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ISSUE 55 : WEEK OF May 27, 2019
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Regional News
- New Factsheet from NCSU- Is Reforestation a Profitable Investment?
- GA NRCS Opens 2018 Farm Bill Webpage
- Texas A&M Forest Service to Conduct Large Scale Restoration Project
- Registration is Open for the 2019 SGSF Summer Meeting
- Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmer Coalition: Spring Newsletter
- June Edition of Driptorch Digest Now Available
- NC State to Host WOW Workshop: Pollinator & Native Species
SREF News
- SREF Attends Arboriculture and Urban Forestry Educators Symposium
- Find Important Forestry & Natural Resources Apps on the SREF website
National News
- USFS to Withdraw From Operating Civilian Conservation Centers (CCC)
- $19 Billion Disaster Aid Bill Stalled
- Save the Date: ANREP 2020
- Call for Nominations - 2019 NASF Awards
- USFS to Host Webinar in Urban Forest Connections Series
- NRCS to Host Webinar for Conservation Innovation Grants Program
- USFS to Host Webinar: Forest Resources of the United States
Funding Opportunities
- RREA-NIFA Offers $300K to Land-Grant University Programs for 2019
- USDA Seeks Project Proposals to Protect and Restore Critical Wetlands
- USDA Announces Availability of $12.5K in CIGs
Job Opportunities
- Auburn University- Asst. Professor & Extension Specialist in Forest Operations
- Auburn University: Post-Doc, Forest Harvesting Operations
- Florida Forestry Association: Director of Forestry & Regulatory Affairs
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New Factsheet from NCSU- Is Timber a Profitable Investment?
This factsheet covers the information that landowners and investors need to know about how to analyze a reforestation investment. It includes an overview of how analyses are conducted to allow a landowner to better understand what the investment means.
Find the factsheet here.
GA NRCS Opens 2018 Farm Bill Webpage
The 2018 Farm Bill was enacted on December 20, 2018. GA NRCS offers financial and technical assistance through conservation practices, activities, and enhancements to help agricultural / forestry producers make and maintain improvements on their land. This new website contains information about the following programs: Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), Healthy Forest Reserve Program (HFRP), and Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP).
Visit this website.
Texas A&M Forest Service to Conduct Large Scale Restoration Project
The Texas A&M Forest Service is to sponsor and host a large scale wildlife habitat restoration project. This project is taking place on the W.G. Jones State Forest beginning May 25. The improvements will be directed towards areas with potential for red-cockaded woodpecker nesting and foraging. A non-profit, veteran-based organization, Team Rubicon, will be partnering with Texas A&M to complete restoration activities. The work is expected to be completed by June 2.
Learn more about this project and its partnerships.
June Edition of Driptorch Digest Now Available
North Carolina State University Cooperative Extension and Southeast Regional Partnership for Planning and Sustainability (SERPPAS) have released the June 2019 edition of Driptorch Digest. This newsletter reports on current news stories, online resources of interest, trainings, and webinars - all with a focus on prescribed fires in the South.
Check out the newsletter here.
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Online registration is still available for the 2019 Southern Group of State Foresters (SGSF) Annual Meeting. The event will take place from Monday, June 17 to Thursday, June 20 in Franklin, TN. The purpose of this meeting is to gather state agency forestry leaders from across the South to share information, make decisions, and enact plans of action to maintain and improve the economic, environmental, and social benefits of the South's forests.
Learn more about the meeting and register here.
Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmer Coalition: Spring Newsletter
The Appalachian Beginning Forest Farmer Coalition (ABFFC) is a network of forestland owners, universities, and governmental and non-governmental organizations that share a common goal of improving agroforestry production opportunities and farming capabilities among forest farmers. The organization's collective aim is to increase awareness of forest-grown medicinal plants through education and relationship building, and support conservation efforts through stewardship of existing plant populations and forest farming of these native botanicals. Their spring newsletter contains articles about the economics of forest farming, herbal education, and partner updates and events.
Check out their Spring 2019 newsletter here.
NC State to Host WOW Workshop: Pollinator & Native Species
NC State will be hosting a Women Owning Woodlands (WOW) workshop Thursday, July 13 from 8:30 AM to 4 PM in Waynesville, NC. The workshop is entitled:
Managing for Pollinators and Native Species. Join other female landowners and land management professionals to grow your network and learn about the important of pollinators, how to create and enhance pollinator habitat, and available financial assistance programs.
Learn more about the workshop and register here.
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SREF Attends Arboriculture and Urban Forestry Educators Symposium
On May 19-22, SREF Extension Associate Holly Campbell attended the Arboriculture and Urban Forestry Educators Symposium at the Morton Arboretum, near Chicago, IL. Holly facilitated a workshop at the symposium on generating creative ways to reach grades K-12 youth on the importance of urban trees and forests, as well as introducing youth to careers in arboriculture and urban forestry. This workshop was in support of a larger workforce development project Holly is working on with the USDA Forest Service to investigate ways to cultivate the next generation of arborists and urban foresters.
Learn more about this project here.
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Find Important Forestry & Natural Resources Apps on the SREF website
SREF IT staff have assembled mobile apps on the resources page. Check out these useful forestry and natural resource apps. If you do not see one that you would recommend, please let us know!
Find the apps
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Sub
mit your recommended app here
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USFS to Withdraw From Operating Civilian Conservation Centers (CCC)
On May 24, 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor accepted a letter from the U.S. Department of Agriculture stating that the USDA's Forest Service will withdraw from operating Job Corps Civilian Conservation Centers. Accordingly, the majority of CCC operations will be replaced and privatized. Sixteen CCCs will continue under a new contract operator or partnership; nine CCCs are proposed for deactivation.
Learn more and view all affected CCC locations.
$19 Billion Disaster Aid Bill Stalled
Unanimous passage of a $19 billion disaster aid bill was blocked by one representative. This move is likely to stall the passage of the legislation until Congress returns in June after its Memorial Day break.
Learn more about the status of this bill.
Save the Date: ANREP 2020
The Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals (ANREP) has determined the time and location for their 2020 annual conference. The topic is:
Place-Based and Future Focused - Fulfilling the land grant mission in an evolving landscape. The conference is set to take place May 3-6, 2020 at Sunriver Resort near Bend, Oregon.
Learn more here.
Call for Nominations - 2019 NASF Awards
The National Association of State Foresters Current Achievement Awards are presented annually to deserving individuals or organizations who have made outstanding, national-level contributions to the protection and sustainable management of America’s trees and forests. Awards highlight achievement in different sectors of forestry, such as: Forest Public Policy, Fire Protection, Fire Resource Management, Urban Forestry, and Communications. Deadline June 20, 2019.
Learn more about this awards program.
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USFS to Host Latest Webinar in Urban Forest Connections Series
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) will host a free hour and fifteen minute webinar at 1:00 PM EST on June 12, 2019. The webinar is titled
Planning in the Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI).
The webinar will discuss data on national WUI extent and growth sharing trends in WUI expansion. It will also share community-based planning solutions from across the country that address current and future development in the WUI.
This webinar is part of the Forest Service's Urban Forest Connections webinar series that takes place the second Wednesday of every month. All previous webinars in the series are available online.
Register for the upcoming webinar and view the Urban Forest Connection Archive.
NRCS To Host Webinar for Conservation Innovation Grants Program
The Natural Resources Conservation Service will host a free webinar as part of their Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) Program. CIG has supported the development of innovative approaches and technologies on agricultural lands. In this webinar, learn from four different grantees about the cutting edge approaches to water management generated through CIG projects.This webinar is scheduled for June 4, 2019 at 1 PM EST.
Learn more.
USFS to Host Webinar: Forest Resources of the United States
The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) will host a free webinar that will cover the recently released technical document,
Forest Resources of the United States, 2017
. This document contains data about the area, composition, and distribution of the nation's forests. It will also be used to support the upcoming 2020 Resources Planning Act (RPA) Assessment that is mandated by Congress every ten years. This webinar is scheduled for June 11, 2019 at 11:00 AM EST. CEU credits are offered.
Learn more.
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USDA Seeks Project Proposals to Protect and Restore Critical Wetlands, Including Georgia
USDA is making available up to $40 million in technical and financial assistance to help eligible conservation partners voluntarily protect, restore and enhance critical wetlands on agricultural lands, including those in Georgia. Restored wetlands improve water quality downstream and improve wildlife habitat, while also providing flood prevention and recreational benefits to communities. Partners interested in WREP are encouraged to work with their NRCS state office as part of developing the proposal. Proposals should be emailed to NRCS at [email protected] by June 14, 2019. For Georgia, the WREP point of contact is Sharon Swagger, conservation easement specialist.
Learn more and view detailed instructions on how to apply.
USDA Announces Availability of $12.5K in CIGs
USDA announces availability of $12.5 million in Conservation Innovation Grants (CIGs). CIG projects inspire creative problem-solving that boosts production on farms, ranches, and private forests. All U.S.-based, non-Federal entities and individuals are invited to apply. Applications are due July 14, 2019.
Learn more and view detailed instructions on how to apply.
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RREA-NIFA Offers $300K to Land-Grant University Programs for 2019
The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is has released a Request for Applications (RFA) for their National Focus Funds project. The purpose of the grant program is to provide funds for pilot projects that address emerging forest and rangeland resource issues, have national or regional relevancy, or develop new and innovative projects that can be replicated at other institutions. Applications may only be submitted by 1862 and/or 1890 land-grant institutions Project Directors must have an extension appointment. Applications are due June 21, 2019 at 5:00 PM EST.
Read detailed instruction on how to submit an application
, or
submit an application.
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Auburn University- Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in Forest Operations
Auburn University School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences invites applications for this position that will be 75% Extension and 25% teaching. Knowledge and experience in areas of harvest practicing, logging training programs, trucking issues, safety, forest engineering, general forest operations and more is desirable. Apply by July 31, 2019.
View the position description/application.
Auburn University: Post-Doc, Forest Harvesting Operations
The School of Forestry and Wildlife Sciences at Auburn University is seeking a post-doctoral fellow to complete research on several harvesting related projects. This is a 12-month, limited term, non-tenure track position and is funded from external sources for up to two years. Applicants must have a PhD from an accredited institution in forestry, forest engineering, or a related field. The deadline to apply is Saturday, June 15.
View the application.
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Florida Forestry Association: Director of Forestry & Regulatory Affairs
The Florida Forestry Association is a statewide trade association representing those who grow, harvest, and process Florida’s forests and forest products. The Association is seeking a highly motivated professional to monitor, manage and coordinate the Association’s involvement in regulatory and environmental policy issues as they relate to the practice of silviculture in Florida. The position also serves as the facilitator of Florida Master Logger training program. A Bachelor of Science in Forestry or related field is required, in addition to a minimum of 5 years of full-time forestry related experience. The deadline to apply is Friday, July 7.
View the application.
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Upcoming Events:
June 3-6, 2019 | Lexington, KY
Southern Forest Tree Improvement Conference (SFTIC) has met biannually for 70 years to exchange information and to discuss current research and future needs for forest tree breeding. Join professionals and colleagues for a 4-day conference where you will participate in workshops, lecture sessions, a poster judging event, and an optional White oak research tour in the Berea College Forest.
June 6, 2019 | Headland, AL
SmartMap 1.0 introduces audiences to low-cost and easy to use geospatial mapping applications that can be used on smartphones or ipads. The class introduces audiences to GIS, GPS, and Smartphone GIS applications. This workshop also introduces audiences to UAV technology and its applications for video capture and forest mapping.
June 11 & 13, 2019 | Senatobia, MS
This two day short course teaches landowners what to consider when buying, how to go about purchasing property, and what management practices are appropriate when buying and selling timberland in MS. Registration is $30 per person, $45 per couple. The fee covers reference materials and refreshments. Space is limited. Please register by June 4, 2019.
October 22 - 24, 2019 | Athens, GA
This workshop is sponsored by the Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. The field of forestry is often described as a mix of science and art. Blending the needs of landowners, industry and society with the characteristics and potential of the land is a complex endeavor. The history of forestry in the Southeastern United States is rich and exciting, and has led to one of the most ecologically diverse and economically important regions in the country. These two courses will provide an introduction to forest management concepts, practices and relevant issues. Registration opens July 22, 2019.
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