NA News

Ash borer crosses Hudson, edging closer to New England forests
4/17/12
—A tree-killing invasive insect recently crossed its last major natural eastward obstacle, the Hudson River in New York, and it is now poised to reach New England woodlands.  more »

Forest Service kicks off My Neighborhood Forest photo contest
4/10/12
WASHINGTON, DC—The Forest Service today announced its My Neighborhood Forest photo contest, celebrating America’s urban and community forests.  more »

Chesapeake Bay Report: 650,000 Ag and Forest Acres Conserved in 16 Months
4/4/12
MORGANTOWN, W.Va.—A new report from USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service shows that with NRCS assistance Chesapeake Bay region farmers, forestland owners, and other partners put conservation practices on 650,000 acres of working land between May 2010 and September 2011.  more »

U.S. Forest Service to host small sawmill business workshop
4/4/12
—The U.S. Forest Service Wood Education and Resource Center in Princeton, WVa, will host a small sawmill business workshop on June 14. Workshop topics will include equipment that is currently available for small sawmill and lumber drying operations, sawing for improved hardwood lumber grades, lumber grading system basics, lumber drying basics, heating a kiln with a stick-wood water stove, profitable business and marketing strategies, and how to make value-added wood products beyond green and kiln-dried lumber.  more »

U.S. Forest Service to host wood products workshop
4/4/12
—The U.S. Forest Service Wood Education and Resource Center in Princeton, WVa, will host a workshop for wood product manufacturers on June 7.  more »

Working Lands for Wildlife Introduced
3/8/12
MORGANTOWN, W.Va.—The Departments of Agriculture and Interior announced a new partnership to use innovative approaches with farmers and forest landowners to restore and protect the habitats for specific wildlife species.  more »

Asian Longhorned Beetle Spreads Through Forests Easier Than Previously Thought, Study Finds
8/29/11
DURHAM, N.H.—The first evaluation of Asian longhorned beetle behavior, conducted in woods near Worcester, Mass., found the insect to be more of a forest threat than previously believed.  more »

Technical Assistance Team helps businesses see benefits of using woody biomass systems
7/6/11
PRINCETON, W.Va.—The U.S. Forest Service Wood Education and Resource Center is leading the way in rediscovering that woody biomass is an efficient, cost-effective energy source.  more »

News from the States

Public tour at Coopers Rock State Forest scheduled for May 19
5/10/12
BECKLEY, W.Va.—The West Virginia Division of Forestry will conduct a public tour at Coopers Rock State Forest May 19. This is an informational tour for the public to learn about plans for a proposed timber management project prescribed to meet recreational, wildlife and forest management objectives. more »

June is “Discover TheDCH Month” at Delaware Center for Horticulture
5/7/12
WILMINGTON, Del.—The Delaware Center for Horticulture announces an exciting line up of activities throughout the month of June for “Discover TheDCH Month.” more »

Help Map Invasive Species Using New Smartphone Application
5/4/12
SAUGERTIES, N.Y.—NYSDEC and the New York Natural Heritage Program (NYNHP) released a new Smartphone application to help citizens and conservation professionals quickly and easily report new invasive species sightings. more »

DNR heads to Gaylord, Iron Mountain, Newberry and Lansing for local input on Michigan's forest, timber and wildfire management
5/4/12
LANSING, Mich.—Recognizing the importance of ongoing, meaningful conversation about the health and sustainability of Michigan's world-class forest resources, the Department of Natural Resources today announced that officials from its Forest Resources Division will offer a series of "forest community" information meetings during May and June. more »

DEC Accepting Applications for Volunteer Fire Assistance Grants
5/3/12
ALBANY, N.Y.—Applications are now being accepted for federally funded Volunteer Fire Assistance grants to help rural fire departments enhance their wildfire fighting capabilities, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens announced today. The deadline for applications is May 15. more »

Arbor Day Foundation, DNR partnership yields 321,000 seedlings for Pere Marquette State Forest
5/3/12
LANSING, Mich.—Thanks to $67,500 in funding from the Arbor Day Foundation, 321,000 jack pine seedlings will soon be planted within the Michigan Department of Natural Resources' Traverse City Forest Management Unit in the Pere Marquette State Forest. more »

State Agencies Announce Start of 2012 National Cooperative Emerald Ash Borer Survey in Maine
5/3/12
AUGUSTA, Maine—State and federal officials on Thursday announced the start of a statewide survey to hunt for an invasive insect that threatens to destroy Maine’s ash trees. more »

DNR to lift burning restrictions May 7 in several more Minnesota counties
5/3/12
ST. PAUL, Minn.—Restrictions on open burning will be lifted next week in 13 additional counties, according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. more »

DEEP Bureau of Natural Resources Now on Facebook
5/2/12
HARTFORD, Conn.—The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection today announced that DEEP’s Bureau of Natural Resources now has a presence on the social networking site, Facebook. more »

Big Tree Champion Crowned in West Virginia
5/1/12
FARMINGTON, W.Va.—American Forests’ newly released National Register of Big Trees named Monongalia County’s Virginia pine the largest of its species on record in the nation. more »

Illinois residents urged to help combat invasive species
5/1/12
SPRINGFIELD, Ill.—Invasive plant and animal species are threatening Illinois’ agricultural and natural lands and waterways, consequently posing a threat to the state’s economy. more »

DEC and Partners Continue "Trees for Tribs" Program
4/29/12
ALBANY, N.Y.—Two tree planting events were held along streams heavily eroded by the waters of Tropical Storm Irene as part of the Lake Champlain Basin Trees for Tributaries program, the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today. more »

Arbor Day Celebrated in New York State with Announcement of $750k in Urban Forestry Grants Available
4/27/12
ALBANY, N.Y.—At least $750,000 in Urban Forestry Grants is now available for urban communities to apply for, New York State Department of Environment Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens announced today at the New York State Arbor Day Celebration. more »

Tree City USA awards presented to area cities
4/26/12
KANSAS CITY, Mo.—Several cities in the Kansas City and St. Joseph regions have been recognized with Tree City USA designations by the National Arbor Day Foundation. more »

New Publication to Help Forest Land Managers Deal with Tree Killer
4/25/12
WAITSFIELD, Vt.—The Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation has completed a new publication to help forest managers understand potential impacts of an insect pest that is poised at Vermont’s borders. The publication is Ash Management Guidelines for Forest Managers. more »

West Chester Arbor Day Event to Target Invasive Emerald Ash Borer
4/25/12
HARRISBURG, Pa.—Methods to combat an invasive beetle proving deadly to Pennsylvania’s ash trees will be showcased April 27 at an Arbor Day celebration at West Chester’s Hoopes Park, where no less than 75 stately ash trees grace the grounds. more »

John Heckmann named 2011 Missouri Tree Farmer of the Year
4/25/12
HERMANN, Mo.—John Heckmann of Bear Valley Tree Farm near Hermann was recently named the Missouri Tree Farm Program’s 2011 Tree Farmer of the Year. more »

Eastern tent caterpillars are feeding on trees early this spring
4/24/12
MADISON, Wisc.—State forest health specialists report that populations of the native eastern tent caterpillar are active at least three weeks early this year in southern and central Wisconsin, due to warm weather. more »

DNR Dedicates Fred W. Besley Demonstration Forest
4/23/12
LINKWOOD, Md.—To honor Maryland’s first State forester, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officially dedicated the Fred W. Besley Demonstration Forest in Dorchester County on April 20. more »

Spring/Summer workshops, outings, classes & fun at TheDCH
4/3/12
WILMINGTON, Del.—Activities schedule for April through August. more »

Woodland Speaker Series Set For Baltimore County
3/30/12
Cockeysville, Md.—Central Maryland landowners are invited to attend a spring workshop series that will focus on woodland health and stewardship. The workshop will consist of three sessions starting in mid April and will take place in Cockeysville in Baltimore County. more »

DNR state forest nurseries announce spring seedling sale
3/29/12
ST. PAUL, Minn.—The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources state forest nurseries are gearing up for their spring seedling sale and have available a wide variety of native, bareroot conifer and hardwood tree and shrub seedlings. more »

Oak wilt season arriving earlier due to unusually warm spring
3/22/12
MADISON, Wisc.—Forest health experts say unseasonably warm weather across Wisconsin is raising concerns that oak wilt, a serious and almost always fatal fungal disease of red oaks, will likely appear sooner than normal and encourage landowners to stop pruning oaks from now through the end of July. more »

Officials Urge Caution with Open Burning
3/21/12
WATERBURY, Vt.—State officials are ramping up efforts to prevent forest fires. Unprecedented warm weather and lack of snow this winter are creating conditions that could lead to more grass, brush and forest fires. more »

Eight Operation ReLeaf Events Planned for Spring
3/20/12
DES MOINES, Iowa—Iowans looking for a cost-effective, yet eye-pleasing way to reduce home heating and cooling costs are encouraged to participate in Operation ReLeaf. Operation ReLeaf is a residential tree planting program that promotes long-term energy and natural resource conservation. more »

State Ban on Residential Brush Burning Begins March 16 during High Fire-Risk Season
3/13/12
ALBANY, N.Y.—All residential brush burning is prohibited in smaller communities during the state's historically high fire-risk period from March 16 through May 14. more »

Stay tuned these great summer 2012 events organized by The DCH
3/8/12
WILMINGTON, Del.—Throughout June, the Delaware Center for Horticulture has planned a score of events. Programs include a garden party, three garden tours, Meet the Bees, Yoga in the Garden, an art gallery show and bazaar. Workshops include: The Botany of Beer, Stretching Your Plant Budget, and Make Your Own Rain Barrel. more »

Wildfire Prevention Tips Shared for Windy Spring Season
3/1/12
COLUMBUS, Ohio—Ohioans are urged to be aware of the state’s outdoor burning regulations and take necessary precautions if they are planning to burn debris, according to the Ohio Division of Forestry. more »

Spring forest fire season starts March 1
2/29/12
CHARLESTON, W.Va.—West Virginia’s spring forest fire season starts March 1, 2012, and runs through May 31, 2012. more »