CAMCORE Demonstrates the Role of Industry in Conservation of At-Risk Forest Species

Posted on February 19, 2014 by rwgonzal

Camcore and its host members often collect seed in remote areas

“International extension agents”— that’s how CAMCORE director Bill Dvorak sometimes refers to the people who work for CAMCORE (the Central America and Mexico Coniferous Resources Cooperative), a nonprofit international tree-breeding organization headquartered at North Carolina State University (NCSU).

Although formally launched in 1980, Dvorak said the organization’s origins date back to the 1970s. “In the late 1970s there were some foresters from the United States—professor Bruce Zobel here at NCSU, and [Carl Gallegos] from International Paper company, and several other folks who went down to Guatemala and saw that many of the pine forests were being destroyed by woodcutters,” he said. “Forty percent of all the pine species in the world occur in Mexico and Central America, so it’s kind of a center of genetic diversity for the pines and, since Zobel had a lot of experience working with industrial cooperatives, and industrial, private sector members, he said, ‘Why can’t we form a industrial cooperative to conserve the genetic material of pines from Central America and Mexico in other, more protected, places?’”

This, generally speaking, is what CAMCORE does today. CAMCORE personnel travel to a threatened forest stand to collect the seed of a particular species. Some of the seeds may be put into longterm storage, while others are planted on members’ land in more protected areas in genetic field trials (or progeny tests) and conservation areas (referred to as “ex situ conservation banks”) in countries around the world with similar climates. Then the CAMCORE staff based at NCSU analyzes the data from the trials and produces annual summaries to help members decide what to grow in what location.

Read the complete article >>

An excerpt from The Forestry Source – January 2014, Vol. 19, No. 1
Article author – Joseph M. Smith, The Forestry Source Managing Editor, smithj@safnet.org

Morris Wins National Award, Makes Impact on Many

Posted on January 30, 2014 by rwgonzal

Hilary Morris, Graduate Student in Natural Resources, Policy and Administration

When it comes to making an impact, graduate student Hilary Morris is no stranger. That became apparent recently when it was announced that she won First Place and $500 in the Forest Science and Technology Board Student Presentation Competition at the 2013 Society of American Foresters (SAF) National Convention in Charleston, SC, which had an attendance of over 1500.

Hilary is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Natural Resources, with an emphasis on Policy and Administration. She is defending her thesis in January and will be graduating in May 2014. Her research focuses on Southeast forestry professionals’ attitudes toward climate change, and the results of her research could have important implications for future outreach efforts.

Her advisor, Mark Megalos, is Assistant Professor and Extension Specialist in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources. “Hil is something of a superstar here. She has conducted her research while simultaneously holding an intern position with the SALCC,” Dr. Megalos remarked. “She published two extension factsheets in her first year here and has a commentary currently out for review.”

While pursuing her Master’s degree, Hilary worked as a graduate research assistant for NCSU Forestry Extension with the Pine Integrated Network: Education, Mitigation, and Adaptation Program (PINEMAP), and as a Pathways Intern for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at the South Atlantic Landscape Conservation Cooperative (SALCC). The Pathways Internship Program provides students the opportunity to stay in school, while getting paid and working in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The impacts that Hilary has already made to these organizations and the university are immense, and we look forward to following the contributions we know she will continue to make to her profession.

Go Green | Next Steps

Posted on December 12, 2013 by rwgonzal

Lauryn, an Environmental Technology and Management student, attended GREENBUILD 2013 to learn more about sustainability.

Lauryn Coombs, junior in Environmental Technology and Management, grew in her involvement and enthusiasm for sustainability after attending GREENBUILD NATION 2013 in Philadelphia, PA. Through a scholarship from the United States Green Building Council, she was able to thrive in this environment as she was surrounded by a variety of attendees ranging in backgrounds from academia to the business world. These individuals gathered for one common purpose…to learn and share knowledge about sustainability.

The conference offered everyone opportunities to trade business cards, learn about USGBC’s efforts and progress worldwide and connect with a variety of professionals at all stages. Hilary Clinton’s keynote on the importance and positive impact of Green Building on our communities and a Bon Jovi concert were just a few highlights from the event.

This opportunity confirmed Lauryn’s unique interest in combining her degree in Environmental Technology and Management with her minor in Landscape Architecture to pursue a career in sustainable design. Her advisor, Linda Taylor, has offered her the ability to carefully plan her coursework to align with her interests and career goals.

The attendees that received a scholarship to attend GREENBUILD 2013.

In addition, Lauryn is the USGBC Co-President and is helping to lead the NC State Student Chapter of USGBC, so feel free to contact her if interested in becoming more involved. The group plans to have a meeting the first Friday of each month beginning in January, and you can also follow their events on Facebook (NCSU USGBC Student Group).

Clearing the Waters | Phytoremediation

Posted on December 12, 2013 by rwgonzal

Claire Basista, an Environmental Technology and Management student, with her research team

Environmental Technology and Management students, Claire Basista, Kevin Heavner, Deion Oakes and Stacy Freeman, have been working with Dr. Elizabeth Nichols and Dr. Dennis Hazel to use phytoremediation at the Tidewater Research Station in Plymouth, NC.

With the heavy influence of the aquaculture industry on water, it has become increasingly important for waters to be drained periodically to eliminate effluents (produced during the life of the fish). The NC Division of Water Quality will no longer allow current practices that force the ecosystem to respond to the addition of the substances and/or lead to suffering habitats; however, there are not new treatment options in place at this time. Without new treatment solutions, this team of students and faculty are working together to test the trees to remediate and dilute these effluents into the air.

Deion Oakes, an Environmental Technology and Management student, in the process of using a tree to help eliminate effluents from the water at the Tidewater Research Station in Plymouth, NC

The team used planted species including: hybrid poplar, cottonwood, cherry-bark oak, bald cypress, loblolly pine, green ash and sweet gum to see which type(s) of trees handle and remediate polluted waters most effectively. Working with Dr. Nichols and Dr. Hazel, the group has been working to compare tree species productivity to the same species grown on other irrigation sites (i.e. municipal wastewater application sites).

Through this experience, the students have accepted the challenge to apply the technical knowledge of their curriculum to the practical experience of field work in an effort to become more well-rounded, informed and capable to jump into their career field upon graduation.

Tropical Forest Foundation Elects Dr. Erin Sills to Its Board of Directors

Posted on November 21, 2013 by rwgonzal

Dr. Erin Sills

Washington, D.C. (November 12, 2013) – Dr. Erin Sills, professor and director of international programs, Department of Forestry & Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, has been elected to the Tropical Forest Foundation (TFF) Board of Directors for a term that begins January 1, 2014. Sills joins a group of new directors that demonstrate TFF’s founding tradition to provide a forum for industry, conservation, and academia to join forces to encourage the adoption of sustainable forestry practices in the tropical regions of the world.

“Erin understands and is committed to TFF’s mission of conserving the tropical forests by maintaining their economic value. As we improve the skills and knowledge of local forest communities, she will provide valuable counsel and relationships that can advance our work,” said Bob Johnston, TFF executive director. “Each new member of the Board of Directors was carefully selected for his or her innovative thinking and ability to contribute to TFF’s ongoing efforts of encouraging sustainable forest management. We look forward to utilizing their experiences and ideas to further enhance the practices and programs currently in place.”

Currently a professor of forest economics at North Carolina State University, Sills is well known in the environmental economics community. She began her teaching career at NCSU in 1998 when she earned her Ph.D. in natural resources and environmental economics at Duke University. Sills’ work has been recognized and published in several industry journals and books, and she was awarded the Outstanding Global Engagement Award for her international efforts at NCSU.

Additional new Board of Directors include:

Kerry Cesareo, Managing Director, Forests, World Wildlife Fund
Sara Gutterman, Co-Founder and CEO, Green Builder Media
Kenneth MacDicken, Senior Forestry Officer/Team Leader, Global Forest Resources Assessment, Food & Agricultural Organization of the United Nations
Hank Menke, Jr., President and CEO, OFS Brands, Inc.
Lenny Shibley, President, Inter-Continental Hardwoods, LLC
Kevin Thieneman, President, Caterpillar Forest Products

About the Tropical Forest Foundation

The Tropical Forest Foundation (TFF) is an international, non-profit, educational institution committed to advancing environmental stewardship, economic prosperity, and social responsibility through sustainable forest management (SFM). TFF regional programs in Asia Pacific, Africa and South America have become synonymous with the promotion and training of Reduced Impact Logging (RIL). For 20 years, TFF has fostered dialogue and alliances among industry, government, and academia, as well as the research and conservation communities to improve tropical forest management around the world and increase the economic value of these forests for those who depend upon its bounty for their livelihood. To learn more about the Tropical Forest Foundation, visit http://www.tropicalforestfoundation.org/.

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