Webinars
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A Management Guide for Invasive Plants in Southern Forests
Nonnative plants continue to invade and spread through forests in the South. These infestations increasingly erode forest productivity, hinder forest use and management activities, and degrade diversity, habitat, and our recreational experiences. Managers, landowners, and homeowners need to have the latest information on how to prevent entry to their lands, build strategies with neighbors, implement integrated procedures for control, and proceed toward site rehabilitation. We will introduce you to a new book that we co-authored, which is available free from the Southern Research Station, entitled “A Management Guide for Invasive Plants in Southern Forests” (General Technical Report SRS-131). We will provide an overview of how these actions fit together and the latest control methods. The guide provides detailed control prescriptions for 56 prevalent invasive plants and groups for your reference. Free copies of "A Management Guide for Invasive Plants in Southern Forests" (General Technical Report SRS-131) can be requested at pubrequest@fs.fed.us or by calling 828-257-4830.
A Practical Field Guide for Designing Conservation Buffers
In this webinar, participants will learn how to use evidence-based guidelines for designing vegetative buffers as presented in the publication Conservation Buffers: Design Guidelines for Buffers, Corridors, and Greenways, a guide created for field professionals. Each guideline describes a specific way that a buffer can be applied to protect soil, improve air and water quality, enhance fish and wildlife habitat, produce economic products, provide recreation opportunities, or beautify the landscape. These illustrated rules-of-thumb are applicable nationwide in wildland, rural, and urban landscapes. Participants will also learn how to use a simple function-based matrix tool for designing buffers to accomplish more than one objective. A case study exercise will demonstrate the application of these buffer tools to achieve landowners’ goals. "This webinar was rescheduled from Sep 19, 2012 due to technical difficulties."
Absentee Forest Landowners: Part 3
Part 3: After the Workshop: Evaluation, Reflections, and What’s Next September 15, 2010 12:00 pm to 1:00pm (Eastern) 11:00 am - noon (Central) Presented by: Wayne K. Clatterbuck Professor, Silviculture & Forest Management Forestry, Wildlife & Fisheries University of Tennessee, Knoxville wclatterbuck@utk.edu To provide natural resource and Extension professionals with the knowledge and tools to deliver educational and management information to absentee forest landowners This last presentation (Part 3) will cover: 1)Evaluation, 2) Motivating & Empowering Attendees, 3)Pertinent subjects of Interest, and 4) Developing a local landowner association.
Reaching the South's Absentee Forest Landowners: Part 1 of 3
Recent information (2008) from the National Woodland Owners Survey indicates that 2 out of every 5 acres of family forest land are owned by absentee landowners. Three webinars are scheduled on how to promote, develop, and evaluate absentee forest landowner workshops in metropolitan areas. Part I covers: 1) Who are absentee forest landowners? 2) What are their demographics? and 3) Developing marketing strategies to contact and coalesce absentee landowners. The objective of these webinars is to provide natural resource professionals with the tools, knowledge and resources to deliver educational and management information about forest resources to absentee landowners. The ultimate goal is that these landowners will be more informed about management options for their property and they will know who to ask when they have specific questions or need advice.
Getting More Bang for Your Buck from Adaptive Nutrient Management - Helping Farmers Improve Nutrient Use Efficiency
Learn how to use adaptive nutrient management to verify and improve performance giving farmers a structured process to refine their management to protect natural resources and maximize production efficiency and profits.
Adaptive Nutrient Management: On-farm Testing
View this webinar to learn about on-farm nutrient testing and evaluation to adjust nutrient management planning to increase nutrient use efficiency and minimize offsite impacts.
Adopting Cover Crop Systems: Dollars, Sense and Other Considerations
Participate to increase your understanding of the role of social and economic factors that shape decisions about the use of cover crops, with emphasis on documentable benefits.
Air Filtration and Scrubbing - What Can It Be Used For?
This webinar is intended for NRCS employees and partners who would like to learn more about the potential uses of NRCS Conservation Practice Standard 371 – Air Filtration and Scrubbing.
Air Quality and Manure Management
This webinar provides an overview of the air emissions that can be produced via manure management.
An Explanation of Defects in Hardwood Timber
August 17, 2011 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (Eastern) 11:00 am - 12:00 pm (Central) 10:00 am - 11:00 am (Mountain) 9:00 am - 10:00 am (Pacific) What you will learn: Hardwood defects include any feature that reduces the grade and ultimately lowers the utility or commercial value of a standing tree or log. Lumber graders know this too well, but expertise in the woods is often lacking. Some hardwood defects are on the surface and are more easily observed; others are interior and become apparent once timber is cut down and the surface on the log end is observed. This presentation lists a number of defects, their characteristics and cause, and whether or not their effect can be offset by adjustments in scaling. Having a solid grasp on hardwood defects is essential when appraising, selling or purchasing timber and logs.
An Update on National and Regional Extension Natural Resource Issues & Activities
Topics covered include: The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 (The "Farm Bill"), an RREA update FY2007-2010, social marketing, peer-to-peer learning, Women & Working Lands, the ECOP Forestry Task Force Transition, an SREF office & project update, and "Environmental Scan"
An Update on USFS-Coop Forestry and SGSF Private Forestry Activities
This program will provide the participant with an update on relevant private forest management initiatives that affect the productivity of their duties as Extension Forestry Specialists.
Announcement: New Conservation Stewardship Program
Wednesday, September 23, 2009 NOON to 1:00 PM (Central Standard Time) Presented by Jeanna Childers This is a presentation regarding the sign-up for the new Conservation Stewardship Program to assist agricultural and forestry producers. CSP is a new program authorized in the 2008 Farm Bill. Details of the program as well as eligibility and the application process will be discussed. State Forester, USDA-NRCS
Answers About Organic
This webinar will give participants an overview of the organic certification process, what it takes to transition, and the resources available to make the change.
Aquatic Organism Passage: An Overview of Ecology, Analyses, and Tools
Learn about the ecology of aquatic organism passage (AOP), barrier analysis and passage design methods, techniques for providing passage at dams and road-stream crossings, and 2006 changes in the Fish Passage standard (Code 396) and its attendant measurement.
Basics of Timber Basis
This special one-hour program will discuss calculating and adjusting a timber basis, walk participants through the key points and misunderstandings of basis for landowners and professionals. With hurricane season upon us and other disasters occurring on a frequent basis there's no time like the present to document your or your client's basis before your next timber sale or a disaster strikes!
Biofuels Basics: Farming, Community, and Regional Impacts
View this webinar to develop an understanding of how the production of biofuels impacts farm, community, and region.
Biomass Removal Case Studies: Lessons Learned and Strategies for Success
Dr. Zander Evans, Research Director at the Forest Guild, will discuss the lesson learned from collecting and analyzing 45 case studies of biomass removal from across the country. The biomass removals include fuel reduction treatments, stand improvement harvests, habitat improvement projects, and extraction of fuel for biomass energy plants. The discussion will focus on the importance of early and substantial public involvement, partnerships with efficient contractors, existing markets, and harvest mechanization.
Carbon Trading 101
This special one-hour program will discuss the basics of forest carbon offset projects, how landowners might qualify, and how carbon credits are sold on various markets.
Changing Roles: Why should we be at the table? Natural resource managers' perspectives
This session will begin with an interactive exercise in which participants will explore the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats associated with considering natural resources in land-use planning. Next, Susan Stein will discuss findings from the Forest on the Edge project including the impacts of increased development surrounding both private and public forestlands.
Changing Roles: Why we need you at the table? and How do you get to the table? Land-use planners' perspectives
This session's speakers will highlight the growing need for natural resource professionals to become active participants in local planning processes. The presentation will provide an overview of the key elements of local planning, explain how and when resource professionals can become engaged in the process, and discuss what is expected of participants. Craig and Jim will provide examples of successes and failures and different scales.
Climate Change and Managing Forests: New Models and Tools
What You Will Learn: Uncertainty abounds when it comes to predicting how and how much the climate will change, and how it will affect forest health. Fortunately, models and tools are available to guide managers' activities to promote healthy forests and make forests more resilient to the coming changes. By participating in this webinar you will learn about these tools and current climatic patterns. You will also hear about the upcoming National Workshop on Climate and Forests where you can explore these tools and models in more depth. The workshop will be held in Flagstaff, Arizona, from May 16 to 18. Participant's orientation starts at 10:50 am (Central) and 11:50 (Eastern)
Climate Change Beliefs, Concerns, and Attitudes Toward Adaptation and Mitigation Among Farmers in the Midwestern United States
This webinar will increase participants’ awareness and understanding of Corn Belt farmers’ beliefs, concerns and attitudes toward climate change.
Climate Change in Texas: Rising Above the Noise Level
Thursday, September 9, 2010 3:00 - 4:00 PM (Central) Presented by John W. Nielsen-Gammon Professor and Texas State Climatologist Climate change takes place on many time scales, and both natural and anthropogenic factors are seen to be at work. This webinar will examine the decade-scale and longer-term variability of temperature and precipitation in Texas, using a stable network of climate stations. The data will be compared to climate change projections based on a single anthropogenic factor: greenhouse gases. The outlook for future precipitation is unclear, but temperatures (and resulting drought stress) are likely to increase dramatically over the next several decades.
Climate Smart Agriculture: Introduction to AgroClimate Information Decision Support System
AgroClimate is an online tool that can help you understand observed and expected climate variability for development of potential on-farm adaptation strategies in the southeastern US; view this webinar to learn more.
Climate Variability and U.S. Forests
U.S. Forest Service Climate Change Advisor, Dave Cleaves, will give an overview of the U.S. Forest Service report “Effects of Climatic Variability and Change on Forest Ecosystems: A Comprehensive Science Synthesis for the U.S. Forest. The report is a look at the current condition and likely future condition of forest resources in the United States relative to climate variability. Jim Vose, Project Leader, Center for Integrated Forest Science, and co-led for the report will discuss some of the report’s highlights and Mark Megalos, NC State University Extension Associate Professor will moderate the presentation. This report describes the biological, economic, and social impacts of a warming climate on both privately owned forests and public lands and also provides a framework for managing forest resources in the United States in the face of climate change.
Common Bees and Best Bee Plants of the East
Participate in this webinar to gain understanding of the most common bees and best forage (nectar and pollen sources) you can provide to support bee pollinators in the eastern United States.
Communicating about Climate Change: An Extension Forestry Perspective on Problems and Solutions.
April 20, 2011 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (Eastern) 11:00 am - 12:00 pm (Central) 10:00 am - 11:00 am (Mountain) 9:00 am - 10:00 am (Pacific) What you will learn: Science-based information is the foundation for management of forests and we rely on researchers and educators to communicate this information for practical use. On the topic of Climate Change however, communication from research to practice is difficult because climate science is so complex, uncertain, and controversial. In this webinar you will learn about problems and solutions in communicating about climate change based on our experience in Extension Forestry. You will learn about strategies for integrating climate science and climate change with more traditional environmental information to provide the foundation for sustainable forest management. Presented by Glenn R. Ahrens, Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Faculty, Oregon State University Extension Service, Clatsop and Tillamook Counties, Astoria, Oregon. Brad Withrow-Robinson, Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Faculty, Oregon State University Extension Service, Polk, Marion, and Yamhill Counties, McMinnville, Oregon.
Consumer Benefits of Grass-fed Beef
The health benefits of grass-fed beef are presented to help land managers and conservation planners promote improved grazing management on pastureland.
Southern Pine Bark Beetle 101
September 25, 2009 NOON to 12:45 PM Central Standard Time 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM Eastern Time Presented by Michael Murphrey - Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Forester, Texas Forest Service This special combination program will first provide participants with a thorough understanding about the description, damage, prevention, and control of the five common pine bark beetles found throughout the South. Following this introduction, the complete details about the very successful Texas SPB Prevention Program will be discussed. Clear instructions will be provided on how participants may qualify and sign up for this cost-share program.
Texas SPB Prevention Program
September 25, 2009 12:45 PM to 1:30 PM Central 1:45 PM to 2:30 PM Central Michael Murphrey Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Forester, Texas Forest Service This special combination program will first provide participants with a thorough understanding about the description, damage, prevention, and control of the five common pine bark beetles found throughout the South. Following this introduction, the complete details about the very successful Texas SPB Prevention Program will be discussed. Clear instructions will be provided on how participants may qualify and sign up for this cost-share program.
Timber Tax Tips for the 2010 Tax Season
The webinar will cover tax filing tips for timber transactions for the 2010 tax season. Presenters will discuss * Tax tips * New tax forms * Incentives * Latest IRS regulations on timber This webinar will be of interest to Foresters, Landowners, Government agency staff and program leaders, Extension agents, and tax professionals
Using Remote-Sensing Cameras in Wildlife Management
Billy Higginbotham Professor and Wildlife & Fisheries Specialist, Texas AgriLife Extension Service 12:00 noon to 1:00 PM (Central) 1:00 PM to 2:00 PM (Eastern)
Cover Crop Mixes: Getting the Cover Crop You Want
At the conclusion of this webinar, participants will have knowledge to begin experimenting with cover crops to address resource concerns on their land and/or discuss the concepts with producers.
Crop Tree Management for Forest Stand Improvement
Gain insight into how meeting the sunlight needs of individual crop trees can facilitate Forest Stand Improvement efforts efficiently and effectively, while meeting a variety of possible forest landowner goals and objectives.
Culverts and Low-Water Crossings: Tools, Techniques, and Considerations for Aquatic Organism Passage
Explore contemporary problems and solutions at road-stream crossings and how they relate to aquatic organism passage (AOP), conservation biology, stream geomorphology, and habitat quality.
Current Status of Carbon Credits for Texas Landowners
This special 60-minute segment will provide an update of carbon trade for forest landowners in Texas, including the latest developments and the current conditions of the markets, and how a forest landowner can determine if their forestlands are a good candidate for the program.
CVal: A Carbon Valuation Tool for Foresters and Private Forest Landowners
This presentation will introduce participants to a just-released Carbon Valuation Spreadsheet and accompanying General Technical Report (GTR) written by Ted Bilek, Peter Becker, and Tim McCabee (2008). The spreadsheet is a powerful and valuable tool available to the forestry community (target audience: consulting foresters, state foresters) to be able to interface with private landowners and help them make sound, transparent decisions as to whether participation in the voluntary carbon market is an attractive option based on a full accounting of variables.
Deer Population Survey Methods: Which One is Right for You?
Participants will learn how to conduct several types of surveys: incidental, spotlight, aerial, and camera. Pros and cons of each will be discussed as well as types of situations in which each would be most effective. Limitations, accuracy vs. precision, GPS/GIS integration, and means to achieve objective data will be discussed with application to each method’s overall value in deer management.
Developing adaptive silvicultural strategies in the context of climate change
This webinar will discuss the adaptive silvicultural planning process to guide forest managers through the process of incorporating climate change into natural resource management. Case studies and a science-management partnership will be highlighted.
Development of the Revised National Wetland Plant List (NWPL) and Demonstration of NWPL Web site Applications
This webinar describes and demonstrates the use of the new National Wetland Plant List Web site (NWPL) for determining the wetland indicator status of wetland plant species in the United States, Caribbean, and Pacific Islands.
Diameter Limit Cutting and Exploitation
An unsustainable forest harvesting practice, diameter-limit cutting, has been recognized in several scientific studies for its exploitive effects on forest growth and productivity. The webinar will address the correct role of silviculture relative to the negative impacts of diameter-limit cutting on forest growth, yield, and value.
Documenting the Environmental Evaluation on the NRCS CPA-52 Environmental Evaluation Worksheet
Participate to understand the kind, amount, and level of documentation required to adequately document the environmental evaluation process and understand how to use the features included in the XL version of the NRCS-CPA-52 Environmental Evaluation Worksheet.
Dove Biology and Management in Texas
May 19th, 2011 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm (Central) 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm (Eastern) Presented by: Dale Rollins, Ph.D. Professor & Extension Wildlife Specialist Texas AgriLife Extension Service
Drainage Water Management Awareness - Basic Principles and Practices
Participate in this training to raise your awareness level of basic agricultural drainage water management principles and practices.
E.U. Power from U.S. Forests: Policy Drivers and Pathways for Sustainable Biomass Procurement
European policies are driving the expansion of the domestic wood pellet market, especially in the Southern U.S. These EU policies demand documentation and adoption of sustainablility practices. Two recently released reports by Environmental Defense Fund outline EU policy drivers and describe how existing programs and practices can provide a Pathway to Sustainability for biomass procurement. Please join Will McDow (EDF), Brian Kittler (Pinchot Institute) and Jamie Joudrey (University of Toronto) in a webinar discussion of EU policies, the growing demand for wood pellet exports and options to meet Europe’s sustainability requirements.
Ecological services as an incentive for forest management
The Mountain Association For Community Economic Development (MACED) has successfully developed a managed forest carbon offset program in central Appalachia that offers landowners the opportunity to earn money for carbon sequestration. So far MACED has 48 landowners and 30,000 acres enrolled and has paid out over $100,000 dollars. Scott Shouse, the Forestry Program Manager at MACED, will give a presentation on the key aspects of project development and carbon aggregation as it relates to the management of natural forests in central Appalachia.
Session 1 - Ecological Site Descriptions: An Interdisciplinary and Interagency Effort - Concepts, Classification, Differentiation, and Description of Ecological Sites
This is the first session of an eight-session webinar series. This training will introduce the basic concepts of ecological sites, how ecological site descriptions are developed, and how ecological site descriptions can be utilized in making management decisions.
Session 2 - Ecological Site Descriptions: An Interdisciplinary and Interagency Effort - Concepts, Classification, Differentiation, and Description of Ecological Sites
This is the second session of an eight-session webinar series. This training will introduce the basic concepts of ecological sites, how ecological site descriptions are developed, and how ecological site descriptions can be utilized in making management decisions.
Session 3 - Ecological Site Descriptions: An Interdisciplinary and Interagency Effort - Data Mining; Locating and Analyzing Vegetation Data
This is the third session of an eight-session webinar series. This training will introduce the basic concepts of ecological sites, how ecological site descriptions are developed, and how ecological site descriptions can be utilized in making management decisions.
Session 4 - Ecological Site Descriptions: An Interdisciplinary and Interagency Effort - Data Mining; Locating and Analyzing Vegetation Data
This is the fourth session of an eight-session webinar series. This training will introduce the basic concepts of ecological sites, how ecological site descriptions are developed, and how ecological site descriptions can be utilized in making management decisions.
Ecologically Responsible Longleaf Pinestraw Production
The harvesting and marketing of pinestraw has become extremely lucrative across much of the southeast. Longleaf is regarding as the king of all North American pines in regards to the quality of its pinestraw. Some longleaf plantations are commercially viable as early as seven years post planting. Tragically, most landowners are under the impression that they must remove all native ground cover to harvest pinestraw. This webinar will examine the ecological costs and the economic benefits of raking pinestraw with various techniques. Learn how some landowners and land managers have been able to keep their native groundcover while raking in excess of $100.00 an acre annually.
Economics of Poor Grazing Management
Viewers learn about the many factors that can turn poor into excellent grazing management and the economic losses of poor management even when poor grazing is profitable.
Edge-of-Field Water Quality Monitoring: The New NRCS Activity Standards, Session 1 - Introduction, History, Overview
Session 1 of "Edge-of-Field Water Quality Monitoring: The New NRCS Activity Standards" provides an introduction, the history, and an overview of the topic to begin training on the the new NRCS Activity Standards.
Edge-of-Field Water Quality Monitoring: The New NRCS Activity Standards, Session 2 - Technical Specifications, Considerations
Session 2 of "Edge-of-Field Water Quality Monitoring: The New NRCS Activity Standards" provides technical specifications and considerations for water quality monitoring and use of the new NRCS Activity Standards.
Edge-of-Field Water Quality Monitoring: The New NRCS Activity Standards, Session 3 - Forms, Reports, Data Storage
Session 3 of "Edge-of-Field Water Quality Monitoring: The New NRCS Activity Standards" provides instruction on water quality monitoring and Activity Standards forms, reports, and data storage and uses.
Edge-of-Field Water Quality Monitoring: The New NRCS Activity Standards, Session 4 - Programs and Funding
Session 4 of "Edge-of-Field Water Quality Monitoring: The New NRCS Activity Standards" provides instruction on how NRCS will use USDA programs to fund installation of monitoring projects and other work associated with the Activity Standards.
Changing Roles - Emerging Issues: Green Infrastructure
At the wildland urban interface, both people and wildlife are at risk -- people risk losing lives and property from wildfire while wildlife lose habitat as development encroaches into areas that were once rural or undeveloped. This risk is expected to increase as land development continues into previously undeveloped landscapes. Forest fragmentation from land development is one of the top threats facing the Southern Region and the rate of fragmentation is increasing. Sprawl-patterned development is putting increased pressure on natural systems that we rely on for clean water, air quality and wildlife habitat. This webinar session will: • describe the reasons, processes, and approaches for identifying and evaluating a community’s natural resource assets and how to conserve them. • demonstrate why a green infrastructure planning approach is a useful way to conserve critical natural assets while channeling growth and development to more appropriate areas. • describe the role played by local governments and county foresters in natural resource assessment and stewardship. • suggest how to apply natural resource asset maps within a locality's existing land planning tools and regulations to conserve key forest resources in developing landscapes.
Changing Roles- Emerging Issues: Forest Cooperatives
Fragmentation, parcelization, and conversion have produced substantial changes in many forested landscapes, making working forest conservation more difficult. An additional trend affecting forest conservation efforts has been an influx of newcomers, who have proven to be difficult for traditional extension and industry programs to reach. New messages and new messengers are key components of any strategy geared to reaching these new landowners. Forest cooperatives have emerged as those new messengers in many areas of the US, growing steadily and partnering with landowners to provide a suite of services and take care of tens of thousands of acres of forestlands. This webinar session will: • highlight examples of how cooperatives are bringing more landowners into forestry, coordinating cross-boundary projects to enable treatment of small-acreage parcels, and maintaining stewardship continuity across generations. • share information about the progress of a national roundtable of forest cooperative leaders who are working together to share lessons learned. • describe how cooperatives are facilitating peer-to-peer learning, assisting landowners with climate change adaptation, and exploring ways to sustainably aggregate biomass. • describe how cooperatives and other conservation and natural resources professionals can work together to conserve working forests and re-weave forested landscapes parcel by parcel.
Changing Roles- Emerging Issues: Ecosystem Goods and Services
Ecosystem services have recently been promoted as a strategy for conserving forests, a means for quantifying benefits to people, and a term that describes the importance of nature. However, the recent rates of urbanization, the lack of prioritization of forest conservation by local and regional governments, and different uses of this term by land managers often brings into question the utility of this concept. Nonetheless, there is growing appreciation for the role ecosystem services play in maintaining ecosystem functioning upon which human life depends. Tune in to learn more about this new environmental buzzword. This webinar session will: • discuss the varied definitions of ecosystem services and the role of economic valuation. • provide examples of how the ecosystem services concept applies to the wildland-urban interface. • examine case studies in which this approach has been used to address land management issues associated with urbanization. 1 CFE for the Society of American Foresters has been approved for this program.
Changing Roles- Climate Change
An introduction to climate change and a discussion of the interactions between climate change and other environmental stresses on US forest health will be presented. This webinar session will: • provide an introduction to climate change • discuss interactions between climate change and other environmental stresses on US forest health including increasing climate variability, bringing more intense precipitation events, doughts, and heat waves. These changes will then affect soil erosion, sedimentation, and wildfire. • discuss potential changes in insect and disease outbreak. • discuss long-term climate change leading to changes in ecosystem composition fisheries, and wildlife habitat, forest and range land productivity, and stream flow.
Energy Conservation in Irrigation Systems
View this webinar to learn about the major pathways to conserving energy and enhancing its efficient use in irrigation systems.
Essential Principles for Conservation Planning on Pastures
Participate in this webinar to gain an understanding of essential grazing components and measurements that should go into every grazing plan.
Evaluating, Establishing & Maintaining Habitat for Pollinators and Beneficial Insects
View this webinar to learn how to recognize pollinator habitat and opportunities for habitat creation on organic farms. Resources for conventional farms are also provided.
Exploring the Environmental and Economic Opportunities and Challenges of Cover Crops
This webinar will enable participants to make informed decisions about cover crop adoption.
Facets of Environmental Justice: Socially Vulnerable Communities and Engaging Latino Communities
Natural resource management agencies and organizations are increasingly implementing strategies to achieve environmental justice in programs, policies, planning, and public participation. But, what is environmental justice exactly? Join this webinar session to learn how environmental justice issues go beyond disproportionate exposure to environmental hazards in low income, minority communities. Environmental justice also includes meeting the needs of underserved communities by increasing: access to decision-making processes, access to environmental benefits, and access to technical assistance and appropriate outreach efforts. Cassandra will provide an overview of environmental justice and then discuss her recent work investigating the social vulnerability of communities to wildfire risk with implications for mitigation efforts. Tamberly will discuss her work engaging Latino communities in decision-making processes and delivering outreach and educational programming for Latino communities. Finally, learn five steps you can take to address environmental justice in the communities and programs you work with.
Farming for Beneficial Insects: Pollinators, Predators and Parasitoids
Learn how to support beneficial insects (pollinators and natural enemies of crop pests) on farms.
Feral Hog Management
Feral hogs continue to expand their range and populations across the United States. Landowners often bear the brunt of the damage caused by feral hogs, including depredation of newly established pine plantations, row crops, pastures and even livestock.
Recreational Firewood Transport and the Spread of Forest Pests.
The potential for accidental, long-distance transport of invasive insects and pathogens in untreated firewood has become a topic of considerable concern in North America. The issue has been the subject of national-scale public awareness campaigns in both the U.S. and Canada, as well as similar campaigns by individual states and provinces. Currently, a majority of U.S. states have imposed restrictions on firewood movement, in some cases enforced with fines or other penalties for violations. Nevertheless, despite this attention, there has been little quantitative analysis of the risks posed by recreational movement of firewood. This may be partially explained by a lack of data on firewood transport and utilization by campers. In this webinar, the presenter will provide some context regarding firewood and forest pests, and will also discuss what has been learned about this issue through indirect analysis of camper travel patterns rather than their actual use of firewood.
Forest*A*Syst: A web-based tool for natural resource professionals
By participating in this webinar professionals will learn about a tool they can use to assist landowners in better understanding their land. The tool is the web-based application Forest*A*Syst. Participants will learn how to use this tool to assist landowners in making informed decisions about the goals and objectives they have for their property. Participants will receive a brief history and learn the purpose of Forest*A*Syst. They will be introduced to the various components and function of the website. During this presentation participants will explore the interactive features of the website. These features include: the ability to easily print aerial images, link with the NRCS Web Soil Survey to generate information about the soils found on a specific tract of land, a survey to collect data used in the process of identifying landowner objectives, and facilitation of communication between the landowner and resource professional (foresters, wildlife biologists, etc.) who can provide technical assistance.
Forest-based Bioenergy - A National Perspective
There has been unprecedented interest in renewable energy the last several years due to factors such as increasing energy prices, environmental concerns, and national security. Now, with sustained high-energy costs and the additional impact of Federal and state incentives and legislation, wood-using energy projects are rapidly being planned and constructed through out the nation creating demand for woody biomass. Attendees will be presented with an overview of forest-based bioenergy, woody biomass utilization, and sources of federal and state assistance.
Forest Certification Applications and Impacts for Small Private Forest Landowners
This webinar will discuss research that the presenters have performed on the impacts of forest certification for the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), and American Tree Farm System (ATFS). The new program that is being developed by FSC for small landowners and the new ATFS standards and group certification and their application to small landowners will be summarized.
Forest Conservation Strategies in Chile
This webinar will present information on the following topics: Native forest management and conservation –Pablo Donoso, Univ. Austral de Chile Achieving old-growth conditions through uneven aged silviculture – Scott Sink, NCSU Dept. of Forestry & Env. Resources Forest ecosystem services as an economic opportunity – Erin Sills, Associate Professor, Forest Economics, NCSU Dept of Forestry and Env. Resources Case studies of conservation efforts in Southern Chile (10 mins each): Community-based watershed conservation – Michelle Moorman, NCSU Dept. of Forestry and Env. Resources Reaching out to conserve forests: forestry extension in Southern Chile – Susan Moore, Extension Associate Professor, NCSU Forestry Extension Chile’s national monument: conserving the endangered Alerce forests – Doug Frederick, Forestry Professor, NCSU Invasive species impacts on native forest conservation by Anibal Pauchard, University of Concepcion, Chile
Forest Farming Non-Timber Products: Opportunities and Challenges
Forest farming, the cultivation of understory plants and fungi with economic value, may be a way for small-scale forest landowners to realize greater benefits. The forests are host of a tremendous diversity of economically important plants. Eighty percent of the land base of the Appalachian forest region is in private ownership, and the majority of this is in family forests. These holdings are typically small in size, and maintained for reasons other than timber production. A great diversity of native plant species are harvested for their value in the medicinal, culinary, craft, and other product markets. Most of the plants used for their non-timber values are harvested from the wild, with little or no consideration for the long-term impact on the natural resources. The market potential for many non-timber forest products is significant, but the economic viability of producing them through forest farming is a major challenge. Farming these valuable plants in a forest setting could reduce pressures on natural populations, increase biodiversity and forest health, while diversifying income portfolios. Yet, production methods and yield estimations are challenges that may thwart landowner efforts. Recent government initiatives, such as ‘Know-Your-Farmer, Know-Your-Food, could spur efforts to develop forest farming in the region. Efforts are needed to get forest farming recognized in future government programs, such as the next farm bill. This presentation examines opportunities for forest farming in the region, and challenges that could frustrate efforts to diversify forest operations.
Forest Management During Climate Change
Climate change is expected to have significant effects on the condition and function of forested ecosystems; however, the exact nature of the stressors, their intensity, and the ensuing impacts on forests are quite uncertain. Forest managers will need to cope with this uncertainty, balancing the paucity of detailed information on future conditions against the demands of active and sustainable resource planning and management. In this context, sustainable forest management must recognize the need for ecosystems to adapt to changing climatic conditions in order to achieve desired objectives including, among other things, maintenance of habitat, production of wood, and mitigation of increased levels of atmospheric greenhouse gases. This presentation synthesizes available information on forest management options in the northeastern United States to provide a background for working with an uncertain climate future.
Forest Pond Management
Many forestland owners are also pond owners. Acre for acre, these ponds represent some of the most aesthetically, ecologically and economically valuable resources present on the landscape.
Forestry in the 2008 Farm Bill
What you will learn: This presentation examines the potential to tap into Farm Bill programs by expanding the capacity of the federal agencies charged with administering programs ranging from forestry practice cost share to wetland easements.
From the Raindrop to the River: The Basics of Forest Hydrology
Forest lands provide the cleanest and the most dependable supply of water compared to all other land uses. This holds whether forests are young or old, pine or hardwood, and managed or unmanaged. The connection between forests and clean water has long been recognized and decades of watershed science provides a solid understanding of the various processes that interact with rainfall as it falls on the top of the forest, drips down through the leaves, enters the forest floor, and is eventually used by the trees or flows into streams or recharges groundwater. Using examples from long-term watershed experiments, I will explain the basic hydrologic processes that occur as water moves through a forest. Topics to be covered include identification of critical forest watershed components (e.g., riparian zones) and discussion of the impacts of disturbances such as fire, insects, and management activities on water resources.
Getting the Attention of Family Forest Owners: Lessons from Social Marketing Research
This special one-hour program will discuss social marketing as an approach to reaching family forest owners to positively influence their attitudes and behaviors toward stewardship of their lands. Dr. Butler and Ms. Tyrrell will present results from the Sustaining Family Forests Initiative.
GIS in the Field: Using LiDAR Makes Sense
This webinar is intended for non-GIS participants who use, or might use, GIS for conservation planning and design, and natural resources analysis and applications.
GIS in the Field with LiDAR Data: The Kentucky Hydro Tool
This webinar presents an example of practical applications of GIS technology using LiDAR derivatives to support NRCS field staff and other related professionals.
Golden-Winged Warbler Ecology and Guidelines for Creating Breeding Habitat on Forestlands
View this webinar to learn about Golden-winged Warbler ecology, why populations are declining, and habitat requirements and best management practices that result in successful breeding.
"Green" Forest Certification & Labeling Competitive Advantage in Global Markets
December 3, 2009 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm (Eastern) 11:00 am to 12:00 pm (Central) FSC? SFI? PEFC? Chain-of-Custody? Controlled Wood? Product Claims & Labeling? These are some of the terms you have heard in relation to “Green” forest certification. Like many, you are probably overwhelmed by what the different Standards are and what the terms mean.
Greenhouse Gases, Environmental Market Concepts and the Emerging California Cap and Trade Program
This webinar will help participants understand emerging voluntary and regulatory carbon markets and how these markets can be leveraged to benefit NRCS land conservation activities.
Hardwood Regeneration Options for Private Woodlands
Properly regenerating natural hardwood stands is a key to ensuring long-term sustainability. Historically, hardwood stands have often been mistreated and mismanaged. Often selective harvesting has hurt the species composition and future value of the trees left standing and has decreased the regeneration important species for timber and wildlife. The ultimate and most intensive regeneration method is clearcutting. However, in some if not many instances, clearcutting will NOT automatically regenerate the proper species and due to a variety of reasons many landowners would not want or will not allow a clearcut. However, there are many regeneration alternatives that are compatible with a multitude of private woodland owners objectives. Understanding these techniques provides valuable tools to properly manage hardwoods. This session provides useful “rules of thumb” and techniques for regenerating hardwoods including oaks and will provide participants with a clear understanding of how to regenerate hardwoods in ways that are compatible with private woodlands ownerships
Holistic Dollar-Valuation of Urban Forest Functions to Support Resource Conservation and Management
September 21, 2011 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm (Eastern) 11:00 am - 12:00 pm (Central) 10:00 am - 11:00 am (Mountain) 9:00 am - 10:00 am (Pacific) What you will learn: In an arena of ever-shrinking government budgets that must make decisions on what programs to fund or cut based on competitive comparisons, obtaining funding and public support for managing urban forests can be at a disadvantage because the direct benefits of urban forest resources are often difficult to quantify. Use of a variety of computer-based forest functional analysis programs, combined with traditional tree appraisal techniques, can help a jurisdiction to determine the real-dollar values of functions provided by their urban forest. Readily available dollar-valuation strategies exist for functions that include increased property values, increased local commerce, carbon sequestration, air pollution abatement, stormwater management, temperature moderation and traffic calming. For many of these benefits, use of trees is often as or more cost effective than traditional engineering options. Implementing a holistic system for valuing the urban forest in a given jurisdiction as its "green infrastructure" will assist public decision makers with identifying appropriate funding to maintain the urban forest canopy, as well as identifying opportunities to use tree plantings as an alternative to other construction, management or planning efforts. Examples will be presented that range in size from an entire county (primary evaluation using CityGreen), a small municipality (primary evaluation using iTree), to individual park properties (mixed evaluation methods). Methodologies will be presented along with findings and lessons learned.
How and What Social Media Is Being Used in Natural Resource Outreach
This presentation will focus on how social media tools, such as Twitter, Wikipedia, Facebook, LinkedIn, Flickr, and YouTube are currently employed by extension and education programs.
How to claim a shade tree casualty loss
Claiming a casualty loss on an individual’s federal income tax return for damaged shade trees is possible—but only if the proper valuation techniques are used. Taking a loss requires knowledge of the value of the trees destroyed, before and after values of the property, and/or clean up costs. Dr. Deborah A. Gaddis, Mississippi State University Extension Forestry’s timber taxation specialist, will explain how to claim a shade tree casualty loss.
How to claim a timber casualty loss.
Damage and destruction of timber due to weather events, such as the recent storms, is considered a casualty loss. Claiming a timber casualty loss on the federal tax return is not as simple as determining the fair market value of the damaged timber. As a capital asset, the loss is determined by the loss in fair market value or the basis in timber, whichever is less. Determining the proper amount of loss to claim generally requires the assistance of a forester. In this webinar, Dr. Deborah A. Gaddis, Mississippi State University Extension Forestry’s timber taxation specialist, will explain basics of tax valuation of the loss and the correct way to take the deduction. The program is suitable for forest landowners, foresters, and tax preparers.
Timber Tax Tips for the 2010 Tax Season (repeat)
The webinar will cover tax filing tips for timber transactions for the 2010 tax season. Presenters will discuss * Tax tips * New tax forms * Incentives * Latest IRS regulations on timber This webinar will be of interest to Foresters, Landowners, Government agency staff and program leaders, Extension agents, and tax professionals
Implementing NRCS Practice Standard Feed Management
Learn the basics of using the Feed Management practice standard to increase adoption, improve economic efficiency, and reduce manure nutrient content, thus reducing acreage needed for spreading manure.
A State's Perspective on Implementing the Soil Health Initiative on Grasslands
Learn about soil health on grasslands from this discussion of activities and accomplishments made by specialists in South Dakota.
Improving Hardwoods through Crop Tree Release
Improvement in growth and value of individual trees is one of the cornerstones of hardwood silviculture. Maximizing growth and potentially value is based upon providing adequate free growing space to individually selected hardwoods. Crop tree release is often the method of choice for controlling growing space in hardwoods and can be used in with stands of almost any age and specie composition to improve their ultimate value. While the crop tree release concept is simple to grasp there are a number of specific details that must be understood to know when to properly use the practice and to ensure its maximum effectiveness. This webinar will provide information that will help those using the technique to determine: the proper degree of release based on species, the number of crop trees per acre, how to determine when and if a stands needs crop tree release, and how to apply a crop tree release treatment.
Income Tax on Timber For Your 2012 Tax Return Filing
This webinar will cover tax reporting on timber transactions as well as the latest sweeping tax law changes from the “fiscal cliff” package
Integrated Pest Management I: Policy, Practice, WIN-PST
This webinar provides a comprehensive view of NRCS pest management policy, the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) conservation practice standard, and a demonstration of WIN-PST to assess hazards associated with chemical pest activities.
Integrating Livestock into a Cropping System for Sustainability and Soil Health
Participate in this webinar to learn how the Small Angus Ranch in Burleigh County, North Dakota, is working toward the goals stated in the webinar title.
Exploring the Findings of the Southern Forest Futures Project
The webinar focuses on the interaction of urbanization, land use and ownership changes, forest pests, and other challenges identified by the Southern Forest Futures Project (Futures Project), which forecasts changes to southern forest conditions between 2010 and 2060.
Interactions Between Carbon, Climate, and Forests
This presentation will set the stage for a broader discussion on climate change and forests by briefly examining interactions between climate change, carbon cycling, and forest sustainability. First, we’ll cover some key mechanisms and major trends in climate change, and then explore forecasts of future climate and associated uncertainty. Next, we’ll survey the global carbon cycle and the distribution of carbon in major forest ecosystems. We’ll then consider several general ecophysiological concepts and how projected changes in climate may interact with forest ecophysiology. Finally, we’ll discuss how all these considerations may combine to affect forest carbon storage and productivity in the Lake States and Northeast.
Introduction to the Pocket Guide for Sagebrush
Participate in this webinar to learn the basics of sagebrush taxonomy.
Wildland-Urban Interface Land-Use Planning and Policy (Module 3)
October 13th, 2009 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM (Eastern) As natural resource professionals, we tend to enjoy working outside in rural areas and attempting to help landowners better manage their land for wildlife or habitat health. We didn't get into this profession to live in cities and work in meeting rooms. However, our constituents have changed and the methods we use to influence land management have changed as well. We can no longer ignore the urban / urbanizing areas. Additionally, we are being asked to do more with less, so efficiency is critical. By working with planners and policy makers, we can impact the landscape on a grand scale.
