Show us your/you’re #forestproud

Being #forestproud is no walk in the park, pun intended. It extends much further than just showing awareness for trees and forests. It is showing awareness for the people, products, planet, and all the commodities that you use in your everyday life that are a result of forests! This can be from toilet paper, pencils, maple syrup, furniture, and much, much more!

In collaboration with the Society of American Foresters' 125th anniversary, we are highlighting and showcasing how the everyday activities and efforts make you #forestproud and raise awareness for the sector.

How can you be involved?

Be sure to follow us on our social media platforms and our hashtags:

@forestproud on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn

@americanforesters on Instagram

@Society of American Foresters on Facebook and LinkedIn

#forestproud #thankaforester

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Share your photos with us to show how you are #forestproud, whether it be your career, trees planted around your city, or the sustainable wood you use in your home. Or simply because you believe that forests are crucial for clean air and water and provide for our quality of life. Share with us how you are #foretsproud, and we will feature you on our social media and website.

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Powered by the Society of American Foresters, #forestproud is a communication effort dedicated to building awareness and showing support to the forestry, natural resource industries and all the ways forests benefit the planet.

Have questions or content to share? Email us at Info@forestproud.org Want to help support #forestproud’s efforts of connecting the sector to those beyond – Donate HERE.

March 28th, 2025

Wood Innovation: Empowering Communities, Strengthening Economies, and Protecting Our Planet 

At #forestproud, we believe that innovation in wood products has the power to shape a brighter, more sustainable future for our communities, economy, and planet. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Wood Innovation Program plays a pivotal role in aiding these projects that not only drive new market opportunities but also create jobs, educate the next generation, and contribute to environmental stewardship. #forestproud is partnered with the Wood Innovation Grant Program to amplify the message of sustainable forest management for the production and potential of innovative wood products to help people and the planet. We’re telling success stories, documenting real impact, and connecting the sector to those beyond the world of forestry about the value of forests as forests. 

The Role of Wood Innovation in Today’s World 

Wood is more than just a building material—it's a symbol of sustainability and a cornerstone for a strong economy. Thanks to innovative advances in wood technology, we're seeing a shift toward using wood products in new and exciting ways. From cross-laminated timber (CLT) to bio-based materials, these innovations are transforming the construction, manufacturing, and energy sectors.  

The USFS Wood Innovation Program is helping accelerate this transformation. By providing funding, resources, and technical expertise, the program supports the development of new wood products, processes, and markets that benefit communities across the country. Since its inception, the program has helped foster a robust market for wood products while creating jobs in rural and underserved areas, thus supporting local economies. 

Education and Training for the Future 

Innovation in wood products goes hand-in-hand with education. The USFS Wood Innovation Program ensures that future leaders in the industry are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need to push the boundaries of what’s possible with wood. By partnering with universities and research institutions, the program helps foster research that will shape the future of wood products. 

For example, the University of Washington’s Integrated Design Lab, supported by Wood Innovation funding, collaborates with architects and engineers to explore how wood can be used in multi-story buildings, reducing carbon footprints and construction costs. The educational programs and research initiatives supported by the Wood Innovation Program are creating a pipeline of talent for the growing wood innovation sector. 

Supporting Sustainable Communities and the Planet 

Wood innovation doesn’t just benefit businesses—it also contributes to sustainability and environmental resilience. Using wood as a substitute for more energy-intensive materials like concrete and steel can help reduce pollution. 

In communities like those in the Appalachian region, where sustainable forestry practices have been implemented through Wood Innovation projects, there is a renewed focus on managing forests in ways that protect biodiversity while providing jobs and ecosystem services. This approach strengthens local economies, ensures the long-term health of forests, and helps the planet. 

A Growing Market for Wood Products 

The market for wood-based products continues to expand. This year, #forestproud is working with the Wood Innovations Program and its grant awardees and partners on several powerful features depicting how real-world solutions are solving major issues. One project has us working closely with several states in New England that have incorporated wood fuel (also called bioenergy) into their energy processes for communities. Another project takes a look at how a breakout business is changing the game of housing construction with sustainable wood products for new and renovated homes. We follow Northern Forest Center as they take a historical home, pair it with TimberHP’s wood-based insulation product, and local wood crafters to return a home to its original beauty and solve a housing need for local residents. That’s not all – we'll be documenting and telling stories all year about the power of wood being used in unique and genius ways that give back to people and planet. 

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5 Earth Day Pledges We Love 

How Forests, Wood Products, and Sustainability Pacts are Shaping the Future of Eco-Conscious Brands 

As the world moves toward a more sustainable future, terms like carbon neutral, net-zero emissions, and sustainability goals are becoming part of everyday conversations in both consumer and corporate spaces. But what do these terms actually mean? 

  • Carbon Neutral refers to the balance between the amount of carbon emitted into the atmosphere and the amount removed or offset, resulting in a net-zero carbon footprint. 
  • Net-Zero Emissions means that a company or product reduces its emissions to the point where the remaining carbon is offset or neutralized, often through projects such as reforestation or carbon capture. 
  • Sustainability involves practices that maintain the health and balance of natural systems, ensuring that resources are available for future generations. 

While these concepts can sometimes feel abstract, the connection to our forests and wood products is both clear and impactful. Forests are natural carbon sinks, absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and storing it in biomass and soil. Sustainable forest management helps maintain this role, while wood products, when sourced responsibly, store carbon for the duration of their life cycle. By integrating forest-based materials and products into manufacturing processes, companies are not just reducing their carbon footprint—they're contributing to a larger, sustainable ecosystem. 

When checking out brands that are making sustainability promises, ask yourself: 

  • Are they choosing responsibly sourced materials and making eco-friendly products? 
  • Are they open about how they’re actually measuring and sticking to their sustainability goals? 
  • How do their actions help forests, reduce carbon emissions, or support a circular economy? 

These are the kinds of questions that help you make informed, sustainable choices. It’s about supporting brands that care as much about our planet as you do. Choosing companies that take sustainability seriously is a #forestproud choice—and that’s something to feel good about!  

Here are five companies that are leading the way, showing how forest-based products and sustainable practices are key to hitting their environmental goals: 

Timberland: Sustainable Materials and Carbon Neutral Goals 

Timberland has made a bold commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. A key part of their strategy involves using sustainable materials like responsibly sourced wood, recycled rubber, and renewable energy in production. One of their standout initiatives is the GreenStride™ soles, made from a 75% renewable material blend that includes natural rubber and sugarcane. In addition, Timberland is focusing on forest restoration efforts, further strengthening the role of forests in carbon sequestration. Their commitment to sustainable footwear reflects how the wood products industry can help meet carbon goals, proving that even fashion can be part of the solution. 

Read Apple’s Pledge: Apple Sustainability 

General Electric (GE): Wind Power and Aviation Efficiency 

General Electric (GE) has long been at the forefront of renewable energy, and they are now taking steps to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. GE’s Haliade-X Offshore Wind Turbine is an example of how forest-based and sustainable products contribute to carbon reduction by using recycled materials and lowering carbon emissions. Additionally, GE’s LEAP jet engines are improving fuel efficiency, cutting emissions, and moving toward sustainable aviation. By investing in innovative technologies that reduce the carbon footprint of energy and transportation, GE is showing how large industrial players can lead by example. 

Read Timberland’s Pledge: Timberland Sustainability 

Apple: Circularity and Carbon Neutral Products 

Apple has committed to becoming carbon neutral across its entire product line by 2030. Their approach includes using 100% recycled aluminum in products like the iPhone and recycling rare earth elements in the new iPhone models. Apple’s environmental goals extend to its packaging, with many products now using 100% recycled and recyclable materials. The company is also looking at how wood-based materials can replace plastics in packaging. Apple’s commitment to using renewable energy in its manufacturing and its continued focus on the sustainable sourcing of wood further exemplifies the potential for wood products to be integral in a carbon-neutral future. 

Read Apple’s Pledge: Apple Sustainability 

General Electric (GE): Wind Power and Aviation Efficiency 

General Electric (GE) has long been at the forefront of renewable energy, and they are now taking steps to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. GE’s Haliade-X Offshore Wind Turbine is an example of how forest-based and sustainable products contribute to carbon reduction by using recycled materials and lowering carbon emissions. Additionally, GE’s LEAP jet engines are improving fuel efficiency, cutting emissions, and moving toward sustainable aviation. By investing in innovative technologies that reduce the carbon footprint of energy and transportation, GE is showing how large industrial players can lead by example. 

Read GE’s Pledge: GE Sustainability 

IKEA: Circular Design and Responsible Sourcing 

IKEA has set a bold goal to become climate-positive by 2030, a pledge that includes shifting to 100% renewable or recycled materials across their product line. The company is already using recycled wood in many of its furniture pieces, ensuring that products are not only responsibly sourced but that they remain valuable at the end of their life cycle. One of IKEA’s standout products, the KUNGSBACKA kitchen fronts, uses recycled PET plastic and recycled wood, directly contributing to a more sustainable, circular economy. IKEA’s investment in forest restoration and responsible wood sourcing is a key part of their sustainability strategy. 

Read IKEA’s Pledge: IKEA Sustainability  

Mercedes-Benz: Carbon Neutral Vehicles and Circular Manufacturing 

Mercedes-Benz has pledged to achieve carbon neutrality by 2039, and they are integrating sustainable materials like recycled plastics and wood-based bioplastics into their production processes. Their commitment to electric vehicles like the EQ Series plays a significant role in reducing emissions in the automotive sector. Mercedes-Benz also partners with suppliers who are committed to sustainable forest management, which aligns with their broader goals of reducing reliance on fossil materials and supporting reforestation efforts. The integration of wood-based materials in car interiors further connects their work to the wood products industry, proving how sustainability in materials can support ambitious carbon goals. 

Read Mercedes-Benz’s Pledge: Mercedes-Benz Sustainability 

Forest products + Corporate sustainability = #forestproud 

As more companies realize the power of forest-based solutions, they’re tapping into the benefits of sustainably sourced wood, renewable materials, and forest restoration initiatives. These businesses are stepping up to the plate, showing that forests and wood products are essential to meeting carbon-neutral and net-zero emissions goals. 

Looking ahead, it’s clear that wood products and forests will continue to play a huge role in helping companies meet their environmental goals. The #forestproud movement is gaining momentum, and we’re excited to see these sustainable pledges grow and shape the future of eco-conscious brands. Together, we’re creating a better, greener world—one forest product at a time! 

 

In the quiet depths of the forest, where trees stand tall and rooted in the earth, Terrel Jones finds a reflection of herself. As an artist with a profound connection to the natural world, she doesn’t just paint trees, she brings them to life. Terrel’s love for trees is more than a visual appreciation; it’s an emotional bond; woven into every brushstroke and every piece she creates.

Raised along the western coast of Washington and the forests of Montana, Terrel's childhood was spent immersing himself in the beauty and serenity of nature. The outdoors became her canvas long before she picked up a paintbrush, and those formative experiences continue to influence her art. Her “Timeless Trees” collection captures more than the outward beauty of trees—it peels back their layers to reveal their soul. Terrel's art delves into the textures of bark, the intricate patterns of roots, and the life-giving energy coursing through the tree’s phloem, connecting us to nature in a way few artists can.

But the connection doesn’t stop there. Trees led Terrel to another important relationship in her life—her husband, Ken Stephens, a forester. Ken’s knowledge and insight into forestry have been invaluable in shaping her art. He’s a muse and collaborator, giving her the tools and inspiration to push her artistic boundaries. His understanding of the forest's intricate ecosystems opened her eyes to new ways of seeing and expressing nature in her work.

Her work doesn’t just entice you to look at a tree—it invites you to feel it. She describes her paintings as a direct reflection of her own experiences with trees: a source of security, peace, and stability. And just like how trees connect with the earth, Terrel’s art draws a line between nature and humanity, showing us how intertwined we truly are with the natural world.

Terrel’s “Timeless Trees” collection even takes us inside the tree.-Through abstract interpretations of this cellular design, Terrel is bringing together the organic and the human-made, blending the natural world with her artistic expression. Incorporating real materials from the forest into her art, Terrel uses wood panels and cedar tree rounds, which her husband kindly prepares for her, giving her pieces a grounded authenticity. In one of her pieces, Terrel explores the phloem—the tissue that transports nutrients through the tree. "I stumbled upon images of phloem sections while researching forestry and was drawn to their organic patterns, which to me looked like fabric," she explains. "The textures and colors became a focal point in my work, where I could combine natural forms with human-made expressions."

Recent studies have shown that nature and art can significantly improve mental and emotional health. A 2019 report by the American Journal of Public Health found that art, when combined with time spent in nature, helps reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. The sight and feel of trees, as seen through Terrel’s work, offer a restorative experience for viewers, connecting them to nature in a way that rejuvenates the mind and spirit.

Nature’s beauty, as embodied in Terrel’s artwork, is not just about the external beauty of trees; it’s about the internal impact they have on our lives. Art and nature collide in a way that nurtures both the soul and the environment, highlighting the importance of conservation, clean air, healthy soil, and the vital role trees play in sustaining our planet.

Through her work, Terrel Jones doesn’t just paint trees, she breathes life into them, reminding us all of the crucial link between nature, art, and humanity. Her work resonates with #forestproud’s mission, illustrating how forests shape not just the environment but the emotional and psychological landscapes of those who connect with them.

So, if you’re looking for a reminder of why we all feel so drawn to trees and nature, Terrel’s art will hit you right in the feels. Her work is a beautiful representation of how trees give us more than just oxygen—they offer us emotional grounding, too.

Want to hear Terrel’s thoughts directly? Explore her world of “Timeless Trees” via her website and check out her podcast interview with Voice of the Wild Earth Podcast on Spokane Public Radio, where she dives into how trees shape both her art and her life. Check out the podcast here! (Interview starts at 3:15 timestamp) Source: The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health: A Review of Current Literature | AJPH | Vol. 100 Issue 2

Source: The Connection Between Art, Healing, and Public Health: A Review of Current Literature | AJPH | Vol. 100 Issue 2

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Meet Kayla Stuart

 

 

Being #forestproud can mean being committed to keeping forests as forests, being climate-positive, rethinking our future in terms of carbon, and reconnecting people to the forest. Kayla Stuart began her career as a nurse while juggling the roles of being a single mom. Her daughter’s continuous battle with asthma is what led Kayla to look beyond the medicine. She wanted to learn the natural benefits that being outdoors and in nature had on the body.  

In 2021, Kalya left the security of her nursing job and the career she had built for herself and enrolled in the University of Tennessee to embark on her #forestproud journey.  

Kayla started working at The Works Inc. in Memphis, Tennessee, an organization dedicated to addressing food access, regenerative initiatives, and housing. There, she was striving to help give communities of color opportunities in green spaces. While working with 12 students in the program, Kayla was able to provide them with unique opportunities, such as camping and woodworking.  

She was then able to help build the curriculum to continue the organization's work in education after she left. “I think we as forest stewards and forestry professionals and students of natural environment should operate like we are carrying for the oldest living organisms on land.” This is the message she gave to students and members of the program when introducing them to natural resources.  

Working in Memphis then led Kayla to her research project at the University of Tennessee. She is working to study the specific characteristics that community members face when seeking careers in green spaces. She is also the program director for the Tennessee Champion Tree Program. 

In 2024, she began working with Job Corps in the Appalachian region, focusing on underserved and underdeveloped communities and students in the foster care system to help them become aware of forestry and the environment. The overall goal of the program has been to grow these students into forestry and conservation professionals. “Focusing on understanding how people who come from one space and into a natural resources position view the industry.” 

When Kayla was asked what #forestproud meant to her, she said, “Thinking about all the wildfires in Helene that affected western Carolina and Eastern Tennessee and my own personal journey, I hope the forest is proud of me.”  

If you are interested in furthering your education in forestry and natural resources and want to attend a program like Kayla's, check out the programs the University of Tennessee offers at their School of Natural Resources  

Want to help a give a student a pathway to success in the forestry industry? Check out and give to the various scholarships and grants SAF offers to students looking to further their educational and knowledge in the forestry profession. Give to SAF   

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The Death of Sampling and the Rise of Forest Architecture

By #forestproud friend, Eli Jensen

Eli Jensen, a Certified Forester and owner of Ironwood Forestry, focuses on improving forest management through innovation. Using tools like high-resolution LiDAR, he and his team enhance the precision of forest data collection, helping identify risks like disease, pests, and wildfires on a tree-by-tree basis, at scale. This technology is key to maintaining forest health and resilience in the face of climate change. Jensen's work is part of the innovative tech solutions emerging in sustainable forest management practices, helping foresters and land managers effectively and accurately balance environmental and economic goals while supporting long-term planning for climate-resilient forests for the future.

That's #forestproud.

Forestry has long relied on sampling methods to manage large expanses of forested land.

However, with the advent of advanced technologies such as LiDAR and remote sensing, a new paradigm is emerging: forest architecture. This innovative approach shifts the focus from traditional sampling to managing forests at the individual tree level, offering an unprecedented level of precision in forest management. This article explores the concept of forest architecture, its benefits, challenges, and the transformative potential it holds for the forestry profession.

The Traditional Approach: Sampling

Sampling has been the cornerstone of forestry management since Carl Schenk opened the first school of forestry at the Biltmore Estate in 1896. Foresters extrapolated plot data from a fraction of the forest to make informed decisions about the entire forest.  

While this method is cost-effective and time-efficient, especially for large-scale operations, it comes with inherent limitations. Sampling only looks at a small portion of the forest. In some cases, it observes less than 1% by area. Critical details about individual trees, such as their health, species composition, and precise location, are often generalized, leading to less accurate management decisions.

The Emergence of Forest Architecture 

Forest sampling methods have not kept pace with the changing needs and increasing complexity of forest management. As remote sensing technology continues to advance, so does the level of detail and information that it can provide.

a LiDAR point cloud representation of a forest. The two side-by-side views show tree canopies and trunks in vibrant colors ranging from red and yellow at the top (indicating higher points or denser vegetation) to green and blue lower down (representing the ground or shorter vegetation). The image provides a digital visualization of tree height, structure, and density, commonly used in environmental studies, forestry management, and land surveying to analyze forest health and canopy characteristics.
A stand of Ponderosa pine trees scanned with airplane LiDAR (above) and a backpack mobile LiDAR scanner (below).

Much of remote sensing technology to date has been about improving what we’re already doing. Regression modeling is used to estimate metrics not captured, usually DBH, and stands are still managed based on stand averages. Eventually, the information provided by remote sensing advances to a level where new possibilities emerge. It's not just about improving traditional methods; it enables entirely novel approaches to forest management. 

Whether it’s LiDAR or photogrammetry if we can capture all of the parts of a tree (stem, branches, crown, etc.), AND that capture is of a high enough resolution, AND assuming we can reliably segment the data of that tree from others, we can start thinking at the census level rather than at the sample level. First, we can directly measure several features for all trees, which provides a census-level inventory. Second, and undoubtedly more important, we can make decisions and manage forests at the individual tree level. Now we’ve achieved census-level management. 

Imagine a standard GIS interface, with your data layers panel on the left. In that data panel are thousands of layers, each one an individual tree with all of its attributes (species, DBH, height, height to crown, crown diameter, defect, etc.). You can “implement” a project, whether it’s a classic timber sale or restoration work, simply by clicking trees “on” and “off.” You can tinker with them until the outcome is exactly as desired, both visually and by census-level data. This is what I am calling forest architecture. 

What is Forest Architecture? 

When an architect designs a building, they deal in details. Nothing is sampled. Every door, every wall, every window, and every utility is planned to a fraction of an inch. Now we can manage our forests with a similar level of precision.  

Forest architecture is a new approach to forest management that involves the dynamic and detailed design of forests at the individual tree level. Utilizing advanced technologies like LiDAR and remote sensing, this method allows for precise mapping, measurement, and management of each tree, enabling foresters to create tailored strategies that optimize forest health, productivity, and ecological balance. 

Challenges of Managing at the Tree-Level 

While forest architecture offers numerous benefits, it also presents significant challenges. The first challenge is data acquisition. Collecting high-resolution data for every tree in a forest using LiDAR requires expensive equipment and specialized skills. Currently, this is being done from the ground and on foot. In addition, it simply is not a reality yet in many dense forest types.   

The second challenge is communicating data to field operations. What good is designing a forest on the computer if that cannot be effectively communicated back on the ground? In open ponderosa pine stands, it may be possible to display this information two-dimensionally on a tablet and successfully identify trees on the map with trees on the ground. In dense and structurally complex forest types, there’s currently little chance of doing this successfully. This will only be possible in other areas once augmented reality technology matures. 

The third challenge is how to organize and manage this new information. The writing of the software itself is not challenging. There are dozens of companies or more doing so, but they need to know what to build. That will require foresters to work with software developers to communicate how to translate individual tree data into usable data and develop new methodologies and insights on what tools are needed to collect the appropriate information. This involves a steep learning curve for both sides and a shift in mindset from traditional forestry mensuration practices to more data-driven technology approaches. 

Unlocking New Capabilities 

Despite these challenges, forest architecture unlocks a range of new capabilities that can revolutionize forestry management. While it will never be better than the census level, I believe it is the future of forest management... We can only begin to understand the potential of forest architecture and how it will shape forest management. Here is the first round of ideas. 

  1. Precision Silviculture: Projects can be designed to meet diverse resource objectives. Then, management actions can be planned to ensure silvicultural prescriptions are implemented with precision.  
  2. Future Visualization: Detailed data on planned management activities can be used to create 3D visual representations of future forest conditions (Figure 2). This helps stakeholders envision the short- and long-term effects of different management strategies, aiding in decision-making and planning. 
  3. Optimize Operations: Census-level cut-tree data can be used to optimize logging operations and minimize impacts.  
  4. Optimize Snowmelt: Tree placement and density can be planned to maximize snow retention. This is crucial for water yield management in regions dependent on snowmelt for water resources. 
  5. Growth Modeling: Detailed individual tree data supports more accurate growth models, allowing for precise predictions of forest development over time. This aids in planning harvests, assessing forest productivity, and managing forest resources sustainably. 
  6. Fire Modeling: By understanding the structure and composition of a forest at the individual tree level, forest architecture enhances fire modeling efforts. This helps in predicting fire behavior, designing firebreaks, and implementing fuel reduction strategies to mitigate wildfire risks. Fire can be modeled for different management outcomes.  
  7. Education and Training: No level of 3D modeling can replace field time for students and young professionals, but detailed and dynamic digital twins of forests allow opportunities to train in the off-season and in diverse forest types while also allowing students to see the outcome of management instantly. 

Implementing Forest Architecture 

In 2021, Ironwood Forestry presented a five-acre LiDAR scanning demo to the Coconino National Forest, which led to the full-scale 3,250-acre Pumphouse Cross Boundary Restoration Project. This forest restoration project surrounds Kachina Village, just 10 minutes south of Flagstaff, Arizona. This project is in partnership with the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management (AZDFFM) under a Good Neighbor Agreement and might be the world’s first census-level management project. SAF member John Pelak, a forester with AZDFFM says, “The fine-scale resolution and quantity of data produced has nearly limitless potential to redefine how both the public and forest managers interact with and manage forest resources.” 

Every tree in the project will be scanned with a ground-based backpack LiDAR scanner, segmented, and measured digitally. Silvicultural prescriptions will be applied to the digital model, visualized, and adjusted as needed. The final version will then be marked on the ground with paint.  

Like any other pioneering effort, this project has had its challenges. Existing Simultaneous Location and Mapping (SLAM) algorithms needed adjustments for this use case, but once the LiDAR manufacturers and developers understood the requirements, the fix was straightforward.  

Since the project started in November 2023, weather posed challenges with fieldwork needing to be timed between snowstorms. Another major challenge was geolocating and stitching all the scans together over such a large area, which many said couldn’t be done. The first inclination was to utilize backpack scanners with integrated GPS units, but manual ground control points proved to be more effective.  

Now that the hardware and software issues are resolved and the weather is cooperating, the project is progressing well. As of writing this article, over 500 acres have been successfully scanned, georeferenced, merged, and measured: nearly 50,000 trees! The project is set to be completed by September 2024. 

Fitting into the Big Picture 

While it's undeniably cool to scan forests with lasers and build 3D models, there's an important purpose behind these technological advancements. This isn't just an academic exercise; it addresses significant management challenges, and not a moment too soon. 

One of the most pressing concerns facing forest restoration in the West is the supply of prepared projects for the industry. Timber sale preparation capacity in Arizona is critically short, with the entire 4 Forest Restoration Initiative heavily relying on contractors like Ironwood Forestry.  

The Pumphouse Project is the first step towards a reliable digital system. The next step is a way to communicate project design details to operators without paint, potentially through augmented reality (either a headset or transparent digital screen on the windshield of harvest equipment).

A forest scene with augmented reality (AR) elements overlaying a tree. The AR display shows white wireframe structures mapping parts of the tree's trunk and branches, with a blue transparent panel highlighting a specific area of the tree. Dense green foliage surrounds the tree, indicating a natural forest environment. The AR visualization appears to be used for analyzing the tree’s structure or for forestry-related data collection.
Ironwood Forestry’s prototype Augment Reality tree marking system.

In the face of staffing shortages and low field capacity, this technology allows fewer technicians, or forest architects, to achieve more with fewer resources. The ability to prepare projects quickly, effectively, and on short notice is essential for meeting both land managing agencies’ needs and the industry’s demands. 

Furthermore, this approach addresses the uncertainty of outcomes inherent in tablet marking (DxP+), logger's select (DxP), and even traditional marking methods. By leveraging detailed, digital models, the Pumphouse Project aims to provide clear, precise, and consistent information that enhances project design and operational efficiency. 

SAF member Mark Nabel, a silviculturist on the Coconino National Forest says, “Even when a complex prescription is clearly understood by a well-trained marking crew, it is impossible to visualize the mark on the ground at the scale necessary to determine whether structural objectives are being met at the stand level."

"Having census-level tree data, combined with each tree’s precise spatial location on the ground, can drive both the development of prescriptions and the subsequent implementation of those prescriptions. Nuances can be added to prescriptions at the sub-stand level and prescriptions can be tested in front of a computer screen before a marking crew ever sets foot in the field.”

a series of four aerial renderings of the same forested area at different stages, connected by white arrows indicating progression. The upper-left quadrant displays a dense forest, while subsequent images show a gradual reduction in tree density. By the final stage (bottom-right), the area contains sparse tree clusters with much of the vegetation removed, leaving more open ground. This visual sequence likely represents the simulation of forest thinning or land clearing processes, illustrating changes in vegetation over time.
Visualizing the same residual basal area target with three different spatial arrangements.

In essence, forest architecture not only modernizes forestry management but also ensures sustainability and efficiency in meeting the increasing demands of forest restoration and timber production. It bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and practical forestry needs, setting the stage for more robust and responsive forest management systems in the future. 

Future Advancements and Next Steps 

The future of forest architecture is bright, with ongoing advancements in technology and methodology. As LiDAR and remote sensing technologies continue to evolve, data acquisition will become more efficient and affordable. The potential for more efficient scanning is significant, with innovations like subcanopy drone flights, swarm drones, and better sensors that offer increased penetration and higher points per second. Combining LiDAR scanners with cameras for hyper-realistic coloring and Gaussian splatting will provide even more detailed and accurate forest models. 

Machine learning and data analytics advancements will further enhance our ability to process and interpret large datasets, making forest architecture more accessible and scalable. Collaboration between forestry professionals, researchers, and technologists will be crucial in driving these advancements. By working together, these stakeholders can develop new tools, techniques, and best practices for implementing forest architecture on a larger scale. 

Educational institutions and professional organizations also have a critical role in this transition. By incorporating forest architecture principles into forestry curricula and continuing education programs, they can prepare the next generation of foresters to embrace this innovative approach, ensuring that the profession remains at the forefront of technological and methodological advancements. 

Forest Architecture Marks A New Era in Management

By embracing the precision and detail offered by advanced technologies, foresters can achieve more effective, sustainable, and resilient management outcomes. While the transition to forest architecture presents challenges, the potential benefits are immense. From enhancing forest health and resilience to optimizing resource utilization and supporting climate change mitigation, forest architecture offers a transformative approach to managing our invaluable forest resources. 

As the forestry profession continues to evolve, embracing forest architecture will be crucial in meeting the complex and dynamic challenges of the 21st century. By harnessing the power of technology and data, we can ensure that forests remain healthy, productive, and sustainable for generations to come. 


Original article written by Eli Jensen for SAF's The Forestry Source, June 2024

 

Reimagining Our Cities
Mass Timber

Forest Champion Spotlight | Susan Jones

Susan Jones designed some of the first Mass Timber buildings in the U.S. - including her own home. Today, Susan and her team continue to pave the way for Mass Timber buildings in North America by showing the world that there is no reason a building can't also be a climate change solution.

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Adapting forests for a changing climate in the Adirondacks

An Interview with Forester Mike Federice

By Tony Mazza, Natural Resources Policy Specialist, SAF.


In late September 2022, I had the pleasure of visiting Huntington Forest at SUNY’s College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF). The higher peaks in the area were already displaying picturesque fall foliage, setting the scene for a pleasant weekend. I was invited by Dr. Marianne Patinelli-Dubay, who is the Environmental Philosophy Program Coordinator at ESF and SAF Adirondack’s Chapter Chair. During my weekend at Huntington, I had the immense pleasure of spending an afternoon with forester Mike Federice, who manages ESF’s forest properties in the Adirondacks. He is also SAF Adirondack’s Chapter Chair Elect. Federice gave me a generous tour of Huntington, which included a black bear sighting, local trivia, splendid vistas, and most impressively, a walk through the forest’s demonstration and research sites.

The back-to-back demonstration sites brought to life textbook silviculture treatments, some serving as important research projects attempting to address challenges forests face in northern latitudes. I was inspired by Federice’s knowledge, insight, and optimism around the future of the forest sector, and so I invited him to share more about his work with ESF.


Tony Mazza (TM): Hi Mike. To begin, would you introduce yourself?

Mike Federice (MF): I’m Mike Federice, a Forester with SUNY ESF Forest Properties. I manage ESF’s Adirondack Forest Properties in northern New York. Prior to working with ESF, I worked in industrial forestry and procurement in upstate New York and New England. I have always enjoyed the outdoors, which is what led me to become a forester.

TM: Can you tell us a bit more about ESF’s properties in the Adirondacks and the type of work carried out there?

MF: SUNY ESF maintains 20,000 acres of forest land in the Adirondacks, in addition to 4,000 acres in central New York. There are four different properties spread across the Adirondacks, each with their own defining characteristics and specific uses which make them unique. The primary purpose of the Forest Properties is to promote opportunities for teaching, research, and demonstration.

The properties are regularly used as an outdoor classroom, which is an indispensable learning tool for hands-on teaching. The properties also provide a setting for long- and short-term research across a multitude of topics like forestry, ecology, wildlife, biogeochemistry, and beyond. There are various examples of forest management techniques as a means of demonstration on some of the properties as well. Public recreation is currently permitted in some capacity on portions of three of the four Adirondack properties.

 TM: During our tour of the Huntington Forest, you discussed how your research plots are addressing some of the leading threats to forests in the Adirondacks. Can you discuss some of the challenges you’re addressing and what your research suggests so far?

MF: The primary challenge we are facing at this time is associated with the effects of beech bark disease. Beech saplings are prolific throughout the understory across the majority of our hardwood stands. These saplings have little—if any—opportunity to develop beyond small diameter pulpwood. Since the saplings are already established in the understory, they impede regeneration of desirable species (i.e., sugar maple, yellow birch, red oak, white pine, hemlock, red spruce). In our more recent timber harvesting, we found it necessary to remove the beech saplings from the understory during harvesting in order to open the understory for desirable regeneration. This has been accomplished during logging using a feller buncher and a prescribed threshold for cutting beech saplings (i.e., 1” DBH or > 5 ft. tall). Timber harvest areas employed with this level of beech sapling removal are still in the early stages of regeneration and are being closely monitored as regeneration begins to appear. We have also seen that heavier cutting intensities help initiate a competitive advantage for regeneration of desirable species over beech.

Another challenge we are facing is climate change. Shorter and milder winters pose major concerns for winter logging. This is especially important here in the Adirondacks where many areas can only be accessed during frozen conditions. The cost of constructing a road only for winter use is considerably cheaper than a summer access road; this is particularly important in areas with low timber value. A long-term concern associated with climate change is the transition of tree species ranges. The Adaptive Capacity Through Silviculture (ACTS) study at Huntington Forest is intended to evaluate strategies for managing forest stands for climate change mitigation and adaptation. The ACTS study also includes a “Transition” area. Within the Transition blocks, tree species more characteristic of warmer sites will be planted and monitored for success. In many cases these species' current range does not include Huntington Forest, however, given temperature projection models, it is expected their ranges will shift to higher latitudes and elevations.

 

Other challenges the Adirondack properties are facing include white pine decline, forest tent caterpillar, and spongy moth. There have been recent management activities in areas affected by all three of the above concerns. Hemlock wooly adelgid, emerald ash borer, and beech leaf disease are also knocking on our door with anticipated management challenges that may facilitate additional research and demonstration projects for us. Another concern of mine is having an adequate contractor base of loggers and truckers in the future. The general trend in recent years has been a decrease in the number of crews available for logging, which may pose a challenge for us to successfully complete forest management projects.

 

TM: Given the research you’re doing, it’s clear you are thinking about what the future holds for the forest sector. What opportunities do you think are in store for forestry and forest management?

MF: I think there are more opportunities than ever for forestry and forest management. As a society, we are beginning to focus on sustainability and renewable resources. To me, this should mean a growing demand for forest-based products over traditional plastics, fossil fuels, steel, and concrete. I’m hopeful that forestry is recognized by our youth as an avenue for sustainability to help increase recruitment into the field.

TM: ESF is first and foremost a school and a research institution—and a strong one at that. On the topic of the future, can you talk to us about the work you do with students?

 MF: On the Adirondack properties, we provide opportunities for field trips and tours of research projects and demonstration areas for ESF classes, as well as groups from other institutions. We are also able to facilitate research areas for students looking for specific sites on the properties with relevant data; we maintain extensive records going back many years that are often used by researchers. Last but certainly not least, Forest Properties often employs a summer crew to help with field work. This is a phenomenal opportunity for students and recent college graduates to gain boots-on-the-ground experience through a variety of forest and natural resources management projects.


In a time when our forests face such grand challenges and opportunities, it’s critical to have forestry professionals who are thinking creatively and strategically about the future of the sector. Central to that task is fostering a new generation of forestry professionals who are passionate and adaptive. We are grateful to Mike Federice and Dr. Marianne Patinelli-Dubay for their forward-thinking service to SAF and the profession. 

Original article for the Forestry Source, January 2023 edition

 

 

Community
Careers, Community, Forest Management, Forest Products, Innovation, People

North Country is Calling

The Northern Forest Center and Northern Woodlands magazine collaborated to produce North Country Calling, a video series profiling young professionals who have chosen the Northern Forest as their home. The future of this region hinges on young people like these.

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Community
Profiles
Careers, Community, Forest Management, Forest Products, Innovation, People

Seeing the Forest for the Tweets

Meet forest professionals who call social media home
Lacey Rose, professional forester + movie star
Alex Ashby #1 Tree Friend

Social media, including online platforms like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and more, has rapidly transformed how we interact. While forestry may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you hear ‘social media’, our field is not exempt from this phenomenon, as many forestry professionals are now turning to social media as a tool for information, communication, and connection.

(Pro tip: join the conversation with #forestproud on a platform of your choice!)

Meet seven professionals who use social media in a forestry context. These professionals are several of many foresters, educators, and scientists across public and private sectors who are talking trees. Together they explore how social media is used by forestry professionals, the engagement and benefits that come with this content creation, and advice for anyone interested in joining the digital forestry conversation.

This article and all supporting interviews were done by Jenna Zukswert - a PhD Candidate in sustainable resources management at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry - originally for the SAF June Forestry Source! 


Posting Professionals

A few of the many types of content that the interviewees have produced on social media include short videos on seed tree versus shelterwood harvests, how to identify invasive species, different types of plant parasites, photos of buds from different tree species, wildlife and fish in Maine, and the contents of a forester’s vest have all been welcome. Written posts explaining silvicultural prescriptions and outcomes, comparing two Gleditsia species’ bark and occurrence, and sharing methodology from a forest climate change study at Hubbard Brook have also been well received. The primary reason these professionals use social media is to share information and experiences.

While Emily Dolhansky (@emilydolhansky), a forester for the Bureau of Land Management, had a Twitter account in graduate school that she would occasionally use to share content from SAF meetings, she started gaining traction in social media sharing information about wildfires in 2020. As a GIS technician for the US Forest Service at the time, Dolhansky discovered that many people were getting updates about the California wildfires directly from Twitter because it was easy to use and understand. She then began to share more about her job as a forester; she finds it important to share success stories and “small victories.” This sentiment is echoed by Lacey Rose (@foresterlacey), a registered professional forester in Ontario, who joined Twitter in part because she was “seeing so many good things out there in the forest” and wondering “why aren’t more people sharing these good news stories?”

Dr. Tom Kimmerer (@tomkimmerer), a forest scientist, educator, and writer, uses social media to share information about tree physiology and natural history in Kentucky. In addition to sharing information from his own work, he uses Twitter to talk to and learn from people in forestry and other related disciplines, such as physiology, biochemistry, and forest genetics. This exchange of information has been rewarding. “I get about two or three ideas a week from Twitter that are going to wind up in the next book”, he says, “so I think it’s very valuable.”

Also an educator, Dr. Neil Thompson (@forestryprof) shares short, viral videos on TikTok primarily about silviculture and dendrochronology, leveraging his skills and passion as an educator. Encouraged by his students at the University of Maine at Fort Kent to join TikTok, Thompson will often gain hundreds of followers from posting a new video on content he considers to be fairly basic, such as that knots and branches are connected, but is novel and interesting to many. “We have to remember that as much as we gain knowledge… it is brand new to so many people, and they can be fascinated by things that we take for granted as essential,” he says.

Chelsi Abbott (@hemlock__holmes), scientific advisor for Davey Tree and adjunct professor at College of DuPage in Illinois, was also encouraged to join TikTok from her students and, like Thompson, was surprised at how receptive others were to her niche interests related to tree health. Abbott was initially hesitant to join TikTok. “I was like, ‘Who would want to know about mushrooms? Nobody!’, but it turns out, it’s a lot of people!”

TikTok is also used by Alex Ashby (@number1treefriend), a forester for the Albany Water Department in New York. Ashby started making instructional videos and filming day-to-day depictions of their forester job during the pandemic. Their videos include before and after shots of silvicultural prescriptions with explanations, water management advice for logging roads, and plant identification. As Ashby says of their involvement in social media, “I just really like talking about trees–constantly and always–so it works out great.”

Nearly all interviewees mentioned using their social media accounts to depict a “Day in the Life.” They use the social media channels to show others, particularly young people, what it is like to be a forester or scientist. While Dr. Lindsey Rustad (@LindseyRustad), Research Ecologist for the USDA Forest Service has a professional Twitter account she uses to share “news on people, places, things, and events”, she has a personal Instagram account that depicts a day in the life of her job. On Rustad’s Instagram account, she refrains from posting news and employs more storytelling. “In both accounts”, reflects Rustad, “I also try to always share something… that may be of interest to the audience, like a fun fact, a reflection, an overall message, or conversation.”

From 60 Minutes to 60 Seconds

Social media is known for its restrictions on content length, and nearly all interviewees talked about this. Lacey Rose found Twitter’s character limit to be a challenge where she had also to refrain from using technical jargon and “speak in ‘real people’ language about forestry.” Tom Kimmerer indicated that communicating without jargon is “a skill we have to develop over time,” adding “I think it’s critically important…we’re using social media as a way of broadening the audience for forestry-related subjects, and the only way of doing this is to speak in relatively simple terms.”

Abbott and Thompson, who engage with their students in both traditional lectures and now on social media, find the short time limit of TikTok to be a rewarding challenge – as Thompson puts it, trying to “summarize a 60-minute lecture into just 60 seconds.” In Abbott’s words, “If making a two-minute video on something you could talk about for hours isn’t good practice on how to really be concise with information, I don’t know what is.” Both claim that this challenge has made them better educators, helping them consolidate their thoughts and condense their content to convey what is most important.

Despite the need to be concise, Dolhansky encourages forestry professionals to refrain from oversimplifying, or using just the “nice talking points”, and instead dive into complex issues. “You can be an ambassador and still talk about things with nuance and explain complexities, without just [saying] ‘Everything’s great!’ or ‘Everything’s awful!’… I think being able to speak openly and engage in meaningful ways… people really connect with that.”

Online Watercooler

Interviewees described a range of communities with which they engage online. One community is their colleagues; as Rose put it, “preaching to the choir.” Kimmerer started using Twitter in part to connect with participants from his outreach programs. Rustad also enjoys learning more about what her colleagues are up to. “I think of [social media] a little bit is that it’s the watercooler or coffee room: you can choose not to talk to people there, but you might miss some things that are happening on a professional and also personal [level].”

Rose and Dolhansky also spoke to the value of connecting with others in forestry from other states or locations. Rose appreciates that she can “get to know other people in forestry that I would never have the opportunity to meet in real life” and Dolhansky likes learning about activities and projects that “people several states over from me are doing.” Kimmerer extends this, reflecting on benefits of international connections. “Forestry always has been a very international discipline, even though we work in our own local forests and social media really enhances that ability to speak with people from different backgrounds.” Twitter can help connect researchers and practitioners within forestry, as it is popular among academics; Dolhansky has conversations on Twitter with academics about their research and what is happening on the ground.

They also engage with people outside of forestry. Other followers of Ashby, Abbott, and Thompson include students, people generally interested in nature, and as Abbott puts it, “Fun Fact-ers” such as the comment Ashby received, “’I didn’t know that porcupines could climb.”

On the other end of the spectrum, interviewees mentioned engaging with those who think poorly of forestry. Many of our interviewees tend to not engage with negative comments. Dolhansky tends to get a lot of interaction from people who are critical of forestry, particularly the timber industry, and challenge or disagree with what she is saying. “A lot of times I can have constructive conversations with these people,” but she notes that there are others whose minds she cannot change, “so I’ve just kind of learned where to expend my energy and where not to.”

A Tool for Good

Many benefits of using social media came to light. Perhaps the most basic: social media provides a way to educate and communicate with others, which was important to all of the participants.

“The more people we have educating, the more people we have engaging, the better. What’s the worst if more people know about trees and all the fun stuff about forests?” asks Abbott. Exchange of information with students and colleagues, between researchers and foresters, across disciplines, and with those new to forestry are positive benefits of social media use. Rustad cites social media as “another way to communicate about what I do so I can spread the word about publications, about events, about what we’re doing in the world of forest science”, and she benefits from “learning so much about what other people are doing out there.” This connection can sometimes result in unanticipated opportunities offline, such as invitations to speak at events, awareness of professional programs, and in Ashby’s case, an informal Zoom book club with woodworkers.

Another benefit of social media use is representation. Ashby aims “to get people who might not otherwise be interested in forestry or realize that forest ecology or field work or any of this is an option in life… to see that this is something you can do, and this is something that you can start really small doing” and they note comments from queer forestry students who feel less alone after seeing their content. Awareness of forestry as a career option was also important for Thompson. “The benefit, I hope, is [that] people realize that forestry is a profession that’s available to them…. I’m not saying you must do this… I would like people to make a considered, informed decision… but I think what the whole forestry network on TikTok is doing is showing pretty well the range of things that you can do.”

As a member of initiatives to increase representation of women in science, Rustad says she tries to “post images of, not always myself, but other women, women in forestry, women in the outdoors… so that girls, particularly middle-school girls, can see that women can be out there, they can be scientists, they can be ‘fisher people,’ they can be engaging in the outdoors.” Rose considers social media to be “the best outreach we can do to recruit for future foresters,” enthusing “imagine if every forester was putting out one message every three months, even. Inevitably, some people are going to see that and be like, ‘Oh, I didn’t know that was a career option.’” She adds, “If other people can see people that look like them doing these jobs, then they might consider it for themselves.”

Representation is important not only for recruitment, but for public perception of forestry. Dolhansky says, “We need more people with boots on the ground and field perspectives to add to this chorus of people promoting good forestry practices and being an ambassador of the field.” In her experience, “it’s a lot more appealing for someone to interact with another person than a brand or company…actual people seem to get more engagement.” Rose echoes this sentiment, stating “I would like to try to change the public’s perception about forestry whenever I have the opportunity to do that… I think it’s critical for us to tell the real story… There will always be some folks out that there still don’t think it’s OK to cut down trees, but the benefit is we can make sure they know all the steps that have to happen before a tree can be harvested.” She adds, “When people can put a friendly face to someone that is caring for their forest, I think it has the potential to change perceptions.”

“It’s not just a little extracurricular activity that doesn’t mean something,” says Dolhansky. “I think it can be really used as a tool for good.”

Advice for Aspiring Social Media Users

Choose the Platform

Many social media platforms exist, and they differ in types of content, character length, and user demographics. Younger generations may be more active on TikTok, while older may be more active on Twitter and Facebook. Consider the content you want to produce and consume, and the communities with which you would like to engage. “I do think deciding what platform you want to be on and focusing on that is an important choice that you have to make as a professional. Where can you have the most impact; not necessarily where you have the largest audience?” advises Kimmerer.

Stay in Your Lane

Several interviewees spoke of considering what subjects you want to post on and recommend sticking to what you know. Thompson prefers to focus on “something I’ve done, something that’s in progress, something that I can see, touch, feel, show,” and directs anyone who asks about topics he doesn’t cover to others who specialize in that area, which further builds community. “I’m sure that there are pressures for creating a certain type of content or swaying with what other people might expect, but where I come at it is if I think it’s interesting and I think it’s fun, that’s probably what I’m going to post about, and hopefully people enjoy it,” says Abbott. “And if they don’t, they don’t; there are plenty of other areas in the world that they can get their information from.”

Act Like You’re in Public, Because You Are

While social media accounts can be private, and this can be ideal for more personal accounts, the accounts discussed in this article are public. “Assume the highest-ranking person in your organization will watch your videos,” cautions Thompson. “Always, always, always think before you post. You can go back and delete a post, but once someone has seen it, you can never make it unseen,” warns Rustad.

Start Small

“It doesn’t have to be overwhelming,” says Rustad. “Choose a platform, start following a few people you admire, think about what you want to share, and engage when you have the time. It doesn’t have to be all the time.” In Ashby’s words, “You don’t have to reinvent the wheel. Just because you are starting a new account doesn’t mean there isn’t help.” They mention several groups and movements such as Women in Wood and Forest Proud that you can join to connect with others. “Just dip a toe in and see what other people are doing” recommends Rose, “…and then you will just probably start thinking of ideas when you’re doing your job.”

Share Comfortably

You get to decide what and how much, or little, you would like to share – whatever feels comfortable for you. “Social media isn’t always about gaining a following,” Abbott reminds us. Many of the interviewees recommend being aware and intentional about how personal you would like to be. “It’s important to figure out for yourself where that happy medium is before you start making [posting] things,” notes Ashby. Recommending moderation, they describe a happy medium “between being yourself and being outgoing with that and honest about it….and also not telling people exactly where you live and how to find you.”

Be Accessible

Thompson recommends closed captioning for videos. For TikTok, this is now an automatic feature; in the past, it was a manual addition. For image-based social media, you may explore the addition of “alt text” to your captions to describe your photographs and images.

Have Fun!

Above all, our interviewees recommend staying positive and having fun with social media. “Enjoy it and have fun with it,” advises Rustad. “It is meant as another way to engage and communicate with our colleagues.”


Original article written by Jenna Zukswert - a PhD Candidate in sustainable resources management at SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry - for the SAF June Forestry Source

 

Reimagining Our Cities
Mass Timber

Forest Champion Spotlight | Susan Jones

Susan Jones designed some of the first Mass Timber buildings in the U.S. - including her own home. Today, Susan and her team continue to pave the way for Mass Timber buildings in North America by showing the world that there is no reason a building can't also be a climate change solution.

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Community

FourTee Acres

Connecting the Generations

Tyrone Williams squinted into the sun as he looked toward the newly planted tract of loblolly pines on his 62-acre property in Enfield, NC. The air was fragrant with the trees’ scent. He thought about his ancestors and how they surely stood in this very same spot. He hoped that someday his children would inherit the land and stand here too, feeling that long thread of ownership connecting the generations.

Forest Champion Spotlight | Tyrone Williams

Getting to this point – healthy stands of native pine, abundant wildlife, and a plan for the future – didn’t happen overnight. It took finding someone Tyrone could trust and who had the forestry knowledge and resources he needed.

Oral history traces the Williams family land back to the late 1800s, but paper documentation of ownership dates only to the 1930s. Landownership was historically a struggle for African-Americans. Discrimination and exploitation were common, and many people lost their land when loved ones died without proper wills.

Fourtee Acres

Tyrone, his wife Edna, and their three sons – Trevelyn, Tremaine, and Tyron – were fortunate enough to acquire this portion of the family farm. In 1994, they named it Fourtee Acres – a play on their names and the “40 acres and a mule” promised to African-Americans after the end of slavery. While the Williams family called Fourtee Acres home for many years, it wasn’t until he retired that Tyrone turned his full attention to the land.

He knew he wanted to restore the woodlands, use the property somehow as an income source, and ensure he could pass the land on to his sons. But like a lot of family landowners, Tyrone’s forestry knowledge was limited. He quickly recognized a need for expert guidance in what to do, when and how to do it, and how to afford all the work. Still, he was also wary about who to trust – many of those decades-old issues for African-American landowners are still present today, and he did not want to risk making irreversible mistakes.

Then, in 2013, Tyrone and Edna attended the Minority Landowner Farmers and Landowners Conference in South Carolina. They were shocked to meet so many others who had also inherited or bought land – some with forestry experience, but many with none.

4tee aerial

During this event they met Alton Perry, from the Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention Project, a program that helps African-American landowners care for their forestland and pass it on to the next generation. Perry was helping people like the Williams’ navigate the complexities of forest management.

Tyrone and Edna, though interested, wanted time to think through all they had learned at the conference. Perry continued to follow up over the next several months, taking the time to listen to the Williams’ needs and vision and answer their questions. Perry knew he needed to reassure the Williams family and gain their trust for them to take the next step. It took nearly a year for Tyrone and Edna to join the program.

Tyrone&Edna Stewardship

Finally ready to get started, the couple began meeting regularly with Perry, along with their county forester and other forestry professionals, to plan their restoration activities. They also contacted the Natural Resources Conservation Service to arrange financial help, and they met with a lawyer to set up a trust that will eventually transfer the land to their children. It was exactly the broad range of support the Williams’ needed to get started in forest stewardship.

In time, Fourtee Acres began to change. First, they harvested 37 acres of mature loblolly pines. The following year, 14 acres were reforested, with the remaining 23 acres taking another two years – along with extensive spraying, shearing and bedding. The family also planted low-lying shrubs and berry bushes and began honing their green thumbs by gardening and crop farming.

Bobwhite quail soon returned to the property, thanks to those newly planted loblollies. Then more birds, rabbits, and deer started to call Fourtee Acres home as well.

Along with their healthy woodland, Tyrone’s passion and interest for managing the land was growing. The more he learned about caring for his land, the more he wanted to expand his education. Perry suggested he and Edna join the American Tree Farm System and take their stewardship to the next level: meeting high standards of sustainability, getting to know a wider and more diverse network of landowners, and continuing to advance their forestry knowledge.

At his first Tree Farm event, Tyrone was energized by the passion in the room. He quickly began making connections and hearing new ideas to help wildlife and better utilize the timber on his property.

All the support Tyrone and Edna received prompted them to pay it forward and begin to help others. Today, they host other minority landowners on their property, speak at events, and lead seminars on how to keep land in the family. They often tell others, “It doesn’t matter what your kids or grandkids do with the land. What’s important is that you set up the framework, so that they can.”

Williams
This piece was originally published as part of the Spring 2019 edition of AFF's quarterly magazine, Woodland Magazine.
Tyrone Williams
Natural Climate Solutions
Forest Benefits, Forest Management

Forest Champion Spotlight | Tyrone Williams

As a 3rd generation North Carolina landowner, Tyrone Williams opens up about the importance of keeping forests as forests and passing on his responsibility to future generations.

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North Country Calling

Meet the young professionals who call the Northern Forest home

 

The Northern Forest Center and Northern Woodlands magazine collaborated to produce North Country Calling, a video series profiling young professionals who have chosen the Northern Forest as their home.

"The future of our region hinges on young people like these — individuals who have sought and found a satisfying blend of work, community, fun and friends in rural communities. We’re energized to see the rewarding lives that Sierra, John, Rachel and Helon have created for themselves and hope their stories will inspire other young people to make their homes in the Northern Forest." - Center President Rob Riley.

 

Here’s a glimpse of the people you’ll meet:

  • Sierra Giraud, a forester in Lancaster, NH, feels a strong connection to the woods through her work and her exploration of the natural world on the weekends.
  • John Moses traded high-priced, West Coast city living for a rewarding job in a sawmill and a home of his own near the mountains of northern New Hampshire.
  • Rachel Freierman has put down roots in the White Mountains, where she works as an outdoor educator and runs a small farm in Bartlett, NH.
  • Helon Hoffer hikes to his work as a trail manager for the US Forest Service. He is passionate about skiing, biking and taking his young children outside to explore.
  • Jesse Wright appreciates the sense of community that has formed around farming and forest stewardship in northern New Hampshire. She has worked at the intersection of land conservation and agriculture, supporting local growers in the Mount Washington Valley.
  • Eli Smith divides his year between creative arts and backcountry skiing. He draws inspiration from nature and expresses it in the pottery he creates at his wheel.

 

The filmmaker, Asher Brown of Lyme, NH, is a recent graduate of Middlebury College. He spent a day with each of these subjects and has captured their enthusiasm for challenging careers related to the region’s working landscape.

The Northern Forest Center believes in the potential of the region’s communities, people and landscape to support a New Forest Future. Take a look at these short films to see the New Forest Future in action.

Original article posted on 06/11/2020

Surfer on Grain Surfboards board.
Reconnecting People and Forests
Careers, Forest Management, Innovation, People, Products

FOREST TO OCEAN | Grain Surfboards

Grain Surfboards has been crafting one-of-a-kind wooden surfboards from sustainably managed Maine forests since 2005. With an emphasis on quality and sincere commitment to sustainable practices, each board is made one at a time, by hand, to create a product that has a soul and tells a story.

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