BAILEY HEALTHY FORESTS INITIATIVE
For a Fire Adapted Community
Work in the forest is difficult and potentially dangerous, leading to a declining workforce in the logging business. The trend has many questioning who will harvest wood products in the future.
Check out National Public Radio’s story highlighting the changes in the business.
From www.dovetailinc.org:
(Minneapolis, MN) – Forestinfo.org, an online environmental education resource hub, announces the release of a new Eco-Link publication, National Forests & Clean Water: Understanding the Relationship.
A strong correlation exists between National forest lands and major U.S. waterways. This isn’t merely a coincidence – politicians and forestry professionals began implementing legislation as far back as the mid nineteenth century in order to protect the quality of our nation’s natural water sources and prevent the spread of water born disease. These laws were the result of the devastating effects that mismanaged logging operations and deforestation were having on America’s watersheds at the time. As a result of these efforts, 155 National Forests were created, which continue to have a tremendous impact on American water supplies.
“It has been shown time and time again that healthy forested watersheds improve water quality and reduce water treatment costs,” states Kathryn Fernholz, Executive Director. “The link between clean water and forests is crystal clear and so important for students to understand because it directly affects us all.”
Currently, management practices such as wildfire mitigation are being implemented in National Forests to protect forest land and water quality. Strategically controlled burns are being conducted to reduce flammable fuels and protect water from wildfire related physical, chemical and biological changes. It is imperative to recognize the importance of National Forests and the relationship between clean water. As of 2012, 124 million Americans, or approximately 40% of the country’s population, relied on Natioanl Forests and grasslands for their clean water drinking supply.
Forestinfo.org’s Eco-Links are a great way to learn about forest ecosystems and explore related fields, issues and options. Eco-links are available as free PDF downloads on Forestinfo.org and may also be purchased in hard-copy.
To download a copy of the new National Forests & Clean Water Eco-Link, click here:http://www.forestinfo.org/sites/default/files/pdfReports/EcoLinkNatlForestsWater.pdf
To access the full library of more than 35 unique Eco-Link publications, please visit: http://www.forestinfo.org/eco-links
The National Forest Foundation is hosting a webinar for partnering organizations to provide an overview, updates, and examples of stewardship contracting. Stewardship contracting is an important mechanism for getting work done on Forest Service lands. The webinar will take place on Thursday, July 24th from 2:00-3:30pm EDT (12:00-1:30pm MDT). Register at www.nff.wildapricot.org/event-1709355 or watch the recording at www.nationalforests.org/conserve/peer/stewardship-authorities.
Check out a new app designed to help share information about Colorado wildfires at www.cofires.com/. The app is also available for download for the iPhone.
Take a look at this interesting publication on traditional ecological knowledge and agroforestry practices:
Agroforestry Notes – Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Agroforestry
Take a look at this great video put out by the Kentucky Prescribed Fire Council describing the many benefits of using prescribed fire as a tool for ecological restoration.
Find the video and learn more at www.kyfire.org
Thanks to everyone who came out to Colorado for the Fire Adapted Communities Network Annual Conference last week! This was a great gathering with tons of valuable information shared.
Drawing on research and management experience in Australia, Canada, and the United States, Trust: A Planning Guide for Wildfire Agencies and Practitioners is a great resource for wildfire managers and communities. This document was a collaboration between Oregon State University, U.S. Forest Service, Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, University of Alberta, and Charles Sturt University.
Fire Adapted Communities brings folks working on wildfire mitigation from all over the country together to learn from one another. “It’s a program that brings together people involved in forest fire, forest health and green restoration programs,” said Carol Ekarius, executive director of CUSP. “Between Hayman and Waldo and Black Forest, we’ve seen the impact on communities that fire has.”
The annual conference this week is taking place here in Colorado, hosted by the Coalition for the Upper South Platte. Field trips are showcasing some of the work in the Pikes Peak region before and after wildfire.
The United Nations is calling for action to improve management of the world’s forest genetic resources. Our forest resources are “essential refuges for biodiversity” and provide us with a tremendous number of products and services, including food supplies. Sustainable management is essential for ensuring these products and services continue to be available.
Learn more in the BBC’s article ‘UN urges action to protect forests’ genetic diversity’