Click on the titles below to go to any of the recent archived webinars that benefit woodland owners. These are monthly offered through the Southern Regional Extension Forestry. You may subscribe to their mailing list to register for live sessions as well (http://www.forestrywebinars.net/subscribe).
Forest Farming Non-Timber Products: Opportunities and Challenges : Forest farming, the cultivation of understory plants and fungi with economic value, may be a way for small-scale forest landowners to realize greater benefits. The forests are host of a tremendous diversity of economically important plants. Eighty percent of the land base of the Appalachian forest region is in private ownership, and the majority of this is in family forests. These holdings are typically small in size, and maintained for reasons other than timber production. A great diversity of native plant species are harvested for their value in the medicinal, culinary, craft, and other product markets. Most of the plants used for their non-timber values are harvested from the wild, with little or no consideration for the long-term impact on the natural resources. The market potential for many non-timber forest products is significant, but the economic viability of producing them through forest farming is a major challenge. Farming these valuable plants in a forest setting could reduce pressures on natural populations, increase biodiversity and forest health, while diversifying income portfolios. Yet, production methods and yield estimations are challenges that may thwart landowner efforts. Recent government initiatives, such as ‘Know-Your-Farmer, Know-Your-Food, could spur efforts to develop forest farming in the region. Efforts are needed to get forest farming recognized in future government programs, such as the next farm bill. This presentation examines opportunities for forest farming in the region, and challenges that could frustrate efforts to diversify forest operation
Exploring the Findings of the Southern Forest Futures Project: The webinar focuses on the interaction of urbanization, land use and ownership changes, forest pests, and other challenges identified by the Southern Forest Futures Project (Futures Project), which forecasts changes to southern forest conditions between 2010 and 2060.This webinar builds on information shared in the June 2 presentation about the Futures Project, which you can view at www.forestrywebinars.net/previous-webinars.This webinar will:
- Provide a brief review of the Southern Forest Futures Project – partners, purpose, and design
- Discuss the interaction of urbanization, land use and ownership changes, forest pests, and other challenges
- Discuss how various scenarios or futures could occur given specific circumstances related to the key findings of the Futures Project
- Deliver information about the Futures Project’s products
For more information about Southern Forest Futures, go to http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/futures
Southern Forest Futures webinar partners include the USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station and Southern Region, Southern Regional Extension Forestry, North Carolina State University, Texas AgriLife Extension, North Carolina A&T University, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.
Forestry in the 2008 Farm Bill:What you will learn:
This presentation examines the potential to tap into Farm Bill programs by expanding the capacity of the federal agencies charged with administering programs ranging from forestry practice cost share to wetland easements.
Following a brief history of the Farm Bill, in place since 1933, this presentation examines the expansion of conservation programs and the use of partnerships. Case studies will show active partnerships with a variety of forestry organizations from state and local government to land trusts. USDA agencies, including NRCS and FSA, have specific roles in program administration and policy development that directly affect program delivery at the state level. Hear how you can make recommendations, assist in establishing ranking criteria and provide technical and program delivery advice through participation on the state technical committee.
Forest*A*Syst: A web-based tool for natural resource professionals: By participating in this webinar professionals will learn about a tool they can use to assist landowners in better understanding their land. The tool is the web-based application Forest*A*Syst. Participants will learn how to use this tool to assist landowners in making informed decisions about the goals and objectives they have for their property. Participants will receive a brief history and learn the purpose of Forest*A*Syst. They will be introduced to the various components and function of the website. During this presentation participants will explore the interactive features of the website. These features include: the ability to easily print aerial images, link with the NRCS Web Soil Survey to generate information about the soils found on a specific tract of land, a survey to collect data used in the process of identifying landowner objectives, and facilitation of communication between the landowner and resource professional (foresters, wildlife biologists, etc.) who can provide technical assistance.
A Management Guide for Invasive Plants in Southern Forests: Nonnative plants continue to invade and spread through forests in the South. These infestations increasingly erode forest productivity, hinder forest use and management activities, and degrade diversity, habitat, and our recreational experiences. Managers, landowners, and homeowners need to have the latest information on how to prevent entry to their lands, build strategies with neighbors, implement integrated procedures for control, and proceed toward site rehabilitation.We will introduce you to a new book that we co-authored, which is available free from the Southern Research Station, entitled “A Management Guide for Invasive Plants in Southern Forests” (General Technical Report SRS-131). We will provide an overview of how these actions fit together and the latest control methods. The guide provides detailed control prescriptions for 56 prevalent invasive plants and groups for your reference.Free copies of “A Management Guide for Invasive Plants in Southern Forests” (General Technical Report SRS-131) can be requested at pubrequest@fs.fed.us or by calling 828-257-4830.
Misconceptions about Global Warming and Climate Change: In this webinar, Heather Dinon, an Applied Climatologist with the State Climate Office of North Carolina, will present the science used to debunk common misconceptions about Global Warming and Climate Change.
Template for Assessing Climate Change Impacts and Management Options (TACCIMO): Science at your Fingertips: This webinar will address how land and resource managers, planners, and others can facilitate the integration of climate change science into land management planning. The webinar will introduce participants to TACCIMO – a Template for Assessing Climate Change Impacts and Management Options – through case studies where TACCIMO has been applied. Case studies will include a range of potential TACCIMO applications from federal land management planning to engaging private landowners during Extension and consulting activities. Common to all examples is TACCIMO meeting the growing need for relevant and concise science to help natural resource professionals address the challenges of climate change.
An Explanation of Defects in Hardwood Timber: What you will learn:Hardwood defects include any feature that reduces the grade and ultimately lowers the utility or commercial value of a standing tree or log. Lumber graders know this too well, but expertise in the woods is often lacking. Some hardwood defects are on the surface and are more easily observed; others are interior and become apparent once timber is cut down and the surface on the log end is observed. This presentation lists a number of defects, their characteristics and cause, and whether or not their effect can be offset by adjustments in scaling. Having a solid grasp on hardwood defects is essential when appraising, selling or purchasing timber and logs.
Ecological services as an incentive for forest management: The Mountain Association For Community Economic Development (MACED) has successfully developed a managed forest carbon offset program in central Appalachia that offers landowners the opportunity to earn money for carbon sequestration. So far MACED has 48 landowners and 30,000 acres enrolled and has paid out over $100,000 dollars. Scott Shouse, the Forestry Program Manager at MACED, will give a presentation on the key aspects of project development and carbon aggregation as it relates to the management of natural forests in central Appalachia.
Timber Tax Basis: This webinar is designed to give you a detailed and clear understanding of timber tax basis, a deduction that many landowners struggles with after timber sale or loss of timber from fire, theft or storm. Properly and timely setting up your timber basis is an important step in saving taxes, time, and hassle.
Wildlife for Lunch: Conservation & Income through Nature Tourism, ie Guest Operations: This Presentation provides an overview of the opportunities and economics of nature tourism in Texas. Terms, Concepts and Resources for development of nature tourism operations will be addressed along with operation examples. There will also be opportunity for live questions and answers.
Making Google Earth Work for Land Management: Google Earth (GE) is an easy-to-use but powerful tool that land managers can use to assist landowners see their land and understand it better. This leads to improved land management decision making and information sharing. This webinar will discuss and demonstrate basic GE setup, exploration, navigation, menus, data creation, and production. The outcome is that participants should be able to help landowners use GE in making land management decisions.