Community Forestry Resource Center

Community Forestry Resource Center Weekly News and Event Summary August 17, 2006

This message includes news, headlines, and information gathered during the week.

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HEADLINES:

Environmental groups challenge Superior forest plan (MN)

Boundary Waters campers re-entering fire zone (MN)

Turning slash into cash

Groups to fight logging (VA)

Replacement trees fall victim to weather (MS)

Genetics Linked With Ecosystem Evolution (AZ)

Forest fires a huge cost to health (Canada)

A fairy tale from Mexican forests

OTHER HEADLINES ON http://www.forestrycenter.org/News/News.cfm * Wisconsin banned from killing gray wolves * Companies successfully develop compostable paper coating * Curbs on mercury only dent global threat * Cultivating chestnuts (ME) * This East Side tree does its own watering (TX)

------EVENTS:

The History of Indian Forest Management in Minnesota August 21, 2006, Bemidji, MN

Shack Seminar Series: Legacy Center Building Site Open House August 21, 2006, Baraboo, WI

Interior Forest Bird Friendly Forestry Workshops September 8, 9, and 23, 2006, Sandstone, MN Certification and Sustainability for Furniture Manufacturers September 21, 2006, High Point, NC

MN Forestry Association Annual Meeting and Woodlands as Resources Conference September 22-23, 2006, Collegeville, MN

Forestry in the Headwaters: Forest Guild 2006 Annual Meeting and Conference September 27-30, 2006, Boulder Junction, WI

Forest Stand Dynamics October 8-13, 2006, New Haven, CT

For more event listings visit: http://www.forestrycenter.org/Calendar/Cal.cfm

------INFORMATION:

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Pesticides Policy

Wisconsin: Signs of oak wilt showing up in infected trees

For more documents and information visit: http://www.forestrycenter.org/Search/search.cfm

------PUBLICATIONS:

Innovations in Design & Construction: Opportunities for the Wood Industry

Balancing Ecology and Economics: A Start-up Guide for Forest Owner Cooperation

------HEADLINES:

Environmental groups challenge Superior forest plan (MN)

Four environmental groups have filed suit against the U.S. Forest Service alleging the long-term Superior National Forest plan fails to protect biodiversity in and around the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The groups claim that extensive logging planned near the BWCAW may have impacts on wildlife and biodiversity within the wilderness area that the 2004 forest plan fails to account for. http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/local/15284866.htm OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=88751 ------

Boundary Waters campers re-entering fire zone (MN)

Most of the area that burned since the Cavity Lake fire began July 14 is once again open to the public. But 46 of the approximately 110 campsites in the fire zone remain closed because they're damaged or unsafe. Seven small lakes also remain closed. Campers are seeing plenty of green in the fire zone. Many hillsides came out unscathed, and some were only singed. Even in the most heavily charred areas, tiny shoots for aspen and birch trees are starting to emerge. Small sprigs of grass, ferns and wild geraniums already are pushing through blackened soil. http://wcco.com/topstories/local_story_225132735.html OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=88746

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Turning slash into cash

A small company in Ottawa, Canada, says it has developed an economical way of turning North America's vast supply of forest waste, called "slash," into a carbon-neutral liquid for power generation and chemical production. Its approach is built around a modular, quick-to-assemble pyrolysis plant that can follow logging companies into the bush and directly convert their leftover trimmings into a clean-burning renewable fuel. http://www.technologyreview.com/read_article.aspx?id=17298&ch=biztech OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=88702

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Groups to fight logging (VA)

Environmentalists are vowing to continue their fight against logging in the Jefferson National Forest in Virginia despite new U.S. Forest Service rules they say will increase timber cuts. Various environmental groups had filed appeals two years ago to stop proposed land-management plans for five Southern national forests, including the Jefferson, arguing that the Forest Service ignored conservationists' analysis that the plans would allow logging to destroy wildlife habitat and choke pristine streams. http://www.timesdispatch.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=RTD%2FMGArticle %2FRTD_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149189966188&path=! news&s=1045855934842 OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm? refid=88706

------Replacement trees fall victim to weather (MS)

About 100 trees being raised to replace those destroyed on the Mississippi Gulf Coast by Hurricane Katrina have fallen victim to drought and heat. The city is growing the hardwood trees as replacements for trees lost as a result of the Aug. 29 storm. http://www.clarionledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060816/NEWS/608160349 OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=88750

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Genetics Linked With Ecosystem Evolution (AZ)

A team of scientists from the United States, Canada and Australia has found that the genes of one organism not only control the characteristics of that individual but also dictate the behavior of thousands of other organisms in a community. They say these genes influence the evolution of an entire ecosystem. Among the genes under study are those that control the level of tannins in cottonwoods, which are dominant trees in riparian habitats in the West. http://www.ens-newswire.com/ens/aug2006/2006-08-10-03.asp OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=88700

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Forest fires a huge cost to health (Canada)

Forest fires don't just have an impact on the environment, but on human health, according to a new study from the University of Alberta in Edmonton, Canada, which attempted to put a price tag on the actual economic losses caused by one such fire. http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2006/08/060810211036.htm OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=88747

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A fairy tale from Mexican forests

Development is possible if there is not only an active participation by the people but also a community ownership of natural resources. Community ownership ensures a unique type of development, which is sustainable in the long run. Comparatively, the results have shown that corporate control of natural resources leads to lopsided development, with employment opportunities to few and fast depletion of natural resources. The government control over natural resources, too, is not the right remedy. The government should act as a facilitator and allow local communities to manage the resources. http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=136449 OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=88744

------EVENTS

The History of Indian Forest Management in Minnesota August 21, 2006, Bemidji, MN

Presenting will be Robert Lintelmann, agency forester for the USDI Bureau of Indian Affairs, Minnesota Agency. He plans to provide a brief history of Indian forest management in Minnesota including a description of some of the major congressional acts that influenced Indian forest management in the past century. Lintelmann will also describe the basic organizational structure, mission and current function of the BIA and its current natural resource management programs and describe some of the unique complexities and challenges that tribal and BIA resource managers face today.

Contact CRI at 218-755-4900 or [email protected] or see http://www.cri- bsu.org/natres_8_21_06.html

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Shack Seminar Series: Legacy Center Building Site Open House August 21, 2006, Baraboo, WI

As the construction of the Leopold Legacy Center progresses, unique technologies will be installed that will make it extremely energy and water efficient. Come out to the building site for a tour of the latest progress on the installation of earth tubes that will act as part of the HVAC system for the Legacy Center, a close up view of the construction, and detailed information on the challenges and benefits of earth-sheltered design.

Contact Jeannine Richards at 608-355-0279 x. 5# or [email protected] or see http://www.aldoleopold.org/calendar.htm

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Interior Forest Bird Friendly Forestry Workshops September 8, 9, and 23, 2006, Sandstone, MN

Offered on three separate occasions, the objective of this workshop is to provide training in interior forest bird species of concern in the region, types of forest management techniques that benefit those species, and special considerations for planning forest activities to benefit songbirds. In-class and field sessions will be a part of the evening workshop on September 8th and the day-long workshops on September 9th and 23rd. Contact Craig Prudhomme at 888-404-7743 or [email protected] or see http://www.forestrycenter.org/library.cfm?refid=87978

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Certification and Sustainability for Furniture Manufacturers September 21, 2006, High Point, NC

The workshop will include: presentations regarding current initiatives within the furniture industry promoting responsible sourcing and procurement; discussions on national and international trends in sourcing within the furniture industry -- associated risks and the role of forest certification; a forum for furniture manufacturers and suppliers to learn more about Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification developments and processes; and more.

Contact Helen Rock at 802-434-8750 or [email protected] or see http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/news.cfm?id=furniture_workshop

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MN Forestry Association Annual Meeting and Woodlands as Resources Conference September 22-23, 2006, Collegeville, MN

Register for one or both days and learn about forest management, land use, urban forestry, maple syrup, woodland taxes, conservation easements, wildlife/wild lands, and arts, history, culture and more!! Friday features free tours of St. John’s Arboretum, woodshop, and pottery studio; the MFA annual meeting; and Tree Farm Award Ceremony. Saturday features St. John’s Woodlands as Resources conference with 30 concurrent sessions to choose from.

Contact St. John's Abboretum at 320-363-3163 or see http://www.csbsju.edu/arboretum/mfaconference/home.htm

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Forestry in the Headwaters: Forest Guild 2006 Annual Meeting and Conference September 27-30, 2006, Boulder Junction, WI

The Forest Guild has dedicated its Annual Meeting and Conference to the topic of water this year. The unique conference event will bring foresters, forest ecologists and forest policy advocates from throughout the United States together with scientists and researchers in hydrology, fisheries science, wetlands ecology and related fields to explore the connections between our forests and the pools, ponds, streams, rivers and lakes that comprise our freshwater resources. The conference is open to the public. Contact Melinda Marrs at 505-983-8992 ext.18 or [email protected] or see http://www.foreststewardsguild.org/FGAM06.html

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Forest Stand Dynamics October 8-13, 2006, New Haven, CT

This course for mid-career professionals offers an in-depth examination of how forest stands grow, from individual tree architecture and growth, to how stands respond to disturbances and silvicultural manipulations. Application of stand dynamics to silvicultural practices and prescriptions will be viewed through studies of diagnostic criteria. The course is also offered in February 2007 in Washington State.

Contact Global Institute of Sustainable Forestry at 203-432-5117 or see http://research.yale.edu/gisf/stand_dynamics/course.htm

------INFORMATION

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Pesticides Policy

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)'s certification standards include requirements regarding the use of pesticides in forest management activities. FSC's pesticides policy aims to provide consistent, international guidance for the implementation of these requirements. Over the last 12 months this policy has been the subject of some intense discussion. Much of the discussion has focused around what pesticides are considered “the most hazardous ones” and therefore restricted for use on FSC-certified lands. This article explains the basis of the policy, clarifies the current debate, and suggests some areas where further development may be useful.

Available at http://www.dovetailinc.org/documents/DovetailFSCPestPolicy81506.pdf OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/library.cfm?refid=88748

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Wisconsin: Signs of oak wilt showing up in infected trees

The first signs of oak wilt, a tree-killing fungal disease, are now appearing in infected trees. Oak wilt occurs in the southern two-thirds of Wisconsin and affects trees in both the red oak and white oak groups. Oak wilt is a fungal disease that plugs the water and nutrient conducting channels in the tree. Once a tree is infected, water and nutrients can’t move upward from the root system, causing the tree’s leaves to wilt and fall, eventually killing the tree.

See http://dnr.wi.gov/org/caer/ce/news/#art5 OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=88745 ------PUBLICATIONS

Innovations in Design & Construction: Opportunities for the Wood Industry

The wood products industry is not generally recognized as having a creative, innovative approach to product development and marketing. Yet dramatic changes in wood products have occurred over the past several decades. This report focuses on the impacts of the green movement on the design and construction industry and the opportunities offered to wood product manufacturers.

Available at http://www.dovetailinc.org/documents/DovetailInnov0806.pdf OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/library.cfm?refid=88749

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Balancing Ecology and Economics: A Start-up Guide for Forest Owner Cooperation

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.

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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