The Trump administration removes from protected status more than a third of the land set aside for the spotted owl. In other Forestry/Climate news: some Manitoba farmers are paid not to plant trees; Vancouver Island tree planters featured in new film; a U of Waterloo researcher studies the impact of climate on forests; and forest-based carbon offsets are debated in Maine.

In Business news: the US is increasingly dependent on overseas lumber imports; led by lumber—US building material prices rose 5.4% in 2020; Canadian housing starts fall but maintain upward trend; and a survey on new and old home-operating costs. Meanwhile, Vancouver’s last wooden ladder factory is no more; and timber innovation reinvigorates a Washington town.

On the Foible front—a lumberjack inspired gin and a giant mountain pine beetle fire. 

Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor