I. Featured News

All of these items and more appear in the "Featured News" section on the SAF home page

1. Wyoming Forest Officials Address Pine Beetle Epidemic

Billings Gazette (January 13) - Officials with the US Forest Service and the Wyoming State Forestry Division found another 314,000 acres of tree mortality across Wyoming in 2010, bringing to 3.1 million acres the total forest area lost since the mountain pine beetle epidemic appeared in the state in 1996. Tony Dixon, acting regional forester with the US Forest Service's Rocky Mountain Region, said forestry officials are working to reduce the risk of falling trees to both the public and forestry workers. They're also looking for new ways to use beetle-killed trees while planning for new forest landscapes.

2. Range Fuels Plant Needs More Money

Georgia Public Broadcasting (January 12) - The Range Fuels plant in Soperton, Georgia, that turns wood waste into fuel is stopping production right after they make their first batch of ethanol and laying off most of its employees.

The Colorado-based company broke ground on its Georgia facility in 2007. Since then, the company has received 320 million dollars in state, federal, and private money, but now the company is trying to raise more.

3. Survey: Maine Loggers Doing Better Job Protecting Water Quality

Maine Public Broadcasting (January 12) - Maine Forest Service officials say a survey of 500 randomly selected harvest sites around the state between 2005 and 2009 shows that most loggers employ best management practices (BMPs) to protect water quality. According to the agency, loggers were using BMPs at 84 percent of the sites surveyed.

To read the executive summary or the complete report, visit the Maine Forest Service's website.

4. Cedar Rapids Crews Begin Tree Removal to Fight Ash Borer

KCRZG Iowa (January 7) - Public works officials in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, have called for the removal of more trees to prevent the spread of the emerald ash borer. This winter, the city will take down 325 ash trees from public right-of-ways showing signs of disease or stress for other reasons-trees would be the first to fall victim to the ash borer when it arrives. Officials believe that, with a little luck, the city has 5 to 10 years at most before the ash borer arrives.

5. Washington Should Make Jet Fuel from Wood Waste

Seattle Post-Intelligencer (January 11) - Speaking at the Pacific West Biomass Conference in Seattle recently, Commissioner of Public Lands Peter Goldmark proposed legislation to establish a Washington State Department of Natural Resources pilot project to generate aviation biofuel from wood waste and mill residue, and create a stakeholder group to develop a strategy for the sustainable biofuel industry.

Federal Lands Management

6. EPA Punts on Regulating Biomass

The Oregonian (January 12) - The US Environmental Protection Agency has decided to defer regulating greenhouse gas emissions from biomass burning for 3 years, a potential boost for wood-fired power plants. The agency said it needs 3 years to assess the global warming consequences of burning wood, forest slash, mill waste, straw, manure, and other substances other than fossil fuels for energy.

To read information on biomass from the EPA, visit the agency's website.

Additional articles:

EPA Delays Decision on Biogenic Carbon Emissions
RFA Encouraged by EPA's Deferral of Biogenic GHG Emissions Penalty
EPA to Delay CO2 Permit Requirements for Biomass

7. Forest Service Gets County Backing for Local Projects

Aspen Daily News (January 12) - The Pitkin County (Colorado) commissioners recently expressed support for a wide-ranging federal campaign to tackle forest health issues on 50,000 acres of the 2.3 million-acre White River National Forest. The projects would include logging and prescribed burns in the Aspen area backed by private funds.

8. Groups Appeal Plumas National Forest OHV Plan

Plumas County News (January 12) - Sierra Access Coalition (SAC) and the California Off-Road Vehicle Association (CORVA) recently filed a joint administrative appeal to the Plumas National Forest (PNF) Travel Management Plan. The appeal argues the agency's plan would adversely impact not only motorized recreational use of the forest but also cut down access necessary for non-motorized uses. In addition, the groups contended that the Forest Service failed to adequately involve the public in the process of developing the plan and didn't give proper weight to the input it did receive.

Forest Products Industry

9. US Farm Group: Install Pumps, End Ethanol Credit

Reuters (January 12) - According to the American Farm Bureau Federation, Congress should transform the $6 billion a year ethanol tax credit into a program that underwrites the installation of "blender" pumps and pipelines so biofuels are more widely available.

10. China's Appetite for Logs Leaves New Zealand Mills Short

Otago Daily Times (New Zealand, January 11) - The New Zealand Timber Industry Federation reports demand for lumber and logs, primarily from Asia, has led to record tree harvesting, with log exports in the June quarter of 6.3 million cubic meter, 18% ahead of the previous corresponding period.

11. Huntington Woman Writing Thesis on Women in Timber

Lufkin Daily News (January 11) - Meredith May, a graduate student at Texas Christian University is writing her thesis on women who worked alongside their male counterparts in the timber industry after the war. She hopes to debunk the "housewife only" myth, and is now searching for anyone interested in helping her tell the untold story of women who worked in blue collar jobs.

II. Publications, Resources, and Items of Interest

1. Using Economic Incentives to Connect US Forests, Water, and Communities

World Resources Institute (January 12) - In December 2010, more than 50 US natural resource practitioners and experts joined the Northern Forests Watershed Incentive Project's second annual webinar, which provided an overview of the project and covered successes to date. You can view the webinar here.

2. Schaaf Honored for Leadership

Sequim Gazette (January 12) - Washington Agriculture & Forestry Education Foundation presented its Excellence in Leadership Award to SAF member Norm Schaaf, of Port Angeles. The award recognizes Agriculture and Forestry Leadership Program graduates who have demonstrated excellence following their participation in the 2-year program.

3. Updated Tax Tips for Forest Landowners for the 2010 Tax Year e

The US Forest Service has released an updated version of its September 2010 Tax Tips bulletin, so that it includes recent changes in Public Law 111-312, which was enacted on December 17, 2010. That said, like its predecessors, this new version provides tax tips for woodland owners and their tax advisors in the preparation of the 2010 individual tax return.

To view this bulletin, as well as other forestry-related tax information, visit the US Forest Service's Cooperative Forestry website.

III. Science and Technology

1. Report Addresses Benefits of Forestation

A new report from Dovetail Partners addresses the environmental and economic benefits of forestation opportunities in Minnesota. The report illustrates that a holistic, ecosystem-based approach will maximize the benefits of a forestation initiative. The report expands upon an analysis completed by the Minnesota Forest Resources Council, which evaluated the carbon sequestration benefits of planting trees in Minnesota.

2. Winter Temperatures Play Complex Role in Triggering Spring Budburst

The opening of buds on Douglas-fir trees each spring is the result of a complex interplay between cold and warm temperatures during the winter, scientists with the US Forest Service's Pacific Northwest Research Station have found. Their research-which is featured in the December issue of Science Findings, a monthly publication of the station-led to the development of a novel model to help managers predict budburst under different scenarios of future climate.

3. Upland Hardwood Silviculture Course Available on Free DVD

The US Forest Service Southern Research Station is distributing free copies of a DVD that features videos and other resources from the Station's popular Upland Hardwood Silviculture course. The course provides foresters, land managers, and other natural resource professionals with the latest information on practices and research results needed to manage upland hardwood forests.

For more information, visit the Southern Research Station website.

IV. SAF News

1. Get $10 Off Your 2012 Membership Dues for Every New and Reinstating Member You Recruit!

Membership is all about networking. Now you can save money and help the organization by recruiting your colleagues. For every new or former professional member you recruit, you receive $10 off your 2012 national dues.

Show Them How They Can:

• Access the nation's largest listing of continuing forestry education
• Enhance their professional credentials with the Certified Forester® program
• Get discounted pricing on the NEW Forestry Mobile App
• Use the all-new Career Center and post their résumé in the online database
• Get discounted rates on Consulting and Prescribed Fire Insurance
• Get FREE online subscription to Forest Science
• Get FREE online subscriptions to the Regional Applied Journals of Forestry
• Learn about the latest developments in forest policy
• Get discounted rates on automotive insurance
• Get involved locally and make a difference

Be the Sponsor

Help them sign up by visiting the SAF website or call (866) 897-8720 x110 and make sure they list you as the sponsor. You don't pay anything but you can save a lot.

2. Meetings of Note

Allegheny Winter Meeting

The Allegheny SAF's 2011 winter meeting, titled "Maintaining and Enjoying Our Forests," will be held in Clarion, Pennsylvania, on February 16, 17, and 18. Hosted by the Plateau Chapter, the meeting is open to all members of Allegheny SAF as well as any others who may wish to attend.

Additional information may be obtained from Howard Wurzbacher at (814) 432-3187.

National Workshop on Climate & Forests

Planning Tools and Perspectives on Adaptation and Mitigation Options
Northern Arizona University
May 16-18, 2011 - Flagstaff, Arizona

Join leading scientists, foresters, and educators to learn and discuss what needs to be done today to manage tomorrow's forests. Participate in regionally themed breakouts to discuss the implementation of adaptation and mitigation options and share your accomplishments at the poster session.

Early-Bird Discounts End April 2

To register, or for more information, visit the SAF website.

3. Call for Presentations Now Open

We want a science and technical program for the 2011 SAF National Convention that appeals broadly to the forestry profession by highlighting cutting-edge, forest-focused science delivered in a way that is interesting to scientists and accessible to forest managers. To that end, we invite you to submit your presentation or poster for this exciting event.

For information on submiting your presentation or poster, visit the SAF website.

4. Henry Clepper Forest Policy Internship Available

SAF's Henry Clepper Forest Policy Internship at SAF's national office in Bethesda, MD, is now available for graduate or upper-level undergraduate students enrolled in accredited forestry programs, other natural resource programs, or in public policy programs with a forestry background. Knowledge of the programs, positions, and services of the Society of American Foresters is a plus. Interns serve as assistant to the director of forest policy and will be perform duties such as preparing background reports, monitoring legislation, and serving as a liaison to other natural resource organizations.

Stipend: $1200 per month.
Time Commitment: flexible

To apply: Send cover letter, resume, writing sample, transcripts, and list of references to Erica Rhoad, director of forest policy, Society of American Foresters, 5400 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20184-2198; fax (301) 897-3690.

For more information, contact Rhoad at (301) 897-8720, ext. 115.

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