Region Archives: US East

Special Feature

Innovation, investment can help save forests and timber industry

By Pete Madden, CEO, U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities.
The Post and Courier
January 29, 2025
Category: Special Feature
Region: United States, US East

Peter Madden

President Donald Trump has declared an energy emergency, stating that the domestic energy supply is “precariously inadequate” and poses a threat to national security. Additionally, he announced a $500 billion private sector investment in artificial intelligence infrastructure across the United States. At the intersection of these two lies a transformational opportunity for an unsuspecting sector: America’s forests. …South Carolina’s bountiful supply of trees faces a declining market… Between January 2023 and March 2024, nearly 50 forest product mills reported they would be closing or curtailing production… leaving private landowners with few incentives to maintain their forests. 

The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities focuses on finding innovative solutions to sustain forest-dependent communities here in South Carolina and across the country. One such innovation lies in the growing market for biomass energy … a renewable energy solution for our growing demands for power. A simple query to ChatGPT uses roughly the same amount of energy it takes to brew three cups of coffee. Multiplied by the hundreds of millions of queries processed by AI models every day — with a million queries draining the amount of power needed to power 30 homes for an entire month — there is a huge environmental and energy drain. By integrating biomass in a diversified energy portfolio, we can build a resilient grid that can power developing industries while ensuring economic and environmental sustainability for decades to come.

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Froggy Foibles

Here’s your sign!

By Zachary-Taylor Wright
My San Antonio
February 5, 2025
Category: Froggy Foibles
Region: United States, US East

Another questionably secured load in the bed of a truck along a San Antonio highway is stirring up conversation online. A truck was spotted carrying lumber upright with the pieces of wood skyrocketing, clearly taller than the truck itself. …A truck, avoiding state law which prohibits overhang of more than 3 feet either in front or back of a vehicle, opted to put their lumber load upright. Narrowly missing highway overhangs, the lumber appears to violate state law which says the overall height of a load hauled in Texas can’t exceed 14 feet …The beams, which protruded several feet above the back of the truck, were swaying in the wind, tied down only at a couple places at their base by a questionable and slacked set of ropes.

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Business & Politics

San Group owners speak out

By David Wiwchar
The Nanaimo News Bulletin
February 13, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: United States, US East

Suki and Kamal Sanghera

Six months after SAN Group financing and operations started to unravel, two company owners are speaking out and trying to combat the many rumours swirling around the mills. Suki Sanghera says he and his brother have split their holdings with Kamal Sanghera keeping the mills, and Suki and third partner Paul Deol taking Kingsley Trucking. Suki said many mistakes were made including not seeking government help for losses during the Cameron Bluffs fire. …“And then Covid hit, and then the highway fire happened and we didn’t get any help from any government, not provincial or federal government. This was the biggest mistake. …He said over-bidding, over-promising, the high cost of forestry along with family problems all contributed to the company’s downfall. With SAN Group assets are now tied up in Supreme Court hearings and restructuring processes.

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Sylvamo to Invest $145 Million in South Carolina Facilities

Sylbamo
February 13, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: United States, US East

EASTOVER, South Carolina – Sylvamo announces major investments at its two South Carolina facilities. The company plans to invest approximately $145 million to reduce costs and enhance the capabilities at its mill in Eastover, South Carolina. The investments come on the heels of the mill’s 40th anniversary. Sylvamo will invest approximately $100 million to speed up one of its paper machines by the end of 2026, modernizing it. The investment will enable the machine to produce approximately 60,000 additional short tons of uncoated freesheet annually. The company will also invest roughly $45 million for a new replacement sheeter at its Sumter, South Carolina, sheeting plant. The state-of-the-art cutsize sheeter will lower costs and add flexibility to service customers when it’s online by late 2026.

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Georgia Pacific’s Prosperity, South Carolina Plywood Mill Announces $14 Million Investment

Georgia Pacific
February 12, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: United States, US East

PROSPERITY, South Carolina – Georgia-Pacific continues its investment in its plywood mill located in Prosperity, South Carolina through $14 million worth of upgrades and improvements to mill operations. One of the major focuses of this project will be to upgrade the existing boiler, which will increase fuel efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and help boost the local economy through the jobs the project will create during the renovation. …Kevin Livingston, plant manager. “Along with this upgrade to the boiler, we are investing millions of dollars in other improvements across the mill.” …At the mill, Georgia-Pacific produces some of its flagship plywood products, such as Plytanium® Plywood and Ply-Bead®, sanded panels.

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Do it Best CEO: Tariffs on Canadian, Mexican imports would have ‘immediate impact’

By Alex Brown
Inside Indiana Business
February 10, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: United States, US East

Dan Starr

FORT WAYNE, Indiana – The CEO of Fort Wayne-based Do it Best Corp. says if the 25% tariffs on imports from Canada and Mexico go into effect, it would create an immediate impact on costs for the lumber and hardware cooperative’s members. …Dan Starr said that the co-op’s imports from Canada would be particularly hit hard. “Do it Best purchases from Canadian mills… and then ships into independent lumber yards and home centers across the U.S.,” Starr said. “That’s that’s millions and millions of dollars of product–actually, it’s upwards of more than a billion. So we would see an immediate increase in that the cost of product that would be routed from Canada, and that that would drive up costs across the board.” Starr said even though the tariffs are on hold, the threat of such tariffs dating back to before the 2024 election has caused some price inflation.

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Vermont construction company already seeing prices rise among tariff talk

By Lauren Granada
NBC News 5
February 10, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: United States, US East

Phil Scott

SOUTH BURLINGTON, Vermont — Tariffs may be on pause for our neighbors to the north, but right now, Vermont-based Polli Construction is talking to its clients about potentially speeding up their contracts.mHome renovations may cost you thousands of dollars more than usual if President Donald Trump goes through with the 25% tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico. “The threat of tariffs are clearly going to encourage some unscrupulous individuals to charge more,” said Steven Polli, who’s owned Polli Construction in South Burlington for 40 years. …Polli Construction has seen some pricing on products go up by 17%. Gov. Phil Scott said the state is contemplating what this threat could mean to brand new affordable housing projects that are currently underway.

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Acadian Timber Announces Acquisition of Harvesting Operations in Maine

By Acadian Timber Corp.
Globe Newswire
February 10, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada, United States, US East

EDMUNDSTON, New Brunswick — Acadian Timber has signed an agreement to purchase assets of A & A Brochu and its affiliates for a total price of US $4.8 million. The assets include harvesting, trucking, and road building equipment, as well as related real estate, in the Millinocket, Maine region. …Adam Sheparski, CEO said, “A & A Brochu has provided contractor services to Acadian for many years. The transaction will address the historical harvesting capacity challenges in Maine and enable greater control over costs as well as sustainable forestry practices.” The asset purchase agreement was signed on February 10, 2025 and the transaction is expected to close during the first quarter of 2025. Acadian Timber is one of the largest timberland owners in Eastern Canada and the Northeastern US and has a total of approximately 2.4 million acres of land under management.

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Enviva Biomass closes Amory Mississippi facility

By Ray Van Dusen
The Monroe Journal
February 4, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: United States, US East

AMORY, Mississippi – Employees of Enviva Pellets were informed by corporate representatives Feb. 4 the company was closing its Amory facility later in the week. The company, which is a leading producer of industrial wood pellets, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection last April and successfully emerged in December. …“Enviva has made the decision to shut down operations at its Amory, MS facility, effective February 7. As part of our post-emergence exercises, we are reviewing the overall operational efficiencies of our entire fleet. Due to market dynamics and the Amory facility’s infrastructure and operations, along with the relationship of its size and scale relative to the rest of our portfolio, it has been decided resources are better invested in other areas moving forward. …The number of employees impacted by the closure is in the mid-20s, according to a call Mayor Corey Glenn had with company management. …Glenn said Enviva’s closing will have residual impacts.

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There are no winners in a trade war

By Algenon Cash
The Carolina Journal
February 4, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: United States, US East

NORTH CAROLINA — International trade is complex and one of the least understood components of the globally connected world. …International trade promised cheaper goods and economic growth, and it delivered. But for many Americans, international trade came at a severe cost — the loss of good-paying jobs that helped build the middle class. The frustration isn’t just nostalgia; it’s real. However, trade is not just about economics — it also involves politics, regulations, and agreements that can create both opportunities and unexpected tensions between nations. One example of how regulations impact trade is the lumber industry. In the US, environmental regulations limit how much timber can be harvested, making production more expensive and restrictive. …When US tariffs on Canadian softwood lumber were imposed in 2017, home builders in North Carolina faced a significant hike in costs, affecting new home construction. The construction industry’s experience is not isolated. Trade wars create a domino effect that reaches far beyond political brinkmanship.

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Ackerman Mississippi sawmill to spend more than $120 million on expansion

By Craig Ford
WTVA.com
February 3, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: United States, US East

ACKERMAN, Mississippi — A local timber producer plans to spend more than $120 million on an expansion that is expected to add 40 jobs. That producer is Southeastern Timber Products in Ackerman, which turns out southern yellow pine lumber, timber and decking products. The Mississippi Development Authority said Monday the company will install a new sawmill line, new dry kilns and storage facilities so it can produce more of its product. The plan, according to the MDA, is for production to ramp up from 120 million board feet a year to 300 million board feet a year. Southeastern Timber Products is getting a tax incentive from the state and getting help from Choctaw County to make the expansion a reality. [END]

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Chicago area lumber, gas prices could spike if President Trump’s tariffs go ahead

By Megan Hickey
CBS News Chicago
February 3, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: Canada, United States, US East

EVANSTON, Illinois — After threats of sweeping tariffs against Mexico and Canada, President Trump announced a 30-day pause on the tariffs on both countries — narrowly avoiding a costly tariff war with both countries, for now. But there was still concern late Monday about what happens next month if the tariffs go ahead. …Gas and lumber are two of the big commodities that would potentially be impacted. The National Association of Home Builders warned that the cost of housing could soar and housing supply in general would take a hit. Local lumber supply companies said they are already feeling an impact, including Bob Fisher—owner of Evanston Lumber. The company sources about 30% to 35% of its lumber from Canada. While the rest of the lumber at Evanston Lumber comes from U.S. states such as Oregon and Washington, Fisher said switching to American lumber exclusively will not fix the problem.

In related coverage: 

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USG Paper to revive former International Paper plant in Orange, Texas

By Scott Eslinger, Ebonee Coleman & Gaggy Gaspard
12news.com
January 29, 2025
Category: Business & Politics
Region: United States, US East

ORANGE, Texas — Up to 150 new jobs could be coming to Orange with a $715 million investment into the former International Paper plant. USG Paper plans to invest $715 million to expand its paper manufacturing operations to Orange creating from 120 to 150 new jobs at the former International Paper facility. Nearly 500 employees lost their jobs when the International Paper plant shut down without warning last fall. …On November 19, 2024, the Orange City Council approved the old International Paper facility to be designated a reinvestment zone. This will allow for tax break incentives from the city to attract possible buyers. The wallboard and gypsum products manufacturer received approval for economic development incentives from both the City of Orange Economic Development Corporation Board of Directors and the Orange City Council. “We will be providing them with a $200,000 economic incentive for two years.

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Finance & Economics

How tariffs on building materials could impact construction costs in Massachusettes

By Mary Markos
NBC Boston
February 12, 2025
Category: Finance & Economics
Region: United States, US East

As Massachusetts continues grappling with a severe housing shortage, industry experts are split on whether the Trump administration’s tariffs on key building materials could exacerbate the problem. Canada supplies approximately 30% of the lumber used in the U.S., making it a crucial player in the American housing market. President Donald Trump recently announced 25% tariffs on steel, aluminum, and softwood lumber imports. Canada is a major supplier of all three materials, and the move has sparked concern among home builders and remodelers in Massachusetts. “We’re fighting, trying to find ways to make housing affordable, and this is going to go the wrong way,” said David O’Sullivan, president of the Massachusetts Home Builders & Remodelers Association. O’Sullivan fears the tariffs will drive up construction costs, ultimately impacting home buyers.

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2024 Southern Pine Lumber Exports Surge 11% Despite Year-End Decline

Southern Forest Products Association
February 10, 2025
Category: Finance & Economics
Region: United States, US East

Year-end 2024 Southern Pine lumber (treated and untreated) exports hit 565.7 Mbf, which was up 11% over the previous year, according to December 2024 data from the USDA. On a monthly basis, Southern Pine lumber exports were up 21.9% in December 2024 over the same month in 2023 but down 2.2% from November 2024. …Softwood imports, meanwhile, were down 11.5% in December 2024 compared with the same month a year ago and down 11% from November 2024. …Mexico remains the largest export market (by volume) of Southern Pine and treated lumber, up 23% over 2023 with 150.2 Mbf of imports. The Dominican Republic, the No. 2 importer of Southern Pine, ended the year 19.1% ahead of 2023 with 92.3 Mbf. India’s total of SYP imports ended 3.1% ahead of last year with 36.6 Mbf. Canada: up 30% with 27.4 Mbf in 2024. Canada ended the year as the No. 5 importer of Southern Pine lumber (treated and untreated).

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International Paper reports Q4, 2024 net loss of $147 million

International Paper
PR Newswire
January 30, 2025
Category: Finance & Economics
Region: United States, US East

MEMPHIS, Tennessee — International Paper reported reported fourth quarter net loss was $147 million and adjusted operating loss (non-GAAP) was $7 million. Fourth quarter net sales were $4.6 billion in 2024 and 2023. Full-year 2024 net earnings were $557 million and adjusted operating earnings (non-GAAP) of $400 million. Full-year net sales were $18.6 billion in 2024 and $18.9 billion in 2023. Full-year and fourth quarter net earnings include a pre-tax charge of $395 million for accelerated depreciation and restructuring charges, including $334 million related to the previously announced closure of the Company’s Georgetown, South Carolina pulp mill. …Chairman and CEO Andy Silvernail said, “Through a disciplined 80/20 approach, we have restructured our corporate organization, added resources to the business, reduced structural costs through footprint actions and successfully piloted regional box plant optimization.”

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Wood, Paper & Green Building

Boston University Unveils Mass Timber Tower that Could Become State’s Tallest

By Steve Adams
Banker & Tradesman Massachusetts
February 13, 2025
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: United States, US East

Boston University unveiled designs for a new academic building that would become the tallest mass timber tower in Massachusetts. BU’s Pardee School of Global Studies would occupy the 12-story tower at 250 Bay State Road, consolidating classrooms and offices spread across the Charles River campus. With a height of 186 feet, the 70,000-square-foot building maximizes the height allowed for wood-framed buildings under the International Building Code, according to a project filing submitted to the Boston Planning Department. The university envisions the project as a leader in minimizing the use of embedded carbon in building materials. Embedded carbon has become a recent focus of regulators’ efforts to reduce the use of greenhouse gases during manufacturing of traditional construction materials such as steel and concrete. Mass timber projects typically use manufactured wood panels.

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‘Tall Timber: The Future of Cities in Wood’ Exhibition to be Displayed Through March 24

The University of Arkansas News
February 6, 2025
Category: Wood, Paper & Green Building
Region: United States, US East

ARKANSAS — “Tall Timber: The Future of Cities in Wood,” a multimedia exhibition highlighting the use of mass timber in the design and construction of multi-story buildings, opens Friday, Feb. 7, in the first floor corridor of Vol Walker Hall on the University of Arkansas campus. On display through March 24, the exhibition features models, videos and informational graphics. This exhibition is part of the public exhibition series in the Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design. Its installation and opening also coincides with the 2025 Arkansas Mass Timber Conference, held Feb. 7-9 in Vol Walker Hall and co-presented by the Fay Jones School and the architecture and planning firm ISG. Some work in the exhibition is by professional practices and designers who are presenting at the conference. …Mass timber buildings are growing taller, with structures up to 18 stories now covered by the International Building Code.

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Forestry

Dade County Man Receives First-Of-Its-Kind Forestry Award

Georgia Forestry Commission
February 13, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US East

Kerry Phillips & Johnny Sabo

Lookout Mountain native Kerry Phillips, 34, said he is “humbled” to be given the Georgia Forestry Commission’s 2024 Director’s Award. This is the first time the honor has been presented to a GFC employee for their performance excellence. Phillips has been serving as Acting Chief Ranger for GFC’s Dade County Unit for the past year. He stepped into the role after a harrowing wildfire accident injured his predecessor early last year. …The Director’s Award recognizes Phillips’ ability to manage emergency situations, especially as the north Georgia drought worsened and wildfire conditions increased. His leadership in Dade County ensured operations continuity, though faced with numerous geographical, demographical, and political challenges. He is credited for working tirelessly on region-wide projects and trainings, and contributing to important leadership initiatives. Phillips is well known for his professionalism and his commitment to the wildland firefighter core values of duty, respect, and integrity.

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Alabama bills threaten infrastructure with higher truck weights

By Bill Britt
Alabama Political Reporter
February 13, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US East

Alabama’s roads and bridges are already under immense strain, but two bills moving through the Legislature could accelerate their decline—adding 150 million dollars in maintenance costs annually, reducing highway lifespan by up to 30 percent, and forcing weight restrictions on hundreds of bridges. Senate Bill 110 and House Bill 204 would allow heavier log trucks to operate on Alabama highways while simultaneously limiting enforcement by requiring state troopers to escort overweight trucks to permanent platform scales—effectively halting roadside safety inspections for extended periods. Experts warn that these changes could have devastating consequences for infrastructure durability, public safety, and taxpayer-funded repairs. The push for heavier loads is being driven by logging and timber industry interests, which stand to benefit financially from relaxed restrictions. However, transportation and infrastructure experts warn that the cost to the public far outweighs any economic gain.

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Legislation introduced to protect white oak trees, key to bourbon industry

By Sarah Roderick-Fitch
The Center Square
February 11, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US East

Bipartisan legislation has been introduced in the U.S. Senate to safeguard the nation’s white oak tree population, which is key to several commercial industries and vital to wildlife. Sens. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and Mark Warner, D-Va., introduced the White Oak Resilience Act of 2025, which will “mobilize” more federal resources and research in protecting the tree’s population. The senators say the trees are essential to the ecosystem and a “trademark” for several American industries. In addition, the White Oak is regarded as “the most important hardwood tree” in the eastern half of the country. The trees are also vital to multiple wildlife species. However, bourbon is likely binding the neighboring commonwealths while forging a bipartisan endeavor to protect the historic tree. The wood from the white oak has long been used to age Kentucky’s most famous spirit, where bourbon, bluegrass and horses reign supreme. 

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Rounds pushing for more timber production in Black Hills National Forest

By Blake Troli
Kotatv
February 10, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US East

Senator Mike Rounds has re-introduced a bill that would require National Forest superintendents to submit remediation plans if their timber production falls well below the allowable amounts laid out in forest plans. The remediation plans would be required to bring timber production in the respective forests back to at least 75% of their allowable amounts. Rounds says timber production in the Black Hills has far below its allowable 181,000 units. “Three years ago, we did about 80,000, the year before last we did about 60,000, and we’re down to about 59,000 units this year, and so the bottom line is not even a third of what we should be harvesting in the Black Hills is actually being done,” Rounds said. “But it also means some of those forests that could be more properly managed, based upon their own plan are not being harvested, the plan is not being followed,” Rounds said.

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TAPPI’s 2025 Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award

TAPPI (technical arm of the American Paper & Pulp Association)
February 10, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US East

Wadood Y. Hamad

ATLANTA — TAPPI, the leading association for the pulp, paper, tissue, packaging and converting industry is pleased to announce that Wadood Y. Hamad, Ph.D., TAPPI Fellow, has been named winner of the prestigious Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award. Dr. Hamad is Chief Technology Officer at Seprify AG (Switzerland), where he leads efforts to scale-up the production of cellulose particles and hybrid materials, including a flagship product, cellulose white pigment, and develop applications in a multitude of sectors spanning foods, pharma/nutraceuticals, cosmetics, paints, coatings and organic electronics. “Dr. Hamad’s work has made a tremendous impact in colloid science, materials physics, chemistry and nanotechnology,” said TAPPI President and CEO Larry N. Montague. “His [work] embodies the true meaning of the Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award.” …First presented in 1985, the prestigious Gunnar Nicholson Gold Medal Award is TAPPI’s highest technical honor in recognition of an individual’s exceptional industry contributions. 

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Joel Hambright receives Texas A&M University Board of Regents Fellow Service Award

Texas A&M Forest Service – Texas A&M University
February 7, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US East

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Yesterday, Joel Hambright, Texas A&M Forest Service Regional Operations Chief, received the 2024 Texas A&M University Board of Regents Fellow Service Award. Hambright began his career at Texas A&M Forest Service in 1994 as a District Forester in Cleveland following his graduation from Texas A&M University with a Bachelor of Science in Forest Management. Since then, Hambright has served as District Forester and Regional Forester in Huntsville. He now serves as a Regional Operations Chief, where he oversees the operations of agency programs within 13 Southeast Texas counties. Hambright also holds National Wildland Coordinating Group qualifications as a Firefighter Type 1; Firefighter Type 2; Heavy Equipment Boss; Single Resource; Strike Team Leader; Incident Commander Type 5; and Liaison Officer. …The Regents Fellow Service Award is the highest honor annually presented by the Texas A&M University System

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Auburn University’s EcoDogs sniff out danger to American forests

By Amy Burtch
Alabama News Center
February 8, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US East

Melissa Singletary

The Asian longhorned beetle, a threat to U.S. trees, will soon have a new foe: Labrador retrievers bred and trained by Auburn University to search for the invasive species. The retrievers are part of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s Canine Performance Sciences (CPS) program, which uses canines to detect plant and animal species in ways that benefit ecological research, management and conservation. As part of a partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), this project will reach its goal to train operational dogs for Asian longhorned beetle detection in 2025 with an anticipated spring start date. Their work will help find the beetle sooner, which in turn helps the agency stop the beetles’ spread. CPS Assistant Director Melissa Singletary said finding the beetles is important because they damage economically and environmentally important hardwood trees.

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New York launches ‘Tree Tracker’ as part of quest for 25 million trees

By Sophia Fox-Sowell
StateScoop
February 10, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US East

The State of New York last week announced the launch of two new interactive tools for recording and tracking the number of trees planted as part of a climate initiative to reach 25 million trees by 2033. Developed by the state’s Department of Environmental Conservation and its Office of Information Technology Services, the Tree Tracker allows state agencies and private organizations and individuals to report the number and location of trees planted, as well as planting dates, species and tree size. “New York is taking decisive action to protect our environment and strengthen communities’ ability to withstand severe weather,” Gov. Kathy Hochul said in the press release. “Our progress toward the 25 Million Tree goal is a testament to the power of community-driven action, and the new Tree Tracker will make it easier for New Yorkers to track our progress, share updates and contribute to a healthier environment for the future.”

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When art imitates life’s mathematics: Fractals and how we perceive trees

University of Michigan News
February 11, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US East

While artistic beauty may be a matter of taste, our ability to identify trees in works of art may be connected to objective—and relatively simple—mathematics, according to a new study. Led by researchers from the University of Michigan and the University of New Mexico, the study investigated how the relative thickness of a tree’s branching boughs affected its tree-like appearance. This idea has been studied for centuries by artists, including Leonardo DaVinci, but the researchers brought a newer branch of math into the equation to reveal deeper insights. …The math the duo used to approach their question of proportions is rooted in fractals. Geometrically speaking, fractals are structures that repeat the same motifs across different scales. …“We measure branch diameter scaling in trees and it plays the same role as fractal dimension,” Mitchell Newberry said. “It shows how many more tiny branches there are as you zoom in.” .

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David Stahle has dedicated his life to the study of climate change through tree ring research

By April Wallace
Northwest Arkansas Democrat Gazette
February 9, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US East

David Stahle

Arkansas — David Stahle is a distinguished professor and director of the tree ring laboratory at the University of Arkansas, but you won’t always find him in the lab at Ozark Hall on the Razorback campus. You’re just as likely to find the world renowned dendrochronologist in the old growth forests of Oklahoma, the swamps of North Carolina or traversing the Great Plains as he searches for trees and takes coring samples from them. …For more than four decades this has been his chosen work, reconstructing climate and making chronologies, and Stahle has done it all over the world — in both the southwest and southeast regions of the U.S., in California, Africa, Nepal, and in Mexico partnering alongside a colleague in the Mexican Forest Service. …Stahle is working on book called “The Ancient Cross Timbers: A natural history of the old growth forest that bordered the Southern Plains” 

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State senators introduce TREES Act to help with timber recovery in Georgia after Hurricane Helene

WSBTV.com
February 6, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US East

ATLANTA — In response to the widespread devastation of Hurricane Helene to Georgia’s farming and timber industries, several state senators filed legislation to provide relief to those impacted by the storm’s damage. Senate Bill 52, the Timberlands Recovery, Exemption and Earnings Stability, or TREES, Act, would provide for economic relief and exemptions on taxes to those working in the Georgia timber industry. According to the Georgia Forestry Commission, and cited by the state legislature, the timber industry saw as much as $1.3 billion in losses from Hurricane Helene as of November 2024. …If voted to pass by both the Georgia House of Representatives and the Georgia Senate, and then signed into law by Gov. Brian Kemp, the bill would take effect immediately, helping to provide relief to members of Georgia’s timber industry.

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Congresswoman Julia Letlow introduces bill to offer more support to forest landowners after natural disasters

By Madison Remrey
KNOE News 8
February 5, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US East

Julia Letlow

MONROE, Louisiana – Congresswoman Julia Letlow announced a legislative proposal meant to improve disaster relief programs for forest landowners. Letlow introduced the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act in response to the 2023 Louisiana Wildfires that burned more than 60,000 acres of forest land. The legislation adds on to existing programs within the Agricultural Credit Act of 1978 — the Emergency Conservation Program and the Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP). Under Letlow’s proposed bill, farmers and nonindustrial forest landowners would get advanced emergency payments to implement urgent measures after natural disasters. …Craig Anderson, Vice President of Government Affairs for the Forest Landowners Association, said Letlow’s legislation is vital to ensuring private forest landowners are properly supported after a natural disaster.

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Maine is prepared for the evolving fight against wildfire

By Patty Cormier and Robby Gross
Portland Press Herald
February 5, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US East

…While Maine is known for its abundant forests and cooler climate, the risk of large-scale wildfire remains real. History reminds us of this. In 1947, devastating wildfires burned over 200,000 acres and destroyed over 800 homes. In 2024 alone, Maine saw 652 wildfires that burned 296 acres. The Maine Forest Service is at the forefront of protecting 17.5 million acres of forest land, covering 89% of the state. …One cornerstone of our efforts is the Open Burn Permit System, which provides real-time updates on current conditions, helping communities make informed decisions about burning activities. Additionally, during our wildfire season, from March to November, our wildfire danger broadcasts are vital for tracking fire risk. …As a founding Northeast Forest Fire Protection Compact member, we share resources and expertise with New England and the Eastern Canadian provinces. …National lightning detection and heat signature systems enable rapid notification of wildfire starts in remote areas.

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North Carolina Forest Service struggles with vacancies amid rising wildfire risks

By Casey Zanowic
ABC News 45
February 3, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US East

PIEDMONT TRIAD, N.C. — North Carolina has seen a rising number of wildfires recently, including two here in the Triad just last week. The North Carolina Forest Service is the agency responsible for getting those fires out, but lately it’s been difficult to do so. That’s due to the large number of vacancies across the department. “When we’re the lead agency for wildfire response, this isn’t a forest you want 100 positions consistently unfilled,” Philip Jackson, Public Information Officer for the N.C. Forest Service, said. It’s an issue the agency has been having for some time. “It’s [vacancies] pretty evenly distributed throughout all three regions across the state,” Jackson said. “You’re looking at about 30-35 unfilled positions in all three regions.”

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This Alabama national forest is ‘spectacularly diverse’—and Big Oil sees it as a target for new drilling

By Inside Climate News
Fast Company
January 29, 2025
Category: Forestry
Region: United States, US East

CONECUH COUNTY, Alabama —At the confluence of the Yellow River and Pond Creek in Alabama’s Conecuh National Forest, there’s a place of peace. …As the Biden administration came to a close earlier this month, officials with the U.S. Forest Service initiated the process of “scoping” the possibility of new oil and gas leases in Conecuh National Forest. On Jan. 6, USFS announced it would soon begin a 30-day comment period to solicit public opinion on the proposal, which includes the continued availability of tens of thousands of acres of federal land for oil and gas leasing and the possibility of leasing an additional, nearly 3,000 acres where the federal government owns mineral rights but not surface rights. Conecuh National Forest stretches along the Alabama-Florida border, spanning more than 85,000 acres across two counties in the Yellowhammer State.

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Carbon, Climate & Bioenergy

Forest carbon credits seen as ‘tool in the toolbox’ in effort to curb climate change

By Katie Thoreson
Iowa Public Radio
February 10, 2025
Category: Carbon, Climate & Bioenergy
Region: United States, US East

Paul Martin

Paul Martin spent more than a decade searching for land in northern Wisconsin. For the last two years, roughly half of their land has been enrolled in the Family Forest Carbon Program. It calculates how much carbon is stored in trees, then sells the credits to companies to offset their carbon emissions… When it comes to carbon credits from forestland, the market has traditionally been open to corporations or governments that own thousands of acres of trees. More programs are popping up to help smaller landowners get into the carbon market. Family forests, those owned by individuals or families, make up nearly 40% of all forestland in the U.S. The Family Forest Carbon Program is a relatively new program from the American Forest Foundation in partnership with the Nature Conservancy. Its focus is on getting those people who own smaller forests into the carbon market — with as little as 30 acres of qualified trees.

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State poised to power planes with pulp, not petroleum

By Tim Walker
Minnesota Legislation
February 10, 2025
Category: Carbon, Climate & Bioenergy
Region: United States, US East

Can you fly airplanes with wood? The answer is: yes. It’s a very qualified “yes” — and it may not happen for many years — but the potential exists to manufacture sustainable aviation fuel from residual wood products and other non-petroleum-based sources that can reduce an airplane’s carbon footprint. “The technology to fly airplanes with wood exists but needs to be scaled up to show the true potential,” Rick Horton, executive vice president of Minnesota Forest Industries, told the House Agriculture Finance and Policy Committee at an informational hearing Monday. Horton was one of several testifiers who said using sustainable aviation fuel to power airplanes is in its infancy and needs large-scale development — and probably government subsidies — to make it economically viable… Sustainable aviation fuel currently costs two to five times more than conventional jet fuel.

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Domtar Paper Pulp Mill in Arkansas Aiming to Capture 1.5M Metric Tons of Carbon

By Rod Walton
EnergyTech.com
February 3, 2025
Category: Carbon, Climate & Bioenergy
Region: United States, US East

ARKANSAS — One of the nation’s biggest paper pulp mills will install carbon capture and storage targeting up to 1.5 million metric tons of biogenic CO2. Svante Technologies will develop the CCS project at the Ashdown Pulp Mill facility in Arkansas. Ashdown, owned by Domtar-Paper Excellence, produces close to 775,000 air dry metric tons of pulp annually, according to the parent company. The project will help deploy Svante’s carbon capture technology for the pulp and paper industry to generate carbon dioxide removal credits and enhance the sustainability of the industry’s operations. The project has been selected by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Industrial Efficiency and Decarbonization Office for negotiation of a cost-sharing agreement of up to almost $1.5 million. …Claude Letourneau, CEO of Svante said, “Svante’s MOF-based carbon capture technology has the potential to revolutionize how industrial facilities manage their emissions.”

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Microsoft’s Key Role in Growing 35 Million Trees in the US

By Steven Downes
Sustainability Magazine
January 31, 2025
Category: Carbon, Climate & Bioenergy
Region: United States, US East

Microsoft has sealed a long-term agreement with Chestnut Carbon to provide high-quality, nature-based carbon removal from its afforestation, reforestation and revegetation (ARR) project in the Southern US. The deal, one of the largest ARR offtakes in the US, spans 25 years and will deliver over 7 million tons of carbon removal credits. The carbon removal will be derived entirely from Chestnut’s ARR project in the southern United States, including Arkansas, Texas and Louisiana. It is in addition to an initial agreement between Chestnut and Microsoft in December 2023 and involves multiple phases – estimated to restore 60,000 acres of land by planting over 35 million native, biodiverse hardwood and softwood trees… The Chestnut Sustainable Restoration Project stands out because of its focus on creating a long-lasting ecosystem of native forests at scale.

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May conference focuses on expanding markets for wood residuals

By the Department of Natural Resources
State of Michigan
January 30, 2025
Category: Carbon, Climate & Bioenergy
Region: United States, US East

Once logging is done and lumber is sawn, what do you do with the wood chips, bark and sawdust that’s left?What do other manufacturers and mills do with their wood waste? These materials are commonly used for mulch, fuel, composite products and animal bedding. But what if wood residuals could be used for other products and generate more revenue? Innovative uses for wood residuals are the focus of the Green Gold: Wood Residuals Summit May 6-8 in Traverse City. “The management of wood residuals presents an economic and operational challenge that has cascading impacts on the health of our forests and forestry sector,” said Julie Manley, chair of the Michigan Forest Biomaterials Institute, the event host. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is a sponsor. “New products are proving that sawdust, bark and chips can be used in insulation, adhesives, chemicals and more – with the added climate benefit of embedded carbon.

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Health & Safety

Smells like Sulfur? Malfunction at closed paper mill causes odor

By E. Louise Kelly
ABC News 15
February 4, 2025
Category: Health & Safety
Region: United States, US East

GEORGETOWN, S.C. — According to Mayor Carol Jayroe, the International Paper Company released a statement Tuesday detailing a malfunction which caused an odor throughout the city. “A process malfunction, caused by freezing temperatures, resulted in an acute odor that was detected near the mill in Georgetown. The recent freezing temperatures caused equipment disruptions in a piping system for pulping condensate (a liquid byproduct of the pulping process),” International Paper Company officials said. Operators repressurized the system resulting in a “limited amount” of condensate to be excreted. …Both the city and the International Paper company have said there are no current threats to public safety.

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Forest Fires

Evacuations lifted for western N.C. community as wildfires burn

By Charles Duncan
Spectrum Local News
January 30, 2025
Category: Forest Fires
Region: United States, US East

OLD FORT, N.C. — Evacuations lifted Thursday morning for residents in a McDowell County community as firefighters make progress to contain a wildfire. The fire spread quickly in Crooked Creek Wednesday with high winds and dry conditions, officials said. The evacuation order that went into place Wednesday lifted at 8 a.m. Thursday, and officials said residents may safely return to their homes. As of Thursday morning, the Crooked Creek Fire burned more than 250 acres and was 55% contained. …Two other wildfires broke out in the county Wednesday afternoon. …”Gusty winds are pushing this fire making it difficult to control,” county officials said in an alert to residents Wednesday. “Do not risk  your life. Evacuate now and move to safety.”

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