Forest Restoration and Conservation - A Case Study

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1 Spring 2013 You Spoke, We Listened Dear ANREP Members, Greetings and welcome to the Spring issue of ANREP s newsletter. This is likely the last issue that will be distributed in.pdf format. The next issue will be distributed using Constant Contact as the vehicle. We encourage your feedback about this change. In this spirit, it might be said that 'constant improvement' has become our slogan this year. "You Spoke, We Listened" is a phrase often heard in advertisements and corporate communications, and while it may sometimes seem insincere, it is occasionally a humble admission that needed improvements were made as a result of customer or shareholder concerns. I hope you will see this is the case for ANREP. Over the past few years members have expressed concerns that we needed to provide more professional development opportunities, "after all," they said, "wasn't this one of our core objectives?" In addition, members have been telling us that our web site needed updating, and our Awards Program could use improvements. Members said things such as: "some of the categories are obsolete", "there are too many categories", and "the criteria needs to be tweaked to work for me." I'm happy to report that 'we listened' - improvements on all of these items have been made and more changes are underway. Our newly formed professional development committee is blasting off with some great opportunities that you'll be hearing about in this issue and via soon. A completely new ANREP web site is on the verge of release, thanks to our new webmaster, Darryl Outlaw. And, our reworked awards Sincerely, Sanford "Sandy" Smith President, 2013 sss5@psu.edu program is now open at May 31 st is the nomination deadline, so don t delay! As always, let us know what you think about these and all things ANREP. Your opinions are valuable to us! Forest Restoration and Conservation Project In the spring of 2012, the Colorado State Conservation Districts met to identify potential projects that were shovel ready to receive special grant money. I proposed we work within the Woodland Park Healthy Forest Initiative (WPHFI) that both the US and State Forest Services have been working on the past several years. We created the Forest Restoration and Conservation Project to maximize the landscape-scale benefit of forest restoration treatments on strategically selected non-federal lands. This facilitated complementary management on lands adjacent to ongoing watershed forest restoration and forest management projects occurring on Federal and State lands within the area. The area has been prioritized for treatment by the Front Range Roundtable and a number of local stakeholder groups, including Colorado Springs Utilities and Denver Water, because of its critical connection to

2 municipal water supplies, its relationships to Wildland-Urban Interface (WUI) communities, and its extreme susceptibility to uncharacteristic wildfire and postfire flooding and erosion due to decomposed granitic soils. Project locations are identified on the attached map. (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) funds with Coalition for the Upper South Platte (CUSP) funds created an opportunity to bring the cost of forest treatment down to a cost per acre (only a few hundred dollars) that enabled them to take action. This project also increased the accessibility of forest treatment to landowners on neighboring parcels where their small scale may have once reduced opportunities to participate in assistance programs. It also enabled those that may not otherwise participate to overcome inertia and implement a treatment. The project focus is near the community of Woodland Park, tying together both completed and planned forest management that increased the overall impact of ecosystem resilience and wildfire risk reduction. The deficiency, within the landscape level of forest restoration, resides at the private landowner level where the prohibitive cost of forest management creates gaps in the overall landscape. We believe that matching Natural Resources Conservation Service The project area is a primary source of municipal drinking water and is 85% forested. It is dominated by ponderosa pine and mixed conifer forests, which are at high risk of wildfire due to altered fire regimes. This project has protected resources and communities in five principle ways: 1) reduced the threat of catastrophic crown fire by undertaking large forest management and timber improvement projects on private lands; 2) increased age and species diversity to reduce insect and disease threats; 3) increased forest health and tree vigor by retaining old growth trees and managing for forest resiliency; 4) emphasized local action, accountability, and ownership; and 5) enhanced wildlife habitat value by increasing heterogeneity and diversity. Partners on the project include US Forest Service, NRCS, Colorado State Forest Service, Teller County, Coalition for the Upper South Platte (CUSP), Colorado State University Extension (CSUE), and Woodland Park Healthy Forest Initiative (WPHFI). The project was approved, and 20 private landowners applied for the special funds. Sixteen were approved for a total treatment of 195 acres and $275,000 in grants. This significantly closed the landscape gap mentioned earlier, and was a great exam- 2

3 ple of how Federal, State, Not-for-Profit, and Extension were able to create a collaborative project that served the needs of the community, individual landowners, and the natural environment. We are hoping to continue the process again this year, but are waiting to hear from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) on funding. Submitted by Mark J. Platten Teller County Extension Director Colorado State University mark.platten@colostate.edu NRCS TSPs There are 215,000 families and individuals that control 5.8 million acres of forest land in Washington State. These owners require a surround-sound approach in services and resources in order to successfully plan and execute stewardship practices that accomplish their personal objectives, reduce risks, and protect their financial investments. One of the greatest financial assistance programs is the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) administered through the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Unfortunately, NRCS has very limited staff available to help landowners enroll into this excellent program. Also, there is a scarcity of trained natural resource professionals that are NRCS Technical Service Providers (TSPs), and some of those that are available have routinely submitted substandard management plans, laden with errors and omissions, and unacceptable to NRCS for landowner payment. In order to resolve some of these problems, NRCS awarded Washington State University Extension a Conservation Incentives Program grant, with the purpose of improving the planwriting competency of current and potential TSPs. In 2012, nearly 100 people attended one of seven trainings. The trainings had two elements: 1) an introduction to the Washington Integrated Forest Management Plan template, and 2) a step-by-step walkthrough of becoming registered with NRCS to become a TSP. To date, there are 19 TSPs in Washington State, with one-third attributed to the training program. The number of TSPs is expected to double in 2013, also primarily due to the training program. While the plan-writing competency has improved with the creation and utilization of the Integrated Forest Management Plan, problems still exist with foresters successfully completing the on-line NRCS requirements for getting into the TSP registry. NRCS has since created a document that will help guide prospects of becoming TSPs. This project will continue to be evaluated for success, but so far, it appears to have modestly improved the overall opportunities for landowners to receive timely and competent service. To obtain a copy of the Washington Integrated Forest Management Plan guidelines, contact Andy Perleberg at andyp@wsu.edu. Presentation by NRCS staff at management plan competency training; this slide is part of a 45 slideseries delivered to better enable participants to become Technical Service Providers. Submitted by Andrew B. Perleberg Extension Forester Washington State University andyp@wsu.edu. 3

4 Giving Back to the Profession Through the Journal of Extension Be committed to maintaining and enhancing JOE's level of rigor by helping authors to strengthen their articles, Complete their reviews in a timely manner, and Be willing to participate in the review process via an electronic format. Do you know that the Journal of Extension (JOE) ( is the official refereed journal of the US Cooperative Extension System? Last year, JOE had more than one million visitors to its website; were you one of them? The Journal is an excellent source of information for professional development. As an Extension professional, I look to the Journal for both professional development and ideas for enhancing my Extension program. The Journal provides original and applied research findings, shares successful education applications, brings us tools of the trade, and offers insight into challenges and issues that are of critical importance to Extension Educators. It was established 50 years ago to expand and update the research and knowledgebase of Extension professionals, in order to improve our effectiveness. Today, it also serves as a forum for emerging and contemporary issues affecting us in the field of Extension education. I have received so much from the Journal that I wanted to somehow pay it back. When I received a call from a colleague that the Journal was looking for reviewers, I realized that it was my opportunity to step up, not just to give back to the Journal but give back to fellow Extension professionals. As a reviewer, I am able to help others in Extension through my critique of their work, providing feedback that helps improve their ability as a writer, and strengthen their articles. You can also help others in Extension by stepping up and becoming a reviewer. As a reviewer you are expected to: To learn more about becoming a JOE reviewer, visit If you are interested, electronically submit your CV electronically to Deborah Maddy (deborah.maddy@orst.edu); and remember to include the name and address of a reference who can speak to your ability to serve as a reviewer. Submitted by Robert Bardon ANREP President-elect Journal of Extension Representative robert_bardon@ncsu.edu Penn State Extension Releases New Forest Science Fact Sheet Series Penn State Forest Resources Extension has just released the first publication in a new Forest Science Fact Sheet Series. The series will provide in-depth practical information on a wide variety of topics. Forest landowners may use the information to implement practices on their property that increase timber productivity, improve forest health, or provide beneficial wildlife habitat. The first title in the series is Using Basal Bark Herbicide Applications to Control Understory Tree Species. Forest Resources Educator Dave Jackson wrote the fact sheet. The information is based upon applied research findings from a basal bark herbicide rate study conducted by Jackson from The findings of the study are published in the fact sheet along with a wealth of information that can be utilized to control competing or less-desirable understory tree species. 4

5 The latest US Forest Service forest inventory and analysis data indicate the tree species composition of Pennsylvania s forests is changing. One indication of change is understory composition. Recognizing and treating potential species composition changes using properly applied silvicultural practices is critical to forest sustainability. Herbicides are a versatile tool for manipulating tree species composition. When selectively applied, they offer one of the safest and most economical means for controlling unwanted understory tree species. When considering basal bark treatments for timber stand improvement, forest regeneration, or establishment projects; it is important to know what species are targeted for treatment. Pretreatment understory inventories are necessary to make proper herbicide prescriptions. The species mix may dictate time of year and herbicide concentration. This six-page fact sheet suggests that adequate control can be achieved with reduced herbicide rates, thus decreasing the amount of chemical being applied and greatly lowering herbicide costs. A small investment of time to collect data and plan treatments can provide considerable financial savings. The fact sheet is available online at: le=forest+science&submit=go It is also available in hard copy by contacting the Penn State Extension Ag Publications Distribution Center at: Phone: AgPubsDist@psu.edu Submitted by David R. Jackson Forest Resources Educator Penn State Extension Centre County drj11@psu.edu University of California Cooperative Extension Facilitates Public Involvement, Understanding and Action for a Rare Wildlife Species in the Sierra Nevada For the past five years, Anne Lombardo, Program Representative for the University of California Cooperative Extension, has worked at involving the public in research on a rare wildlife species in the Sierra Nevada as part of the Sierra Nevada Adaptive Management Project (SNAMP) ( SNAMP is a seven-year project in which University of California (UC) scientists are researching the effects of national forest fuels thinning projects on fire behavior, forest health, water, and wildlife. The US Forest Service will use the results to reform forest management rules in the Sierra Nevada. SNAMP is unusual as university studies go, as it includes a strong commitment to public involvement. University scientists and UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) are working as a neutral third-party to provide federal and state agencies open and transparent research on the effects of forest thinning in national forests. UCCE is integral in this process, by facilitating outreach and involvement with the public - a large and varied group of stakeholders. Anne is an outreach representative for the project in the small rural community of Oakhurst (population of about 13,000), located around the southern SNAMP site bordering Yosemite National Park. Anne organizes science meetings where recent results are presented; members of the public and agencies can ask questions and provide input to researchers. Field trips that get community members out in the field to learn about methods of forest inventory, water quality monitoring, remote sensing, and wildlife research have been very popular. 5

6 She also presents the status and current findings of the project at meetings of local community groups and schools. that have died from rodenticide poisoning ( %2F %2Fjournal.pone ). Further tests on the preserved livers of previously necropsied fishers showed that over 80% of them had been exposed to first and second-generation rodenticides! Likely sources of this poisoning are the largescale illegal marijuana sites on national forests. Illegal cultivators use large amounts of these poisons during the growing season and rarely clean up afterwards. Rodenticide pellets litter the ground to protect young seedlings, thereby poisoning passing wildlife hungry enough to fall prey to the pellet s added flavorizers. Anne Lombardo orienting participants at the Pacific fisher research fieldtrip, 05/01/2012. SNAMP Wildlife researchers are studying a population of the rare Pacific fisher, a dark, cat-sized, nocturnal weasel. Researchers have spent five years photographing, trapping, radio collaring, and tracking over 20 fishers. Much has been learned about their fertility, resting and denning habitat, and home ranges. One of the more important findings has been about mortality causes. It turns out that predation (predominately by bobcats), distemper, and being struck by cars are the top causes of death - until recently. Two years ago, Dr. Rick Sweitzer, retrieved a male fisher carcass for which a cause of death was not evident. As with each fisher that died while being tracked, this one was sent to the Integral Ecology Research Center ( at UC Davis for necropsy; there, the cause of death was identified as internal hemorrhaging caused by rodenticide poisoning. Since then, researchers associated with projects throughout California have found six fishers From contacts made through SNAMP, Anne was able to organize a meeting of local law enforcement agents, scientists, government leaders, cleanup experts, newspaper representatives, the Sierra Nevada Conservancy, and Fish and Game to alert them of this emerging issue. The Sierra Star newspaper in Oakhurst covered the rodenticide-fisher connection ( 866/harmful-chemicals-endangering.html). Anne is currently working with a local environmental cleanup team and other stakeholders, to find further grant funding for cleanup efforts at these sites. Anne says she feel fortunate that her UCCE connections makes her well situated to provide support to future efforts to find solutions to this problem. Submitted by Anne Lombardo SNAMP Public Participation Team Southern Site Representative UCCE Mariposa amlombardo@ucdavis.edu Breaking News About the Galaxy IV Conference Have you begun your preparations for the Galaxy IV Conference, to be held September 6

7 16-20 in Pittsburgh? The earlier travel plans are set, the better. Roughly 2,000 Extension Educators are expected to attend the conference. Early bird registration ($450) opened May 1. The main Galaxy hotels are: the Omni William Penn (NAE4-HA headquarters), the Marriott City Center (NACAA headquarters), the Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel (NEAFCS headquarters), the Double Tree (ANREP headquarters), and the Wyndham Grand Pittsburgh (NACDEP and ESP headquarters). You can learn about the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, a LEED Platinum Certified building and the location for the main and concurrent sessions (as well as many meetings) during Galaxy. And you can find out why Pittsburgh is found at the top of many lists of places to visit or live in the United States. Be sure to visit the Galaxy website: galaxy-2013.org. Early bird registration opens May 1 ANREP at Galaxy IV ANREP members have an opportunity to get together this year at the Galaxy IV Conference! There will be tours of interest in the areas of natural resources, horticulture, and many more. The 2013 ANREP Awards will be presented during a special ANREP Awards banquet. There will be opportunities to network with old and new friends from ANREP and our sister organizations including NACAA, NAE-4HA, NACDEP, and ESP. Not to mention many great concurrent sessions and a special ANREP members meeting. Mark your calendars now! Submitted by Marsha A. Lockard Professor - University of Idaho Extension mlockard@uidaho.edu The Galaxy Conference provides a unique opportunity to come together at a joint conference, while celebrating the diversity of the individual JCEP member associations. Every five years the Joint Council of Extension Professionals sponsors and provides leadership for a Galaxy Conference for the entire Extension System. This conference invites participation from all JCEP member associations, ECOP, and other partners involved in our critical Extension mission. For more information go to: 7

8 Initiative News Climate Science Initiative (CSI) Many people consider climate change to be a touchy subject. As Extension Educators, we have a role to play in providing the most current information on this topic to our clientele. With this in mind, the CSI folks have been busy putting together the National Extension Climate Science Initiative Conference. The conference will be held in Minnesota at the Cloquet Forestry Center. The dates are October 28-31; however, that includes a preconference field day and a post-conference planning session. Monday, 10/28/13 Field day Adaptive Management in the Face of Climate Change Tuesday, 10/29/13 Wednesday, 10/30/13 Climate Science Extension Program Training Topics to be covered: climate science literacy overcoming scientific misconceptions audience analysis communication strategies and conflict management narrative story and case studies vulnerability and risk analysis skills sustainable living education Thursday, 10/31/13 MN Extension Strategic Planning Session The conference has been designed to be flexible, so as to best meet the needs of attendees. Registration information and event descriptions are available online: Last But Not Least: A Word from Your Editor As mentioned by Sandy Smith, we are making some changes. One item that we are playing with is how you receive this newsletter. If you have a preference, let us know! Do you have a suggestion? Let us know that as well! Do keep an eye on the ANREP website! Over the next several months, the site will be updated and revamped. Our webmaster, Darryl Outlaw (doutlaw@sref.info), would love to hear your feedback and suggestions. Thanks! To all those who submit articles for this newsletter, thank you! For the rest of you whatcha doing? The newsletter needs your news. The submission deadline & schedule for the various regions are listed below. Summer issue: Fall issue: Winter issue: Spring issue: July 15 Southern Oct. 15 Western Jan. 15 Northeast April 15 - North Central Articles are accepted from all regions for each issue. Articles should be 600 words or less, and saved as either a.doc or.docx file. Photos are great and improve the newsletter. Please provide both photo credit and caption when including photos for an article. The editor (that s me) retains the right to make minor word and grammar changes, and to reorganize content to improve fit within the newsletter. Sincerely, Diana Rashash, ANREP newsletter editor Area Specialized Agent Natural Resources NC State University diana_rashash@ncsu.edu Questions? Contact Chris Jones at ckjones@cals.arizona.edu. 8