Community Forestry Resource Center
Weekly News and Event Summary
September 29, 2005
This message includes news, headlines, and information gathered during the week.
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CONTENTS:
HEADLINES:
Changes in Habitat May Spell End of Grouse Heydays (MN)
Research Institute Sets Environmental Standards (MN)
Profit in Saving Forests (CA)
Forest Service Forced to Review Timber Projects that Bypassed NEPA
Big Stir Over Big Plan for Maine Forest
Boise Cascade Embroiled in Dispute over Old Growth in Burned Stands (OR/WA)
Landmark Legislation Bodes Well for Mindanao Forests (Manila)
Bamboo in vitro (Cuba)
OTHER HEADLINES ON http://www.forestrycenter.org/News/News.cfm
* Mistletoe a Scourge in Forests of Oregon
* Christmas Tree Project Teaches Forestry (ME)
* Invasive Mosquito Species Found in Midwest
* Bolivia Sustains and Profits from Ecoforestry
* UN Recommends Storage of Carbon Dioxide Underground to Prevent Global Warming
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EVENTS:
Forest Restoration & Management Field Day
October 1, 2005, Kellogg, MN
Forest Stewardship Council Assessor Training Workshop
October 12-15, 2005, UW Pack Forest, WA
Biomass Thinning for Fuel Reduction and Forest Restoration
October 12-13, 2005, Redding, CA
National Land Conservation Conference: Rally 2005
October 14-17, 2005, Madison, WI
Wisconsin SAF Fall Training Conference
November 1-2, 2005, Wisconsin Dells, WI
Forest Restoration in the Eastern United States: A Conference to Focus on Public and Private Forest Lands
November 10-12, 2005, Black Mountain, NC
Non-timber Forest Products and Managing Your Woodland for Wildlife
December 3, 2005, Sugarloaf Cove, Schroeder, MN
For more event listings visit:
http://www.forestrycenter.org/Calendar/Cal.cfm
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INFORMATION:
Alternative Enterprises for Higher Profits and Healthier Land
Position: Forester, North Creek, NY
For more documents and information visit:
http://www.forestrycenter.org/Search/search.cfm
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PUBLICATIONS:
A Stewardship Handbook for Family Forest Ownership
Report: Guidelines for Participatory Biodiversity Inventory and Monitoring of Sustainable Forest Management
Balancing Ecology and Economics:
A Start-up Guide for Forest Owner Cooperation, 2nd Edition
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HEADLINES:
Changes in Habitat May Spell End of Grouse Heydays (MN)
Some biologists believe that grouse hunters in Minnesota and northern Wisconsin may never again see the kind of grouse populations that occurred 40 and 50 years ago. The grouse population will continue to fluctuate on a roughly 10-year cycle, they say, but changing forest management and other factors may mean overall lower grouse numbers.
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/sports/outdoors/12726497.htm OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=76846
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Research Institute Sets Environmental Standards (MN)
UMD's Natural Resources Research Institute (NRRI) performs key research on natural resources including a focus on forest ecosystems and populations of Minnesota lynx. The basic, in-the-field research on water quality, wildlife, birds, trees and ecosystems is creating a database of Northland environmental report cards. It's helping frame where the environment is and where it's heading for future generations.
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/12684374.htm OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?RefID=76726
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Profit in Saving Forests (CA)
A pending deal between traditional adversaries showcases a fresh way of looking at a forest's value - one that could save thousands of acres in California's private forests from development. San Francisco-based Pacific Forest Trust would pay an Ohio pension fund up to $10 million to reduce logging and to put about 30 percent of its 33,000-acre Pondosa Forest permanently off-limits to development. In turn, the State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio could continue logging a forest in Shasta and Siskiyou counties that produces 14 million to 16 million board feet of timber annually.
http://www.sacbee.com/content/business/story/13617375p-14459330c.html OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=76778
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Forest Service Forced to Review Timber Projects that Bypassed NEPA
The Forest Service has suspended the use of so-called categorical exclusions that allowed timber projects to bypass environmental reviews after a federal judge ruled those projects should be open to public comment and appeal. Judge James Singleton of the U.S. District Court in Anchorage, Alaska, sided with Earth Island Institute and other environmental groups in ruling Sept. 16 that the service's policy violated the 1992 Appeals Reform Act, which Congress drafted in response to a previous agency proposal to limit appeals of timber projects. Singleton said his order should be enforced nationwide.
http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=76804
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Big Stir Over Big Plan for Maine Forest
Development vs. nature arguments erupt in the North Woods as investors propose a half-million-acre development - the biggest development project in the state's history. Developers want to rezone nearly half a million acres in the Moosehead Lake region, which would include 975 residential lots, two resorts, a marina, and a golf course. Supporters say the development would boost jobs and the region's dwindling population. Critics argue the move would squeeze the largest undeveloped land east of the Rockies.
http://www.csmonitor.com/2005/0926/p02s01-ussc.html OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=76779
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Boise Cascade Embroiled in Dispute over Old Growth in Burned Stands (OR/WA)
After failing to halt two timber sales in Washington and Oregon in federal court, environmental groups are now accusing Boise Cascade Co. of reneging on its 2003 promise not to buy wood from old growth forests. Forestry experts say the disagreement highlights the difficulty of defining just what makes up old growth forests, which for years have been at the center of the clash between loggers and preservationists.
http://www.registerguard.com/news/2005/09/23/d3.wst.oldgrowth.0923.p1.php OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=76798
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Landmark Legislation Bodes Well for Mindanao Forests (Manila)
Top officials of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) and the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (Armm) gathered recently for the formal signing of the Regional Sustainable Forest Management Act. The act seeks to protect and conserve the natural forests, rehabilitate denuded areas, and manage forestlands in the region. It provides economic opportunities to upland dwellers without impairing the environment; and incorporates Islamic principles to insure effective forest management.
http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/man/2005/09/27/feat/landmark.legislation.bodes.well.for.mindanao.forests.html OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=76849
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Bamboo in vitro (Cuba)
A project to develop bamboo in Cuba aims to obtain and multiply "in vitro" four species useable as lumber in order to expand its use throughout this Caribbean island. Some 1,200 hectares will be planted with the support of the Swiss agency for development and cooperation. The plantations come in addition to another 1,000 hectares developed in eastern Cuba.
http://tierramerica.net/english/2005/0924/iecobreves.shtml OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?RefID=76771
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EVENTS
Forest Restoration & Management Field Day
October 1, 2005, Kellogg, MN
An educational event featuring topics and demonstrations including: dry-oak forest/savanna restoration; forest road management; cost/benefit analysis; pre-sale treatment, habitat management, and plant community restoration; and on-site advice and information regarding land management and conservation.
For more information call 507-767-3202 or see http://www.forestrycenter.org/calendar.cfm?refid=76765
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Forest Stewardship Council Assessor Training Workshop
October 12-15, 2005, UW Pack Forest, WA
Rainforest Alliance/SmartWood is offering an intensive 3 ½ - Day workshop at the University of Washington Pack Forest on October 12-15. The course is designed to orient and prepare current and future professionals involved in forest management to perform as members of an FSC certification team for SmartWood and to provide other interested stakeholders with a detailed understanding of the FSC standards, their application to an operation, and the certification process. SAF credit available.
http://www.rainforestalliance.org/news/nw_assessor_training.html OR
http://www.forestrycenter.org/calendar.cfm?refID=76559&categoryID=
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Biomass Thinning for Fuel Reduction and Forest Restoration
October 12-13, 2005, Redding, CA
View and discuss forest fuels conditions and wildfire hazard, methods for treating fuels, impacts of fuels reduction treatments on fire hazard, wildlife habitat, watershed/soils, utilization of biomass material/small trees, effectiveness of fuel reduction practices. Target audience includes public, private and tribal forest resource managers, policy makers, natural resource professionals, loggers/biomass contractors, interested businesses, conservation organizations, legislative staff, electric utilities, and interested citizens.
Contact Sherry Cooper at 530-224-4902 or or see http://groups.ucanr.org/forest/ for more information.
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National Land Conservation Conference: Rally 2005
October 14-17, 2005, Madison, WI
Join more than 1,600 conservation leaders at this gathering of land trust professionals, volunteers, board members, public agency staff, attorneys and land conservation advocates for the 18th Rally! Rally 2005 will unite land conservationists to share expertise in land protection tools and the issues vital to land trusts, current information on significant projects and partnerships, legislative developments and new perspectives on land trust work. Rally 2005 is an opportunity to get up-to-date briefings on developments in the world of conservation and learn and how they will affect our communities.
http://www.lta.org/training/rally.htm OR
http://www.forestrycenter.org/calendar.cfm?refID=76417&categoryID=
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Wisconsin SAF Fall Training Conference
November 1-2, 2005, Wisconsin Dells, WI
The fall training conference of the Wisconsin Society of American Foresters in cooperation with the Forest Guild features will focus on identifying and managing High Conservation Value forests. The two-day course will feature speakers, panels, and discussions on subjects of land management and monitoring of Wisconsin forests.
Contact Ray Guries at or see http://www.wisaf.org/calendar.htm
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Forest Restoration in the Eastern United States: A Conference to Focus on Public and Private Forest Lands
November 10-12, 2005, Black Mountain, NC
Given the matrix of private and publicly-owned forest land in the east, a changing ecology and economy, and rapid population growth, it makes sense to restore forest lands for a variety of benefits, including ecological health, sustainable economies, and vibrant communities.
Contact Nikki Smathers at 1-828-252-9223 or or see http://www.safc.org/resources/easternrestorationconferencehome.htm
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Non-timber Forest Products and Managing Your Woodland for Wildlife
December 3, 2005, Sugarloaf Cove, Schroeder, MN
The University of Minnesota Extension’s “Woodland Advisor” program is offering a joint course in non-timber forest products and managing woodland for wildlife. One or both topics may be attended. Woodland Advisor credit is available.
Contact Susan Seabury at 888-241-0724, ext. 6466 or or see http://www.cnr.umn.edu/cfc/wa/Support/wasess.htm
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INFORMATION
Alternative Enterprises for Higher Profits and Healthier Land
A brochure put out by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service with suggestions and resources for landowners on how to earn an income from their land while practicing conservation.
http://www.forestrycenter.org/library.cfm?refID=76696
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Position: Forester, North Creek, NY
The Residents’ Committee to Protect the Adirondacks is seeking a forester who will be responsible for managing the Sustainable Forestry Project, which involves managing the two certificates for Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification as a forest manager and for chain of custody. RCPA’c certified pool includes 21 landowners/10,000 acres and chain of custody certification with seven businesses.
For more information see http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=76769
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PUBLICATIONS
A Stewardship Handbook for Family Forest Ownership
A handbook produced by the National Association of State Foresters for planning, managing and protecting your woods, your investment and your environment.
http://www.stateforesters.org/pubs/p&ghandbook.pdf OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/library.cfm?refid=76649
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Report: Guidelines for Participatory Biodiversity Inventory and Monitoring of Sustainable Forest Management
Participatory monitoring is a process that has increased in popularity in the last several decades. It reflects the understanding that natural resource decisions are less controversial and more effective when stakeholders who have an interest in the results are involved in the process. These guidelines are designed as a how-to manual with discussions of relevant topics, checklists of important considerations to address, resources for further information, and a workbook for developing and implementing a monitoring plan.
http://www.ifcae.org/projects/ncssf3/NCSSF-C8-2005FinalReport.pdf OR
http://www.forestrycenter.org/library.cfm?refid=76851
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Balancing Ecology and Economics: A Start-up Guide for Forest Owner Cooperation, 2nd Edition
The 160-page guide is intended to show how private landowners, working together, can improve the ecological conditions of their lands while improving their own economic well-being and that of the communities in which their forest land is located.
Intended primarily for landowners and resource managers, the guide provides essential information on all aspects of establishing a forest owner cooperative, including: forest management, marketing, business planning, co-op governance, cooperative structures, non-timber forest products, sustainable certification, developing member education programs, and more.
The cost of the manual is $13. For more information about Sustainable Forestry Cooperatives, or to order a copy of Balancing Ecology and Economics: A Start-Up Guide for Forest Owner Cooperation, please visit: http://www.forestrycenter.org
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NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted material herein is distributed without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information, go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this newsletter for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.
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