Half a Century Since the Clean Water Act Amendments: The Success Story of Forestry Best Management Practices in the Southeast is a blog post by: Southern Group of State Foresters- https://southernforests.org/
 
https://southernforests.org/news-events/southern-perspective/half-a-century-since-the-clean-water-act-amendments-the-success-story-of-forestry-best-management-practices-in-the-southeast/

USDA is asking for public input through a Federal Register request for information on implementation of more than $19 billion provided by the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) will use the investments provided through IRA-funded conservation programs to support farmers and ranchers in adopting and expanding climate-smart activities and systems. NRCS asks for comments on how to target program benefits, quantify impact, and improve program delivery and outreach, especially for underserved producers. Comments are due December 22. Learn more and submit comments. Read More Also see information previously posted 8/13/22 here. 

This legislation is expected to have many favorable impacts for sustainable forestry practices. We have compiled statements from three major organizations here:
1. National Alliance of Forest Owners (NAFO) also has a statement: https://nafoalliance.org/inflation-reduction-act-of-2022-statement-from-nafo/
2. The American Forest Foundation (AFF) notes the following “…specific provisions for family forest owners: 

• $400 million in competitive grants and cost share to support underserved forest landowners or those who own less than 2,500 acres in forest resilience activities and climate mitigation markets.
• $50 million for competitive grants to owners of private forest land for implementation of forestry practices to increase carbon sequestration and storage.
• $8.45 billion for Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to improve soil carbon or reduce nitrogen losses or greenhouse gas emissions, or capture or sequester greenhouse gas emissions
• $100 million for the Wood Innovation Grant Program to support solutions that utilize forestry residue for innovative end uses.
• $1.8 billion for the National Forest System to support wildfire risk-reducing activities within the wildland-urban interface including eligible biomass removal."

3. National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA) notes aspects that “…have special relevance to forestry…

• Forest Conservation: $700 Million for the USFS Forest Legacy Program
• Climate-smart Forestry: $450 Million to USFS for forest carbon incentives to private landowners
• Conservation Programs: $20 Billion to “Climate-Smart Agriculture” via NRCS programs that in many cases include tree and forest-related practices (e.g., RCPP)
• Wildfire Resilience and Ecosystem Restoration: $2.1 Billion for activities on national forests; $250 Million for BLM and NPS; $121 Million for USFWS and State F&W
• Science, Data and Innovation: $100 Million for USFS Wood Innovation and $50 Million for USFS inventory of old growth and mature forests on national forest system lands
• Urban Forests: $1.5 Billion for grants to cities and non-profits through USFS Urban and Community Forestry, with an additional $4 Billion to DOT and EPA climate justice programs that can and likely will provide substantial additional funding for urban forestry activities.”

The White Oak Initiative - Landowners for Oaks Series is now available! This series, made up of 11 publications, is geared toward landowners engaged in upland oak management with a focus on white oak. Three of the publications provide information on the importance of oaks, their biology, and an overview of common management practices to enhance oak regeneration and growth. Eight publications provide landowners with basic information on common upland oak species, how to identify them and important management and utilization information. All factsheets in the series are available for download at http://forestry.ca.uky.edu/woi.

The Kentucky Division of Forestry operates two seedling nurseries for the purpose of planting on public and privately-owned land. These nurseries offer different species of hardwoods and conifers for sale for planting on open crop or pastureland, developing a Christmas tree plantation, enhancing wildlife habitat, improving urban areas and reclaiming surface mining sites. ​​The Division of Forestry is accepting orders for tree seedlings online through its new Forestry Seedling Sales store. Orders less than 10,000 total trees using a credit card should use the division's online store to place their order. Seedlings ordered from the store will be shipped by UPS. Those wishing to order seedlings and pay by check or want to pick up their seedlings at one of our two nurseries are asked to use the Tree Order Form and order through their local branch office. Division branch offices can answer questions or questions can be emailed to KYSeedlingSales@ky.gov

Fall Forest Fire Hazard Season: Oct. 1 though Dec. 15
9/28/2022
During forest fire hazard season, it is illegal to burn between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. within 150 feet of any woodland or brushland. Learn about Fire Hazard Season:

https://eec.ky.gov/Natural-Resources/Forestry/wildland-fire-management/Pages/default.aspx Learn Before You Burn: https://eec.ky.gov/Environmental-Protection/Air/Pages/Open-Burning.aspx