of federal agencies and private partners, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Forest Service, NRCS, BLM, the Bezos Earth Fund, Marathon Oil, Altria Group, Occidental Petroleum, and Margret A. Cargill Philanthropies. Proposal Due Date: February 25, 2026. Click here for more information.

The Climate Smart Communities Initiative Now Accepting Grant Applications

Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI) grants can help small and midsize communities at any step in the planning process. Awards include funding, training, and technical support. Ranging from $75,000-$115,000 per award, funds can be used over a twelve-month period to advance activities ranging from risk assessments and community engagement to project prioritization and implementation. To be eligible for consideration, the community must be located in the United States and facing significant climate-related challenges based on environmental and socioeconomic considerations. Three partners are required to apply together: 1) a community-based organization, 2) a local, regional or Tribal government partner, and 3) a qualified climate adaptation practitioner listed in the Registry of Adaptation Practitioners.

Apply here.

UGA Deer Management and Forestry BMPs - Self Paced Course

January 1 - December 30, 2025 | Virtual

UGA Forest Health Series

September 22, 2025 - June 5, 2026 | Virtual

Empowering U.S. Extension Through GenAI National Workshop

December 11 - 12, 2025 |

Nashville, TN

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

Southwest Virginia Woods & Wildlife Conference

February 21, 2026 | Blacksburg, VA

Municipal Forestry Institute Training

Application Deadline September 19, 2025

February 22-27, 2026 | Jekyll Island, GA

Northern Virginia Woods &

Wildlife Conference

February 28, 2026 |

Culpepper, VA

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, 2026, 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