The Forestry Source: Previous Issue Highlights

Here are the highlights of the December 2003 issue of The Forestry Source:

Forest News:

Senate Passes Healthy Forests Restoration Act
With dramatic fires destroying more than 700,000 acres and 2,600 homes throughout Southern California, lawmakers in the Senate passed the Healthy Forests Restoration Act and appointed conferees to reconcile differences between the House and Senate versions of the Act.

Administration Acts to Prevent Return of Roadless Rule
The Bush administration has asked a federal court to prevent forest activists from intervening on the administration's behalf and appealing a recent court decision that ruled the Clinton-era Roadless Area Conservation Rule unconstitutional.

Helms Elected SAF Vice-President
John A. Helms of Orinda, California, has been elected vice-president of the Society of American Foresters. Helms, who finished ahead of Timothy A. Kaden, CF, of Camden, Delaware, will assume the presidency-the organization's top volunteer leadership post-on January 1, 2005.

Researchers Try to Gauge Public's Preference for Forest Policy Tools
What policies does the American public want with regard to management of the nation's private forests? Researchers from Purdue University recently launched a study they hope will answer that question and provide insights to help policymakers craft more effective forest policies.

Reintroduction of Wolves May End Tree and Shrub Decline in Yellowstone
A good mystery: That's how William Ripple, of Oregon State University, once characterized the aspen decline throughout Yellowstone National Park.

Here's How to Minimize Soil Compaction
Often the best approach to minimizing soil compaction is to assume that soils are "compactable" and then focus on techniques to minimize compaction.

SAF News:

2003 SAF National Convention Highlights
More than 1,100 foresters and natural resource managers from around the world attended the 2003 Society of American Foresters National Convention-the year's premier forestry gathering-held October 25-29 in Buffalo, New York.

Workshop Encourages Respect for Forest Management
Thanks to a recent workshop cosponsored by the Dakota SAF, 18 college students and high school teachers received a lesson in forestry they'll never forget.

Finland and Estonia Study Tour Rescheduled
The SAF study tour to Finland and Estonia, originally planned for spring 2003, will be reoffered in June 2004.

Here are the highlights of the November 2003 issue of The Forestry Source:

Forest News:

Senate Approves Additional $400 Million for Fire Suppression
With several large wildfires burning in the West and approximately 3 million acres burned this fire season, Senate lawmakers recently voted in favor of an additional $400 million in 2003 emergency wildfire suppression funds-adding to the more than $400 million previously allocated for fire suppression in 2003.

Amendment to Healthy Forests Bill Proposed
A group of bipartisan Senate lawmakers has proposed a compromise amendment to the Healthy Forests Restoration Act to smooth out differences between Democrats and Republicans over some of the bill's more controversial components.

World Forestry Congress Calls for Increased Political Commitments
Showcasing the values and benefits that people around the world derive from forests and forestry was the primary objective of this year's World Forestry Congress, an international event held September 21-28 in Quebec, Canada.

Treatment for Sudden Oak Death Approved
California regulators recently approved a new fungicide treatment for oaks and tanoaks that has been shown to both prevent and inhibit sudden oak death, a disease caused by the fungus P. ranorum that has killed thousands of oak trees throughout the state.

Ground-Penetrating Radar Enhances Assessment of Root Biomass
Estimating the biomass of tree roots typically involves destructive and labor-intensive practices such as taking soil cores and digging pits and trenches to unearth root structures. The results of a new study suggest, however, that the days of digging may soon be over.

New Technology Offers Clarity to Problems Associated with Smoke
To minimize the dangers and health risks associated with smoke from wildfires and prescribed burning, researchers from the USDA Forest Service, Environmental Protection Agency, and other agencies have developed BlueSkyRAINS-a new, Web-based technology that allows fire professionals and ordinary citizens to coordinate outdoor activities around fire operations.

Traditional Forms of Ecosystem Management Vanishing as Rural South Gentrifies
For most people, the word "redneck" is a pejorative term. For some members of the forestry community, however, it's beginning to be associated with something else: ecosystem management.

Here's How to Protect Trees from Winter Damage
It's no secret that winter snow and ice can damage trees, but contending with these two cohorts of cold weather is just the tip of the iceberg in preparing trees for winter.

North Carolina Scientists Help Communities Devise Unique Fire Management Plans
According to North Carolina State University researchers working with New Mexico communities threatened by wildfire, localities that develop customized plans to respond to wildfires not only minimize fire risk but also quicken the pace of recovery after fires occur.

SAF News:

Making the Best of a Bad Situation
Members of the Upper Peninsula Chapter of the Michigan SAF recently used a flood-devastated area as a backdrop to talk about the effects of flooding on forestry operations.

Tours Provide Information About Thinning, Biomass Utilization
According to Gary Nakamura, a forestry specialist at the University of California Cooperative Extension and science and technology chair for the Northern California SAF, people in areas with fuels problems often are quick to suggest biomass production as a way to cover the costs of removing material from overgrown forests. However, he says, that may be easier said than done.

Faculty Representatives Provide Crucial Link to Student Members
To ensure that its student recruitment efforts are successful, SAF relies on the support of its faculty representatives. SAF faculty representatives are active members of the Society who serve as a vital link between SAF student members and the Society.

Field Seminar Offers Cutting-Edge Information to Foresters
The SAF continued its efforts to help foresters stay plugged in to the latest advances in forestry technology with "Integrated Tools for Rugged Field Data Collection," the last event in its 2003 field seminar series.

Here are the highlights of the October 2003 issue of The Forestry Source:

Forest News:

Administration Officials Travel to Promote Healthy Forests
As congressional representatives returned to Capitol Hill from their summer recess, the President and other Bush administration officials left Washington, DC, to tour the country and drum up support for the President's Healthy Forests Initiative.

New Forest Regulations to Diminish Gridlock, Expedite Planning Process
The Bush administration is proceeding with its plan to streamline the management procedures for national forests and give forest supervisors more latitude in how they perform their work.

NAFTA Panel: US Fails to Prove Threat from Imports
A North American Free Trade Association panel ruled September 5 that the US International Trade Commission has failed to prove that exports of softwood lumber from Canada pose a threat to US lumber companies.

Boise Cascade to Forgo Old-Growth Timber
Boise Cascade Corporation announced September 3 that, beginning in 2004, it would no longer use timber from "endangered" or "old-growth" forests in the United States. The announcement comes as part of the company's new, comprehensive environmental statement, which Boise officials say reflects the company's "heightened commitment to environmental leadership."

Agency to Contract Reviews of Owl, Murrelet
In response to criticism that it goes too far to protect species, the US Fish and Wildlife Service will for the first time hire a private company to determine whether the northern spotted owl and marbled murrelet require federal protection.

America's First Public Forestry School Celebrates Its Centennial
On October 17 foresters from across the country will return to their alma mater-Penn State-Mont Alto-for a weekend of celebration marking the centennial of America's third-oldest forestry school.

Range of Endangered Bat Wider than Previously Thought
Until a few years ago, scientists believed the endangered Indiana bat spent its summers roosting in small tracts of hardwood forests within the farmlands of the Midwest. So you can imagine their surprise when they found a bat roost in a dead eastern hemlock in Tennessee's Nantahala National Forest.

Fire May Help Dogwoods Survive Anthracnose
Dogwood anthracnose has decimated stands of the flowering tree throughout the eastern United States. So why are dogwoods not only surviving but flourishing in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park?

CAMCORE Researchers Send Carolina Hemlock Overseas for Protection
North Carolina State University's forest conservation efforts are beginning to pay off at home as the same researchers work to save the Carolina hemlock from the woolly adelgid.

Here's How to Talk with Elected Officials about Forestry
No matter what sector of the forestry profession you're in, you have something to tell your elected officials as a constituent and as a professional forester.

Firewise Program, SAF Members Can Help Communities at Risk
Creating defensible space and using fire-resistant construction materials are both prudent actions people can take to protect themselves and their homes from wildfire. But what can they do when the infrastructure of their communities increases the risks associated with wildfire?

SAF News:

Minnesota SAF Members Go the Distance for Forestry, Humanity
The Minnesota SAF recently cosponsored the "Habitat 500," a week-long, 500-mile bike ride to raise money for the Twin Cities chapter of Habitat for Humanity.

Student Chapter Sponsors Workshop to Teach Kids about Forestry
How is forestland managed? This was just one of the questions answered for more than 150 seventh graders during a two-part forestry workshop sponsored by the SAF student chapter at the University of Arkansas-Monticello.

National Committee Positions Now Open
Now is the time for SAF members who are interested in helping the Society achieve its long-term goals to apply for their spot on one of SAF's 16 volunteer committees.

Certified Forester Program to Offer Certification Exams Online
Candidates for Certified Forester and for the Certified Forester Certified Forest Auditor specialized credential will soon have the option of taking the certification exams online through local computer testing centers.

Buffalo Convention to Highlight the Synergy between Science and Practice
According to Bill Bentley, general chair for the 2003 SAF National Convention, the theme of this year's convention is more than just a catchphrase.

Here are the highlights of the September 2003 issue of The Forestry Source:

Forest News

Senate Advances Healthy Forests Legislation Another Step
While Senate lawmakers decided to postpone debate on a handful of contentious, fire-related issues until Congress returns from its August recess, The Senate Agriculture Committee unanimously passed an amended version of the Healthy Forest Restoration Act (HR 1904) by a voice vote at a hearing on July 24.

Illegal Logging Initiative to Help Fight Corruption in International Forestry Sector
At a July 28 ceremony at the US State Department, US Secretary of State Colin Powell announced the president's Initiative Against Illegal Logging, a new effort by the Bush administration to help developing countries address the problems of illegal logging.

Negotiations Come Close to Ending Wood Dispute
While there were promising signs that an agreement would be reached in the ongoing US-Canada softwood lumber dispute, the recent round of negotiations between the two nations concluded without a resolution.

SAF, USDA Partner to Assist Forest Landowners
The US Department of Agriculture recently announced a cooperative partnership with the Society of American Foresters that will increase the options available to landowners seeking forestry assistance.

Forestry Cooperatives: Another Tool For Achieving Good Management
The Forestry Source explores the trials and tribulations of forestry cooperatives with Local Forest Cooperatives Working Group member Mark G. Rickenbach.

Stakeholders Collaborate To Make Minnesota Forests Sustainable
Public participation in forest planning often means that the public is given a chance to comment on forest management plans after their provisions have already been decided. That, however, is not the case for Minnesotans.

Urban Air Pollution Tough On Rural Trees
Conventional wisdom says that the air quality in urban environments is likely to be more detrimental to trees and other living things than the air quality found in rural areas. However, according to a recent study published by researchers from Cornell University and the Institute of Ecosystem Studies in Millbrook, New York, some trees grow better in urban environments than they do in rural areas.

New Database Offers More Detailed Approach To Fire Prediction
Thanks to the development of a new wildfire database, researchers from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California-San Diego have found a link between variations in climate and the severity of wildfires across a range of regions and ecosystems in the western United States during the past two decades.

Here's How to Retain Your Forestry Program's Volunteers
SAF units, urban and community forestry programs, and local arborist groups have more in common than an interest in trees. They also share the need to attract and retain volunteers to help them meet their organizational goals and objectives.

SAF News

SAF 2003 Elections
Look for campaign statements, bios, and interviews with two vice-presidential candidates and the slate of nominees for Council and Fellows.

SAF Names National Award Winners
SAF will honor six professionals for their outstanding contributions to forestry at the 2003 SAF National Convention.

Walk in the Forest Helps State Societies Achieve SAF Mission
Each year, SAF local units and state chapters across the country join with their local Project Learning Tree (PLT) representatives, landowners, and educators in celebrating a Walk in the Forest, an event that provides a wonderful opportunity for children, teachers, and others to experience forests and forestry hands-on.

Georgia Forestry Community Pulls Together to Fund Youth Camp
At the recent annual meeting of the Georgia SAF (GA SAF) in May, attendees voted to officially change the name of the division's "Forestry Youth Camp" to the "Bill Lancaster Forestry Youth Camp" in honor of its creator, who passed away in February. However, according to Roger Bryant, cooperative forestry manager for MeadWestvaco and GA SAF chair, something else related to the camp happened during the meeting that no one expected.

Foresters' Fund Recognizes Outstanding Outreach Projects
The Foresters' Fund was established in 1962 to help fund various projects at the grassroots level, particularly those that increase the public's understanding of forestry. So far this year, the Foresters' Fund has contributed almost $25,000 to state societies.

Buffalo Convention Not The Same Old Meeting.
If you're still undecided about attending the 2003 SAF National Convention because you think it'll be the same old meeting, think again.

Here are the highlights of the August 2003 issue of The Forestry Source:

Forest News

Senate Debates Forest Health
In the shadow of the 2003 fire season--which has already produced large fires in Arizona, California, and Colorado--lawmakers on the Senate's Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee began debate on the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HR 1904) at a June 26 hearing.

Competitive Sourcing Battle Continues
One month after the Bush administration introduced its initiative on "competitive sourcing"--a policy that seeks to save taxpayers money and improve efficiency within government agencies by opening 850,000 government jobs to competition--federal lawmakers have gone on the offensive to prevent the policy from moving forward.

Crown Pacific Declares Bankruptcy
Crown Pacific Partners, LP, announced June 30 that it has filed for reorganization under chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code.

Scientists Slow Gypsy Moth's Spread with Pheromone Flakes
Entomologists with the Ohio Department of Agriculture are using pheromone flakes to frustrate and exhaust male gypsy moths to the point of death.

Sediment Workshop Helps Direct Field's Future Research
At the recent Road Sediment Prediction Workshop cosponsored by SAF's Water Resources Working Group, researchers and practitioners came together to discuss the road-sediment relationship and the challenges this phenomenon presents to forest managers in the South.

Improved Technology and Understanding Aid Restoration of South's Longleaf Pine
At one time in our nation's history, longleaf pine may have occupied as much as 60 million acres. Today, experts estimate that only about 3 million acres of longleaf pine remain. To help turn those numbers around, USDA Forest Service employees on the Talledaga National Forest in Alabama are working to restore the species and its ecosystem.

Here's How to Buy Forestland
Experts agree that, before purchasing forestland, a potential buyer must get answers to three basic questions. Here is a look at those questions and what potential buyers need to consider before they sign on the dotted line.

SAF News

Conference Discusses Pros and Cons of Sustainable Forestry
SAF recently cosponsored a three-day workshop, "Practical Sustainable Forestry and the Marketplace: Making It Work," devoted to sustainable forestry and the opportunities and challenges it presents to the forestry community.

2002 Financial Report
Once again, SAF's 2002 financial report finds that the Society is in sound financial shape.

SAF to Honor Field Foresters at National Convention
SAF will honor 11 foresters-one from each SAF Voting District-with the Presidential Field Forester Awards at the 2003 SAF National Convention.

Restoration Project Benefits State Park, Wyoming Chapter
The Russian olive and saltcedar eradication project recently conducted by the Northern Wyoming Chapter of the Colorado-Wyoming SAF benefited more than the region's ecology.

Alabama A&M University Starts SAF Student Chapter
Forestry students at Alabama A&M University (AAMU) have created a new SAF student chapter.

Penn State Students Defy Sleep to Improve Forestland
While it may be hard work getting all the necessary equipment together and rounding up students to work early on Sunday mornings, the Penn State chapter's timber stand improvement project on Pennsylvania's Sproul State Forest is proof that it can be done.

Strategic Plan Key to Achieving SAF's Mission
Ensuring that SAF's vision, mission, and core values are reflected in programs and activities takes some degree of planning. That's exactly why SAF devised the 2004 Strategic Plan.

Helping First-Time Attendees Make the Most of Convention
What's a first-time attendee to do to ensure his or her first convention experience is all that it can be? Seasoned convention veterans share their thoughts on getting the most out of the SAF annual meeting.

Here are the highlights of the July 2003 issue of The Forestry Source:

Forest News

Bush Administration Makes Roadless Rule More Flexible
The Bush administration announced plans June 9 to revise the Clinton-era Roadless Area Conservation Rule, or "roadless rule," just five days after administration officials announced they would let the rule stand. Under the new proposal, the governors of western states can request exemptions to build roads in remote areas to reduce fire risk and improve access to such areas as dams or private property.

Competitive Sourcing May Effect Rural Communities, Long-Term Forest Management
On May 29 the Bush administration announced a long-awaited policy crafted to simplify the process through which private companies can compete for government jobs. Although administration officials contend the increased competition will save taxpayers money and improve efficiency within government agencies, some are concerned that the policy will result in substandard management of federal lands.

Healthy Forests Initiative Advances Further
In another advance of President Bush's Healthy Forests Initiative, administration officials announced May 30 a handful of final rules crafted to expedite the treatment of fire-prone areas of the national forests.

Woody and Herbaceous Plants More Alike Than Different
While producing wood from weeds grown under special conditions in a laboratory might seem like something out of a 1960s science fiction film, researchers at North Carolina State University are turning that fantasy into reality.

Land Use Affects Global Warming More Than Previously Thought
According to Eugenia Kalnay and Ming Cai, two scientists in the Department of Meteorology at the University of Maryland-College Park, land use change is responsible for more of the rise in global temperatures than scientists had previously thought.

Forest Products Researcher Works to Prevent Warped Wood
Zhiyong Cai, a forest products researcher at Texas A&M University is working to make warped wood a thing of the past.

Study Shows Wood Demand May Lead to Forest Growth, Not Decline
A joint study by researchers from Brown and Harvard Universities indicates that the rise in demand for forest products-not advances in agricultural productivity or the growth in rural employment-has increased the forest cover in India during the past three decades.

Here's How to Interpret Lumber Grade Stamps
Do you know what the stamps on your 2-by-4s mean? You will now.

SAF News:

Goergen to Lead Society of American Foresters
Michael T. Goergen Jr. has been appointed executive vice-president and chief executive officer of the Society of American Foresters. Goergen had been holding the position on an interim status since his predecessor, William H. Banzhaf, CF, departed on December 31.

Legislative Days Gives Members the Experience of Capitol Hill
SAF members visited congressional offices and received the insider perspective on decisionmaking at the national level at SAF's first annual "Legislative Days."

O'Keefe to Edit Western Journal of Applied Forestry
Timothy G. O'Keefe, CF, professor of forestry at the California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, was recently appointed editor of the Society of American Foresters' Western Journal of Applied Forestry.

SAF Awards Certificates to Members Who Pursue Continuing Education
SAF's recognizes another group of foresters who know the importance of continuing education and professional development.

Finding Funding in the Allegheny SAF
In these tough economic times, SAF state societies are looking for creative ways to financially re-energize their programs and services.

Dishing Out Ice Cream and Forestry
Scoop it and they will come? Well, that's what Michigan SAF members discovered when they drew a slew of legislators and their staff to an "ice cream social" they hosted on the state capitol lawn in Lansing.

Sharing Forestry with Montana Fifth Graders
On June 2, the Libby Chapter of the Montana SAF held Hosted more than 40 students from Morrison Elementary School at its 11th annual Forestry Education Tour.

Seminar Offers Hands-On Experience with New Technology
SAF's recent field seminar at Paul Smith's College introduced foresters to the latest in forestry-related GIS-GPS technology.

June 2003

Forest News

Healthy Forests Restoration Act Well-Received in Congress
With the 2003 wildfire season fast approaching, the House voted May 20 to approve the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 (HR 1904) by a vote of 256-170. Supporters of the bill, which was crafted to expedite wildfire fuels reduction on 20 million acres of federal land, say it could result in one of the most significant changes in forest policy within 100 years.

Weyerhaeuser to Challenge Alder Lawsuit Decision
Weyerhaeuser Company has announced that it will challenge the verdict of a recent antitrust case in which a jury ruled that Weyerhaeuser used unfair business practices to keep competitors out of the alder market.

GAO Criticizes Forest Service, Interior for Inadequate Monitoring of Post-Fire Rehab
According to a new report by the General Accounting Office (GAO), federal forestry officials do not have adequate methods of determining the effectiveness of the money they spend to rehabilitate forests after fires.

Talking with Patrick Moore
The Forestry Source recently interviewed the Greenpeace founder about the evolution of his activism and where we need to go from here.

Gulf State Tree Inventory Reveals Social Component of Urban Forestry
For Kamran Abdolahi, a simple call about ailing oak trees in Louisiana and Mississippi resulted in a forestry project that has yielded some surprising results.

California's Regulations May Harm the Forests They Aim to Protect
A new study by researchers at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo has found that California has among the most extensive private forestland regulations in the world. But, according to the study's authors, the stringent nature of these regulations may actually threaten the forestlands they were created to protect.

Online Symposium Offers Wide-Ranging, Timely Discussion of Sudden Oak Death
How does sudden oak death spread? What are its ecological impacts? What can policymakers and land managers do to slow the spread of the disease? These were just some of the questions being discussed during the recent online symposium "Sudden Oak Death: How Concerned Should You Be?"

Burning a Viable Tool for Managing Small, Suburban Tracts of Longleaf Pine
A new study by researchers at the University of Florida has found that controlled burns can be just as effective in restoring small fragments of fire-dependent forest in suburban areas as they are on large tracts of forestland.

Here's How to Plant Trees for Energy Conservation
Although the concept of planting trees around a house to help conserve energy is not a new concept, questions remain about its two most important elements: planting the right tree in the right place.

SAF News

SAF and House Committees Collaborate to Bring Forestry Information to Policymakers
To ensure policymakers have the best forestry information available, SAF and the House's Resources and Agriculture Committees are collaborating to put policymakers in touch with forestry leaders.

Georgia Members Focus on Urgent Need for Public Outreach
According to Roger Bryant, chair of SAF's Georgia Division, the time is now for foresters "to get the word out about forestry."

Minnesota SAF's Forests for Humanity: Building Housing and Promoting Forestry
A Winona, Minnesota, family is donating a 47-acre timber harvest to show that timber harvesting is a management tool that can sustain healthy, diverse forests and help meet human needs.

Nominations Open for Vice-President and Council
The deadline for nominating colleagues for the Society of American Foresters top leadership posts is fast approaching. SAF is now accepting nominations for SAF vice-president and Council.

Oregon Field Seminar to Focus on Mobile Data Systems
SAF's last 2003 field seminar offers a chance to learn about the latest advances in GIS and GPS technology.

May 2003

Forest News

Lawmakers Offer Bills to Prevent More Devastating Fires
On April 3, Representatives George Miller (D-CA) and Peter DeFazio (D-OR) introduced the Federal Lands Hazardous Fuels Reduction Act of 2003 (HR 1621), a bill the two lawmakers said will protect western communities from wildfires while preventing unnecessary timber harvesting on federal forestland. The legislation is one of several such bills introduced this year as lawmakers from both sides of the aisle seek to prevent a repeat of last year's devastating wildfire season.

Officials Say Salmon Strategy Achieves Environmental, Economic Balance
Oregon's Departments of Forestry (ODF) and Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) have joined forces with Oregon Trout, a fish conservation group, to launch the "Salmon Anchor Habitats Strategy for Northwest Oregon State Forests," a new, 10-year plan to protect salmon habitat and maintain timber harvests in particular areas within the state's Tillamook and Clatsop state forests.

Appeals Court Turns Down Request to Reconsider Roadless Rule Case
On April 4, the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals refused a petition from the Idaho attorney general's office to reconsider its December 12 decision to uphold the Clinton-era Roadless Area Conservation Rule, more commonly known as the "roadless rule."

International Paper to Sell 1.5 Million Acres of Forestland
In one of the largest land divestitures in recent months, International Paper (IP) announced March 28 that it plans to sell approximately 1.5 million acres of southern US forestland over the next five years. According to IP officials, the sale is being conducted to raise revenues and pay down debt.

Alabama A&M Celebrates SAF Accreditation
On March 18, Alabama A&M University alumni, officials from the US Department of Agriculture, and others celebrated the university's three decades of forestry education and its history-making forestry program.

Fungus Helps Keep Gypsy Moth Populations in Check
When foresters talk about fungus, the conversation is typically about how it can be controlled or eradicated. Yet the presence of a gypsy moth-killing fungus in the hardwood forests of Pennsylvania has foresters and others celebrating.

Hayman Analysis Helps Scientists View Fire in a "Broader Context"
For Russell Graham, analysis team leader of the Hayman Fire Case Study Analysis, the 138,000-acre blaze changed the very way he looks at wildfire.

Here's How to Control Kudzu
Although some professionals quip that the best way to control kudzu is to "sell the land and move away," experts say effective means of controlling the plant's spread do exist.

SAF News:

Seminar Gives Hands-On Experience with New Technology
SAF's Georgia Field Seminar introduced foresters to the latest in forestry-related GIS technology.

Legislative Days to Bring Foresters to Washington
This June, SAF will work to bridge the gap between the Society's grassroots and the nation's forest policymakers during its first ever "Legislative Days."

Buffalo Convention Program Now Online
To ensure that the Buffalo convention continues the trend of providing a scientific program that is both informative and relevant, convention attendees will be able to access an online version of the 2003 SAF convention's scientific program.

Forestry Focus E-mail List Gets New Home
The Society of American Foresters' "Forestry Focus" e-mail discussion list, one of several electronic discussion forums provided by SAF, has a new address, forestryfocus @email.sparklist.

Montana Members Recognized by History Museum
Members of the Montana SAF were recently recognized by the Fort Missoula Historical Museum for developing a forestry and logging display.

Wisconsin SAF Meeting Draws a Crowd
The Chippewa Chapter of the Wisconsin SAF recently hosted a meeting that drew more than 200 foresters from Wisconsin, Michigan, and Minnesota. The meeting theme was "Red Oak and Paper Birch: The Challenge of Managing for Two Disturbance-Dependent Species."

Making It with Media
If you think the media nowadays is covering "all war, all the time," think again. Three days after hostilities broke out in Iraq, the New Mexico Chapter of the Southwestern SAF held a "Media Day" event that that was received positively by local newspaper and TV outlets.

Conference Devoted to Making Sustainable Forestry Work
Does forest certification differ from the sustainable forestry practices that have been in use for decades? How will it affect US timber producers' ability to compete in the global marketplace? To address these and other questions, the Society of American Foresters' Sustainability and Certification Working Group (E6) is cosponsoring a national conference, "Practical Sustainable Forestry and the Marketplace: Making It Work," to be held June 30-July 2 in Jacksonville, Florida.

April 2003

Forest News

Revisions to Sierra Nevada Framework Accepted
On March 18, Pacific Southwest Regional Forester Jack Blackwell accepted the proposal of a USDA Forest Service review team containing recommended revisions to the Sierra Nevada Forest Plan Amendment (more commonly known as the "Sierra Nevada Framework").

Lawmakers Say Federal Firefighting Budget Insufficient
During recent hearings in both the Senate and the House, legislators from both sides of the aisle chastised the Bush administration for not requesting enough money for the 2003 fire season and for continuing the practice of transferring money from other accounts to cover the cost of fire suppression.

Activists Sue for Records of Government's "Secret Meetings" with Industry
Earthjustice Legal Defense Fund filed a lawsuit in federal court in Seattle March 3 to obtain records from what it calls "secret meetings" between the US Department of Justice and representatives of the forest products industry.

LP Selling Off Timberland in Texas
LP, formerly known as Louisiana-Pacific Corporation, recently announced that it has signed two deals to sell a total of 82,000 acres of timberland in Texas. The announcement is the latest in a wave of land divestitures that have taken place within the forest products industry during the past year.

Scientists Use the "Sophisticated Chemistry" of Pheromones to Protect Trees From Beetles
Recent uses of pheromones by entomologists with the USDA Forest Service have shown that these chemical communication signals could be used as repellants to protect trees in high-value areas.

Forest Fragmentation Increases Lyme Disease Risk
A team of researchers has found that the risk of contracting Lyme disease is dramatically higher in smaller forest fragments, especially those totaling less than 5 acres.

Report: Climate Change Will Pose Challenge to US Forestry
According to a new report by the Pew Center on Global Climate Change, the US forestry sector "will face a number of challenges in the next century due to the affects of climate change."

Here's How to Choose the Best Product for Marking Trees
It's no secret that tree marking is a commonplace element of forestry work. Yet, after all the product pitches have been made, how is a forester to know which tree-marking paints or inks will work best?

Here's How to Prepare for Spring Planting
If you're going to plant trees this spring but have yet to get those seedlings into the ground, taking a few moments to think about the attributes of your planting site is likely to save you considerable time and money.

SAF News

Core Values Show SAF, Society Share Common Goals
After more than a year and a half of development, the SAF Council, the Society's governing body, voted in late 2002 to accept a revised set of Core Values.

Talking Forestry with Vermont Policymakers
More than 30 legislators and Vermont's lieutenant governor attended a legislative breakfast recently held by the Green Mountain Division of the New England Society of American Foresters.

Mixing Forestry and Music
SAF member Claralynn Nunamaker, a consulting forester and a professional musician, has just released her second CD, "Elegant Tern."

Idaho Legislators Talk Forestry with Idaho, Intermountain SAFs
The Idaho members of the Inland Empire and Intermountain SAFs recently hosted a successful program to better inform Idaho legislators and their staffs about both the state's forestry issues and the role of SAF in natural resources policy.

Buffalo Offers Exciting Opportunities for Convention's Field Workshops, Tours
Even though the 2003 SAF National Convention is still six months away, a variety of field workshops and leisure tours showcasing the Buffalo region's natural wonders have already been organized.

Foresters' Fund Recognizes Outstanding Local Projects
Thirteen state society projects have been awarded 2003 SAF Foresters' Fund grants totaling $11,840.

New Program "Rewards" Member Service to SAF
Thanks to SAF's new Rewards campaign, recruiting members not only helps strengthen SAF, it also gives members the chance to earn points redeemable for SAF gift certificates, forestry-related merchandise, and maybe even free travel to 2004 SAF National Convention.

March 2003

President Acts to Fund Healthy Forests Initiative. Despite funding increases of $219 million over last year for USDA Forest Service and Department of Interior firefighting programs, the Bush administration’s proposed 2004 budget is being criticized for not setting aside enough financial resources for the adequate treatment of forests at risk of catastrophic wildfire.

Bill to Raise Softwood Duties Introduced. Just days before trade officials and forest products industry leaders were to meet in Washington, DC, for the latest round of softwood lumber negotiations, Senators Larry Craig (R-ID) and Max Baucus (D-MT) introduced a bill that would increase the US-imposed duties from 27 to 45 percent on almost $10 billion worth of Canadian softwood lumber.

California Spotted Owl Off Endangered Species List. In a move that sent shockwaves through the environmental community, the federal government decided February 10 that the California spotted owl no longer requires protection under the Endangered Species Act.

Treated Wood May Pose Risk to Children. Scientists from the Consumer Safety Products Commission (CPSC) have concluded that some children may face an increased risk of cancer from playground equipment made from chromated copper arsenate (CCA) pressure-treated wood.

Swiss Needle Cast Exists in Two Forms of Varying Virulence. Thanks to a recent discovery, scientists may now figure out why this foliage disease quickly evolved from a minor nuisance into a serious and costly threat.

Study Says Wetlands Management Requires Integrated Approach. A new study led by a Duke University researcher concludes that environmental managers must reintegrate the role of phosphorus in management of coastal wetland ecosystems.

Better Information Vital to Sustaining Timber, Biodiversity in Congo Basin. University of Maryland researcher Jerrferson Hall says the selective cutting practices in use in the Congo Basin may are likely to harm, not help, conservation efforts in the region.

Effects of Global Warming Documented on Plants and Animals throughout the World. New research from the Institute for International Studies at Stanford University says plants and animals worldwide are already feeling the effects of global warming.

Here’s How to Consider Logging With an ATV. While four-wheel all-terrain vehicles (ATV) are used predominantly for recreation, some foresters and forestland owners have found that ATVs are excellent tools to help them achieve their forest management goals.

SAF News

Washington State SAF Takes Home Ol’ Pinch. The Washington State SAF has won “Pinchot’s Prize” for 2002.

Forester Behind Camp for African-American Students. For most teenagers, the world is defined by school, the mall, and hanging out with friends. But each summer approximately 15 students get a chance to step outside these boundaries by participating in a unique educational experience.

Washington State SAF Speaks Out. Nancy Peckman, an inventory-planning officer with Weyerhaeuser Company in Cosmopolis, Washington, started her one-year term as chair of the Washington SAF with a frenzy.

SAF’s Land Use Planning Working Group Takes a “Broader Perspective.” According to Pete Bettinger, SAF’s Land Use Planning, Organization, and Management Working Group (E2), is one of the few SAF working groups that “takes a broader perspective on forest management.”

SAF Announces Members of Executive Vice-President Search Committee. The SAF Council, the Society’s governing body, has announced the members of the volunteer executive vice-president search committee charged with recommending a replacement for Bill Banzhaf, SAF’s former executive vice-president, who left the Society on January 1.

SAF Awards Continuing Education Certificates. The half-life of a college education is 7–10 years. Fortunately, SAF has created the Continuing Forestry Education program – a way to help foresters maintain their professional competency.

Field Seminar to Focus on Mapping Technology. SAF’s next field seminar aims to help foresters and others become more familiar with GIS/GPS mapping and forest inventory technologies.

February 2003

Forest News

Forest Service to Ease Restrictions on Small Timber Sales. The USDA Forest Service recently proposed to “simplify documentation” under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) for three new categories of “small, environmentally safe” timber sales.

US Suggests Way Out of Softwood Lumber Dispute. The US Department of Commerce sent a proposal to the Canadian government January 6 offering to stop the US-imposed duties on Canadian lumber imports if Canada transforms its forest practices.

New Congress Brings Changes to Key House Committees. As the 108th Congress prepares itself for the next congressional session, lawmakers have been appointing legislators to vacant leadership positions within various House committees whose work directly affects the outcome of national forestry and natural resources policy.

Home Depot to Sell Less Wood from Endangered Forests. Home Depot recently released a report stating the company is successfully ridding its stores of some timber products that come from endangered forests.

Unique Polish Forest Offers Insights Into Biodiversity. Planted orchard-style over about 10 acres, a unique forest in Poland consisting of 14 tree species featuring a variety of environments at their bases has become a valuable outdoor laboratory for an international team of researchers trying to learn more about forest biodiversity.

Forest Fires Affect Global Carbon Budget. The forests of the western United States make up an estimated one-quarter to one-half of the nation’s carbon “sinks” — areas that absorb carbon rather than release it into the atmosphere. But what happens to all of that carbon when these forests burn, either as a result of wildfire or fire fuels treatments?

Fragmentation Limits Amphibian Movement. University of Missouri–Columbia researchers have found that forest fragmentation may hinder juvenile movement and contribute to local population declines.

Here’s How to Recognize and Minimize De-Icing Salt Injury to Trees. Although de-icing salts are beneficial winter tools, their use often damages trees and shrubs along roadways.

SAF News:

Strategic Plan to Energize, Engage Membership. Developed by the SAF Council, in conjunction with the House of Society Delegates and the Forest Science & Technology Board, the 2004 Strategic Plan is designed to help SAF units achieve SAF’s mission.

2003 Leadership Guide. The Leadership Guide appears annually in The Forestry Source so that members of the Society of American Foresters can more readily contact SAF’s leadership.

Northern Arizona University Student Foresters Spread the Word About Forest Restoration. The Northern Arizona University SAF Student Chapter recently erected three interpretive signs in the Fort Valley Ecosystem Restoration Project near Flagstaff to help spread the word about the benefits of forest restoration projects.

Meeting with Congressional Staff in Montana. The Libby Area Chapter of the Montana SAF recently hosted a meeting with four staff members from Montana’s congressional delegation.

Council Approves Certified Forester Exam Eligibility Requirements for 2003. At its December 2002 meeting, the SAF Council decided to expand the eligibility requirements for foresters with a variety of academic and work experience who wish to take SAF’s new CF exam.

Members Donate Extra to Support Programs, Give Something Back. As part of the Society of American Foresters’ culture of giving, more than 900 members gave a little extra to help advance and strengthen their professional organization.

Highlighting Forest Science and Practice on the “Buffalo Frontier.” Every year, the SAF national convention gives attendees a chance to re-energize their passion for the profession. In 2003, SAF will keep this tradition alive as it holds the annual gathering in Buffalo, New York “the city of good neighbors.”

Field Seminar Applies Technology to the Business of Forestry. SAF’s next field seminar aims to help nontechnical managers and practitioners become more familiar with Web-based information systems and mobile computing technologies.

January 2003

Forest News:

Administration Proposes New Forest Planning Regulations. With last year’s devastating fire season still fresh on the American public’s mind, the Bush administration on November 27 proposed new planning regulations for national forests that it says will accelerate environmental reviews and expedite the planning process, minimize paperwork, and maximize, on-the-ground forest management efforts.

Rogel Offers Solution to Lumber Dispute. Weyerhaeuser Company proposed December 5 an interim solution to the ongoing United States–Canada softwood lumber dispute until the United States and Canada can agree on a long-term solution.

Appeals Court Gives Green Light to Roadless Rule. The hopes of those opposed to the Clinton administration’s Roadless Area Conservation Rule took a hit December 12 as the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals reversed a temporary injunction blocking the implementation of the controversial rule.

Report Says Forest Thinning Can Enhance Biodiversity. A recent report by researchers from Oregon State University and the US Geological Survey suggests that thinning of young forests can benefit the development of old-growth characteristics.

Deer’s Appetite for Acorns May Limit Oak Regeneration. While it is no secret that deer browsing has a negative effect on tree growth, some questions remain about the degree to which deer affect the regeneration of certain commercially important species such as oak.

Website Offers Practical Information on Digital Mapping. Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources employee Paul Pingrey has developed an easy way for field foresters learn about mapping forests with desktop digital technology.

Exotic Worms Take a Bite out of Northern Forest Floor. Although it sounds like the plot of a low-budget science fiction film, scientists at the Institute for Ecosystem Studies are investigating an exotic earthworm invasion of northern temperate forests.

Ancient Forests Provide Wealth of Environmental, Historical Information. While the terms “old-growth” and “ancient forest” typically conjure images of majestic redwoods and giant sequoias, researchers at the University of Arkansas–Fayetteville say these trees represent just a fraction of the old-growth that exists throughout the United States.

Here’s How to Keep Roots Healthy During Construction. A little preplanning can keep construction damage — one of the leading causes of injury to tree roots — to a minimum.

SAF News:

Kutack to Promote Forestry’s Service to Society. Jason N. Kutack of Hattiesburg, Mississippi, will become president of the Society of American Foresters on January 1.

Convention Luncheon Focuses on Professional Leadership. The “Lunch with the Leaders” gathering at the 2002 SAF National Convention not only provided attendees an opportunity to learn about leadership, it also gave them an opportunity to give feedback.

Celebrating Past Achievements, Working for Future Successes. While commemorating 2002 and ringing in 2003, SAF members can rest assured they have much to both celebrate and anticipate.

Study Tour to Visit “Forest Giant” on the Baltic Sea. The SAF International Study Tour program will visit Finland and Estonia to meet with foresters and learn about the forestry practices in these heavily forested nations just east of the Baltic Sea.

A Golden Touch:  Members Celebrate 50-Year Milestone with SAF. In 2002, 106 members attained their golden anniversaries as 50-year members of the Society of American Foresters.

Iowa SAF Holds First Youth Workshop. Iowa State extension forester Chris Feeley was surprised when he found out what some schoolchildren thought about foresters during a recent Youth Forestry Workshop conducted by the Iowa SAF.

Looking for Poet Foresters. Just when you think everything has been already written or said about forestry, a new project comes along that surprises you.

Penn State Forestry Students Remember 9/11. The Penn State Student Chapter of the Society of American Foresters recently held a commemorative treeplanting to honor the personal losses and heroism of alumni in the events of  September 11, 2001.

Seminar Series Keeps Foresters Plugged in to New Technology. SAF, the American Tree Farm System, and leading forestry technology companies have teamed up for three new field seminars.

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