News from the world of forests

News

Public Select MacMillan, Krajina and Sopron as Most Influential Forestry Leaders (ForestPress)

After holding an informal member contest, the Association of BC ForestProfessionals (ABCFP) asked members of the public to tell them who they thought the most influential forestry leaders were in BC. The ABCFP published its list and the public were invited to either vote for someone on the list or to nominate another individual or group. “The vast majority of people responding to our call for input voted for one of the ABCFP nominees,” says Amanda Brittain, director of communications with the ABCFP. “However, we also received nominations for a wide variety of individuals and organizations.”

2006. November 22.

News

Germany supports sustainable forest management (VNA)

Local forest wardens in central Ninh Thuan province have benefited from a German-funded pilot training program on forest investigation and management towards sustainable development, which ended Sunday. The five-day program is part of a EUR4.5-million German Technical Cooperation Organization (GTZ) project on supporting sustainable management and usage of forests, and trade and marketing of major wood products in Vietnam.

2006. November 21.

BOOK CELEBRATES SCOTLAND'S FAVOURITE TREES (ForestPress)

A book which celebrates more than 130 of Scotland's most remarkable and favourite trees has been launched today by Scottish Forestry Minister Rhona Brankin. "Heritage Trees of Scotland" features some of the most attractive, oldest, rarest, widest and weirdest trees in the country, many with fascinating historical stories behind them.

2006. November 20.

French PM Proposes Taxing States that Shun Kyoto (REUTERS)

PARIS - French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin proposed on Monday introducing punitive taxes on imports from countries that refused to sign the UN's Kyoto Protocol, which is aimed at curbing global warming. Kyoto binds 35 developing nations to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, but the world's top two polluters, the United States and China have not signed the pact.

2006. November 20.

Iran, Russia to cooperate in wildfire, pest control plans (MNA)

TEHRAN – The fourth joint forestry conference between Iran and Russia holds the promise of mutual cooperation in wildfire and pest control and relevant issues, the head of Iran Forest and Range Organization told the student news agency ISNA here on Friday.

2006. November 19.

News

An international film festival in Rome (ForestPress)

An international film festival sponsored by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the patronage of the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage will take place from 1 to 7 December in Rome, Italy. The Festival is organized by the secretariat of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification with the support of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and under the patronage of the Italian Ministry of Cultural Heritage and Activities, the Italian Ministry of the Environment, Territory and Sea and the City of Rome.

2006. November 18.

News

Chestnut blight (ForestPress)

Once an important hardwood timber tree, American Chestnut is highly susceptible to chestnut blight, caused by an Asian bark fungus (Cryphonectria parasitica, formerly Endothia parasitica) accidentally introduced to America on imported Asiatic chestnut trees.

2006. November 17.

News

US builders want more Russian lumber (ForestPress)

U.S. home builders have offered to share American home building technology with their Russia counterparts and have encouraged the Russians to boost exports of softwood lumber and other wood products to America.

2006. November 17.

News

Study hopeful for world's forests (BBC News)

A new technique for measuring the state of the world's forests shows the future may not be as bad as previously feared An international team of researchers say its Forest Identity study suggests the world could be approaching a "turning point" from deforestation. The study measures timber volumes, biomass and captured carbon - not just land areas covered by trees. The findings are being published in the US journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

2006. November 15.

News

Mobilising Wood Resources (ForestPress)

Can Europe's Forests Satisfy the Increasing Demand for Raw Material and Energy under Sustainable Forest Management? Workshop in the Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland on 11 - 12 January 2007 (Palais des Nations)

2006. November 15.

Russian Duma passes forestry code (Tass/ ForestPress)

The State Duma passed the new Forestry Code in the second reading on Wednesday.The new version of the code is a founding act in the field of forestry. It keeps all forests in Russia in federal ownership The Duma had approved the code’s concept a year and a half ago One of the key provisions in the code grants the right to give parts of forests to state and municipal research and educational institutions for indefinite use. A part of a forest in state or municipal ownership may also be leased for up to 49 years.

2006. November 13.

UNESCO Unveils 25 New Biosphere Reserves (ForestPress)

PARIS, France, (ENS) - A haven for monarch butterflies in Mexico and prime dugong habitat in Vietnam are among 25 new sites that UNESCO has added to its Man and the Biosphere program, which places biosphere reserves under the stewardship of local communities.

2006. November 13.

Pellets are becoming increasingly popular in Sweden (Nordic Forestry)

Swedish house owners use more pellets for heating than ever before. When oil and electricity prices have reached top levels many people take note of the fact that pellets provide a both cheap and environmental friendly alternative.

2006. November 11.

Bird-friendly communications towers on cards (Nordic Forestry)

By Deborah Zabarenko Washington - The United States Federal Communications Commission drew praise from a wildlife conservation group on Monday for considering a plan to make communications towers less deadly for migrating birds. The current lighting and support wires on some towers that carry broadcast and mobile phone signals kill up to 50-million migratory birds a year in the United States, said Darin Schroeder of the American Bird Conservancy.

2006. November 10.

Kenyan Nobel laureate launches 'Billion Tree Campaign' at UN climate meet (AFP/ForestPress)

NAIROBI – Kenyan Nobel peace laureate Wangari Maathai on Wednesday launched a massive drive aimed at curbing global warming and related environmental damage by planting a billion new trees by the end of next year. On the sidelines of a key UN climate change conference here, Maathai announced the start in January of "The Billion Tree Campaign," to combat rampant deforestation, reverse desertification and reduce soil erosion.

2006. November 9.

Research

Development of extinguishing technologies for forest fire

The aims of subprogram: surveying the domestic forest fire damages, developing the basis of forest fire extinguishing technologies with special regard to prompt intervention equipments. We are committed to planning and developing this prompt intervention equipments and put it into practice what could result an effective appliance for the forest companies in extinguishment of forest fires.

2006. November 8.

UN gave 'incomplete emissions picture' (AAP)

The federal government has accused the UN's climate body of misrepresenting Australia's greenhouse gas emissions situation. Environment Minister Ian Campbell said figures released this week by the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) had stated that Australia's emissions between 1990 and 2004 had increased by 25 per cent.

2006. November 8.

Energy and climate-change 'top German priorities' (Euractive.com)

In a special cabinet meeting on Sunday 5 November, the German government has defined the priorities for its EU Presidency, starting on 1 January 2007. Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel and her ministers confirmed their support for the EU draft Constitution in a special cabinet meeting on the upcoming EU Presidency. The German leader promised to try and revive the stalled ratification process and announced that on 25 March 2007 a "Berlin Declaration" will redefine the broad goals and values of the EU.

2006. November 7.