media mentions

Dec 11, 2022

Maine’s Decades-Old Flood Maps Are Being Redrawn Without Factoring For Climate Change

The Maine Monitor
Outdated, inaccurate or missing maps may mean property owners aren’t aware of flood risk. “You see a lot of gaps,” said Georgina Sanchez, a researcher with North Carolina State University. Sanchez and her team recently devised a new method for determining flood risk that takes into account actual reports of flood damage, which is not accounted for in FEMA’s approach.

Dec 9, 2022

As TikToks About Antarctic Tourism Go Viral, Some Worry About the Environmental Costs

NBC News
A study by NC State researchers found that tourists "could be disturbing" the penguins on one of the continent's most popular islands. Human presence may cause penguins to be scared, distracted and temporarily abandon their chicks and eggs.

Dec 9, 2022

Ignore the Scare Stories: Supplies of Christmas Trees Meet Demand

The Wall Street Journal
“In North Carolina, we argue the numbers. A lot of growers underreport,” said Jeff Owen, an area extension forestry specialist at North Carolina State University, who works with growers in eastern North Carolina.

Dec 8, 2022

O Christmas Tree: NC State Researchers Are Trying To Engineer the ‘Perfect’ Fraser Fir

WCNC
Researchers from NC State are growing more than 1,000 trees with the best genetics.

Dec 7, 2022

Christmas Trees Are Pricier This Year Due To Inflation

WUNC
“Because of inflation, most places will see up to a 15% increase in the price of trees,” said Jeff Owen, extension forestry specialist at North Carolina State University.

Dec 7, 2022

The Influence Of YouTube Videos On Our Tolerance Of Sharks

Forbes
Lead by Ph.D. student Justin Beall of the Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management in North Carolina State University, a team of researchers conducted a case study to measure how social media consumption affected viewers' tolerance of sharks.

Dec 5, 2022

How Scientists Are Creating the Perfect Christmas Tree

NBC News
In a first-of-its-kind lab at NC State, Justin Whitehill leads a team of researchers working to create super trees, Christmas trees that grow in six years instead of ten. NBC News’ Kerry Sanders sees how four decades of research are paying off just as climate change becomes an urgent challenge.

Dec 2, 2022

Biz: Christmas Tree Prices Rise As Labor Costs Hit Growers

Triangle Business Journal
“As you look at the big picture, 10% is probably the average,” said Jeff Owen, an extension forestry specialist at NC State.

Nov 28, 2022

Why You’re Paying More For NC Christmas Trees This Year

CBS 17
Jeff Owen, an extension forestry specialist at NC State, estimates trees will be between 10 and 15 percent more expensive this year than last year. Prices will likely range anywhere from $65 to $250 depending on the size of the tree and where you buy it.

Nov 26, 2022

You May Have To Pay More For A Live Christmas Tree This Year

ABC 11
Extension forestry specialist at NC State Jeff Owen said the cost of real Christmas trees grown in North Carolina is 10-15% more than last year. But although it's more expensive, the core value remains the same as what it was several decades ago.