ALABAMA FIELD DAY HELPS EDUCATE HUNDREDS


Thanks to its relationship with Saloom Properties LLC, Conecuh County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is able to educate Alabama landowners about a variety of programs available for their forestland.

Conecuh County SWCD coordinated with Saloom Tree Farms to hold a field day in September that drew more than 300 people on a rainy day.

“It’s very important for us to be able to do that,” District Administrative Coordinator Shelly Hyde said. “It helps people know who we are and where to come. We tell them about our programs and where to find us.”

Working with Dr. Dalem Saloom, a co-executive with the Saloom Properties LLC, also is beneficial, Hyde said. For Saloom, it is about educating the community and ensuring that private landowners are aware of not only the program options available, but how they can be applied and what the results might look like.

“It takes a concerted effort on everyone’s part to make these events productive, educational and a real value to landowners,” Saloom said. “It’s working together for the common good of our natural resources." Read more >>>


MINNESOTA SWCD BATTLES OAK WILT

Minnesota’s Morrison County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is awaiting legislative approval for a grant that would allow the district to treat oak wilt along the northwestern edge of the disease in Minnesota before it strikes state forestland.

“This area is a strategic spot to control oak wilt,” state Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Forest Health Specialist Brian Schwingle said. “Beyond it are thousands of acres of private and public forests that could be greatly affected.”

Morrison SWCD applied for the $100,000 Oak Wilt Suppression at the Northern Edge grant early in 2018 and in January 2019 received support from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources to be funded through the state’s Environmental and Natural Resources Trust Fund.

At the time of the application, 12 sites had been identified near Little Falls in Morrison County. Since, the number of affected locations discovered has grown to around 55. The disease can kill red oaks in about one month. Other species such as white and bur oaks also can be afflicted but symptoms progress slower.

“We’re really just trying to wrap our head around how to approach the problem since it’s grown,” District Manager Shannon Wettstein said. “We definitely accept there will be a lot of challenges when we’re trying to get to wiping out the oak wilt in the county, but that’s our goal. Morrison County really is the threshold. The vision is a hopeful one, to eradicate it and stop this problem before it reaches our bigger state forests.” Read more on NACD's blog.


HINKHOUSE SELECTED TO CHAIR JOINT FORESTRY TEAM

Wyoming’s Jennifer Hinkhouse has been selected to chair the Joint Forestry Team (JFT) for 2019. Hinkhouse is the district manager of the Campbell County Conservation District and serves as a supervisor for neighboring Crook County Natural Resource District.

Hinkhouse was formally introduced as this year’s chair during the JFT’s annual in-person meeting, held March 11 in Washington, D.C.

“It’s a tremendous honor,” Hinkhouse said. “I’m excited to help the Joint Forestry Team manage this year’s set of priority tasks.”

Chartered in fall 2007, the Joint Forestry Team’s purpose is to make recommendations that result in coordinated interagency delivery of forestry and conservation assistance for working forests, farms and ranches. The JFT consists of members representing the U.S. Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Association of State Foresters and NACD. Organizations rotate chairman duties on an annual basis.

“We’re proud to have Jennifer represent NACD on the JFT,” NACD President Tim Palmer said. “I’m confident she’ll do an outstanding job this year.” Read more >>>


NACD ATTENDS SUFC ANNUAL MEETING


NACD Forestry Specialist Mike Beacom was one of more than 80 attendees at the Sustainable Urban Forests Coalition (SUFC) Annual Meeting, held March 6 at The Nature Conservancy office in Arlington, Va. That evening, attendees and guests attended a reception at the U.S. Botanic Garden.

Beacom serves on the SUFC Steering Committee and co-chairs the Strategic Engagement and Networking Working Group. To learn more, visit SUFC.org.


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