Government Shutdown Could have Negative Impacts on Wildfire Season in US

The United States Federal Government is currently observing a partial shutdown entering week four. Fire experts believe the continued shutdown could have negative impacts on the upcoming wildfire season. The shutdown includes thousands of people at the U.S. Forest Service, the National Park Service and the Bureau of Land Management, who at this time would normally be implementing mitigation practices to reduce risk during fire season. This is the prime time of year for a lot of acreage to be burned in prescribed fires, especially in the southeast. The Florida Forest Service has continued to do its own prescribed fires under Director Jim Karels. Karels fears that Federal agencies are missing limited good burning days and a lot of opportunities to reduce fuel. Learn more about this wildfire season.

Peninsular Florida Landscape Conservation Cooperative Create Interactive Map for FL Landowners 

Peninsular Florida Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCC) designed an interactive map for landowners. This simple interface is designed to help inform conservation decisions by allowing users to explore a suite of data layers and models. Information is available on priority natural resources, biodiversity richness, landscape connectivity and integrity, surface waters and factors contributing to potential landscape change. The map has intuitive tutorial videos for how to use. Use the map.

TAMU AgriLife Extension to Host Forest Pest Seminar in February

The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension will host a seminar on February 8, 2019. The seminar is on forest pests and topics and includes the latest updates and best management practices for relevant species. New laws, regulations and safety requirements will also be discussed. The cost is $50 and up to 5 CEU's are available. Registration ends February 6, 2019. Learn more and register.

UGA Appoints Dr. David Clabo Assistant Professor of Silviculture Outreach

The University of Georgia has announced Dr. David Clabo as their new Assistant Professor of Silviculture Outreach and Extension. Dr. Clabo will work on the Tifton campus, where he will be teaching courses for private landowners, other stakeholder groups, natural resources professionals and county extension agents. Learn more about Dr. Clabo.

Mississippi Announces Deal to Build Two Wood Pellet Facilities with Enviva 

George County, Mississippi, in an agreement with Enviva Wood Pellets, approved plans to build a $140 million wood pellet facility. The plant is expected to create 90 new full-time jobs, 300 construction jobs, and an estimated 300 indirect jobs in the timber and transportation industry. Enviva will also build a distribution plant at the Port of Pascagoula. Construction on the $60 million distribution plant is expected to begin in 2019. The production plant is the largest private investment in George County Industrial Park in more than two decades. Learn more about this deal.

Georgia-Pacific Mill Closure Will Cause Ripple Effects in LA, MS Says LSU's Tanger

Georgia-Pacific announced it will permanently shut down its office paper machines, converting assets, woodyard, pulp mill and most of its energy-generating complex at Port Hudson, LA. LSU AgCenter Agronomist Dr. Shaun Tanger estimates that more than 2,150 other jobs across Louisiana will be lost due to this closure. The layoffs will result in the loss of nearly $188 million in labor income and nearly $22.8 million in tax revenue for state and local governments. Port Hudson is near the Mississippi border where they are also expected to have heavy losses from the closure. Learn more about how this will impact LA and MS.

Oklahoma Forest Service Release State Fire Data Report on 2018 

The Oklahoma Forestry Service (OFS) has released its Calendar Year 2018 wildfire statistics report. In their report, OFS either responded or assisted with 1,086 fires that burned more than 466,000 acres. The busiest months were January through April when more than 75% of the year's fires were fought. Although 2018 was a busy year for fire across the country, the report indicates the lowest number of acres burned since 2015 and the fewest fires since 2014. OFS is encouraging homeowners to assess their property and maintain a defensible space around their home.  Read the full report , or learn more about protecting your home from fire.

Update on FSC US Forest Management Standards for the 2018-2020 Revisions 

 In early 2018 the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) U.S. began the process of revising the FSC US Forest Management Standard from 2018-2020.  The revision will focus on five potential priorities that were identified based upon stakeholder feedback since the last standard revision. The five current priorities are: regional requirements, conservation lands & high conservation values, customary/traditional rights & engagement, family forest indicators, and climate change. View the FSC US priorities and latest timelines.

Penn State University Releases Video Series About Dealing With Conflict in Extension

Penn State University Extension recently released a video series titled Community Conflict: Finding Middle Ground. Through twelve short videos, participants explore the dynamics of community controversies and offer strategies to engage your audience, prepare for public meetings, and effectively deal with barriers to civil dialogue. Learn more and view the video series.

2019 ANREP Awards Program Now Taking Nominations 

The 2019 ANREP Awards Program is now taking nominations in order to recognize significant achievements from members. Awards are split between categories of outstanding education materials and achievement. To be eligible to participate in the awards program, the nominator and nominee(s) must be paid active members and in good standing for the year in which the award application is being submitted. Self-nominations are allowed.The deadline for nominations is February 15, 2019. Read the guidelines or nominate a member.

AFE Calling for Proposals for 8th International Fire Ecology Congress

The Association of Fire Ecology is now seeking proposals for the 8th International Fire Ecology and Management Congress, November 18-22, 2019. The Congress will redefine the ecological concept of pyrodiversity to explore cross-cutting issues across a variety of disciplines. AFE is accepting proposals for special sessions and workshops, trainings and courses due by April 1, 2019. Oral presentations and Fire Circle proposals are due August 1, 2019, and Posters and Attached Meetings are due by August 30, 2019. View a complete description of each proposal type and submit a proposal.

Montana Turns Waste Wood, Beetle-Killed Pine into Sustainable Wood Products 

Sustainable Lumber Company of Missoula Montana is converting wasted and downed wood into sustainable wood products. Founder Ryan Palma started his own sustainable wood product company eight years ago, after many years of shipping wood products between the US and Asia. Palma uses mostly beetle-killed pine and sustainably harvested fir, but also reuses wood pallets and old fencing to make mostly wood floors and wall paneling to ship across the entire US. Learn more about Sustainable Lumber Co.

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