NC State Natural Resources Course Examines Sustainability in Turkey

Posted on July 27, 2009 by kmfaber2

By Gary Blank, Associate Professor, Director of Undergraduate Programs, Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources

Traveling 4,061 kilometers by bus, the NR350 course, entitled Sustainable Use of Natural Resources in Turkey, included almost that number of contrasts and surprises. Four weeks of intensive study from 22 June until 18 July 2009 immersed 17 students and four faculty members in realities of the Turkish landscape and culture. students and faculty travel to Turkey as part of natural resources class

The class crossed incredibly varied terrain from Istanbul and the Bosporus Strait to alpine mountain valleys to vast steppes. Staying places that receive 10 inches of rain and places receiving 8 feet of precipitation per year, students and faculty examined land uses and constraints on use from such climate conditions. They interacted with local farmers, hazelnut and tea plantation operators, commercial tour guides, and a score of Turkish forestry faculty members as they researched water use, reforestation, climate change and elevation effects on species adaptation.

Dr. Gary B. Blank and Dr. Fikret Isik, from the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, joined Dr. Barny Dunning of Purdue University and Dr. Mats Olsson, of the Swedish Agricultural University in leading the 17 students from their three universities, the University of Maine, and Haceteppe University in Ankara. Erika Luchsinger, Kim Bernard, and Funda Ogut were enrolled from NC State.

students and faculty during fieldtrip in Turkey as part of natural resources class Primary venues besides the University of Istanbul included Trabzon on the Black Sea coast, Ayder in the Kackar Mountains, Goreme in Cappadocia, and Antalya on the Mediterranean Sea coast. From each site, the class visited more remote locations to see historic and contemporary examples of resource use. For example, from Antalya, several hours by bus and mini-bus brought the group to forest sites near Elmali where groves containing 800-year-old juniper and 1000-year-old Lebanon cedar trees can still be found.

Further information about this summer course will be presented in October as part of the FER Monday seminar series. Next summer NR350 will explore sustainability of resource use in Canada’s Maritime Provinces, so FER students interested in studying abroad should stay alert to the announcements that will be coming this fall about that experience.

Learn more: course catalog description for NR350, International Sustainable Resource Use

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

Denig Visits Kosovo Wood Products Community as U.S. Aid to International Development(USAID) Expert

Posted on July 14, 2009 by kmfaber2

Dr. Joe Denig - NC State Wood Products Dr. Joe Denig, wood products extension leader at NC State, recently returned from a United States Aid to International Development(USAID) mission trip to Kosovo. Still rebuilding from a war 10 years ago, much of the Kosovan population is still displaced and much of the county's infrastructure is in ruins.

Dr. Denig was asked to lend his expertise and assist the Kosovan wood processing sector to improve the industry’s ability to meet recognized international standards and designs. This in turn would ensure that the small, local wood products businesses will be compatible with EU market requirements. The USAID’s Kosovo Private Enterprise Program's mission was to increase sales, while at the same time increasing local employment in the sustainable wood products industry.

Dr. Denig's work in the Wood Products Extension program at NC State University assisting the North Carolina wood products industry, showing small wood products businesses how to properly dry lumber so their products don’t fail in service and connecting NC State's students with industry – fit nicely with Kosovo's needs.

During his three week trip, he visited sites and made drying improvement suggestions to 17 individual companies and taught two drying workshops. A one and one-half day workshop held at the University of Prishtina attracted 8 industry personnel, 2 faculty members and 29 students. Many of the faculty and students hold part time jobs with the wood products industry. A second one day workshop was held at a wood products factory and attracted 8 industry personnel and 2 wood products instructors.

KosovaWood Facility The trip yielded benefits to both the Kosovan wood products industry and the NC State University wood products program. Reflecting on his trip, Denig had this to say, "I left knowing the knowledge we provided to these small firms would help them produce a better product and profitably employ more people. The experience I had in Kosovo will help me with my extension work by broadening my thinking on how family businesses can excel even under trying conditions. I met some fantastic people and I cannot wait to use this experience to excite our students about the world that awaits in a wood products career."

Venditti Visits South Africa as Fulbright Specialist

Posted on July 6, 2009 by kmfaber2

Jimmy Paulk (left) and Rich Venditti (right) in South Africa Dr. Richard Venditti, an associate professor in the Department of Wood and Paper Science at NC State traveled to South Africa through the Fulbright Specialists Program. His visit was hosted by the University of KwaZulu-Natal in April 2009. During his visit, Dr. Venditti gave presentations about academic programs and research activities in wood and paper science at NC State. He had the opportunity to consult and conduct extensive conversations about technical paper technology and science topics with representatives of industry, academic and research groups. The resulting new contacts and potential for research and academic partnerships will be of great benefit to the department.

Dr. Venditti also greatly enjoyed learning about the paper industry and paper research in South Africa, the SA culture, history and politics, visiting very interesting sights, and meeting many paper industry people from mill managers to researchers to technicians.

Learn more about Dr. Venditti's trip on his website.

NC State Faculty Receive Fulbright Scholar Awards

Posted on June 18, 2009 by kmfaber2

NC State News Release – June 17, 2009

Media Contact: Matt Shipman, News Services, 919/515-6386 or matt_shipman@ncsu.edu

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Three North Carolina State University faculty members have been chosen to participate in the Fulbright Scholars Program to teach and study abroad in the 2009-2010 academic year.
Each year Fulbright grants are awarded to researchers, teachers and administrators of universities around the world. The grants allow for up to one year of research abroad at host universities. The recipients are chosen on the basis of academic or professional achievement, and leadership potential in their respective fields.
This year’s Fulbright Scholars are Dr. William J. Kinsella, an associate professor in the Department of Communication, Dr. Nora Haenn, an associate professor in the Department of Sociology and Anthropology, and Dr. Bronson Bullock, an associate professor in the Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources.

Read the full release