National Association of Conservation Districts

Forestry Notes

August 2007
Volume XVI, Issue 9

| PDF version | Archive of Previous Issues |

1. Forestry Leaders Examine New Markets in Arizona
2. New Editor for Forestry Notes
3. Additional Copies of Fire Plan Booklet Available
4. Boone CD Helps Develop Park Forests
5. Survey Reveals Economic Impacts of Emerald Ash Borer
6. U.S. Forest Service Awards $1 Million to Enhance Hardwood Forests
7. Woody Biomass Comic Ready for Second Run
8. NAC Produces 'Working Trees for Water Quality' Brochure
9. NWTF Helps to Restore Longleaf Pine
10. Wood Pellet Heating Guidebook Available
11. Urban Forestry Bill, Grants in Wisconsin
12. Missoula Offers Workshop on Woody Biomass

1. Forestry Leaders Examine New Markets in Arizona
Northeastern Arizona played host to NACD’s Forestry Resources Committee meeting in early August. The group met jointly with the National Association of State Foresters in Show Low, Ariz.

The highlight of the three-day meeting was the group’s wide array of partners in attendance, including the U.S. Forest Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, and Extension Service,  Bureau of Land Management, National Wild Turkey Federation, American Loggers Council, and the Sierra Business Council.

On Monday, attendees were treated to local speakers who outlined how effective partnerships and landowner relations are making a difference in Arizona. An afternoon panel examined the 2007 Farm Bill and the role NACD has played in shaping policy. “Forestry is going to start to be included in places where it wasn’t included before,” said Larry Payne of USFS on the upcoming Farm Bill.

During the Tuesday morning session, a trio of speakers addressed potential economic value in future forestry markets. Bryce Stokes of USFS argued why wood energy must be a major player in the ongoing change in the alternative fuel industry. Consultant Gerald Talbert and Matt Smith of Forecon, Inc., each spoke about the developing concept of ecosystem services, and how a credit-based market approach could benefit forest landowners.

The group also toured the Rodeo-Chedeski fire region. Lakeside Ranger Ed Collins and tribal members explained how the White Mountain Apache area was affected by the widespread 2002 fires, and what preventive measures have been implemented as a result. Thinning practices on tribal lands, for example, have helped provide revenue to build homes in developmental areas, while limiting the threat of future fires. Collins also explained the history behind the Ponderosa pine region, and of the resistance USFS has met in its ongoing thinning efforts.

On the last leg of the tour the group was able to examine a local pellet plant, which relies on locally harvested wood to produce roughly 60,000 tons of packaged pellet material annually. (A photo tour is available on the NACD Website, http://www.nacdnet.org).

The relationship between NACD and NASF has long been a strong one. “It’s very good camaraderie,” said NASF Forest Resource Management Committee Chairman, Ray Aslin, “and it’s interesting to hear the stories from people from all over the country.”

Said Charles Holmes, chair of the NACD Forest Resources Committee, “It just makes so much sense getting together with the state foresters. It’s a close working relationship and we have many of the same goals.”

Early discussions suggest the group will meet in the southeast next October under the new title of the NACD Natural Resource Committee Forestry Resource Policy Group. Formal planning will take place in the coming months.

2. New Editor for Forestry Notes
At the end of August 2007, Tom Quink will step down as editor of Forestry Notes after 16 years of dedicated service. This has been a labor of love for Quink and all appreciate the yeoman’s service to the publication since its beginning in 1991.

Quink was honored for his service on August 7 at the NACD Forest Resources Committee meeting in Show Low, Ariz. In 2004, at NACD’s Annual Meeting in Hawaii, he received NACD’s Communications Award for his editorial efforts. There will be a special insert in the September issue of Forestry Notes honoring his work and the history of this publication.

Doug Williams will serve as the new Forestry Notes editor. Williams is no stranger to conservation districts and forestry. Prior to working as a contractor for NACD, Williams was National Forester for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Williams is a contributor to the publication and a member of its editorial board. His phone number and a new email address to submit material are listed on the last page of this issue.

3. Additional Copies of Fire Plan Booklet Available
In the June issue of Forestry Notes we alerted readers to a new NACD booklet, “Conservation Districts’ Role in Implementing the National Fire Plan – A Second Look.” The 16-page publication outlines the role conservation districts can play in helping to implement the National Fire Plan. The booklet is an updated version of the Fire Plan publication that NACD released in 2002. Sections include legislative issues, funding sources, strategies, and district success stories around the country. We have had a number of requests for additional copies.

For those who wish to receive additional copies of the booklet, please contact Fred Deneke at fjdeneke@yahoo.com or call 928/443-5456.

4. Boone CD Helps Develop Park Forests
The Boone County Conservation District has been working with parks for the last few years to find alternatives to mowing low-use areas. The objective is to add or improve areas in the parks that will appeal to broader interest groups such as bird and wildlife watchers.

In May, Boone County Parks, Kentucky Division of Forestry and the Boone County Conservation District teamed up to convert three acres of mowed grass to a forestry demonstration site at England-Idlewild Park.

Approximately 2,100 trees of seven different species were planted. This project will have many long-lasting benefits to the park and the community. The land will no longer have to be mowed after the establishment period, resulting in better use of staff time and budget resources. In time, the planting of a variety of native trees will improve biodiversity and provide habitat for native wildlife. Local residents interested in small woodlot forestry practices and wildlife watching opportunities will benefit as this once empty lawn develops into a mature and diverse part of the forest. Brad Schwenke, Supervisor of Maintenance for Boone County Parks, said that they like trying things that are “good for the environment and improve aesthetics of the park for visitors.”

Boone County Parks and the Division of Forestry are working cooperatively to improve and restore the natural resources in Boone County for all residents to enjoy and appreciate. Boone County Parks is also working with conservation districts and the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources to identify other areas for conversion to forested wildlife habitat.

For details on the project, contact Mark Jacobs, Boone and Kenton Counties Conservation Districts, 859/586-7903.

5. Survey Reveals Economic Impacts of Emerald Ash Borer
A survey of 200 communities with individuals such as urban foresters was conducted to provide baseline data on ash–tree density within Ohio communities. Sixty-seven communities responded, including the five largest cities in Ohio.

Losses in landscape value for ash trees within community boundaries were estimated to be between $0.8 and $3.4 billion, assuming the complete loss of ash resulting from the emerald ash borer. Tree removal costs would be somewhat smaller and range between $0.7 and $2.9 billion, based on reported median and mean costs. Tree replacement costs in Ohio communities, including streets, parks and private properties would range between $0.3 to $1.3 billion.

In aggregate, the total losses for Ohio communities including ash landscape losses, and tree removal and replacements are estimated to range between $1.8 and $7.6 billion for a single insect pest in a single state. The potential total costs in Ohio are estimated to be between $157,000 and $665,000 per 1000 residents. Communities can use these figures to begin developing contingency plans.

The survey was conducted by: T. David Syndor, Ohio State University at Columbus; Matthew Bumgardner, USDA-Forest Service, Delaware, OH; Andrew Todd, Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Forestry in Columbus.

Reference: Arboriculture & Urban Forestry, Vol. 33, No. 16, Pages 48-54, January 2007.

6. U.S. Forest Service Awards $1 Million to Enhance Hardwood Forests
The U.S. Forest Service announced it has awarded $1 million in grants to 17 selected projects to encourage innovation and applied research in hardwood forest products and their markets. The grants also will promote economic competitiveness of the domestic wood products manufacturing industry located in the eastern United States.

The grantees are required to match federal funds, dollar-for-dollar, and the selected projects will match a total $1.4 million for a grand total of $2.4 million to be invested in these endeavors. Nine projects will address increasing the economic competitiveness of the hardwood industry; three projects will focus on biomass utilization; and an additional five projects will deal with urban wood utilization, education, and the emerald ash borer.

Funding is provided through the USDA Forest Service Wood Education and Resource Center located in Princeton, W.Va., and is administered by the agency’s Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry organization.

For more information, contact Keith Tackett, USDA Forest Service, Northeastern Area State and Private Forestry, 610/557-4128, or email him at ktackett@fs.fed.us.

7. Woody Biomass Comic Ready for Second Run
“The Hidden Treasure” woody biomass comic book has been reprinted and is now ready for distribution. Readers will find a copy inserted with this month’s issue of Forestry Notes.

Thanks to a generous donation from the American Equipment Manufacturers Association and additional funds from some of their member companies, NACD was able to print 300,000 copies of the book. The initial printing of 100,000 copies in December 2006 was exhausted in a six-week period. The first print run was made available free of charge, however the copies of the new print run will involve a nominal charge plus shipping and handling. Costs will range from about 13 to 20 cents a copy, depending on quantities ordered.

NACD initially developed “The Hidden Treasure” through a cooperative agreement with the United States Department of the Interior and the Forest Service of the United States Department of Agriculture. The book presents messages that are closely tied to the goals and objectives of the USFS’s National Fire Plan.

“The Hidden Treasure” helps children understand the real worth of our valuable forest resources, so their treasure can be fully revealed. It provides an engaging and educational story for children in late elementary to middle school to help them understand that forest renewal improves the health of forests and provides biomass for many productive uses and how wood biomass will play an important role in our nation’s future, including energy security through the production of biofuels, biochemicals, and other sources of energy.

To view the comic book online, or to inquire about ordering and related educational materials please visit, http://www.nacdnet.org/education/hiddentreasure.

8. NAC Produces 'Working Trees for Water Quality' Brochure
Water quality is often at the heart of conservation activities. National Agroforestry Center’s (NAC) Working Trees for Water Quality brochures have been distributed worldwide to schools, garden clubs, and community board groups, in addition to natural resource professionals.

Working Trees for Water Quality is written and designed at a level to help inform and educate your clients, including community members, landowners, youth, and others.  The brochure introduces readers to how agroforestry can help protect water quality, while simultaneously achieving both landowner and community objectives. More specifically, the publication addresses sources of water resource problems and how to strategically incorporate working trees into the landscape to restore ecosystem services.

Visit NAC’s Website at http://www.unl.edu/nac for a preview of the brochures and coordinating displays. You can order publications from the website through Nancy Hammond at Hammond@fs.fed.us or 402/437-5712 (fax). Reserve displays by contacting Ryan Dee at ryandee@fs.fed.us or call 402/437-5178, ext. 14.

9. NWTF Helps to Restore Longleaf Pine
The National Wild Turkey Federation and Georgia Pacific are working cooperatively to restore more than 7,000 acres of longleaf pines over the next three years on public and private properties in Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and Florida. The restoration effort is being funded through a $1.1 million grant from the southern company and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

“Longleaf forests have declined gradually because of numerous factors including conversion to pasture and crop lands, conversion to other pine species and the lack of fire,” said Bryan Burhans, NWTF’s director for land management programs. “But the longleaf’s economic value is tremendous and the ecosystem’s value to wildlife is, too. That’s why we’re partnering to help restore longleaf stands throughout the southeast.”

At one time the longleaf pine forest was America’s most dominant forest type. Today, the longleaf pine forest has been reduced from 90 million acres to only three million.

In addition to restoring more than 7,000 acres of longleaf pine habitat, the project partners are hosting a series of wildlife habitat field days to teach landowners about the benefits of planting and managing longleaf pine.

During the field days, landowners will learn why longleaf pines are becoming increasingly popular with landowners and why seedlings are in high demand. They will also learn about using prescribed burning to manage the longleaf pine ecosystem and why it is a unique and diverse wildlife habitat.

The longleaf ecosystem is home to 26 federally listed endangered species including the indigo snake, red-cockaded woodpecker and gopher tortoise. Unlike other species of pine, longleaf are adapted to poor soils and are more suitable than other pine species for landscapes such as mountains, rolling hills, sandhills and flatwoods.

Landowners interested in restoring longleaf habitat on their properties can attend one of the NWTF’s landowner habitat field days.

For more information, contact NWTF’s Lynn Lewis-Weis at llewis-weis@nwtf.net or 800/843-6983.

10. Wood Pellet Heating Guidebook Available
The Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources recently published a wood pellet heating guidebook for commercial and industrial users. The 26-page booklet offers answers for commonly asked pellet-related questions, both basic and complex, and a list of resources. The chapters touch on a variety of issues, such as Components of a Wood Pellet Heating System, Environmental Considerations, and Economic Analysis.

According to its authors, the booklet argues that heating with biomass helps to mitigate environmental issues, is available at a lower cost than fossil fuels, offers convenience in storage, and packs a high energy content.

The booklet can be downloaded by visiting the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources website at http://www.mass.gov/doer.

11. Urban Forestry Bill, Grants in Wisconsin
Assembly Bill 36 was signed into law by Governor Doyle on May 30, 2007. The bill allows the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to expedite urban forestry grants to communities following catastrophic storm damage in an urban area for which the governor has declared a state of emergency.

The DNR will now begin the process of promulgating administrative rules to administer the grants. This includes drafting the language, taking it to public hearing for input, revising the rules considering the public input, and gaining approval from the Natural Resources Board, the Assembly Committee on Homeland Security and State Preparedness, and the Senate Committee on the Environment and Natural Resources.

Recently, the Wisconsin DNR announced the availability of funds for 2008 urban and community forestry projects. Wisconsin cities, villages, towns, counties, tribal governments and  non-profit organizations are invited to apply for grants to support urban and community forestry projects completed in 2008. Grants range from $1,000 to $25,000. Grant recipients must match the grant dollar-for-dollar. The deadline for submitting a completed grant application is October 1, 2007. For more information, contact a DNR regional urban forestry coordinator. They are available to assist in project and application development.

For additional information, visit http://dnr.wi.gov/org/land/forestry/uf/grants.

12. Missoula Offers Workshop on Woody Biomass
 “Making Wood Work: Local Energy Solutions,” a national workshop for implementing biomass boiler systems will be held October 16-18 in Missoula, Mont.

Attendees can connect with the entire biomass energy project team as they engage in in-depth working sessions on this increasingly popular renewable fuel solution for heating, cooling and energy generation which provides multiple benefits to communities and forests.

Readers will recall that the January 2007 issue of Forestry Notes featured Dave Atkins, Program Manager of the Fuels for Schools and Beyond Program, sharing a few insights with conservation districts and RC&Ds on how to make woody biomass energy work in their communities. This workshop expands on those lessons shared and in greater depth as the program guides participants through the nuts and bolts of system implementation from beginning to end. Topics covered include project feasibility, planning and design, implementation and operation, combustion technologies, fuel supply, environmental considerations, policies and incentives and financing opportunities. There will also be field tours of operating biomass boilers, new forest management technologies and exhibits.

With established partnerships and combined expertise across the private, local, state and federal sectors, conservation districts and RC&Ds are well-suited as partners, continuing to advance the wood-to-energy concept, and encouraging and assisting public and commercial facilities in communities across the nation with biomass energy projects.

Visit http://fuelsforschools.org/biomass_boiler_workshop.html or contact Bitter Root RC&D at 406/363-1444 ext. 5 for more on the workshop and to register. More information about Fuels for Schools can be found at http://www.fuelsforschools.org.