The Forestry Source: Current Issue Highlights

Here are the highlights of the August 2006 issue of The Forestry Source.

FORESTRY NEWS:

Zoning Ordinances Trump Forest Practices Act
The question before the California Supreme Court seemed simple: Do county zoning ordinances that restrict timber operations to certain locations pre-empt the state’s Forest Practices Act (FPA)?

Washington’s Habitat Conservation Plan: 9.3 Million Acres, 50 Years
Washington’s Governor Christine Gregoire signed documents on June 6 authorizing the implementation of the nation’s largest, most comprehensive multispecies Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) ever created in the United States.

ITTO: Most Tropical Forests Still in Jeopardy
About 36 million hectares—5 percent of the 814 million hectares of tropical forest in 33 countries—is managed sustainably, according to a report released in June by the International Tropical Timber Organization Yet, according to the organization, although significant progress has been made, there is still “a long way to go” toward sustainable forest management in the tropics.

Market Heats Up for Wood Pellets as Bioenergy
It’s a rare day when you don’t see or hear news about biomass, biofuels, and other renewable or “green” energy sources. Despite this coverage, however, the use of a sometimes overlooked renewable fuel source—wood pellets—is quietly and rapidly increasing.

Subcommittee Holds Hearing On Effectiveness of HFRA, HFI
An atmosphere of tempered optimism filled the hearing room of the Longworth House Office Building on the morning of June 29 as the Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health of the House Resources Committee held an oversight hearing to examine how the USDA Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management are using the authorities granted to them by the Healthy Forest Restoration Act and Healthy Forests Initiative to meet their hazardous fuels reduction goals.

Survey Reveals Louisiana, Mississippi Landowners’ Attitudes Toward Certification
According to a new study by researchers at Louisiana State University and Mississippi State University, nonindustrial, private forest landowners in those states are somewhat confused about forest certification programs and thus unwilling to pay the costs associated with having their forestlands certified.

Study Finds Transportation Policy Regarding Trees Outdated
Do policies about trees in urban streetscapes reflect the best available science? According to Urban Trees and Traffic Safety: Considering US Roadside Policy and Crash Data, a new study from scientists at the University of Washington’s College of Forest Resources, the answer appears to be “no.”

Here’s How to Organize and Run Effective Meetings
Just as forest management techniques are used to optimize forest objectives, meeting management techniques are used to optimize people’s time and energy. When you are faced with the task of planning a meeting, either private or public, meeting management techniques can help you organize and run your meetings effectively.

SAF NEWS:

From the Leadership: Bettina K. Ring
Who Is Leading the National Forest Policy Agenda?
Who is leading the national forest policy agenda? SAF’s Committee on Forest Policy (CFP)—the all-volunteer forest policy advisory panel to the SAF Council—is working to ensure that the answer to this question is a resounding “SAF, that’s who!”

Tri-State SAF Members Collaborate to Hold Woodland Owners’ Short Course
Although nonindustrial private forest landowners living in different states have to contend with different tree species, the principles that guide their forest management activities are generally the same.

Louisiana SAF Meeting Highlights Lessons Learned from Hurricanes
When Hurricanes Katrina and Rita rolled through the Gulf Coast in 2005, the storms had a significant effect on every facet of life in the region, the forestry profession included. However, as suggested by the theme of the recent Louisiana SAF (LA SAF) annual meeting—“Louisiana’s Foresters Weather the Storms,” downed timber was just the tip of the proverbial iceberg in regard to how the hurricanes had affected the state’s forestry community.

SAF Names National Award Winners
The Society of American Foresters has announced the winners of its 7 national awards for 2006. The award recipients will be recognized for their outstanding contributions to the forestry profession during a special ceremony at the 2006 SAF National Convention, to be held October 25–29 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.