Regional News

RREA Strategic Plan for Fiscal Years 2018-2022 Available

The RREA Strategic Plan for FY 2018-2022 is now available to view and will be posted to the NIFA website after internal review. This document guides the expenditure of RREA funds on the strategic issues that have been identified by several hundred Extension Forest and Rangelands Extension Specialists and Educators. Dr. Eric Norland of NIFA does not anticipate any further changes to the plan. review the Strategic Plan .

Forest Economists Team Up to Compare Contribution Analyses

Extension Forest economists Drs. Rajan Parajuli , NCSU,   James E Henderson , Mississippi State University,   Shaun Tanger , Louisiana State University,   Omkar Joshi, Oklahoma State University, and Ram Dahal , University of Missouri, recently teamed up to pen an article in the Journal of Forestry comparing two of the most common ways to analyse forest sector contributions to state economies using IMPLAN: internal adjustments to the IMPLAN software and external adjustments of the input values by using output multipliers. Their results suggest that both methods of contribution analysis produce similar total effects, but their approaches of handling direct effects are substantially different. read the article in the Journal of Forestry .

NCSU to Offer Wood 101 Workshop for Hobbyists and Craftspeople

NCSU Wood Products Extension will be offering a Wood 101 Workshop on October 4th for hobbyists and craftspeople interested in learning about and working with wood for fun or profit. Those interested in carpentry, firewood, wood crafts, and products like decking and furniture will want to participate. The low registration fee of $45 includes all educational materials, refreshments & lunch, and a complimentary all-day parking pass on campus. learn more or register .

Space Open at Annual Southern Forest Products Export Conference

Early registration for the 5th Annual Southern Forest Products Export Conference ends today, but you can still register all the way up to October 21. The conference will bring together forestry and natural resource professionals as well as international experts on the forest products industry. register now or view the agenda .

Job Opportunity: Conservation Education Coordinator

Texas A&M Forest Service is seeking qualified applicants with a Project Learning Tree facilitator certification to fill the position of Conservation Education Coordinator. The coordinator will t each diverse audiences including children, adults, educators and natural resource professionals; provide training and resources to natural resource professionals, educators and staff; speak at events with local, state, regional and national audiences; and develop educational curricula, among other duties. view the job description .

SREF News

Resources Available from Module 1 of Seeding Success

Seeding Success: Tools, Technology, and Techniques for a Successful Extension Natural Resources Career held Module 1 of its 8-part onboarding course for forestry and natural resources professionals last Tuesday September 18 at 1 PM ET. Experienced Extension agents Karen Bennett and Kristina Ferrare and Dr. Eric Norland of NIFA recommended approaches for getting started in Extension forestry and natural resources, explained how the Extension system works, and described key partners . view the webinar, resources, and video for Module 1 or learn how to sign up for subsequent course modules .

Join SREF at the SAF Convention Extension Forestry Meeting

We're excited to see our partners on October 4, 2018 in Portland Oregon at the Extension Foresters Meeting right before the Society of American Foresters Convention! The meeting is always a fun and informal way to network with Extension forestry peers and brainstorm ideas for collaborations and partnerships. If you have anything you'd like to add to the agenda, please e-mail Dr. Bill Hubbard or contact Dr. Eric Norland ASAP.

REMINDER: Nominations Open for 2018 SREF Awards for Excellence

Nominations are still open for the 2018 SREF Award for Excellence in Southern Forestry and Natural Resources Extension! We present these awards to recognize a colleague for outstanding achievements and activities in a particular area of Extension work over a three-year period prior to nomination. Nominations are requested from any Extension Professional in any of the specific program or accomplishments areas listed on the nomination form. Self-nominations are encouraged. download the nomination form .

REMINDER: Upcoming Urban Forestry Webinar to Highlight Pest Management

Our upcoming Understanding Urban and Community Forests webinar, which is set for September 26 at 1 PM ET, will feature Dr. Dave Coyle, Clemson Extension Forest Health Specialist and Director of the Forest Health and Invasive Species Outreach and Education program (FHIS). Dr. Coyle will cover biology, identification, and management of several tree pests in the southeastern U.S. Native and invasive pests will be included with a focus on how they spread and what can be done to manage them . read more about the webinar .

National News

 NIFA Seeks Stakeholder Input Through NIFA Listens Initiative

The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) is soliciting stakeholder input on the emerging needs and opportunities in food and agricultural sciences through the “NIFA Listens: Investing in Science to Transform Lives,” initiative.

These listening sessions are your opportunity to provide feedback on the most pressing issues you face as a forestry and natural resources professional and have your say on the direction you think NIFA should pursue in the future. learn more about NIFA Listens .

USU Extension to Host Webinar on Seattle's Urban Tree Management

Join Utah Extension and Darran Morgan, manager of Seattle's Department of Transportation, next Tuesday September 25 at 10 AM ET (12 MDT) for an overview of the city's tree management policies. Seattle is responsible for over 40,000 of the City’s roughly estimated 250,000 street trees. Seattle also manages over 2,300 miles of sidewalk assets. A recent sidewalk assessment showed that approximately 12% of sidewalk related defects may be relatable to trees.   learn more and/or register for the webinar .

Funding Opportunities

AFRI Foundational and Applied Science Program Grant Available

Approximately $182 million is available in funding from NIFA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), which is America’s flagship competitive grants program that provides funding for fundamental and applied research, education, and extension projects in the food and agricultural sciences. read more .

UK's SCAHIP Offers Funds for Forestry Worker Safety & Health Projects

The Southeast Center for Agricultural Health and Injury Prevention (SCAHIP), a research program at the University of Kentucky which is funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH/CDC), is offering funds to support regionally relevant health and safety pilot projects for the Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing Sector. Awards will be made for up to $12,000 (direct plus indirect) and will be available for pilot studies from October 1, 2018 to September 30, 2019. Priority will be given to applicants from Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia, however other contiguous states will be considered. read more .

SFI's Conservation & Community Partnership Grant Open

The Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) recently announced its annual request for proposals (RFP) for the SFI Conservation and Community Partnerships Grant Program . Grants from SFI contribute to understanding the critical linkage between forests and communities across the range of American and Canadian forests and successful projects work at the intersection of sustainable forestry, responsible procurement, and thriving communities. read more from the SFI website .

SIPMC Requests Applications for IPM Enhancement Grants

The Southern IPM Center Advisory Council recently opened up the RFA for its 2019 IPM Enhancement Grants. Projects can be in a variety of different forestry and natural resources areas related to pest management and will be funded for one year. Proposals are due by November 17, 2018 at 5 PM. read more from the IPM website .

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