January 2015 TreeTalk by Arkansas Forestry Association

January 2015

Advocacy, networking, communication key AFA focus areas

hroughout the year, AFA maintains and updates a list of ten activities and efforts it has engaged in on its members’ behalf—always supporting the association’s mission to advocate for the sustainable use and sound stewardship of Arkansas’s forests and related resources to benefit members of the state’s forestry community and all Arkansans, today and in the future. Following is a review of activities from 2014.

AFA continues to be very active on issues related to the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The association is working closely with field representatives of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Arkansas to find approaches that will protect the Northern Long-Eared Bat (NLEB), while also allowing for the continued practice of sustainable forestry, which has proven to be an effective tool to create desired habitat for NLEB, other bat species and a number of other endangered species. AFA is also a member of a larger coalition of organizations concerned about the impact on forestry of listing the NLEB as an endangered species.

AFA continues to be part of a coalition working to protect private property rights by attempting to reduce an overly broad proposed critical habitat designation for two fresh water mussels – the Neosho mucket and rabbitsfoot. The coalition’s work was integral in the filing of S. 2084 by Sen. Mark Pryor and H.R. 4319 by Rep. Rick Crawford, both of which would require USFW to conduct a comprehensive economic analysis before designating critical habitat. The coalition also met with USFW Director Dan Ashe to voice concerns over the proposed designation and helped bring about a House Natural Resources Committee field hearing in Batesville in early 2014.

Invasive species are an increasing threat to the health of Arkansas’s forests. The most recent pest to be identified is the Emerald Ash Borer. AFA created a forest industry EAB Task Group and is working closely with partners such as the Arkansas Forestry Commission, Arkansas State Plant Board and University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service to coordinate communication and education materials for forest landowners, forest products manufactures, the news media and the general public. AFA is also active in a larger coalition of agencies and organizations being coordinated through the Arkansas State Plant Board that is working to slow the spread of EAB by implementing a 25-county quarantine area and partnering on a comprehensive public education program. AFA is participating on industry coalitions that are communicating on important issues. The association regularly reaches out to the Arkansas delegation in Congress. Recent activity includes participating with a wide range of forestry and natural resources partners to host two congressional staff tours. Topics of discussion included endangered species, proposed Waters of the U.S. regulations, and keeping timber tax provisions in the current tax code. AFA continues to work with its partners at the Federal level to provide input to President Barack Obama’s administration and agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency. AFA has signed on to industry comments voicing concern over issues like the proposed listing of the Northern Long-Eared Bat as endangered, three proposed EPA rule changes to amend the critical habitat process under ESA, and the proposed rule to define “Waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act.

AFA met recently with representatives of the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality (ADEQ) to tout the contributions forests and forest products make to our nation’s climate solution and to make recommendations on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Clean Power Plan. AFA asked ADEQ to urge EPA to treat biomass energy as a zero-emission source under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act and include the use of biomass to meet the state’s emission reduction targets under the proposed rule. AFA also urged ADEQ to request that EPA quickly finalize an accounting framework for biogenic carbon emissions that clearly recognizes the greenhouse gas reduction benefits of energy produced from biomass. The association also continues to work on members’ behalf to clarify that rural volunteer fire department dues may only be applied to rural residences and businesses with an occupiable structure under Arkansas Code Ann. 14-20-108. Some departments are charging timberland owners on a per parcel basis and placing those dues on their property tax bills. AFA urges all of its members to review their annual property tax bills and to contact their rural fire department chief or AFA if they have questions or concerns. This issue will be part of AFA’s legislative effort during the 90th General Assembly, which convened this month.

More than 250 members, representatives from 40 sponsors, 20 exhibitors and 16 speakers contributed to the success of the 69th Annual Meeting, September 23-25, 2014, at the Arlington Hotel Resort and Spa in Hot Springs. The annual meeting provided loggers,

See FOCUS on page 2

CALENDAR January 27 10 a.m. - Communications Committee AFA Office - Little Rock January 30 10 a.m. - Landowner Education Committee AFA Office - Little Rock February 11 10 a.m. - Program Committee AFA Office - Little Rock February 18 10 a.m. - Tree Farm Committee AFA Office - Little Rock February 25 Forestry Day at the Capitol Details TBA March 9 AFA Legislative Reception Details TBA March 31 Log A Load For Kids Kickoff Arkansas Children’s Hospital April 7 10 a.m. - Executive Committee AFA Office - Little Rock May 7 Forestland Tour ARTEX Ranch, Elkins May 7-8 AFA Board of Directors AFA Education Foundation Board of Directors Embassy Suites, Rogers June 15-19 Teacher Conservation Tour Hot Springs June 18 Tree Farmer Conference Benton October 6-8 70th AFA Annual Meeting Hot Springs

Legislative events promote forestry

FA is working with partners to host the following forestry-related events during this year’s legislative session. February 25 Forestry Day at the State Capitol AFA members are encouraged to attend this special day at the State Capitol, which will include forestry exhibits on the second floor and a seedling giveaway on the front steps. This event will provide a unique opportunity for members of the forestry community to interact with lawmakers and provide information about the important role forestry plays in the state’s economy and environment. Look for more details soon. March 9 Legislative Reception 4:30 – 6:30 p.m. Location TBA All legislators and legislative staffers are

FOCUS, continued from front landowners, consultants, forest products manufacturers and friends of forestry an unparalleled opportunity to be connected. Plans are already underway for the 70th Annual Meeting, October 6-8, 2015, at the Arlington in Hot Springs.

AFA coordinates the Arkansas Log A Load For Kids program, which celebrated its 21st anniversary in 2014 by raising more than $616,532 (a record!) to support Arkansas Children’s Hospital (ACH). Since 1993, Log A Load For Kids has raised more than $7.47 million for ACH.

The AFA Tree Farm Committee and an associated Tree Farm Task Group is busy planning for the future of the program, which operates on behalf of more than 1,700 Arkansas Tree Farmers. The Task Group is developing plans to better engage this important group by providing increased communication, education and networking opportunities to build a more cohesive and value-added program. The first Tree Farm Conference is already scheduled for June 18, 2015, in Benton. Another great example of networking and education opportunities is regular Tree Farm tours. Most recently, more

invited to this reception, sponsored by AFA, Arkansas Timber Producers Association and Arkansas Forest and Paper Council. AFA members are encouraged to attend as well. The location has not been finalized. than 80 AFA members and guests toured the John. McClellan Tree Farm near New Edinburg. McClellan is the 2014 Tree Farmer of the Year.

Since the beginning of the year, the AFA Education Foundation has shared Project Learning Tree—an award-winning environmental education curriculum—and forestry information with 3,778 teachers, students and others. Twenty-four educators participated in the week-long Teacher Conservation Tour, June 23-27, in Russellville. AFAEF has also coordinated, sponsored or exhibited at 22 forestry workshops, clinics and conferences reaching 1,124 forest landowners and forestry professionals across the state. AFA builds partnerships with state and federal agencies, non-profit organizations, and others to provide a network of professionals who share forestry information and education outreach benefiting landowners, educators, decision-makers, forestry professionals and others. Learn more about AFA’s programs and activities online at: arkforests.org facebook.com/arkforests twitter.com/arkforests

AFAEF reaches students, teachers, landowners and public

stablished in 1996, the mission of the Arkansas Forestry Association Education Foundation (AFAEF) is to inform individuals companies, schools, school children and others of the importance of maintaining quality management of forests and the importance of the forestry community to the people of Arkansas. This 501(c)(3) foundation is funded through generous support from The Ross Foundation, companies participating in the Sustainable Forestry Inititative and individual donations. Also, a silent auction at the AFA annual meeting benefits the AFAEF. Following is a summary of AFAEF programs and activities for 2014: Project Learning Tree (PLT) and Evironmental Education This K-12 environmental education program teaches children how to make sound environmental decisions. AFAEF sponsors workshops throughout the state so educators can implement PLT in classrooms. • 972 educators trained at 52 workshops

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15 school/community programs reached 2,816 students and 260 adults

Teacher Conservation Tour (TCT) AFAEF sponsors this five-day educational tour each summer. TCT focuses on all aspects of forestry, from the landowner to the manufacturer. • 24 participants from 14 school districts and 2 organizations Public Outreach and Education In 2014, AFA/AFAEF sponsored the forestry section of Arkansas Grown, an annual publication of the Arkansas Department of Agriculture. The magazine contained an article about the benefits of forest management, featuring interviews with an Arkansas Tree Farmer and the AFA Executive Vice President. The AFA/AFA Education Foundation maintains a website and Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, Flickr, LinkedIn and Instagram accounts to enhance social media/public outreach efforts. • 75,000 monthly average impressions generated by @

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arkforests and its 2,392 Twitter followers (average 50 new follows per month) 90,000 social media impressions generated by the Teacher Conservation Tour social media communications plan

Landowner Education and Assistance Program The AFA Education Foundation partners with public and private organizations throughout the state to help landowners learn how to better manage their resources and attends landowner conferences as an exhibitor. • 22 workshops and conferences • 1,282 landowner contacts Log A Load For Kids Since 1993, Arkansas Log A Load For Kids has raised more than $7.47 million for Arkansas Children’s Hospital. The 2014 campaign raised more than $616,532. Also, River Valley Log A Load For Kids Chairman Allen Farley received the National Log A Load For Kids Volunteer Champion Award and is a recipient of the State of Arkansas’s Community Service Award.

Prescribed fire workshops include burn demonstrations

he Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Arkansas Forestry Commission, AFA Education Foundation and Natural Resources Conservation Service are partnering on a series of prescribed fire workshops around the state. Classroom presentations begin at 9 a.m. and will cover the following topics: wildlife management and fire, fire weather, ignition techniques, pre-burn planning and Arkansas fire law. After lunch, weather permitting, there will be a burn demonstration. There is no cost to attend the workshops, but the class size is limited, so register as soon as possible. February 19 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Prescribed Fire Workshop Marmaduke Housing Authority 957 W. Lillian Marmaduke AR 72443

at jeffrey.taverner@agfc.ar.gov to register or for more information. March 28 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Prescribed Fire Workshop Wylie Cox Clubhouse Ed Gordon Point Remove WMA 349 Lake Loop Hattieville AR 72063

Call (870) 932-2251 or look online at marmadukeburnclass.eventbrite.com to register. March 21 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Prescribed Fire Workshop UA Research Station 362 Hwy 174N Hope AR 71801 Call (870) 331-7653 or email Jeffrey Taverner

Call (501) 270-1926 or email Clint Johnson at clint.johnson@agfc. ar.gov to register or for more information. March 28 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Prescribed Fire Workshop Janet Huckabee Arkansas River Valley Nature Center 2536 N. McConnell Dr. Fort Smith AR 72704 Call (479) 418-9973 or email Levi Horrell at levi.horrell@agfc.ar.gov to register or for more information.

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