I. Featured News

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

1. EPA to Hold Hearing on Proposed Rule for Deferral of Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Bioenergy and Other Biogenic Sources

The Environmental Protection Agency will hold a hearing Tuesday, April 5, 2011 from 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm on its Proposed Rule for Deferral of Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Bioenergy and Other Biogenic Sources.

The hearing is open to the public (for those in the vicinity of Washington, DC) and individuals who wish to listen to it may do so via teleconference. To register, or for more information and instructions, visit the EPA website.

A transcript of the public hearing will be published in the Federal Register.

For more information on the EPA's Proposed Rule, click here.

2. Large Fires in South Carolina, Arizona. Evacuations Urged in Advance of Mammoth Fire

The State.com (South Carolina, March 23) - According to officials from the South Carolina Forestry Commission, a rapidly moving fire along near Charleston-Georgetown county line has grown to 1,100 acres and has the potential to double in size.

Thus far, the blaze has claimed at least two structures and there are reports of downed utility lines in the area. Several emergency agencies have sent crews to the area to battle the blaze, and authorities have called for a voluntary evacuation in the South Santee-McClellanville area.

Firefighters Prepare for Long Fight against Duke Wildfire

KGUN9.com (Arizona, March 22) - Fire crews are working day and night to contain a wildfire burning 12 miles south of Patagonia. The blaze, now known as the Duke wildfire, has burned 4,000 acres, and high winds have helped to fan the flames. As of March 23, fire officials confirmed the wildfire is only 10 percent contained. For the latest wildfire news, visit the website of the National Interagency Fire Center.

3. Judge Places California's Global Warming Program on Hold

LA Times (March 21) - A San Francisco superior court judge has put California's sweeping plan to curb greenhouse gas pollution on hold, saying the state did not adequately evaluate alternatives to its cap-and-trade program.

In a 35-page decision, Judge Ernest H. Goldsmith said the Air Resources Board failed to consider public comments on the proposed measures before adopting the plan, which affects a broad swath of the state's economy. In particular, the judge noted, officials gave short shrift to analyzing a carbon fee, or carbon tax, devoting a "scant two paragraphs to this important alternative" to a market-based trading system in their December 2008 plan.

4. A Quiet Revolution Sweeps Oregon Forests

Daily Astorian (March 18) - On the east and west sides of Oregon, old assumptions about the timber industry are no longer applicable. The stability that timber companies provided communities for more than a century is vanishing. Now they are focused on land sales and home construction, not forest growth and lumber manufacturing.

5. Unlikely Alliance Forms between Longtime Lumberman and Well-Known Environmentalist

East Oregonian (March 17) - An unlikely alliance between Oregon lumberman John Shelk and environmental activist Andy Kerr fostered one of the most high-profile legislative efforts to date to bolster active management in the federal forests-the Oregon Eastside Forest Restoration, Old Growth Protection, and Jobs Act. The bill stalled in Congress last year, but whatever happens in the new session, proponents say the proposal has focused a national spotlight on the plight of the fire- and disease-prone forests of eastern Oregon.

Federal Lands Management

6. US Forest Service Holds Open House on New Planning Rule

On March 10, the US Forest Service hosted a national public forum in Washington, DC, to discuss its proposed Forest Planning Rule. To encourage further participation, there will be additional public forums held throughout the country during the comment period. To see a forum schedule, visit the agency's Planning Rule website and look on the right side of the screen (under "quick links").

Missoula Audience Scrutinizes US Forest Service's Proposed Planning Rule
Missoulian, March 23

Proposed National Forest Service Rules Draw Fire at Seattle Teleconference
Peninsula Daily News, March 23

US Forest Service's Draft Planning Rule Gets Mixed Review
Casper Star News Tribune, March 23

7. Unmanned Aircraft Offer New Tools for the Emergency Response Arsenal

Emergency Management (March 24) - A wildfire's thick black smoke blots out the sun, cloaking the area in a premature dusk. As glowing embers spiral up through the haze, a small camera-equipped aircraft skirts a wall of flames on a dangerous mission to record hot spots and track the fire's progression. That is, it would be dangerous if an actual pilot was on board, but this is an unmanned aircraft.

8. Interior Announces Proposed Settlement of Gray Wolf Lawsuit

US Fish and Wildlife Service (March 18) - The US Fish and Wildlife Service has reached an agreement with the majority of plaintiffs, including Defenders of Wildlife, the Greater Yellowstone Coalition, and eight other conservation organizations, to settle ongoing litigation over a Federal District Court's 2010 decision to reinstate Endangered Species Act (ESA) protections for gray wolves in the northern Rocky Mountains.

If approved by the court, the settlement offers a path for the Service to return management of the recovered wolf populations in Idaho and Montana to the States while the Service considers options for delisting gray wolves across the Rocky Mountain region, where population levels have returned to biologically recovered levels.

For more information, visit the US Fish and Wildlife Service's website (see item #3, 03/18/11)

Deal Takes Idaho Wolf Packs Off Endangered List
Oregon Public Broadcasting, March 21

Obama Administration Officials and Wildlife Advocates Reach Uneasy Agreement over Gray Wolves' Status
LA Times, March 21

Forest Products Industry

9. Timber Firms Rally to Japanese Cause

Globe and Mail (March 16) - Major Canadian forest products companies are joining forces to support a massive reconstruction effort in Japan that will spur much-needed demand for timber and other building materials.

Canadian forestry companies, particularly lumber producers in British Columbia, have carefully built deep relationships in Japan over the past several decades. Now they are rushing to help government-led efforts to rebuild infrastructure and put up new housing for the hundreds of thousands left homeless as a result of the natural disaster that hit last week.

10. USDA Invests Millions in Research on the Effects of Climate Change on Crops and Forests

Washington Post (March 21) - The federal government is investing $60 million in three major studies on the effects of climate change on crops and forests to help ensure farmers and foresters can continue producing food and timber while trying to limit the impact of a changing environment.

Tim Martin, a professor of tree physiology at the University of Florida and the head of the forestry project, said the forestry research would focus on the loblolly pine, which covers 80 percent of the planted forest land in the southeastern United States.

11. Eighteen Months after Green Light, No Movement on Plum Creek Plan

Bangor Daily News (March 20) - Eighteen months ago, Plum Creek received the regulatory green light for one of the largest, costliest, and most contentious development proposals in Maine history. Yet, a year and a half later, Plum Creek's concept plan for the Moosehead region remains just that-a concept on paper. Opponents had signaled their intention to appeal even before members of the Land Use Regulation Commission voted unanimously to rezone more than 10,000 acres near Moosehead. However, that appeal is still pending.

II. Publications, Resources, and Items of Interest

1. ECE, FAO Launch PhD Thesis Award

United Nations (March 21) - To promote scientific research on sustainable forest management, the Economic Commission for Europe/Food and Agriculture Organization Forestry and Timber section has launched a PhD Thesis Award.

The prize of $10,000 will be awarded to the best PhD thesis providing new data and insights into forest management, and how to balance forest conservation, forest productivity, and social well being. The winning thesis may also touch upon new tools and strategies to face compelling problems and challenges such as climate change, pests and diseases, fire management, institutional barriers, etc.

For more information, visit the United Nation's Economic Commission for Europe's website.

2. Nature Matters: Home Improvement for Wildlife and Humans

Northlands Newscenter.com (March 21) - When Rick Lundquist wanted to improve the wildlife habitat of his Gnesen Township property he contacted the forests for humanity project, an organization that gets private property owners together with foresters and loggers to benefit Habitat for Humanity projects.

3. Fish and Wildlife Service Survey to Launch Major National Survey

The US Fish and Wildlife Service will soon be conducting the 12th National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation. Hunters, anglers, and other wildlife enthusiasts across the nation will be asked to participate in the interview process set to begin April 1. The survey, which has been conducted every 5 years since 1955, will involve 53,000 households.

According to the agency, the survey provides the only comprehensive statistical database available on participation and expenditures for hunting, fishing, and wildlife-watching in all 50 states. The information is collected by the US Census Bureau, primarily through telephone interviews to be conducted April to June and September to October in 2011, and January to March in 2012. Those contacted will be asked about their participation and expenditures in several categories of wildlife-associated recreation. The results will be available in a national report and in 50 individual state reports.

III. Science and Technology

1. Forests Are Key for High-Quality Water Supply

FAO.org (March 18) - By 2025, 1.8 billion people will be living in regions with absolute water scarcity and two-thirds of the world's population may experience water-stress conditions. Forests capture and store water and can play an important role in providing drinking water for millions of people in the world's mega-cities. Given this fact, the members of the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF), international organizations involved in forests, call upon countries to pay more attention to forest protection and management for the provision of clean water.

2. Fruit-Eating Fish Does Far-Flung Forestry

Science News (March 23) - According to Scientists at Duke University, when rivers in the Amazon Basin flood into surrounding forests and savannas, a fruit-eating fish called a tambaqui proves itself a champion at excreting seeds in distant new homes. In extreme cases, seeds hitchhiking with the fish can land almost 5.5 kilometers from the mother tree.

3. Ancient Human Trash Heaps Gave Rise to Everglades Tree Islands, Research Suggests

American Geophysical Union (March 21) - Garbage mounds left by prehistoric humans might have driven the formation of many of the Florida Everglades' "tree islands."

Scientists have thought for many years that the so-called fixed tree islands developed on protrusions from the rocky layer of a mineral called carbonate that sits beneath the marsh. Now, new research indicates that the real trigger for island development might have been middens, or trash piles left behind from human settlements that date back 5,000 years.

IV. SAF News

1. Membership Benefit: Consulting Forester's Liability and Prescribed Burn Liability Insurance Coverage

Do you need comprehensive, reliable, and affordable insurance coverage specifically designed to protect consulting foresters? If so, visit the SAF website to find out more on how SAF can help you get it.

2. Upcoming SAF Meetings

National Workshop on Climate & Forests

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

Posters Deadline: March 22. Click here to submit your poster.

New England SAF Winter Meeting
The 91st Annual Winter Meeting of the New England SAF will be held in Fairlee, VT, from March 30 thru April 1. The meeting will include speakers, concurrent technical sessions, field trips, and workshops. CFEs are available.

Colorado-Wyoming SAF Meeting

The Colorado-Wyoming SAF will meet May 12-14 at the Strater Hotel in Durango. Organized under the theme "Managing Forests for Resiliency in a Climate of Change," the meeting will include a state society business meeting (May 12), technical sessions (May 13), and a field trip (May 14). CFE credits will be available.

For more information, contact Steve Ambrose.

3. Get the Most from Your New Membership Benefit-Free Online Access to All SAF Journals!

Beginning in January, your SAF membership now includes free online access to the Northern, Southern, and Western Journals of Applied Forestry, as well as Forest Science, SAF's premiere journal of forestry research and theory.

To take advantage of this new membership benefit, sign up for a new issue alert, which automatically sends you an e-mail when new issues are available. You can also set up a RSS feed for the latest or recent issues. Simply visit our online content, select the journal for which you wish to receive an alert or feed, then click the corresponding link beneath the issue thumbnail.

Remember: if you've never accessed SAF's online journal collection, you'll need to register first to take advantage of your new benefit. Follow these simple, one-time registration instructions and then be on your way to exploring the latest science and research, as well as new techniques and practices for effective, productive forest management.

For assistance with the registration process, contact Matt Walls.

4. 2011 Ben Meadows Scholarships

The Society of American Foresters is pleased to announce two new scholarships offered by Ben Meadows and administered by SAF.

All scholarship candidates must be enrolled, full time, as a junior or senior in a natural resource program working toward a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree, which includes, but is not limited to, agroforestry, urban forestry, environmental studies, natural resource management, natural resource recreation, wildlife management, wood science and fisheries management.

The scholarships, one for academic achievement and one based on leadership, are each worth $2,500.

Applications are due by June 30, 2011. Eligible students are encouraged to apply. Instructions, complete requirements, and the application form can be found on the Ben Meadows website.

5. SAF Seeks Editor for Southern Journal of Applied Forestry

The Society of American Foresters is seeking an editor for the Southern Journal of Applied Forestry, SAF's quarterly journal of applied forestry serving foresters and allied professionals with research, practices, and techniques targeted to the southern United States. The editor serves a 3-year term (beginning September 1, 2011) and receives a stipend of $650 per month.

Send resume, selected publication vitae, and a letter describing qualifications and interest in the position to Matthew Walls, Director of Publications, Society of American Foresters, 5400 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda, MD 20814-2198, fax: (301) 897-3691.

The application deadline is April 30, 2011. For questions regarding responsibilities and qualifications, contact Matt Walls.

The Society of American Foresters is an equal opportunity employer.

---

About The E-Forester:

A Benefit of SAF Membership: The E-Forester is sent to SAF members in good standing each week. If you are a SAF member but are not receiving The E-Forester, please send an e-mail message with your full name and current e-mail address to Eforest@safnet.org. Please be sure to write "subscribe" in the subject line.

Disclaimer: The Society of American Foresters does not necessarily endorse the views expressed in the news items and/or links to additional information that appear in The E-Forester.

Meeting Announcements: The E-Forester will no longer include announcements for forestry events, gatherings, or tours not (co)sponsored by SAF.

Feedback: Do you have a comment about The E-Forester? Send it to us at Eforest@safnet.org.