CFRC Weekly Summary - August 13, 2009

News

The Carbon Footprint Of Beetle Infestations
Aug. 13, 2009
An infestation of beetles in forests across North America has some regulators concerned over the increasing carbon footprint their devastation could leave behind. http://www.forestrycenter.org/index.cfm?RefID=106634

Court blocks road construction in national forests
AP via Google | Aug. 13, 2009
A federal appeals court Wednesday blocked road construction in at least 40 million acres of pristine national forests. http://www.forestrycenter.org/index.cfm?RefID=106635

India makes forestry key plank in climate change plan
AFP via Terra Daily | Aug. 13, 2009
The Indian government unveiled a major plan to protect its forests on Tuesday, saying the initiative was a key element in its strategy to combat climate change. http://www.forestrycenter.org/index.cfm?RefID=106630

Kimberly-Clark preferences FSC in revised procurement policy
FSC | Aug. 13, 2009
Kimberly-Clark (K-C) has announced a stronger procurement standard that outlines the company’s intent to secure all of its wood fiber from environmentally responsible sources. The revised policy gives preference to FSC certified wood fiber and sets targets for FSC certified fiber in the K-C supply chain. http://www.forestrycenter.org/index.cfm?RefID=106631

Reminder: FSC invites comments on first comprehensive review of Principles and Criteria
FSC | Aug. 13, 2009
FSC is calling for FSC members, National Initiatives, certification bodies and all other interested parties to comment on Draft 2-0 of Version 5 of the Principles and Criteria (P&C) before 4 September 2009. http://www.forestrycenter.org/index.cfm?RefID=106632

Workers overwhelmed as B.C. burns
The Globe and Mail | Aug. 13, 2009
Blazes are being left to burn unchecked so firefighters can focus on at-risk communities http://www.forestrycenter.org/index.cfm?RefID=106636

Events

WEBINAR: Emerald Ash Borer Quarantine: Q&A
August 18, 2009, Webinar
Agenda Coming Soon.

For more information, visit http://www.forestrycenter.org/events.cfm?refID=106552&categoryID=.

Native Woodland Plant Identification
August 20, 2009, Stillwater, MN
Please join us for a hands-on field identification of native woodland plants. This session will also provide an overview of the MN DNR Native Plant Classification system and field guides used as tools for woodland stewardship planning.

For more information, contact Barb Spears at 651-328-0463 or bjspears@q.com, or visit http://www.forestrycenter.org/events.cfm?refID=106599&categoryID=.

Agroecology Summit
August 21, 2009, Windom, MN
In conjunction with IATP and with sponsorship from NCR SARE, we are excited to present this field day for agriculture and conservation educators. With its native grasses, wetlands, ponds, and waterways, Willow Lake Farm is well-situated to demonstrate the advantages of adding conservation practices to conventional agriculture.

For more information, contact Jill Sackett at 507-238-5449 or sacke032@umn.edu, or visit http://www.forestrycenter.org/events.cfm?refID=106641&categoryID=.

Minnesota ForestManagement Guidelines – Introduction & Implementation.
September 1-2, 2009, Cloquet, MN
These two days of training provide an introduction to Minnesota's Forest Management and Biomass Harvesting Guidelines. After completing both days, participants will be knowledgeable of the Guidelines and how to implement them in their sale design and harvest operations.

For more information, visit http://www.forestrycenter.org/events.cfm?refID=106553&categoryID=.

Timber Stand Improvement
October 10, 2009, Baraboo WI
Understanding management practices can help you to guide the future of your forest. This class will give forest landowners an opportunity to understand an important forest management practice, timber stand improvement (TSI).

For more information, contact Alanna Koshollek at 608-355-0279, ext. 30 or alanna@aldoleopold.org, or visit http://www.forestrycenter.org/events.cfm?refID=106639&categoryID=

Game of Logging: Level I
October 11, 2009, Baraboo, WI
Mastering the basics of chainsaw safety is essential for woodland owners who want to be more active on their land, from making firewood to timber stand improvement. The “Game of Logging” is a four-level series designed to increase safety and efficiency of chainsaw use.

For more information, contact Alanna Koshollek at 608-355-0279, ext. 30 or alanna@aldoleopold.org, or visit http://www.forestrycenter.org/events.cfm?refID=106640&categoryID=

Information

Job Opening: Chain-of-Custody Associate, SmartWood Program

The CoC Associate will coordinate and manage the execution of SmartWood CoC certification services for a subset of new and existing SmartWood clients in the US. S/he will be directly involved in all aspects of CoC certification assessments and audits including scheduling, project management, customer service, management of contract auditors and quality control. The CoC Associate will also be expected to participate in projects as an auditor.

For more information about this position, visit: http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/about.cfm?id=coc_associate_us.

Job Opening: Executive Director, Forest Guild.

The Forest Guild seeks qualified candidates for immediate Executive Director position opening for national organization of foresters and allied natural resource professionals dedicated to promoting environmentally and socially responsible forest management. Headquartered in Santa Fe, New Mexico, the Forest Guild maintains presence nationwide with regional office in Massachusetts and volunteer coordinators in 11 states.

The successful candidate will have demonstrated professional leadership experience in non-profit management, fundraising, and professional forestry or closely related natural resource discipline. Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. Detailed Position Description available: http://www.forestguild.org or call 505.983.8992 x 20. APPLICATION DEADLINE: August 31, 2009.

Woody Biomass Harvest for Habitat Restoration in Minnesota
An RFP titled "Woody Biomass Harvest for Habitat Restoration" has been posted to solicit potential projects to be funded through the Woody Biomass Project of the MN DNR Ecological Resources Division. Funds to be dispersed in this final round resulted from previous projects that were completed at a cost lower than originally estimated.

The project description, selection criteria, selection process, and application information can be found on the MN DNR Grants webpage at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/grants/habitat/biomass.html. Application deadline is 12:00 noon on June 26, 2009. Please contact Barb Spears, Woody Biomass Project Coordinator, with any questions at 651-259-5849

Publications

Forests, Water and People Analysis
USDA Forest Service

The Forests, Water and People analysis uses maps produced in a geographic information system (GIS) to highlight the connection between forests and the protection of surface drinking water quality. This connection of "forest to faucet" is of vital importance to people in the Northeast and Midwest. Forests are the crucial first barrier to protection of drinking water, and managing forests for source water protection is becoming more important as the population and water demand increase. Approximately 50 to 75 percent of the region’s population relies on surface water as their municipal drinking water source – more than 52 million people receive clean drinking water from nearly 1,600 community water systems. These water supplies are protected largely by private forest lands. This analysis identifies these water supplies and the forests that protect them. Learn more at: http://www.na.fs.fed.us/watershed/fwp_preview.shtm.

Two Forests Under the Big Sky: Tribal v. Federal Management
Property and Environment Research Center
In this policy series, Alison Berry continues her work on the quality of forests that result under different management schemes. She contrasts side-by-side forests in Montana. One is operated by the United States Forest Service under the watchful eye of Congress. The other is run by Indian tribes on reservation lands. Learn more at: http://www.perc.org/articles/article1174.php.

Earthworm Invasion as the Driving Force Behind Plant Invasion and Community Change in Northeastern North American Forests

Nuzzo, VictoriaA.; Maerz, John C.; Blossey, Bernd | Conservation Biology | August 2009
Identification of factors that drive changes in plant community structure and contribute to decline and endangerment of native plant species is essential to the development of appropriate management strategies. Introduced species are assumed to be driving causes of shifts in native plant communities, but unequivocal evidence supporting this view is frequently lacking. We measured native vegetation, non-native earthworm biomass, and leaf-litter volume in 15 forests in the presence and absence of 3 non-native plant species (Microstegium vimineum, Alliaria petiolata, Berberis thunbergii) to assess the general impact of non-native plant and earthworm invasions on native plant communities in northeastern United States. More information at http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/bsc/cbi/2009/00000023/00000004/art00029

Property Tax Relief for Forest Landowners
Mel Baughman | Feb. 26, 2009
An excellent document written by Mel Baughman for the Minnesota Forestry Association about SFIA and 2c. http://www.forestrycenter.org/index.cfm?RefID=105337