Study Shows Attendance At State Parks Grows, Even As Funding Decreases

Posted on March 17, 2011 by

NEWS RELEASE – For Immediate Release

A recent study from North Carolina State University shows that while the number of visits to state parks across the country has grown, fund support for park operations has been significantly reduced. The reduction in funding during a time of park growth endangers the more than $20 billion in economic impact that state parks have on the nation’s economy.

“Obviously the reduction in general-fund support for operations puts stress on America’s state-park systems,” says Dr. Yu-Fai Leung, NC State associate professor of recreation ecology, park planning and visitor management, and director of the study.

“This is a troubling trend since states rely heavily on outdoor recreation and tourism spending to fuel local economies. The public has high expectations of state parks and the facilities and programs offered. If the state parks don’t meet expectations, visitors will likely take their business elsewhere.”

Leung, alongside fellow NC State researcher Dr. Chris Siderelis, completed the Annual Information Exchange (AIX) report, which tabulates data on state park attendance and economic impact, for the National Association of State Park Directors.

State parks nationally are generating a nine-fold return on their annual operating investment during difficult economic times. Many private- and public-sector jobs depend on the vitality of public parks; placing them at risk only aggravates the economic stress on state economies, Leung says. Total operating expenditures for state parks from all sources add up to about $2.2 billion, the report asserts. State general funds represent about $810 million of that $2.2 billion.

State parks operated 1,257 new areas, or more than 23,800 acres, over the previous year. “What that means is they have more land, facilities and visitors at a time when budget cuts are in double digits,” Leung explains. “It is unlikely that any private-sector business would cut expenditures when visitation and economic impact are growing. The prudent business plan would be to have stable or increased funding during periods of growth to protect the increasing market share.”

The AIX report shows that visitation to America’s state parks has grown from about 727 million visits in 2009 to more than 740 million in 2010 – a 1.6 percent increase. During the same period, general-fund support for park operations was reduced by $114 million or about 12.3 percent. Day-use visitation to state parks increased by more than 17 million or 2.6 percent while overnight visits dropped from 64 to 60 million. “The price of gasoline and pressure on household budgets are likely reasons for the 5.3 percent reduction in overnight visits,” Leung says.

Researchers are currently conducting statistical analyses on the AIX data to identify patterns and trends about state park use and operations.

NC State’s Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management is part of the university’s College of Natural Resources.

AIX 2009-2010 Summary & Comparison ( DOC ) ( PDF )

For more information contact:
Yu-Fai Leung, Parks Recreation & Tourism Managment, 919.
Caroline Barnhill, News Services, 919.515.6251

Latest Issue of Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology Newsletter Now Available

Posted on March 14, 2011 by rwgonzal

The first 2011 issue of the Fisheries, Wildlife, and Conservation Biology newsletter is now available. Download your copy at
www.cnr.ncsu.edu/fer/fishwild/fwnews.html.

In this issue:

2010 Fall, Summer graduates
Beth Gardner named Assistant Professor of Quantitative Wildlife Biology
Dr. Will Carr named CVM Alumnus of Year
Jodi Mitchell named Fisheries Health Scholar
Annual tundra swan hunt photos
2011 Fisheries & Wildlife Alumni Society Reunion announced

Don’t forget to mark April 16 on your calendar for the Fisheries & Wildlife Alumni Society Reunion and register at www.cnr.ncsu.edu/news/events/fw_reunion_2011.php.

Celebrate North Carolina’s Arbor Day at the State Farmers Market

Posted on February 21, 2011 by rwgonzal

The public is invited to participate in North Carolina’s Arbor Day Celebration to be held at the State Farmers Market in Raleigh, March 19, 2011, 9am to 2pm. Exhibitors from a wide variety of forest-related organizations will be on site in the Farmers Building to share information and materials about how trees heighten our quality of life.

In addition to exhibits, demonstrations, and hands-on activities for youth, the Triangle Chapter of the Society of American Foresters will be giving away 1000 redbud seedlings. Youth will also be able to “adopt” a plant to take home. At noon, the winner of the NC Arbor Day Poster Contest will be announced and presented with their award. NC State University faculty, staff, and students will provide information on educational and career opportunities in forestry and environmental resources. Even Smokey Bear plans to join the celebration!

Arbor Day is celebrated in state observances across the country to show just how much trees are appreciated. According to the NC Division of Forest Resources website, the NC state legislature ratified a bill in 1967 stating in part, “Whereas, it is desirable that the planting of seedlings and flowering shrubs be encouraged to promote the beautification and conservation of the vast and varied resources of North Carolina, and whereas the designation of a particular day each year as Arbor Day would encourage and draw attention to a concerted effort by North Carolinians to beautify and conserve the

Triangle Chapter of SAF will distribute 1000 redbud seedlings at the 2011 NC Arbor Day Celebration

state’s resources by planting young trees and shrubs.” As host to the NC Arbor Day Celebration, the NCSU Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources honors that spirit, encourages community involvement, and thanks these organizations for their participation in the festivities:

Triangle Chapter of SAF
Sustainable Forestry Initiative
NC Forestry Association
NC Division of Forest Resources
NC Division of Forest Resources – Urban & Community Forestry
City of Raleigh – Urban Forestry
NeighborWoods Program
NCSU College of Natural Resources – Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources
NCSU College of Natural Resources – Department of Forest Biomaterials
NCSU Extension Forestry

This event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit go.ncsu.edu/arborday2011, or contact Lisa Schabenberger at 919-513-7368 or lisa_schabenberger@ncsu.edu.

Read our blog about the 2009 Arbor Day Celebration!

NC State Receives $3.67M Grant to Examine Effect of Climate Change on Southern Loblolly Pines

Posted on February 18, 2011 by

NEWS RELEASE:
For Immediate Release

North Carolina State University is part of a team of 12 institutions across the Southeastern United States selected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture to establish a regional network to monitor the effects of climate change on southern pine trees. The goal is to use the information to develop new management methods and varieties of pines to help Southeastern pine forests adapt to changes in climate.

Researchers will study climate-change mitigation and adaptation as it relates to southern pines, particularly loblolly pine, which comprises 80 percent of the planted forestland in the Southeast. NC State researchers, led by Dr. Ross Whetten, associate professor of forestry, will participate in establishing the monitoring network to collect information on response to climate change, examining the genetics of pine to learn how the trees grow and respond to temperature and rainfall, and measuring the nutrients the trees take in from and release into the atmosphere and soil.

Key components of NC State’s research effort include creating and disseminating knowledge that helps landowners harness planted pine forest productivity to mitigate atmospheric carbon dioxide; use nitrogen and other fertilizers more efficiently; and adapt their forest management to increase resilience in the face of changing climate.

Dr. Ryan Boyles, North Carolina state climatologist and assistant professor of marine, earth and atmospheric sciences, will also play a key role in coordinating state climatologists with forestry extension personnel to engage land managers across the region.

“We want to find out from landowners early on in the research process what questions they have about the impact climate is having on their ability to manage their land,” Boyles says. “This proposal is going to be very interesting not only in helping to improve forest production in a changing climate, but also in understanding the positive impact the timber industry plays in improving carbon sequestration. There are few tools as successful as forestry in having a positive effect on climate change.”

By the study’s conclusion, researchers hope to develop a computer model that incorporates climate variables – like temperature, rainfall and other factors – to predict forest productivity under different climate conditions. They also want to identify new varieties of loblolly pine, and new management techniques for existing pine plantations, that will allow plantations to better tolerate predicted climate change.

“In the end, we want to provide information and tools that equip landowners and forest managers to increase the sustainability and productivity of planted pine forests, and that empower environmental agencies and policy makers to make informed decisions about how forests will respond to climate change,” Whetten says.

The overall grant, a $20 million, five-year project, will be led by Dr. Tim Martin at the University of Florida. NC State will receive $3.67 million to perform its research, education and outreach activities.

Media Contact:
Caroline Barnhill, NCSU News Services, 919/515-6251 or caroline_barnhill@ncsu.edu

Zobel – Forest Genetics Pioneer Passes

Posted on February 18, 2011 by

Dr Zobel came into the office regularly for almost 30 years following his official retirement as Professor of Forestry at NC State.

In Memoriam

Dr. Bruce J. Zobel, NC State professor emeritus and pioneer in the field of forest genetics, died February 5 2011 at his home in Raleigh. He was 90.

Zobel’s connection with NC State lasted 55 years. It began with his move to Raleigh in 1957 to lead the Cooperative Tree Improvement Program. He remained active following his first retirement from that position in 1979, founding the Camcore program in gene conservation and forest genetics.

He continued to teach undergraduate and graduate classes and mentor graduate students until 2001. In 2004, Zobel received the Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal for career achievements and contributions to the university.

A native of California, Zobel earned a forestry degree from the University of California, Berkeley in 1943 and took a job as a logging engineer in redwood forests until he was drafted the following year. The Marine served in California, Virginia and North Carolina, where he was appointed forestry officer at Camp Lejeune near Jacksonville, NC.

Zobel in the treetops during the genesis of the field of tree improvement

After his military service, Zobel returned to Berkeley to earn master’s and doctoral degrees in forestry. He oversaw a new program in forest genetics at Texas A&M University until 1956. The following year he joined NC State.

Zobel, who served as the E.F. Conger Distinguished Professor of Forestry, received the O. Max Gardner award, the UNC Board of Governors’ highest faculty honor, in 1972 for outstanding contributions to the welfare of humankind.

Bruce Zobel accepts the TAPPI Gold Medal in 1975

Dr. Zobel accepts the TAPPI Gold Medal in 1975

The late Dr. Bruce J. Zobel accepts Nc State University's presigious Holladay Medal

In 2004, Zobel received the Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal for career achievements and contributions to the university.

Recognized as an authority on genetic improvement and variation of wood properties, Zobel earned international recognition in 1975 as the first forester to be awarded the TAPPI Gold Medal for outstanding contributions to the technical progress of the pulp and paper industry.

Zobel did consulting work around the world, authored six books and mentored more than 100 graduate students, many of whom hold leadership positions with universities, government and industry. In 1998, he and his wife created the Bruce and Barbara Zobel Endowment for International Forestry to allow students to gain firsthand experience with forestry production around the world. In 2004, he received the Alexander Quarles Holladay Medal.

Donations in his memory may be made to Avent Ferry United Methodist Chiurch in Raleigh, North Carolina, the Bruce and Barbara Zobel Scholarship Fund in care of Campus Box 8010 NC State University 27695 or a charity of your choice.