The heat wave and a surge in wildfire numbers results in fire bans in BC and Alberta. In related news: Oregon released its new wildfire hazard map; and two wildfires rage out of control in Southern Utah. Elsewhere: Maine will pay forest owners to increase carbon storage; the BC Forest Practices Board released its 2023-2024 Annual Report; and the Society of American Foresters honors Purdue professor Songlin Fei.
In Business news: San Group may sue Port Alberni over worker allegations; Domtar invests to reduce mill odors in Tennessee; a lack of product standardization is said to hinder mass timber’s growth; and a Federal judge stops Montana forest plan over endangered species. Meanwhile: June’s rate cut didn’t revive Canada’s housing market; and contractors remain confident despite US economic downturn.
Finally, Frog ‘saunas’ may help threatened frogs fight off deadly fungus.
Kelly McCloskey, Tree Frog Editor
Fresh home sales data has finally answered the question for real estate watchers: The Bank of Canada’s initial interest rate cut in June did not open the floodgates to buyers, many of whom remain sidelined through an unseasonably slow spring housing market. Sales figures from local real estate boards released in the past week show last month’s home sales did not see much of an uptick after the Bank of Canada’s quarter-point cut on June 6, the first decrease in four years and a substantial shift in monetary policy after the central bank’s fastest tightening cycle on record. …The reaction to lower borrowing costs appears to be showing up first among existing owners who have started to list their properties, Soper says, as evidenced by rising inventories in markets across Canada.
A province-wide campfire ban is set to take effect at noon Friday, July 12, 2024, as wildfire risk rises along with temperatures. The B.C. Wildfire Service announced the ban Tuesday. The campfire ban will apply to every area of the province except the Haida Gwaii Forest District, “which has a somewhat different climate than many other areas,” said Jade Richardson, an information officer for the Coastal Fire Centre, which includes Vancouver Island. The ban applies to all public and private land, except when otherwise specified by a local government bylaw or other statute. It will remain in effect until noon on Oct. 31, or until it is rescinded.
VICTORIA – The BC Forest Practices Board has published its 2023-2024 annual report, marking 28 years of commitment to improving forest and range practices across British Columbia. The report provides an in-depth overview of the Board’s accomplishments over the past fiscal year, addressing key issues and setting strategic priorities for the future. …Statement from Board Chair Keith Atkinson: “As the independent watchdog for sound forest and range practices in British Columbia, we are proud to present this overview of our work during the 2023-2024 fiscal year. This year has been transformative, with significant advancements in forest management practices and increased engagement with Indigenous communities. Our goal is to achieve resilient forest conditions that remain healthy amid changing climate conditions and meet the needs and interests of our communities. We remain committed to advancing practices that benefit all of society and ensuring that our forests thrive for generations to come.”
The New England Forestry Foundation is about to conduct a carbon experiment in the Maine woods. The Massachusetts-based nonprofit is dipping into a $30 million U.S. Department of Agriculture climate grant to develop an incentive program to pay commercial forest owners to adopt planting and harvesting methods that increase carbon storage and climate resiliency. The six first-round enrollees, all from Maine, will test out so-called “climate-smart” forestry practices on about 12,000 of their combined 2.4 million acres. If they earn less because of it, the foundation will cover 75% of that lost profit if it is the result of a change in management practice. If managed properly, NEFF estimates that 12,000 acres could store 250,000 metric tons of extra carbon. …Skeptics question the value of using public money to pay some private landowners and companies for something they were already doing, Whitman said. [to access the full story a Press Herald subscription is required]
