Beratan Lends Her Sustainablity Science Expertise to Fort Bragg Community

Posted on September 3, 2009 by kmfaber2

From BRAC-RTF Website – August 28, 2009

Dr. Kathi Beratan, research assistant professor in the N.C. State University Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, has joined the BRAC RTF as a Policy Advisor and External Partnership Liaison.

Dr. Beratan will advise BRAC RTF staff in their regional planning and workforce development programs and provide specific guidance to BRAC partners, local governments, and non-profit organizations as they tailor strategies to implement recommendations from the Comprehensive Regional Growth Plan and develop programs for adopting sustainable business practices.

Read the complete BRAC-RTF Press Release

NC Woody Biomass Amasses Awards

Posted on August 20, 2009 by kmfaber2

NC State Extension Forestry and the Forestry and Environmental
Outreach Program (FEOP) have been honored again for their hard work in developing and delivering the NC Woody Biomass Program. The group received the 2008-2009 Awards for Excellence of the Southern Extension Forest Resource Specialists (Silver award level). The NC Woody Biomass Program is a comprehensive program directed towards utilities, industries, natural resource professionals, policy makers, environmental leaders, landowners and others. The program’s goal is to provide education and materials that promote economic opportunities related to renewable energy derived from woody biomass.

The team recognized include:
Dr. Robert Bardon – Department Extension Leader and Associate Professor
Dr. Dennis Hazel – Extension Specialist and Associate Professor
Dr. Mark Megalos – Extension Specialist
James Jeuck – Extension Associate
Christopher Hopkins – Outreach Associate
Jasmine Shaw – Graduate Student
Susan McIntyre – Graduate Student
Dr. Susan Moore – Extension Associate Professor
Kelley Duffield McCarter – Program Coordinator

Forestry professionals touring a biomass fueled power generating facility near New Bern, NC.

Earlier this year, the NC Woody Biomass Team won the 2009 Innovator Award from the Southern Growth Policies Board and received recognition by the NC Association of Cooperative Extension Specialist as the Outstanding Subject Matter Program Developed by a Team.

For more information, contact NC Woody Biomass Leader, Dr. Dennis Hazel

Congratulations Team for the continued recognition this excellent program is garnering!

NC Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program (WHEP) Team Places among Top at Nationals

Posted on August 19, 2009 by kmfaber2

Renee L Strnad, NC State University – Extension Forestry
NC Project Learning Tree Coordinator
NC Certified Environmental Educator

Media Release

The North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program team traveled to Zwolle, Louisiana, for the 2009 National WHEP Contest in July. Team members were Will Buslinger from Caswell County, Melissa Gold from Guilford County, and Rebecca Warren from Haywood County. Ruth Buslinger and Tanya Gold were the team coaches. Sixty-two youth from 16 states participated in the national contest with events including wildlife identification, general wildlife knowledge, and on-site recommendation of wildlife management practices. Additionally, teams created a written wildlife management plan, which each team member individually defended before a panel of judges.

The team returned to North Carolina with many awards, including 6^th Place Overall and 4^th in the Written Wildlife Management Plan event. Ms. Gold placed 13^th in the Overall individual scores. Mr. Buslinger placed 8^th in Oral Defense of the Wildlife Plan, and 17^th Overall in individual scores.

Congratulations!!!

The 2009 North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program Team

Pictured above: 2009 North Carolina Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program Team at the
National Contest in Zwolle, Louisiana. Left to Right: Ruth Buslinger
(coach), Rebecca Warren, Will Buslinger, Melissa Gold, and Tanya Gold
(coach).

WHEP logo
Learn more about North Carolina WHEP – Wildlife Habitat Evaluation Program and other great 4-H Programs!

Agri-Tech Selects Torrefaction Equipment Manufacturer

Posted on July 22, 2009 by kmfaber2

From Biomass Magazine – July 22, 2009

Autothermic Transportable Torrefaction Machine (ATTM) at NC State University Torrefaction technology development company Agri-Tech Producers LLC has selected South Carolina-based Kusters Zima Corp. as its engineering/manufacturing partner for the production of its torrefaction equipment. Agri-Tech is utilizing a technology developed at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, which the company obtained an exclusive license for in February. [The Autothermic Transportable Torrefaction Machine (ATTM) was developed by NC State forestry doctoral student, Chris Hopkins.]

During the process, woody biomass is heated to 300 to 400 degrees Celsius (572 to 752 degrees Fahrenheit), in a low-oxygen environment. The volatile organic compounds and hemicellulose, which are separated from the cellulose and lignin along with water, are combusted to generate 80 percent of the torrefaction process heat. The remaining warm lignin acts as a binder once the torrefied wood is pelletized.

The resulting fuel is dense, dry, water resistant and carbon neutral. It also has a low sulfur and mercury content, can be easily crushed and doesn’t rot.

KZC was created in the early 1970s to manufacture textile equipment, and has a production facility in Spartanburg, S.C. The company will manufacture torrefaction machines specific to each ATP customer’s needs.

Read the full article

Learn more about the Autothermic Transportable Torrefaction Machine

The South Rises Again: Industrial Forest Management in Chile – Webinar

Posted on July 14, 2009 by kmfaber2

Dr. Susan Moore, Extension Associate Professor and Director, Forestry and Environmental Outreach Program, NC State University, will host “The South Rises Again: Industrial Forest Management in Chile,” August 4, 2009, as part of the Southern Forestry & Natural Resources Webinar Series.

The recent free trade agreement with Chile creates new opportunities and challenges for the US forestry and environmental sectors. Relative to the southeastern US, Chile is highly competitive in the plantation forestry sector, faces many parallel environmental concerns, and serves as a laboratory for technical and policy responses to water scarcity. Four expert speakers will provide insight into the forestry sector in Chile and the implications for lessons, opportunities, and global competition.

Participating organizations and presenters include:

Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, NC State University:
Lee Allen, Fred Cubbage, and Jose Alvarez

Forest Science at Universidad de Concepcion in Chile: Rafael Rubilar

CFEs: 2.0 hours of SAF CFE Category I credits have been applied for. No registration required.

To participate, visit http://forestrywebinar.net for web access instructions at least 20 minutes prior to the start of the session. Date: August 4, 2009 – Time: 9 AM to 11 AM Eastern Time