OTHER HEADLINES ON http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm * Global warming could impact climate, forests and snowpack (WA) * Forest Service works to improve children's health * Life's work: Mexican crew puts in long hours planting trees in the Bitterroots (MT) * Billions in forest damage caused by campers transporting insect-infested firewood * Congress, USFS sweat as firefighting costs soar

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

The Story of the Trees: Using Forest Measurement Skills June 2, 2007, Baraboo, WI

Management of Brushland Ecosystems for Wildlife June 7, 2007, Grand Rapids, MN

Living Forest Cooperative Open House June 9, 2007, Ashland, WI

Get to Know Your Exotic Neighbors June 14, 2007, Duluth, MN

Small Scale Hardwood Dry Kiln Tour June 16, 2007, Peshtigo, WI

Aldo Leopold and the Midwestern Pastoral June 18, 2007, Baraboo, WI

Marketing and Management for the Small Woodlot Owner June 22, 2007 Lexington, VA and June 27, 2007, Steeles Tavern, VA

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

Review Process: Methodology for Revision of FSC-US Standards

Radio: It's Not Your Imagination: Fires Are More Common

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

TIMOs & REITs: What, Why, and How They Might Impact Sustainable Forestry

Merbau's Last Stand

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

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

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

State's ash trees face mortal danger (MN)

With the upcoming holiday weekend likely to send thousands into Minnesota's woods, state officials are enlisting campers in the fight against the emerald ash borer, a bug that has killed 20 million ash trees in the Midwest. Campers won't be allowed to bring firewood into state parks and other state lands, and the state Department of Agriculture will put up billboards along highways to warn motorists against transporting firewood.

http://www.startribune.com/462/story/1200584.html OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=98731

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Group promotes National Forest history, culture (MI)

The Friends of the Bergland Cultural and Heritage Center have a plan. The plan is to continue to re-introduce the vibrant cultural fabric and historical significance of the former Ottawa National Forest Bergland administrative office and the surrounding communities to tourists and locals alike. The site is already on the National Registry of Historic Places and the group and its partners have done a good job doing just that.

http://www.ironwooddailyglobe.com/0522berg.htm OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=98723

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Agency aims to improve habitat for sheep (ND)

In a state known as the least-forested in the nation, the U.S. Forest Service wants to fell hundreds of juniper trees in North Dakota's Badlands to improve the habitat for transplanted bighorn sheep.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/05/21/national/a14 3246D75.DTL OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=98727

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Praising forests: Proper management helps wildlife thrive (NC)

North Carolina is blessed with abundant forestland that makes valuable contributions to the quality of life and the state's economy. Forests provide multiple benefits to the environment. First, they provide habitat for animals and insects of all sizes and shapes in addition to varying bacteria, fungi, protozoa and plants. Even managed forests can be of great benefit to wildlife.

http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FW SJ_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173351227290&path=!localnews&s=10376455 09099 OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=98724

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Coalition formed to influence forest issues in Farm Bill

Each year, development claims a million acres of private forest land in the U.S. To stem this threat to the country's forests, landowner, forestry and environmentalist groups have joined together to influence the 2007 Farm Bill. The Forest in the Farm Bill Coalition consists of more than 30 national and regional organizations.

http://www.capitalpress.info/main.asp?SectionID=94&SubSectionID=801&Arti cleID=32418&TM=72281.67 OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=98692

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In search of Arctic driftwood (AK)

Driftwood logs have tales to tell about past river and ocean circulation and climate, and Claire Alix is one of the few scientists who study driftwood. When trees fall from the bank of a great river like the Yukon, Mackenzie, or the Anadyr in Siberia, they sometimes travel thousands of miles to the ocean.

http://www.farnorthscience.com/2007/05/18/ak-sci-forum/in-search-of-drif twood/ OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=98725

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Orissa tribal women campaign to protect forests (India)

The lush green surroundings of the Kechobahal Village in Orissa's Jharsuguda District today owes its existence to the Van Suraksha Samiti (Forest Protection Committee) formed by local tribal women here. Around fifty tribal women have united themselves to prevent the rampant deforestation being caused by the timber mafia.

http://www.newkerala.com/news5.php?action=fullnews&id=30291 OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=98728

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Cabinet suspends Mabira giveaway (Uganda)

The Cabinet has suspended the proposed giveaway of part of Mabira forest to the Mehta Group until the Ministry of Lands formulates a land use policy to spell out the utilisation of such land. The planned giveaway of part of the forest sparked local and international protest.

http://www.monitor.co.ug/news/news05222.php OR http://www.forestrycenter.org/headlines.cfm?refid=98732 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - EVENTS

The Story of the Trees: Using Forest Measurement Skills June 2, 2007, Baraboo, WI

This seminar will provide you with some of the basic skills and tools that you will need to perform an inventory of your woodlands. Learn how to gather data on the growth of your trees and establish permanent re-measurement plots that can help you understand your woodlands better and gauge the success of your management decisions.

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

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

Management of Brushland Ecosystems for Wildlife June 7, 2007, Grand Rapids, MN

Landowners with open landscapes can positively impact brushland habitat required by sharp-tailed grouse and many other wildlife species. Learn about the DNR Wildlife Private Lands Program, brushlands and their importance, and methods used to maintain and improve them. Join Jodie Provost, DNR Private Lands Wildlife Specialist for this informative session.

Contact Julie Miedtke at 218-327-7486 or miedt001@umn.edu

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

Living Forest Cooperative Open House June 9, 2007, Ashland, WI

At LFC's open house, meet the LFC staff and board members and learn more about the forestry services offered by LFC. Pick up a copy of LFC's new booklet. There will also be a presentation on sustainable forest management in the Lake Superior Clay Plain by DNR Forester Kristin Shy.

Contact LFC at 715-682-0007 or info@livingforestcoop.com

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

Get to Know Your Exotic Neighbors June 14, 2007, Duluth, MN

We will look at a number of exotic species that have taken up residence in Minnesota, as well as some that are in danger of arriving soon. Discover how their presence can affect your property.

Contact Boulder Lake Environmental Learning Center at 218-721-3731 or boulder@d.umn.edu

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

Small Scale Hardwood Dry Kiln Tour June 16, 2007, Peshtigo, WI

Production of high-quality, high-value hardwood lumber requires timely and proper drying. Several central U.P. small sawmill operators have expressed interest in learning about the practical aspects of installing and operating a dry kiln. This visit to an established, small-scale hardwood product business including 10 years experience with on-site lumber drying will provide a unique learning opportunity.

Contact MSU Extension at 906-387-2530 or msue.alger@county.msu.edu or see http://www.forestrycenter.org/events.cfm?refID=98176&categoryID

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Aldo Leopold and the Midwestern Pastoral June 18, 2007, Baraboo, WI

This event is part of the Aldo Leopold Foundation's Shack Seminar Series. The midwestern pastoral is a literary tradition of place and rural experience that celebrates an attachment to land that is mystical as well as practical, based on historical and scientific knowledge as well as personal experience. It is exemplified in the poetry, fiction, and essays of writers who express an informed love of the nature and regional landscapes of the Midwest. Join author William Barillas as he speaks of Leopold's literary accomplishment and place in literary history.

Contact Aldo Leopold Foundation at 608-355-0279, ex. 27 or 28 or see http://www.aldoleopold.org

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

Marketing and Management for the Small Woodlot Owner June 22, 2007 Lexington, VA and June 27, 2007, Steeles Tavern, VA

The first session in this two-part series will cover how to start and operate a business, potential woods-based markets, and resources that are available to you. The second session will be very hands-on, with participants learning about tree measurements and forestry tools, and how to manage for the markets discussed in the first session.

Contact Matthew Yancey at 540-564-3080 or yancey@vt.edu or see http://www.forestrycenter.org/events.cfm?refid=98683

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

Review Process: Methodology for Revision of FSC-US Standards

The Forest Stewardship Council has initiated the process to revise the set of FSC regional standards that cover forests in the U.S. FSC-US is gathering feedback on the process and draft methodology to revise the regional standards. This summer, FSC-US will be holding informational meetings to brief members and stakeholders on this standards revision process, as well as other FSC happenings.

For more information on this process or to register for a meeting in your area see: http://www.fscus.org/standards_criteria/revision_methodology.php

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

Radio: It's Not Your Imagination: Fires Are More Common

The fire-friendly conditions are partly the result of climate change. And it looks like there is more parched weather, and fires, on the way. Scientists who study long-term weather patterns say that the United States was due for a dry spell: The past century was unusually wet when compared to averages of the past two millennia.

Listen or read a transcript online at http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=10158516

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

TIMOs & REITs: What, Why, and How They Might Impact Sustainable Forestry

Forestland ownership patterns can have a significant impact on the long-term continuance of large tracts of forestland as diverse natural forests. In recent years, there has been something of a perfect storm impacting forestland ownership. Increased demands for liquid capital for core operations, rising Wall Street pressures to improve returns, and a realization that many timberland assets have been undervalued have combined with an increased willingness by the financial sector to invest in forestland. This combination has caused millions of acres to change hands from large integrated forest product companies to investment management vehicles such as TIMOs and REITs.

http://www.dovetailinc.org/reports/pdf/DovetailTIMOREIT0507jw.pdf OR

http://www.forestrycenter.org/library.cfm?refid=98730

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

Merbau's Last Stand

Consumer demand for luxury flooring and furniture is driving a rare tree species to commercial extinction. And it will take more than the Australian government's global illegal logging fund to save it. A new Greenpeace report reveals how the rare tree species, merbau, has been severely depleted. What remains is at high risk of extinction in the wild.

Briefing Paper: http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/australia/resources/reports/defore station/merbaus-last-stand-briefing.pdf Report: http://www.greenpeace.org/raw/content/china/en/press/reports/merbau-repo rt.pdf -----------------------------

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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