Grant Dekker Resigns
After 25 years with the Forest Service, Grant Dekker is leaving the Federal Government to work for a small consulting firm, effective August 2, 2008.   Grant was the original Director of the Information Solutions Organization (ISO) under the Chief Information Office (CIO) and most recently acting Deputy CIO filling in behind Joan Golden.  Grant made this decision to increase the breadth and diversity of his experience.  Grant says: “I am nearly 25 years in an amazing and exciting career with the Forest Service.  I do want to make it clear I am not leaving because any dissatisfaction in my job, the CIO office, or the Forest Service.  This is one great agency made up great people.  I have been honored in being given great, new opportunities just about every two years within the agency.  I may temporarily be "taking off my green underwear" -- but I am not throwing them away!”  John King will be acting Deputy CIO for 120 days.

Society of American Foresters 2008 National Convention
“Forestry in a Climate of Change” is the theme of the conference to be held November 5-9, 2008 in Reno and Lake Tahoe, Nevada. Expand your knowledge and interact with industry leaders. No matter in what area of the Forest Service you serve, the Society of American Foresters 2008 National Convention has what you need to succeed. Select from 250 speakers and 130 hours of scientific and technical sessions. Discuss opportunities for managed forests and their products to prevent greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and sequester atmospheric carbon. Learn how natural resource managers can help forests adapt to a changing climate. Learn how the science of forest management and the expertise of professional foresters can provide solutions to climate change. Click here>>> or call (866) 897-8720 x 111.

 

REGION 2 - Rocky Mountain Region

Peak to Wood Program Kicks Off
Two Colorado state agencies and five Front Range counties have teamed to launch a program aimed at promoting a market for beetle-kill wood and other timber that would otherwise pose a wildfire risk. Officials hope the program will spur demand for the wood to be used in furniture, flooring, paneling and other products. The “Peak to Peak Wood” program is partly funded through a $100,000 grant from the Forest Service. The Colorado Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation and the Colorado State Forest Service administer the program. So far, three “sort yards” have been created where wood from forestry projects can be dropped off and later sold.

Drought Conditions Continue on Grassland
Severe drought continues to plague the Cimarron National Grassland in southwest Kansas. Last year the area experienced the 10th driest year in 108 years of recording moisture. The area’s average precipitation from January through July is over 12 inches; so far this year, the Cimarron has only received 3.95 inches.  Fire danger is very high, and Stage 2 restrictions remain in effect.  Wildlife numbers and crops on private land are dramatically affected. Also for the first time in the Cimarron’s history, no livestock grazing will be allowed this summer or fall.

 

REGION 4 - Intermountain Region

Boy Scouts Assist Bridger-Teton with New Fork Lakes Fire
Some of the 1000 Arrowmen from the Boy Scouts of America who were working on the Bridger-Teton National Forest stepped in to aid the forest with the New Forks Fire. Several volunteer Arrowmen assisted by working in the Fire Cache, which is the warehouse of fire supplies and materials that are disseminated whenever a large fire breaks out on the Forest. The Arrowmen completed their service projects on the Bridger-Teton on August 1. They constructed or reconstructed several miles of trail on Teton Pass as well as improving habitat and removing fence near the Gros Ventre Wilderness area. Additionally, these volunteers also sent manpower to assist with fuels reduction work. Said Forest Supervisor Kniffy Hamilton, “the true benefit to the Forest from the people and hours supplied by the Scouts is immeasurable and we will be benefiting from their service for years to come.”

Forest Loses Lodge to Wildfire
On August 3, the Shoshone National Forest (Wyo.) lost an uninhabited and unused lodge, and outbuildings to wildfire. The Forest Service-owned Sweetwater Lodge consisting of the lodge and six other buildings had not been in operation for many years. Firefighting resources had been prioritized to work on private operating and functioning structures in the western part of the North Fork corridor. There was no motorized access to the lodge. The previous day, helicopters dropped water on and around the lodge. Plans to place sprinklers near the lodge were not feasible to implement due to hazardous fire conditions. The lightning-caused Gunbarrel Fire began on July 26 and has burned 31,000 acres along the North Fork of the Shoshone River about 40 miles west of Cody.

 

REGION 5 - Pacific Southwest Region

Forest Service Provides Job-Training to High School Youth
The Forest Service Regional Office and Vallejo High School recently formed a partnership to give local high school students the opportunity to gain valuable paid work experience in natural resources this summer.  The students may continue working part time during the school year. Two students were initially selected based on a review of their resume, report cards and an interview.  One was assigned to the Engineering staff and the other was assigned to the Public Affairs and Communication staff.  “I’m really excited about this opportunity for our kids,” said Vallejo High School Assistant Principal Nicole Anderson.  “With the prestige and respect society has for the Forest Service, I’m thrilled our students could be a part of this program. This is experience that our students may not normally have had.  It is a win-win situation.”

Lake Tahoe Summit
Plans are underway for the 11th annual Lake Tahoe Summit to be held August 16 at Valhalla on the south shore of Lake Tahoe. In 1997, former President Bill Clinton signed an executive order that declared Lake Tahoe an area of national concern, citing the basin's unique natural, recreational and ecological resources. This began funding for the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency's Environmental Improvement Program, with the result that the federal government and the states of California and Nevada each pay a share of a $900 million environmental plan. Key speakers expected to attend include Governor Schwarzenegger, Senator Feinstein, Secretary of Interior Kempthorne, as well as the local perspective of Lake Tahoe Basin employees who will speak about fuels reduction and treatments for community protection, climate change and lake clarity effects and an Environmental Improvement Program update and accomplishments.

 

REGION 6 - Pacific Northwest Region

Agency Staffers Participate in Relay for Life
On July 19th and 20th, the American Cancer Society Relay for Life took place at the Hood River High School track in Hood River, Ore. Team U.S. Forest Service was formed to participate. The team consisted of 14 team members from the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, Mt. Hood National Forest and the Gifford Pinchot National Forest. Team members took turns walking laps around the track for 24 consecutive hours, starting at 9 AM on Saturday and ending at 9 AM on Sunday. Team members donated their time and energy to raise money and insure that this day was a huge success. The goal of $1500 for the team and exceeded it by almost $200. The Hood River Relay for Life raised a total of $123,000 – quite an amount for a small community.

 

REGION 9 - Eastern Region

Emerald Ash Borer Confirmed in Southeast Missouri
USDA APHIS has confirmed the presence of Emerald Ash Borer from one site in Wayne County, Mo., approximately 25 miles north of Poplar Bluff.  Seven adult beetles were found in a detection trap placed in a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers campground near Greenville, Mo.  The site is within the boundaries of the Poplar Bluff Ranger District of the Mark Twain National Forest.  State and federal agency officials recently completed and approved the Missouri Emerald Ash Borer Action Plan in anticipation of possible detection in Missouri.  State and federal agencies met Monday, July 28 to begin coordinated efforts.  

Ready to Fish!
Michigan Free Fishing Day means one thing on the Huron-Manistee National Forests—Kids Fishing Day. Every year, the Huron-Manistee National Forest hosts three Kids Fishing Day Events to encourage kids to "Get in the Woods!" This year's events at Mio Pond, Nichols Lake, and Crystal Lake had a total of more than 300 participants. Starting early in the morning and ending in late afternoon, the children were provided with fishing poles, bait and instruction on how to use both. Attendees ranged from barely walking to 16 years old. Read more >>>

 

REGION 10 - Alaska Region

Consulting Foresters National Conference a Success in Alaska
Forestry Consultants, Inc., of Opelika, Alabama recently commended Regional Forester Denny Bschor and Chief Gail Kimbell for the contributions that the Forest Service made to the success of the national conference of the Association of Consulting Foresters held in Anchorage June 30. Close to 500 attendees heard the Chief speak on climate change, global water supplies, and the disconnect between growing populations and nature. This was the first time the Association held their conference in Alaska.

Juneau RD Wilderness Rangers Develop Best Management Practices
Huge increases in the numbers of ship visits, for example, seemed contrary to the intent of the Wilderness Act to preserve opportunities for solitude. Yet most visitors to Tracy Arm don't set foot on the national forest when they arrive on the larger ships to view tidewater glaciers from their floating deck. So what can be done about issues for which the Tongass National Forest has no jurisdiction? Read more >>>

The Forest Service Fosters Healing with Southeast Alaska Tribes
On April 16, Region 10 Regional Forester Denny Bschor and Tongass National Forest Supervisor Forrest Cole acknowledged that the U.S. Forest Service removed traditional Native smoke houses, cabins and fish camps in Southeast Alaska from the 1930s through the 1960s. This acknowledgement took place at the 73rd General Assembly of the Central Council of Tlingit and Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. The assembly provided an excellent opportunity for Bschor and Cole, along with Thorne Bay District Ranger Jason Anderson, to express their sincere commitment to cooperatively work together and promote a government-to-government relationship as a model for all Southeast Tribes and other federal agencies. Read more>>>

 

Northeastern Area

Countdown to 2010 Forest Legacy Project Competition
The FY2010 project selection process for the Forest Legacy Program (FLP) has been announced. All 20 NA states participate in the FLP. States have been asked to submit a prioritized list of up to three projects to the Area Director by October 15, 2008. The national selection panel meets in early January to discuss all applications. To date, the Forest Legacy Program has conserved more than 1.6 million acres of forest land, the majority of which (1.1 million acres) are located in NA.

Incident Command System Used in Plant Health Emergency Exercise
This July 15 event was a training exercise to prepare Federal and State agencies for a multistate mock exercise planned for early August. The purpose of the exercise was to provide participants an opportunity to evaluate response concepts, plans, and capabilities in the event of a forest pest emergency. This exercise focused on emergency responder command and control, coordination, decision making, notifications, and the integration of Federal and State assets necessary to protect forest resources using a unified ICS system. Agencies involved in the exercise included the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, State and Private Forestry, USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine, and the
Federal Emergency Management Agency.

NA States Perform Well In National Envirothon Competition
Teams from 45 states and nine provinces competed in the 2008 Canon Envirothon at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff, Ariz. The U.S. Forest Service, USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service, and National Association of Conservation Districts, are Canon Envirothon partners. Six of the top seven teams were from states served by the Northeastern Area. More than 265 teenagers studied environmental issues and resource conservation, while competing for a share of more than $125,000 in scholarships and Canon products. The Canon Envirothon tests teams on their knowledge of soils and land use, aquatic ecology, forestry, wildlife and a current environmental issue.  The current issue for this year’s competition was Recreational Impacts on Natural Resources.

 

Rocky Mountain Research Station

Researchers Receive Biomass Grant
RMRS Research Soil Scientist Deborah Page-Dumorese, Moscow, and her collaborators were recently awarded a biomass grant from the Washington Office. She is working with the University of Idaho, University of Montana, Umpqua National Forest, and Renewable Oil International, LLC on a project titled "Sustainable Forest Bioenergy Production Using In-woods Fast-pyrolysis Conversion Including Bio-oil Production and Bio-char Incorporation.” This study will evaluate the economics of converting logging slash into bio-oil and bio-char. The bio-char can then be applied back on the soil as an amendment. Bio-oil can be burned as a direct substitute for fuel oil, or further refined into liquid transportation fuel. Bio-char is equivalent to charcoal produced from forest fires.