The Global Forest Expert Panels Programme of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations issued a report, which identifies the health benefits of forests. Titled, ‘Forests and Trees for Human Health: Pathways, Impacts, Challenges and Response Options,’ the report recognizes the linkages between human health, the health of other species, and the health of the planet as a whole, and argues they offer solutions to global crises. The Earth Negotiations Bulletin summary of the launch event highlights that “forests, trees, and green spaces play a vital role in ensuring a healthy life for all on a global scale,” with the health benefits that range from physical and mental well-being to overall mortality reduction far outweighing the adverse effects on health. …Christoph Wildburger, IUFRO-GFEP Programme Coordinator, said the report represents “the most comprehensive global assessment to date on the links between forests and human health.”
B.C. communities can look forward to high-quality data to support effective and informed decision-making on the planning and management of wildfires, landslides, floods and other natural events. The Province is investing more than $38 million in a new program over the next six years to collect light distance and ranging (LiDAR) elevation data. LiDAR delivers highly detailed and accurate three-dimensional mappings of landscapes. Unlike the Province’s current digital models of landscapes that are based on aerial imagery taken 30 years ago, LiDAR-based mapping includes detailed representations of forests, bodies of water, and buildings, as well as other infrastructure. “Investing in better data means investing in better decisions for climate resiliency,” said Nathan Cullen, Minister of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship. “Generating this invaluable data and making it freely available will keep people safe, and ensure communities are protected, productive and economically competitive.”
British Columbia – The Government of BC is providing $50 million in new funding to the Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) to assist with the delivery of uneconomic forest fibre and to assist communities to reduce their wildfire risk. FESBC is now accepting funding applications. “Receiving $50 million in funding from the Province of British Columbia is a significant boost for reducing smoke and greenhouse gas emissions, and will also better protect communities from the devastating impacts of extreme wildfires. This investment will also create and maintain jobs for workers, provide stability in communities, and accelerate Indigenous participation in the forest bioeconomy,” said Steve Kozuki, Executive Director, FESBC. A document with details on the application process, eligibility criteria and a step-by-step guide on the next steps is now available on the FESBC website. FESBC will be hosting a virtual information session on successful applications.
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Juneau, Alaska – The USDA Forest Service is looking to local tribes, Alaska Native corporations, communities, partners, and the public to help shape the future of forest management on the Tongass National Forest. That is the agency’s hope with a planned Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy – Forest Management public engagement effort, where once again it will work from the ground up to gather needs, expectations, and project recommendations, this time related to watershed and wildlife habitat restoration, sustainable young-growth harvest and old-growth harvest for cultural uses and small sales to support local communities. “We want to know what Southeast Alaska wants … to prioritize work for the next 10 years,” Acting Tongass Forest Supervisor Frank Sherman said. “Instead of commenting on a plan we present, we’re asking folks to help develop it.” 
CONCORD —Snow may be gone from most backyards across the state, but New Hampshire’s forests and fields haven’t greened up yet, signaling the start of wildfire season statewide. To help remind people of the potential dangers that wildfires present, the N.H. Division of Forests and Lands, along with the Northeastern Forest Fire Protection Compact, has designated April 16-22, 2023 as Wildfire Awareness Week across the northeast as well as in eastern Canada. Governor Chris Sununu recently issued a proclamation supporting the importance of wildfire awareness and the value of fire prevention efforts statewide. …“Smokey Bear says, ‘Only you can prevent wildfires,’” said N.H. Forest Ranger Nathan Blanchard. “Wildfire Awareness Week is one way to help remind people that by being responsible and working together, we can keep New Hampshire safe from wildfires.” …Eighty-three percent of New Hampshire is designated as forestland, making it the second-most forested state after Maine.
KING WILLIAM COUNTY, Virginia – A few years ago, the Forest Stewards Guild conservation group could buy an insurance policy to conduct controlled burns to cut wildfire risk for about $10,000 per year. No more. Dave Lasky, a former director of fire management for the group based in Colorado, said several underwriters had offered to provide a million-dollar policy but at an annual cost of $100,000 – well out of reach for private groups who do much of the burning to cut fire risks in the United States. These days, insurance “is either outrageous or unavailable,” he said. …Anxious insurers increasingly fear that preventive fires could escape – even if that happens very rarely. “Even if it isn’t actually that risky, the perception matters,” said Daniel Godwin, a fire management planning specialist with the U.S. Forest Service. …Problems accessing insurance are also a problem in the western United States.
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Droughts and heatwaves are causing Europe’s forests to turn brown in the summer months. Last year, 37 per cent of Mediterranean and central European forests were affected, a new study reveals. Researchers from ETH Zurich University and the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) have been examining the phenomenon over the past 21 years. The results show that summer forest browning is spreading across Europe. …Researchers noted a “legacy effect” of intense and persistent dry periods, meaning that the ability of trees to survive heat and drought depends not only on the current weather but on that of previous months and years too. …frequent periods of little rain over the course of two to three years were a precursor for summer browning. Frequent periods of high temperatures for at least two years in temperate zones also had a significant impact.