Sylvanet to Go Online

Posted on June 4, 2009 by kmfaber2

Sylvanet, a publication of the International Forestry Program in the College of Natural Resources, North Carolina State University, is taking on a new, internet-based format. The content of Sylvanet will now be compiled online as events happen at www.cnr.ncsu.edu/sylvanet. The traditional publication versions of Sylvanet will continue (as a downloadable pdf files) but Sylvanet will no longer be mailed as a paper copy. To be included on the Sylvanet email listserver for quarterly updates of the publications, email Kevin Bigsby (kmbigsby@ncsu.edu). Please stay tuned for our next publication in January, 2010. In the meantime please check out the new Sylvanet webpage.

Sylvanet banner

Congratulations Spring 2009 College of Natural Resources Graduates!

Posted on June 3, 2009 by kmfaber2

It was important to have your ticket for the College of Natural Resources Spring Commencement Ceremony this year, because it was packed. More than 1000 family members and friends clapped, cheered, and cried as the 2009 CNR graduates made their way across the stage at the McKimmon Center to receive their diplomas and heartfelt congratulations from the Dean, Department Heads, and faculty members. Earlier that day on May 9, they had all gathered in the RBC center for University Graduation Exercises. This year, those who will be graduating during the summer of 2009 were invited to walk with the May graduates.

The CNR Commencement Address was delivered by Dr. George Hess, 2009 Distinguished Undergraduate Professor. Additionally, one student representative from each department addressed their fellow graduates. Steven Tyler Pires, Summa Cum Laude, Environmental Technology, provided the address for the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources. Departmental receptions followed the graduation ceremony, giving the opportunity for professors to meet families, and friends to offer best wishes for the future.

• Read Dr. George Hess’s Commencement Address
• Read Steven Tyler Pires Address to Fellow Graduates

Read the list of 2009 Forestry and Environmental Resources Spring & Summer Graduates
See Photos from the Ceremony and FER Reception
By the numbers:
– NCSU – 4,294 degrees awarded
– CNR – 182 degrees awarded
– FER – 62 degrees awarded; 48 undergraduate degrees, 16 graduate degrees

CNR Community Embracing Health and Wellness

Posted on May 27, 2009 by kmfaber2

Living well is important for everyone and given upcoming changes to the State Health Plan's policies regarding weight loss, the College of Natural Resources is getting a jump on the SHP and offering our very own "Lucky 13 – Lucky U" Summer Shape U Program.

Summer Shape-U Program Flyer

Dean Brown encourages faculty, staff and graduate students in the college to get involved. Team challenges between departments and programs are HIGHLY encouraged!

Certificates will be awarded in September.

If you are interested in participating, contact Susan Colby at susan_colby@ncsu.edu with your name, department, program and phone number to register!

Duckweed Quacks Volumes of Potential

Posted on May 22, 2009 by kmfaber2

From the Biomass Journal – June 2009

Since the late 1960s, scientists have studied duckweed for animal and human consumption because of its high protein content. NC State associate professor of forestry and environmental resources, Anne Stomp and fellow researchers are now tapping into the plant’s innate environmental benefits, from desalinating wastewater to exploring its potential as a viable starch-based feedstock for ethanol production.

The drive to develop sustainable nonfood, starch-based ethanol feedstocks and more efficient conversion processes is intensifying as the U.S. attempts to reduce ethanol’s carbon footprint by transitioning from corn to cellulosic ethanol. That has prompted researchers at North Carolina State University to take a closer look at plants, such as duckweed, that could be a potential feedstock for ethanol production.

Duckweed has traditionally been studied because of its inherently rich protein content at 30 percent to 35 percent on a dry-weight basis. The purpose was to explore whether duckweed could be a protein source for animal and human food. A growing interest in sustainable ethanol feedstock development, however, has researchers exploring the plant’s starch content.

Read the complete article at http://www.biomassmagazine.com/article.jsp?article_id=2714&q=&page=all

NC State To Host Webinar Addressing National Update Federal Biomass Definitions and The American CLean Energy and Security Act

Posted on May 8, 2009 by kmfaber2

NEWS RELEASE – May 6, 2009

Currently Congress is considering The American Clean Energy and Security Act (WaxmanMarkey Bill) that includes proposed biomass definitions. This 2-hour webinar will review House and Senate biomass definitions and offer comments from a stakeholder panel from various sectors of the forestry community. Participants will have an opportunity to address speakers and panelists through questions or comments.

Invited Panel Organizations include the American Forest Foundation, the National Alliance of Forest Owners, the National Association of State Foresters, the Society of American Foresters and the Union of Concerned Scientists.

Part of the Forestry & Natural Resources Webinar Series made possible through a partnership with AgriLIFE Extension, Southern Regional Extension Forestry and the NC Cooperative Extension Service; the webinar will be hosted by NC State University's Dennnis Hazel, Associate Professor and Extension Specialist with Extension Forestry and Steve Smutko, Extension Specialist with the Natural Resources Leadership Institute.

The Webinar will be held May 15, 2009 from 12PM to 2PM Eastern Time – CFE credit may be available

For more information about the webinar and to register visit http://forestrywebinar.net/ .