News from the world of forests

DISTANCE-LEARNING CONSERVATION PROGRAM (ForestPress)

USDA FOREST SERVICE UNVEILS DISTANCE-LEARNING CONSERVATION PROGRAM ON AMERICA'S RAIN FORESTS Educational program will be launched this Friday in a live broadcast via satellite and state-of-the-art web resources WASHINGTON, Students across the world can now experience America's rain forests without ever stepping outside their classrooms--thanks to an interactive conservation education program developed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, the Prince William Network and a host of other partners.

2005. October 14.

Changing forestry taxation in Finland (ForestPress/Nordic)

The Finnish forestry taxation system is changing. During 2005 two parallel systems are still in operation; the newer of them is based on true forestry income from timber sales profits. The older system, forest area taxation, is based on calculated forest income, which is taxed annually.

2005. October 13.

Government addresses beetle threat (The Ubyssey)

October 7, 2005 Federal funding not enough, says UBC Forestry professor by Amanda Stutt, News Writer British Columbia recently received 100 million dollars in federal funding to address the mountain pine beetle infestation plaguing BC’s forests and threatening the sustainability of the forestry industry. “The pine beetle epidemic is the worst natural disaster ever to hit our forests,” remarked BC Premier Gordon Campbell. The mountain pine beetle is native to BC’s Lodgepole pine forests, but recently the number of beetles attacking trees in the Interior has spread at an uncontrollable rate.

2005. October 13.

German Environment Ministry to Keep Renewables (Reuters)

BERLIN - Responsibility for Germany's booming renewable energy sector in a future coalition government will remain with the environment ministry, the leader of Germany's Social Democrats (SPD) said on Monday. "As for energy policy, things will stay as they are. In very rough terms, classical (sources of energy) will stay in the economy ministry and renewables in the environment ministry," SPD leader Franz Muentefering told a news conference.

2005. October 12.

Euro-MPs urge intense push on renewables (Environment Daily)

Parliamentarians from more than 20 European countries have called on the EU to develop a combined renewable energy and energy efficiency strategy (Reees). The declaration follows the latest biannual inter-parliamentary meeting on renewables and energy efficiency, held in Edinburgh.

2005. October 12.

Press review

UBC Hungary to share its forestry curriculum (The Ubyssey)

October 7, 2005 by Eric Szeto, News Editor Joint program may increase enrollment in Hungary UBC and the University of West Hungary have embarked on a joint forestry program—the first of its kind between Canada and the European Union. The program, slated to begin by 2007, will employ a common English curriculum, which will allow students from Hungary and UBC who study in forestry to have credits that are transferable between the two universities.

2005. October 12.

Brazil Struggles to Control Invasive Animals and Plants (ENS)

Acacia longifolia (Andrews) Black wattle is an invasive plant in Brazil. (Photo courtesy Horus Institute) BRASILIA, Brazil - Dozens of non-native animal species - from water buffalo and wild boars to giant African snails - have invaded Brazil’s environment, causing trouble for native ecosystems. They are all being considered this week at Brazil's first symposium on invasive species here in Brasilia.

2005. October 10.

UNECE/FAO policy forum reviews roles of governments (ForestPress)

Governments – significant actors for certification of sustainable forest management Geneva - Forest certification is a voluntary market-based instrument to promote sustainable forest management, and, as such, driven by market actors. However governments have a major role to play in setting out a policy and institutional framework, and as significant actors themselves, for instance as forest owners and, increasingly, as buyers of wood products. They may also contribute to capacity building, provide support, including finance, to drafting national standards and putting in place the necessary institutions, moderate between competing schemes and provide assurance of a level playing field in international trade and on domestic markets.

2005. October 10.

Amazon area threatened by drought (BBC Science)

Brazil has adopted emergency measures to deal with one of the Amazon region's worst droughts in decades. Scientists say water levels have fallen to a 30-year low, creating difficulties for river transport - in many cases the only way of moving people and goods. Many towns along the world's second longest river have declared alerts amid fears they could become isolated.

2005. October 9.

News

The European Forest Sector Outlook Study (ForestPress)

The European Forest Sector Outlook Study presents long term trends for supply and demand of forest products (roundwood, sawnwood, panels, pulp, paper, non-wood products) and services and outlook to 2020, in western and eastern Europe and four major CIS countries, including Russia.

2005. October 8.

Increasing populations of wolf and lynx

Populations of big carnivores are on the increase in Finland. According to the latest estimates the increase of the wolf and lynx populations is particularly strong. At the end of 2004 there were about 810 – 850 bears, 185 – 200 wolves, 135 – 140 wolverines and 1050 – 1100 lynx in Finland. The number of wolves and lynx still continues growing and it is clearly bigger than in 2003. The previously increasing bear population stabilized at the of the 1990’ies. The wolverine population has grown somewhat. There are considerable regional differences in big carnivore populations. These numbers represent winter populations, i.e. before the birth season in spring.

2005. October 8.

UNECE Timber Committee meeting (ForestPress)

The annual meeting (see documents) of the UNECE Timber Committee was held September 27-30, 2005 in Geneva. Information is available on Market Discussion Timber Committee Market Statement

2005. October 7.

DAVE CLEAVES TO OVERSEE FOREST SERVICE'S SCIENCE LAB IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS (ForestPress)

WASHINGTON, - U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth recently selected Dave Cleaves to lead the agency's Rocky Mountain Research Station (Fort Collins, Colo.). Cleaves is currently the director of the resource valuation and use research staff here in the national headquarters.

2005. October 7.

Impact of the summer of the century (ForestPress)

The dry year in 2003 affected the Swiss forest in different ways. Stem growth in trees at 15 out of the 17 LWF sites clearly reacted to the estimated drought stress. The drier it was between March and August 2003, the less stem growth there was in comparison with the previous year. Aridity decreased, however, with altitude. At sites above 1300 metres a.s.l., trees even grew better. This had mostly to do with the higher temperatures in 2003, as climate analyses in Alpine regions and comparisons with satellite images were able to demonstrate.

2005. October 6.

RECOMMENDATIONS (ForestPress)

From the seminar „Certification of non-state forests in Slovakia – How surrounding countries are doing?“ , held on September 22, 2005 at TU in Zvolen Private forest owners in Slovakia participating at the seminar understand certification as a tool for international acknowledgment of their approach to forests, better commertional use of wood and forest products and services.

2005. October 5.

Swedes use more and more pellets for fuel (ForestPress)

As prices of oil and electricity increase the use of pellets as bio-fuel shows a strong upward trend in Sweden. Total supplies of pellets to the Swedish market increased by 28 per cent, from 411 681 tons during the first six months of 2004 to 527 673 tons during the corresponding period in 2005. In the single family housing sector there was an increase from 124 244 tons to 141 705 tons, i.e. 14 per cent.

2005. October 4.

News

Latest Building Products Go Beyond Energy Efficiency to Help Homeowners Save (Building News)

October is energy efficiency month – a timely opportunity to review what’s new when it comes to energy-saving technology. This year, the building industry is abuzz with the latest generation of energy-efficient products that do much more than save kilowatts – they offer greater protection against climate extremes as well.

2005. October 3.

News

About World Farm Animals Day (ForestPress)

World Farm Animals Day is a day dedicated to exposing, mourning, and memorializing the needless suffering and deaths of 50 billion innocent, feeling animals in factory farms and slaughterhouses. Observed in all 50 states and around the world, World Farm Animals Day has been organized since 1983 by FARM, a non-profit public interest organization based in Washington, DC.

2005. October 3.