Forestry

Like many areas across the West, forests in the Tualatin River Basin of northwest Oregon face two emerging climate resilience concerns: hotter, drier summers and increasing wildfire risk. Heat-related tree stress and mortality are becoming more common across the landscape, and fire season is beginning earlier and ending later in the year, with more frequent…… Continue reading →

Conservation district foresters in Michigan get the opportunity to educate the public in many different ways, including through educational outreach events. This winter, the Iron Baraga Conservation District (IBCD) partnered with many other agencies across the state and the Women Owning Woodlands Network (WOW) to bring learning opportunities to different areas across the state. The…… Continue reading →

  New Jersey maintains a diversity of plant and animal species by ensuring habitat for native species and actively managing invasive species. Atlantic white-cedar stands, which are currently being restored, play a critical role in the state's biodiversity, benefiting various plant and animal species, including several that are threatened and endangered. Despite forests being the…… Continue reading →

On April 29, 2024, a significant agreement was signed between the Puerto Rico Department of Natural and Environmental Resources and the Caribe Soil and Water Conservation District. This agreement aims to manage the Gabia Forest in Coamo, Puerto Rico, a 233-acre subtropical dry forest designated as a Special Reforestation Area. Located on the south coast…… Continue reading →

Since its establishment in 1957, the St. Lawrence County Soil and Water Conservation District  in New York has been committed to safeguarding environmental resources. The district has evolved to encompass a wide range of initiatives, including forestry management. In 2004, the district assumed responsibility for the management of all county owned forestry land, effectively replacing…… Continue reading →

Jefferson Conservation District (JCD) in Colorado, in collaboration with partners, has secured federal grants totaling over $19 million to address forest restoration, wildlife habitat preservation, and wildfire mitigation across the Northern Front Range. This initiative, funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) aims to thin out dense forests on private lands,…… Continue reading →

In the lush landscapes of Georgia, a relentless battle wages against the invasive, highly damaging feral swine. These descendants of domestic pigs, now wide-spread and invasive, pose a significant threat to agriculture, natural habitats, and local economies. Amid the challenges posed by these destructive creatures, a coalition of conservation districts, governmental bodies, and research institutions…… Continue reading →

Building upon the foundation of innovative conservation practices, Knox-Lincoln SWCD and Waldo County SWCD in Maine introduced a Conservation Landscape Certification Program designed to empower landowners in being the best land stewards possible. This initiative aligns with the broader efforts of conservation districts in promoting best management practices and fostering sustainable landscapes. The certification program…… Continue reading →

In response to the devastating wildfires that swept through California's North Bay Counties in October 2017, local partners including the Napa Resource Conservation District (RCD) created the North Bay Forest Improvement Program (NBFIP). The NBFIP is a collaboration between Napa RCD, Mendocino RCD, and Sonoma RCD, along with the Clear Lake Environmental Research Center (CLERC)…… Continue reading →

In November 2021, the Anchorage Soil and Water Conservation District (ASWCD) in Alaska was re-established with a renewed focus on addressing local environmental challenges. The district has swiftly expanded its team, with four experienced employees specializing in natural resource management. Current initiatives include the Invasive Species Program, Urban Agriculture Program, and Native Plants Program, along…… Continue reading →