OTHER HEADLINES ON http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm * Fragile truce on deforestation of Olancho (Honduras) * Don't laugh - Air potatoes are dangerous * Single microbe yields ethanol, plus eco-friendly glue (WI) * Home Depot to display an environmental label * Wood: The gift that can't keep on giving (Mali)

------------------------------------------------------------------------ - EVENTS:

Driftless Area Earth Day Celebration April 23, 2007, Whitewater State Park, MN

Minnesota Forestry Association Annual Meeting April 27-28, 2007, Brainerd, MN

Prescribed Burning on Private Lands April 28, 2007, Geneva, MN

Trees to Trillium: Ground Layer and Woody Plant Identification April 28, 2007, Abraham's Woods, WI

Sawing for Grade Workshop May 5, 2007, Alger County, WI

Forests and Birds May 8, 2007, Grand Rapids, MN

Conducting a Successful Timber Harvest May 19, 2007, Baraboo, WI

For more event listings visit: http://www.forestrycenter.org/events.cfm ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - INFORMATION:

Curriculum: Alien Invasions - Plants on the Move

Web Site: My Minnesota Woods

------------------------------------------------------------------------ - PUBLICATIONS:

Forest Guild Analysis of Wildfire Risk Reduction on Federal Lands

Balancing Ecology and Economics: A Start-up Guide for Forest Owner Cooperation

For more publications visit: http://www.forestrycenter.org/library.cfm

------------------------------------------------------------------------ - HEADLINES:

Minnesota Power looks to wood for fuel

Under orders from the state to start churning out more electricity from renewable fuels, Minnesota Power officials are looking out their office windows for the next big thing. Wood. They're intercepting pallets, paper mill waste and demolition materials that had been headed to landfills. They're grinding them to pieces and churning out steam and electricity in Duluth and Grand Rapids. And they're looking at leftover treetops and limbs at logging sites across the Northland's forests.

http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/articles/index.cfm?id=39936§ion=Non e OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=98147

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Legacy Center is an apt tribute to naturalist Leopold (WI)

The new $5 million Leopold Legacy Center will open on Earth Day (April 22). It is about one-half mile from The Leopold Shack, a national landmark revered worldwide because of "A Sand County Almanac," Leopold's 1949 ode to conservation and respect for the land. A goal is LEED certification at the platinum level, the highest level of sustainable design possible and a distinction not yet earned for any building in Wisconsin.

http://www.fdlreporter.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070419/FON05/704 120324/1338/FONent OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=98212

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Washington considers licensing of foresters

A bill introduced in the Washington State Senate in February would require consulting foresters to be licensed. The legislation, SB 5834, would establish a State Board of Consulting Foresters consisting of five members appointed by the governor, including three consulting foresters, each with a minimum of 10 years' experience; a representative of a statewide organization of nonindustrial private forest landowners; and one person with no connection to the forestry profession.

http://www.safnet.org/members/member-pw/archive/secureDocument.cfm?docID =261 OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=98177

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Aspens declining, but help is coming (OR)

Tucked among the pine and juniper, often along rivers or streams in the Deschutes and Ochoco national forests, stands of white-barked aspens provide a unique habitat for elk, deer, turkeys, migratory songbirds and more. But in Central Oregon and across the West, conifer trees are overshadowing the aging aspens, which aren't being replaced by young trees. The stands are shrinking and aspens are disappearing from the landscape.

http://www.bendbulletin.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070411/NEWS0107 /704110352 OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=98208

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Chevron, Weyerhaeuser ink biofuels alliance

Chevron Corp. and Weyerhaeuser Co. have announced a letter of intent to jointly examine the feasibility of creating biofuels made from wood fiber and other sources of cellulose.

http://biz.yahoo.com/bizj/070412/1447062.html?.v=2 OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=98148

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Warming predicted to take severe toll on U.S. timber industry

Climate change will exact a major cost on North America's timber industry and could drive as much as 40 percent of its plant and animal species to extinction in a matter of decades, according to a new report from an international panel.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/16/AR200704 1601546.html?hpid=sec-nation OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=98213

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Forestry industry seeks higher education so it can branch out (Australia)

Australia's $20 billion forestry industry needs a renewed emphasis on education and skills training to ensure its future, according to a report. The study recommends a wood science and technology undergraduate degree that would complement undergraduate courses in forest science.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/forestry-industry-seeks-higher-ed ucation-so-it-can-branch-out/2007/04/16/1176696757957.html OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=98157

-----------------------------

Raising younger generation's awareness of forest management (Brunei Darussalam)

Youths are one of the most important assets of the future, and it is the role of policy-makers and executives to educate them and raise their awareness of the values and benefits of the forests as well as the importance of managing the forest resources in a sustainable manner. Director of Forestry, Haji Saidin bin Salleh, stressed that real appreciation of nature can only be attained through actual involvement of the students in nature-related projects in the field.

http://www.brunei-online.com/bb/thu/apr12h4.htm OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=98158

------------------------------------------------------------------------ - EVENTS

Driftless Area Earth Day Celebration April 23, 2007, Whitewater State Park, MN

This event is a celebration of the entire four-state Driftless Area watershed initiative -- a demonstration and model of how local, state and federal agencies and organizations can work together and partner with private landowners and across state lines, to solve locally identified high priority natural resource concerns on a watershed basis.

Contact Cutrina Moreland at 651-602-7882 or see http://www.forestrycenter.org/events.cfm?refID=97979&categoryID

-----------------------------

Minnesota Forestry Association Annual Meeting April 27-28, 2007, Brainerd, MN

Events will include: Woodland Advisor participant lunch and program; a tour of the Northland Arboretum; horse logging demonstration; MFA's annual membership meeting; forestry classes, exhibits and demonstrations; social time; and more.

Contact MFA at 800-821-TREE or information@mnforest.com or see http://www.mnforest.com/

-----------------------------

Prescribed Burning on Private Lands April 28, 2007, Geneva, MN

If you are a landowner who would like to become familiarized or involved with grassland burning, this training session is for you. The workshop features: experienced instructors & professional equipment; half-day classroom session; half-day hands-on, practical application in the field (weather permitting); learn basic techniques of prescribed burning; gain practical knowledge on fire ecology and habitat maintenance.

Contact Emily Hutchins at 507-455-5841 or Emily.Hutchins@dnr.state.mn.us or see http://www.forestrycenter.org/events.cfm?refid=98209

-----------------------------

Trees to Trillium: Ground Layer and Woody Plant Identification April 28, 2007, Abraham's Woods, WI

Developing a hands-on ability to identify plants is both fun and rewarding. This class is geared for novices and will focus on user-friendly methods of plant identification. Participants will learn tricks for identifying local flora, and some natural history and folklore, as well. Come enjoy the fleeting beauty of woodland spring ephemerals at a State Natural Area.

Contact Jeannine Richards at 608-355-0279 or jeannine@aldoleopold.org or see http://www.thewoodlandschool.org/courses.htm

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Sawing for Grade Workshop May 5, 2007, Alger County, WI

This workshop will consist of sawing several hardwood logs in a systematic demonstration with time for observation, questions and comments. Instructor Mike Long will point out log characteristics and defects and how they relate to resulting hardwood lumber grade and value. The program will take place at a private small sawmill business utilizing a Wood-Mizer sawmill.

Contact MSU Extension at 906-387-2530 or isleibj@msu.edu or see http://www.forestrycenter.org/events.cfm?refID=98175&categoryID

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Forests and Birds May 8, 2007, Grand Rapids, MN

Discover characteristics of birds in Minnesota. Learn how birds respond to changes in forests and how forest management practices affect our feather friends. Guest instructor is Maya Hamady.

Contact Julie Miedtke at 218-327-7486 or miedt001@umn.edu or see http://cfc.cfans.umn.edu/wa/Support/wasess.htm

-----------------------------

Conducting a Successful Timber Harvest May 19, 2007, Baraboo, WI

Woodland owners will work with professional foresters to learn how to plan and execute a successful timber harvest on their property. The classroom session will focus on planning needs, tree selection, the role of silviculture, and marketing and contracting for best results. We will cover the role of different logging equipment and logging operators in accomplishing a successful timber harvest. The field portion of the class will take participants to several field sites to view harvests before and after. Continued forest management options such as Timber Stand Improvement and reforestation will also be discussed.

Contact Jeannine Richards at (608) 355-0279 or jeannine@aldoleopold.org or see http://www.thewoodlandschool.org/courses.htm

------------------------------------------------------------------------ - INFORMATION

Curriculum: Alien Invasions - Plants on the Move

A weed curriculum developed by BLM staff and experts in the field for grades K-12 is now available online. The lessons in this curriculum are designed to raise awareness and educate students about the invasive weed problem. By participating in hands-on activities, students will learn why invasive weeds are a problem, how to identify weeds, methods to prevent or minimize the introduction of weeds, how to conduct a weed inventory, and methods of controlling weeds.

The curriculum plus more information and resources can be found at: http://www.weedinvasion.org

-----------------------------

Web Site: My Minnesota Woods

This is designed to help Minnesota woodland owners find reliable answers to woodland stewardship questions. The site is brand new as of March 2007. Site users have three options: They can read about Minnesota woodland ecology, wildlife, land protection, sustainable forest management, and more. The site includes links to the best information available in Minnesota and elsewhere. If you still have questions, visit the discussion forum to post questions, get answers, and read info posted by others.

Take a moment to visit the site now: http://www.MyMinnesotaWoods.org

------------------------------------------------------------------------ - PUBLICATIONS

Forest Guild Analysis of Wildfire Risk Reduction on Federal Lands

The Forest Guild, a national organization of natural resource professionals, studied projects implemented as part of the Healthy Forest Initiative (HFI) and the Healthy Forest Restoration Act (HFRA) to assess their ecological and social impact. According to the report, the federal government needs to improve the record keeping and increase public participation in planning fuel reduction treatments used to lower the risk of forest fires. To address the need for increased community participation the Forest Guild also created a workbook to assist communities in monitoring fuel reduction treatments.

An Evaluation of Fuel Reduction Projects and the Healthy Forest Initiative: http://forestguild.org/publications/Evaluating_HFI_07.pdf OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/library.cfm?refid=98210

Workbook for Community Monitoring of Federal Fuel Reduction Projects: http://forestguild.org/publications/HFI_monitoring_workbook_07.pdf OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/library.cfm?refid=98211

-----------------------------

Balancing Ecology and Economics: A Start-up Guide for Forest Owner Cooperation

This is the second edition of a guide is intended to show how private landowners, working together, can improve the ecological conditions of their lands while improving their own economic well-being and that of the communities in which their forest land is located. It provides essential information on all aspects of establishing a forest owner cooperative, including: forest management, marketing, business planning, co-op governance, cooperative structures, non-timber forest products, sustainable certification, developing member education programs, and more.

The guide is available online at http://www.forestrycenter.org/library.cfm?RefID=77942 For more information about sustainable forestry cooperatives or to order a hard copy of the manual, visit http://www.forestrycenter.org

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NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted material herein is distributed without profit or payment for non-profit research and educational purposes only. For more information, go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this newsletter for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.

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