CNR Volunteers Help Habitat for Humanity – Wake

Posted on June 7, 2010 by kmfaber2

Myron Floyd volunteers on Habitat for Humanity -Wake house deconstruction project On a beautiful spring morning in May, volunteers from the NC State College of Natural Resources (CNR) went to work tearing apart a house on the shores of Lake Wheeler. No, they weren’t crazed, they were in fact helping families in Wake County obtain a greener, less expensive way to obtain building materials by volunteering with Habitat for Humanity – Wake (HFH) on one of their de-construction projects.

Many think of HFH as home builders, not destroyers, but the de-construction program offers opportunities for HFH to earn money for building projects plus provide an excellent service in “re-use” of building materials.

remilled wood for use by Habitat And faculty and staff are not the only volunteers from the college, giving their time and expertise to Habitat for Humanity – Wake. During spring semester, the student chapter of the Forest Products Society, along with several wood products faculty and graduate students, reprocessed untreated deck boards into interior baseboard moulding for Wake Habitat for Humanity. The boards were donated by Georgia Pacific after a drying study the wood products group did for GP.

4 volunteers from the NC State College of Natural Resources Volunteer for Habitat for Humnanity - Wake house deconstruction project. The May HFH deconstruction project's four faculty/staff volunteers [Dr. Myron Floyd (PRTM), Laura Johnson (ET), Melinda Hall (Business) and James Jeuck (Ext. Forestry)] are part of an ongoing program developed by the CNR's staff and faculty to come together and be of service to the community.

Other projects in the past year have included sorting food donations at the Foodbank, staffing the Wake County Library book sale, cleaning up litter in local parks and more. Over 30 members of the faculty and staff have turned out to participate with the CNR Volunteers, many for multiple projects.

Extension Forestry Website Brings Resources to Citizens of North Carolina and Beyond

Posted on May 6, 2010 by kmfaber2

NEWS RELEASE

Contact: Renee Strnad – renee_strnad@ncsu.edu

Extension Forestry at NC State University is proud to announce the launch of their new website! The Extension Forestry website is designed to benefit the general public, landowners, community leaders, industry professionals and others throughout North Carolina by providing useful information on a variety of forestry-related topics, identifying additional resources, and providing a forum for sharing current news and information related to forestry and natural resources within North Carolina and beyond.

Visit the new Extension Forestry website at www.ces.ncsu.edu/forestry/.
Be sure to save this site in your favorites and visit often as new information and resources are added frequently.

About Extension Forestry
The Extension Forestry Program at NC State University enables North Carolinians to make informed decisions concerning the management, enhancement, and enjoyment of their forest resources through sound, research-based information and education. North Carolina is a state rich in forest resources with almost 60 percent, or 18.3 million acres, of the state covered in forests. The wise use of this resource is important for water and air quality, wildlife habitat, beautiful views, timber resources, and economic prosperity.

Tomas Honored by NC Association of Cooperative Extension Specialists

Posted on May 5, 2010 by kmfaber2

Dr Stacy Tomas, Professor NC State Parks, recreation & Toursim Management Dr. Stacy Tomas, Tourism Extension Specialist, in the NC State Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management, has been awarded the 2010 Special Specialist Award by the NC Association of Cooperative Extension Specialists. Tomas was nominated by Everett Davis, Cooperative Extension Director, Robeson County, which is the first county in NC to recently employ a Tourism Extension Agent. Tomas will be recognized May 7, 2010 for the honor.

More about Stacy Tomas
More about Tourism Extension at NC State

Wake Mayors Commit to National Physical Activity Plan at NC State Greenway

Posted on May 5, 2010 by kmfaber2

NEWS RELEASE – May 4, 2010

Wake Mayors Commit to National Physical Activity Plan
Rocky Branch Greenway at NC State to be Site of Signing Ceremony

Join Advocates for Health in Action and North Carolina State University partners on May 5, 2010 as Wake County mayors formally sign proclamations adopting the National Physical Activity Plan .
The 2 p.m. event will also introduce the new Rocky Branch Greenway and the new Wake County Community Asset Map . Mayors Russell Killen of Knightdale, Ronnie Williams of Garner, Charles Meeker of Raleigh and mayors from other Wake County municipalities will sign the National Physical Activity Plan, a commitment to promoting physical activity among Wake County residents.

Advocates for Health in Action is a collaborative of 50 organizations whose mission is for Wake County to be a “community where healthful eating and physical activity are the way of life.” Following the signing, the mayors, who will be wearing tennis shoes, will tour the greenway with Sig Hutchinson, a greenways supporter.

Barbara Doll, water quality specialist for North Carolina Sea Grant led the Rocky Branch Stream Restoration and Greenway Project, a 10-year effort on the university campus.

Charlynne Smith, a research associate with the Recreation Resources Service and a doctoral student in the Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management at NC State put her geographic information science knowledge and mapping expertise to work this past year to develop a spatial database to display a community asset map for Wake County.

The result? A comprehensive interactive map and GIS database of trails, greenways, parks, sidewalks and schools in the county that showcases the opportunities for physical activity and healthful eating choices available to the community. Recently, area teens used Smith's tool to display data they collected about the availability of healthful foods in their community.

Going forward, AHA partners and others will use the tool to identify opportunity gaps as they create an advocacy agenda to help shape the community.

Funding for the project was provided by the Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Carolina Foundation.

Attend the Kickoff – Wednesday, May 5 at 2 p.m.
The Rocky Branch Greenway is located between Western Boulevard and Hillsborough Street, with the event to be held off Dan Allen Drive, near the NC State Student Health Services. Consider walking or cycling to join the event. Public parking is available with a credit card at Dan Allen parking deck near Hillsborough Street. Look for signage the day of the event for parking and event location.

Megalos wins NCSU's Outstanding Extension Service award and inducted into Academy of Outstanding Faculty Engaged In Extension

Posted on April 23, 2010 by kmfaber2

Megalos award On April 19, 2010 at the Celebrating the Engaged University awards
ceremony Dr. Mark Megalos was awarded NCSU's Outstanding Extension
Service award and inducted into Academy of Outstanding Faculty Engaged
In Extension. Dr. Megalos focuses on the long-term economic,
environmental, and social viability of forestry in North Carolina. His
leadership and vision make a significant impact on the well-being of
the landowners and citizens of state. Dr. Megalos’ efforts have
resulted in enhance health and quality of North Carolina’s 13.8 million
acres of forest. In addition his work helped families reduce many of
the economic risks associated with forestland ownership. Megalos hosts
ongoing community forums on forestry and conservation and creates
educational materials addressing the various facets of forestland
ownership related to taxes and estate planning. Dr. Megalos’ commitment
to extension, exemplifying what it means to be an engaged University.