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US Forest Service approves Vermont wind power facility
The U.S. Forest Service has approved the construction of a 15-turbine wind energy facility on the Green Mountain National Forest in Vermont today, which will provide enough electricity to power about 13,000 homes annually.
Faces of the Forest: Mark Twery
Mark Twery is a supervisory research forester on the Northern Research Station in Vermont. A few years ago, he learned that scientists and artists share many similarities. Today, the former theater technician loves the part of his job that involves teaching children about forestry through dance.
US Forest Service Chief testifies on new direction for forest planning
WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2011 U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell testified today before Congress on the strengths and efficiencies of the agency’s draft new Planning Rule that, when finalized, will provide a framework for how all of the 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands will be managed in the future.
Recent Forest Service Blogs
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Protecting natural resources impacted by tourism in Chile
Chilean stakeholders recently partnered with the U.S. Forest Service and the State Department to develop tourism in concert with land management practices.
French firefighters learn from California visit
The visit was part of a very successful seven year educational collaboration between France and the U.S. through the Forest Service Fire and Aviation Management’s International Fire office.
More Forest Service News
The Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act of 2011, signed late this year by President Barack Obama, permits year-round recreation opportunities on U.S. Forest Service ski areas. The change is estimated to sustain up to 600 extra jobs and bring in a total of an additional $40 million to local communities in direct spending. Potential permitted activities may include zip lines, mountain bike terrain parks and trails, Frisbee golf courses, and ropes courses.
Because of forest activities, thousands of jobs are supported in hundreds of rural communities. A recent survey shows visitors spend $13 billion directly in those communities within 50 miles of the national forests and grasslands.
Smokey, Woodsy and Friends
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Jobs: Temporary positions with the Forest Service for skilled and professional applicants can be found online. The Forest Service has also funded 705 Recovery Act projects on federal as well as state, private, and tribal owed lands across the nation. Private sector jobs created by these projects are supporting small and minority-owned businesses and helping revitalize rural economies.
Climate Change: The National Roadmap for Responding to Climate Change is the Forest Service's blueprint for responding to a changing climate and is part of the overall and ongoing effort by the Agency to restore forest and grassland landscapes. One of the measurement criteria of the Forest Service’s roadmap is a scorecard rating system to be used by all national forests and grasslands to gage the success of efforts to mitigate and adapt to a changing climate.
Bark Beetle: Across six states of the interior west, over 17.5 million acres of forested lands are infested by bark beetles which pose a serious health and safety threat to forest visitors, residents and employees. The Forest Service is taking a strategic and science-based response to this infestation to ensure the forests of the interior west provide healthy watersheds, stimulate local economies, are resilient to a changing climate and are restored ecologically over time.
The 90-day comment period on the proposed rule and draft environmental impact statement closed on May 16, 2011. Comments were received from a wide range of individuals, groups and organizations as well as state, county, Tribal and federal governments. The Forest Service now looks forward to reviewing and analyzing these comments to help develop the final rule and final environmental impact statement. Publication of the final rule is anticipated in late 2011.
During 2011, the U.S. Forest Service – in partnership with the National Association of State Foresters - will host or coordinate many activities as part of a national campaign to increase awareness of the connections between healthy forests, ecosystems, people and economies. Learn how you can join the festivities at "Celebrate Forests, Celebrate Life," the official website of the U.S. campaign.
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