The National Association of State Foresters, a group that supports the efforts of the state agency foresters throughout the country, conducted a survey of voters in 2011, the International Year of the Forest.  As reported in this article, there are some interesting economic impacts of forests:

"In a struggling economy, we can…

The Society of American Foresters (SAF) has reissued its position statement on the taxation of private lands.  In NY, land taxes hover at the top of the list of concerns held by private forest owners.  The full SAF position is here, and the summary position is pasted below.

From the SAF eforester website

The Society of American Foresters (SAF) believes federal…

Although this blog is generally geared towards the sustainable management of private forests/woodlands in the Northeast, this recent article on how private forests are managed in other countries caught my attention.  I think it offers some interesting perspectives on the utilization of these forests, all of which support societal needs and typically at some cost to the owner.  For example:

• Shade…

A recent blog about the impact of deer has been of interest to many.  I came across this link to a story about strategies to protect seedlings from deer, at least from browsing the terminal buds.  Check out the site here.  The story relates to oak, but would likely have application with all hardwoods. 

Are there other strategies that have proven efficient and effective?  Offer…

The blight of American Chestnut, first noticed from the early years of the 1900's and spreading throughout the range of this mighty giant, has been described as the nation's worst ecological disaster.  A species that was once up to 40% of some forest ecosystems and occurred throughout most eastern states has been reduced in current forests to a minor component.  There is great hope and energy to reverse this pattern.  The story of the once mighty, but now diminished, tree that served society…

"This polyculture is but one small story I am beginning to write. It is one piece of a larger "book" that outlines how value can be put back into northeastern woodlots, which is part of a "genre" of strategies for integrating systems in agriculture and forestry."

see full article: www.WorkWithNatureDesign.com

This in from Purdue about walnuts and climate change.  While maybe not a big deal for Western Mass it may be a bigger deal for those of you in walnut country in NY and PA.

http://www.purdue.edu/newsroom/research/2011/111128JacobsWalnut.html

Private forest owners throughout the country have access to a wide variety of educational opportunities through their local Cooperative Extension and their partners.  In New York, private woodland owners have access to education on topics that span the range of those within timber, woodlands, wildlife, water, agroforestry, etc.  These topics are available via workshops, bulletins, webinars, conferences, and trained volunteers.  So, what's the point?  The ForestConnect program is part of a…

"Farmers and foresters who are looking for systems where they can put animals out to pasture or plant crops with little interaction until harvesting will not be good silvopasture candidates. Those that enjoy watching their animals, observing their plantings, taking good notes, and making small adjustments all season long will reap the benefits of increased economic and ecological health.



We also cannot wait for research to provide all the answers, though coordination between sites…

Forests and fresh drinking water are inextricably linked.  We all live in a watershed and our actions affect those downstream to greater or lesser extent, positively or negatively.  The USDA Forest Service has recently released a new project called "Forest to Faucets" with extensive documentation and interactive maps.  The project description is below or linked HERE. 

The…

Reminding you again to read a terrifying article… Fracking in Pennsylvania, NYT Magazine, today.
 http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/20/magazine/fracking-amwell-township.html?pagewanted=1&_r=2

Thousand cankers disease affects walnuts in the western US and threatens walnuts in the east.  I found this new resource thanks to the Society of American Foresterse-Forester news letter.

Purdue Develops Website on Thousand Cankers Disease

Purdue University (November 2) - Purdue University researchers have helped develop a …

Invasive plants can cause considerable damage to forest (and other) ecosystem, limiting productivity, diversity, access, aesthetic appeal.  Control of these species can be expensive, and not done correctly can further aggravate ecological problems.

I have two recent presentations that might be of interest.  One presentation was offered for the Cornell University Cooperative Extension in-service training on November 15 - 17, 2011 in Ithaca, NY.  This training was for CCE…

An interesting story about a livestock farmer who is adding trees to the pasture.  He has focused on creating swales and establishing fruit trees.  The farm is based in Bloomington, IN.  The story (see the link) has some nice photos and diagrams of the design. 

The author mentions films by Geoff Lawton, but I have not seen these.

I found this story about an application of silvopasture to both use the pasture of the woods, but to do so and deliberately control undesired vegetation....the plant we love to hate Rhamnus cathartica (European buckthorn).  This farmer is aware of the concerns of silvopasture, potential for compaction and damage to residual trees, but also alert to the value that it brings.  The…

The first (but not last) Northeastern Silvopasture Conference occurred November 7-8, 2011 in Watkins Glen, NY; it was hosted by Cornell Cooperative Extension of Schuyler County.  The conference was fully successful in its intent of bringing together the types of people who would be important in the silvopasture discussion and forming some ideas for how to share the opportunities of silvopasture with those who would benefit from what it offers.  The types of people attending the conference…

We all can benefit from the networks we access.  I just gave a presentation at the Northeastern Silvopasture Conference in Watkins Glen about things that graziers should know about forestry.  One aspect of the presentation was the need to learn about the biology of tree and other plant species that occur in areas that might be used for silvopasture.  During the discussion, we talked about where to find information that describes the characteristics of these plants.  I knew of one resource…

As deer hunting season approaches, or continues as the case may be for early archery season, a recent post about the contribution of hunters to others in their community via "Hunters for the Hungry" reminded me of the important contribution that deer hunting can make to the health and sustainability of our hardwood…

Our friends in PA have done a great job at connecting with women as woodland owners and managers.  A recent training workshop shared a variety of skills sessions with female woodland owners.  Kudos to the Keystone state.

The issue of whether or not forest roads serve as a point source for water pollution or fall under the provisions of non-point source remains an open question.  Recent actionsby the Attorney's General in 26 states and industry/owner groups have requested action and review by the Supreme Court. 

If other have information on…