Forestry Notes

California's Napa County Resource Conservation District (RCD) is spearheading oak restoration efforts after its success in gaining volunteers and performing education outreach for its Acorns to Oaks program. In the past seven years, the district has planted 5,105 acorns – many of which have taken root and grown – in 21 locations across Napa County.…… Continue reading →

The Chesterfield County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in South Carolina is using grant money from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation (NFWF) to restore the longleaf pine habitat in the South Carolina Sandhills region. The SWCD is one of 24 agencies and groups this year to receive a portion of $6.3 million to…… Continue reading →

Ohio’s Licking County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) recently teamed up with an organic nutritional supplement manufacturer to convert farmland into forest to grow the company’s mission, as well as the SWCD's community conservation vision. After purchasing property that previously was used as hayfields, Muscle Feast of Nashport, Ohio, contacted the Licking County SWCD…… Continue reading →

Indiana’s LaPorte County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is partnering with Women4theLand to focus on female landowner needs through periodic Women’s Conservation Learning Circles. “The American Farmland Trust did some research that found when women find themselves in a position where they’ve inherited property or have lost their husbands, they are more likely to…… Continue reading →

U.S. Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen leads a workforce of more than 25,000 employees who steward 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands; supports the world’s largest forestry research organization; and works with states, tribes and others to sustain all forests, so they can benefit all citizens today, and in the future. Chief Christiansen…… Continue reading →

Last week, the NACD Forestry Resource Policy Group (RPG) held its annual summer meeting in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The group was joined by federal partners representing the U.S. Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), National Association of State Foresters, National Agroforestry Center and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as well as agency partners…… Continue reading →

Pennsylvania’s Centre County Conservation District (CCCD) is using a Growing Greener grant through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection to establish forest buffers and protect thousands of feet of streambank, which will improve water quality and agriculture practices throughout seven watersheds. CCCD was awarded just under $1.7 million to conduct 10 projects in nine townships,…… Continue reading →

Mississippi conservation districts are working with the National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) to educate youth and encourage conservation measures and interest in wildlife habitat management. NWTF has helped conservation districts organize conservation and hunting field days geared toward youth in Stone, Jackson, George, Harrison, Hancock and Pearl River Counties. “This gives us a good opportunity…… Continue reading →

Saratoga Encampment Rawlins Conservation District and the Brush Creek-Hayden U.S. Forest Service Ranger District have been working with other agencies and organizations to improve aquatic habitats by removing or modifying in-channel barriers and stabilizing riverbanks. The project began in 2011 on the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest and included collaboration with Christina Barrineau with the Wyoming…… Continue reading →

Michigan conservation districts are partnering with local hunting groups, schools and private landowners to fill in forestry gaps and improve deer and other wildlife habitat through the Michigan Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) deer habitat improvement grants in the Upper Peninsula. “In a backdoor way, we’re getting people to improve the habitat as a whole,”…… Continue reading →