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Forest Service diverts money to pay for wildfires
The cost of fighting large fires in California and elsewhere is forcing the U.S. Forest Service to divert hundreds of millions of dollars set aside for work including roads, trails, recreational improvements-even fire prevention.
http://www.twincities.com/national/ci_10300513
August 25, 2008
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Visiting officials focus on Minnesota's forests
Managing Minnesota's forests as an ecosystem regardless of land ownership promotes a sustainable forest, officials said here Tuesday. Minnesota's patchwork quilt of ownership could fracture into multiple land uses, but natural resources officials say a multidiscipline approach is best.
https://secure.forumcomm.com/bemidji/articles/index.cfm?page=purchase&id=17605&user_id=60273&CFID=14256255&CFTOKEN=88715858&jsessionid=8830491d2d956b426839
August 13, 2008
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Osakis residents win an Arbor Day tree
Minnesota Forest Industries (MFI) and Minnesota McDonald's restaurants once again took their annual 55,000-seedling giveaway on Arbor Day one step further this year, by inviting people to apply for one of five large, free trees to be planted in their yards. Among the winners were Osakis residents Dan and Nancy Walters.
http://www.echopress.com/articles/index.cfm?id=57970§ion=news
August 6, 2008
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Ag leaders step up efforts to educate public about emerald ash borer threat
With the recent news that emerald ash borer has spread into eastern Wisconsin, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) is stepping up efforts to alert Minnesotans about the destructive tree pest.
http://www.echopress.com/articles/index.cfm?id=57966§ion=news
August 6, 2008
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Emerald ash borers threaten Wisconsin trees
Officials confirmed the first appearance of the emerald ash borer in Wisconsin, a finding that could put about 740 million trees in the state in jeopardy.
http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_10097672?nclick_check=1
August 5, 2008
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New DNR forester settling in nicely to Caledonia area
Jason Bland is the new forester for the DNR in the Caledonia office. After working in the Side Lake area, the Iowa City native took the job recently to be closer to his family. So he jumped at the chance to transfer with the DNR. After just a month and a half on the job, Bland is settling in nicely.
http://hometownargus.com/content/view/681/1/
August 1, 2008
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Audit of Iron Range Utilities shows losses
During 2007, the Hibbing Public Utilities Commission lost more than $2.3 million, and a utilities official says the lion's share of that loss is traceable to a joint venture aimed at generating and selling electricity produced from biomass.
http://www.hibbingmn.com/articles/2008/07/30/news/doc488fdbb00df3f702349268.txt
July 30, 2008
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Columbia Heights Woman Wins Tree
Minnesota Forest Industries (MFI) and Minnesota McDonald's restaurants took their annual 55,000-seedling giveaway on Arbor Day one step further this year, by inviting people to apply for one of five large, free trees to be planted in their yards. More than 3,200 Minnesotans responded, and on July 21, McDonald's and MFI, assisted by Mickman Brothers Garden Center in Ham Lake, planted a double flowering plum tree in the yard of Columbia Heights resident Sandy Langner.
http://www.mnsun.com/articles/2008/07/31/community/fo31treewinner.txt
July 30, 2008
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3 environmentalists charged with vandalism at USFS property in Wisconsin
Three environmental activists were indicted on charges that they helped vandalize a U.S. Forest Service research station in northern Wisconsin. A recently unsealed indictment said members of the Earth Liberation Front and Earth First damaged the property in Rhinelander in 2000 because they erroneously believed that scientists were performing genetic research on trees.
http://www.startribune.com/nation/26064429.html?location_refer=Nation:highlightModules:6
July 29, 2008
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Railroad to pay $102 million after California wildfire
Union Pacific Railroad Co. has agreed to pay $102 million for a huge California wildfire sparked by its workers in what federal officials described Tuesday as a precedent-setting case. U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott said the settlement marks the U.S. Forest Service's largest damage recovery for a wildfire.
http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=7&a=353202
July 25, 2008
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Slowing The Spread Of Invasive Insects
Gypsy moths have been damaging forests in the United States for more than 1-hundred years. Minnesota and Wisconsin have avoided their devastating effects until recently. The North Shore is their most recent target.
http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/local/25871394.html
July 24, 2008
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Both sides in lynx trapping debate are happy
Minnesota trappers and an anti-trapping group claimed victory Tuesday after a federal judge approved a state plan to reduce the number of protected Canada lynx accidentally caught in traps in northeastern Minnesota. The plan restricts trapping methods in the northeast, the primary lynx range. But it doesn't eliminate trapping there, as some had feared might happen.
http://www.startribune.com/local/25490299.html?location_refer=Bios
July 15, 2008
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The grand prize: A free tree
For the past several years Scott Austad has been chipping away at the big job of landscaping his yard in a rural neighborhood south of Mankato. that job was made easier, thanks to a contest sponsored by McDonald's Restaurants and Minnesota Forest Industries.
http://www.mankato-freepress.com/local/local_story_194005113.html
July 12, 2008
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Income taxes and family forests
Article from the Detroit Lakes Tribune covers federal tax advantages to family forest owners.
http://www.dl-online.com/articles/index.cfm?id=36442§ion=Farm&freebie_check&CFID=49452610&CFTOKEN=68817018&jsessionid=883076148bfe75781e6d
June 21, 2008
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Habitat Home Using Local Lumber
Work starts in Hibbing on the first Habitat for Humanity home in the nation built from certified sustainable wood donated by local landowners and loggers.
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/articles/index.cfm?id=68966§ion=news
June 21, 2008
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Diseases from ticks rise to record levels in Minnesota
Minnesota health department officials say 2007 saw record number of tick-borne disease cases.
http://www.echopress.com/articles/index.cfm?id=56916§ion=news&freebie_check&CFID=49454600&CFTOKEN=39745615&jsessionid=8830a263061d4c552c92
June 18, 2008
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Ag department launches gypsy moth trapping program
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture is setting nearly 17,000 gypsy moth traps across the state as part of its annual program to monitor Minnesota's forests and urban areas for new infestations by the destructive tree pest.
http://www.echopress.com/articles/index.cfm?id=56923§ion=Country&CFID=49454600&CFTOKEN=39745615&jsessionid=8830885a29c5436d785c
June 18, 2008
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Chippewa National Forest Marks 100 Years
It is the Centennial Year for the Chippewa National Forest. In 1908, what was the Minnesota Forest Reserve became part of the National Forest system.
http://www.walkermn.com/articles/2008/06/12/outdoors/doc48511d13bb726857026032.txt
June 12, 2008
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Forest Service closes some Rocky Mountain campgrounds at risk of falling, beetle-ravaged trees
The U.S. Forest Service has closed some popular campgrounds in Colorado and Wyoming because of concern that trees killed by the bark beetles that are ravaging forests across the West could topple onto unsuspecting visitors.
http://www.startribune.com/nation/18561074.html
May 5, 2008
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Hunters turned foresters nominated for Regional Tree Farmers of the Year award
Minnesota brothers Doug, Galen, Peter and Tom Ploofns The brothers' success was recently recognized as they were awarded the 2008 State Tree Farmers of the Year by the American Forest Foundation, and have been nominated for consideration as 2008 Regional Tree Farmers of the Year.
http://www.mcrecord.com/main.asp?SectionID=2&SubSectionID=2&ArticleID=47913
May 5, 2008
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Study estimates wide range of possible energy cost increases from climate bill.
People will be paying higher energy prices under a Senate bill to limit greenhouse gases, but how much will depend on how well the country can shift away from burning fossil fuels, an Energy Department analysis says.
http://www.startribune.com/nation/18382479.html
May 5, 2008
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Authorities urge caution driving on Superior National Forest roads
Authorities are cautioning visitors to use extra care when driving on Superior National Forest roads.
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/articles/index.cfm?id=65666§ion=News
May 2, 2008
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57,000 free seedlings to be given away on Arbor Day
For the seventh consecutive year, McDonald's restaurants throughout Minnesota are teaming up with Minnesota Forest Industries (MFI) to give away 57,000 red pine seedlings on Arbor Day.
http://www.kare11.com/news/news_article.aspx?storyid=508902
April 25, 2008
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State Readies for Emerald Ash Borer
Minnesota officials get ready to battle the Emerald Ash Borer, a parasite that could attack the state's ash trees.
http://www.startribune.com/local/17943249.html
April 20, 2008
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Plummeting lumber prices good for consumers, bad for timber industry
Plummeting lumber prices good for consumers, but the slump is devastating to people who work in the timber products industry.
http://minnesota.publicradio.org/display/web/2008/04/16/lumberprices/
April 18, 2008
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House panel boosts wildfire funding bill
A bill approved Thursday by the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee would set aside up to $1 billion to pay for fighting major wildfires such as those that devastated Southern California last fall.
http://www.twincities.com/politics/ci_8961974?nclick_check=1
April 17, 2008
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Biofuels research moves on at UM-Morris
A biomass gasification system is being built at the University of Minnesota, Morris campus. UMM uses corn stover, the dried stalks and leaves left over after corn has been harvested, as their biomass.
http://www.fergusfallsjournal.com/news/2008/apr/17/biofuels-research-moves-umm/?local
April 17, 2008
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Soft times for hardwoods
Global economics and the housing bust are throwing a relentless string of problems at the mom-and-pop sawmills and logging companies that make up much of the nation's hardwood lumber industry.
http://www.twincities.com/business/ci_8815304
April 5, 2008
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Sen. Coleman addresses mortgage crunch
Sen. Norm coleman (R-Minn.) says easing the housing crisis with provisions to keep people in their homes in itself is economic stimulus for an ailing economy.
http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/articles/index.cfm?id=14967§ion=news&freebie_check&CFID=14256255&CFTOKEN=88715858&jsessionid=8830cc466444a163a293
April 4, 2008
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Forest Service buys flying drones to help find marijuana growers in California
Agriculture Undersecretary Mark Rey, who oversees the Forest Service, says the pilotless, camera-equipped aircraft will allow law enforcement officers to pinpoint marijuana fields and size up potential dangers before agents attempt arrests.
http://www.startribune.com/nation/17290049.html
April 4, 2008
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Cass County Sells More Timber
Cass County reports an increase in the volume of timber sold this year over last year.
http://www.brainerddispatch.com/stories/040208/new_20080402027.shtml
April 3, 2008
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European Union urges Russia not to raise export duties on timber
European Union officials urged Russia to reconsider an increase in duties on raw timber exported to EU nations, warning that the decision would hurt Moscow's bid to join the World Trade Organization.
http://www.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=7&a=335653
April 3, 2008
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Federal funds prompt Phase II of Koochiching forest project
A plan to preserve from development a block of private Minnesota forest likely will expand, possibly by another 76,000 acres, thereby giving hunters assured future access to prime grouse-hunting and deer-hunting land.
http://www.minnesotaoutdoornews.com/articles/2008/04/03/top_news/news04.txt
April 3, 2008
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Environmentalists should support Minnesota loggers
A Twin Cities environmentalist writes a letter to the editor of the Timberjay in support of logging.
http://www.timberjay.com/current.php?article=4226
March 31, 2008
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Emerald Ash Borer Volunteers Needed
The Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA), University of Minnesota Extension and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) are recruiting volunteers to help protect Minnesota's forests by serving as "first detectors" for emerald ash borer (EAB).
http://ksax.com/article/stories/S376238.shtml?cat=10263
March 25, 2008
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Infighting Hurt Lake Tahoe Fire Prevention
Steps to prevent catastrophic wildfires in the Lake Tahoe basin, one of the country's most treasured natural wonders, have been hampered for years by bureaucratic infighting among agencies that often work at cross-purposes, according to documents reviewed by The Associated Press.
The failure of the agencies to adequately protect the basin was brought to light in June when a wildfire ripped through a thickly forested ravine and destroyed 254 homes near South Lake Tahoe.
Since then, blame has fallen on the overlapping agencies that have environmental and regulatory oversight of the Tahoe basin. A commission established after the fire was scheduled to vote Friday on a report recommending ways to heal the rifts.
http://www.startribune.com/nation/16890436.html
March 21, 2008
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Minnesota Loggers Help Students Learn
An appreciation for tradition and for technology were displayed at the Forest History Center in Grand Rapids, MN during a public demonstration of logging practices both past and present.
While men used muscle to saw through 40-year old pine trees and haul them out of the woods with real, live horse power, a wagon-ride away a state-of-the-art cut-to-length timber harvesting system thinned a 70-year-old aspen stand. The two very different demonstrations on two separate sites on the Forest History Center grounds gave onlookers a look at how timber harvesting has changed over the last century.
http://www.grandrapidsmn.com/articles/2008/03/19/news/doc47e13b5bc3606366320863.txt
March 19, 2008
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International Paper Purchases Minnesota Operations
Timber and paper giant Weyerhaeuser Co. said Monday that it will sell its container-board packaging and recycling business to International Paper for $6 billion in a cash deal that includes five operations in Minnesota.
Weyerhaeuser has a recycling facility in New Brighton and packaging plants in Austin, Fridley, St. Paul and White Bear Lake.
http://www.startribune.com/business/16769821.html
March 18, 2008
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Cap and Trade Plan Runs Into Roadblock
"Cap and trade" legislation at the Minnesota legislature is running into opposition from several quarters. One key lawmaker says the bill would put the timber industry at a competitive disadvantage with other national producers.
http://www.minnpost.com/ronway/2008/03/12/1143/big_environmental_plan_runs_into_big_opposition
March 12, 2008
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Coleman hears about forest-products concerns
U.S. Sen. Norm Coleman spent more than an hour Friday afternoon listening to Duluth business people and a homeowner talk about how they’re faring in the current economic environment and heard viewpoints that ranged from disheartening — from the forest products industry — to optimistic — from real estate agents.
During the informal public meeting, held in a conference room at the NewPage (formerly Stora Enso) paper mill in West Duluth, Coleman, R-Minn., listened more than he spoke. It was an opportunity for him to learn and hear ideas during these “clearly challenging economic times,” he said.
“The great ideas don’t originate with me sitting behind my desk in Washington,” Coleman said.
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/articles/index.cfm?id=60966§ion=None
February 23, 2008
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A tankful of trees
Minnesota’s paper mills and wood-burning plants could produce more ethanol than the state’s corn farmers thanks to new technology that can turn trees into liquid fuel.
Scientists say the paper mill of the future will produce not just paper but also liquid fuel, synthetic gas, electricity, steam, asphalt, lubricants and even biodegradable plastics and resins...
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/articles/rss.cfm?id=59986
February 10, 2008
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Chippewa Forest should be able to increase timber for harvest
Article from the Bemidji Pioneer on funding for Chippewa and Superior National Forests
http://www.bemidjipioneer.com/articles/index.cfm?id=13620§ion=news
February 4, 2008
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Minnesota Logger, Tree Farmer, and Industry Partner to Build Sustainable Home
What started as a well managed Tree Farm will soon become dozens of 4’ x 8’ sheets of oriented strand board (OSB), as part of a unique effort by the Minnesota Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) Implementation Committee to build a Habitat for Humanity home. Later this year, Hibbing’s Kelli Ritz and her daughter will move into their own new home in that city – a home that will be built in partnership with Minnesota SFI program volunteers using SFI-certified materials from Minnesota forest products companies. The wood for the Habitat for Humanity project came from the Cook Tree Farm of Minnesota Sen. Tom Bakk, which he donated.
http://www.wdio.com/article/stories/S327674.shtml?cat=10359
January 31, 2008
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Opportunities for Foresters are Plentiful
St. Paul – Minnesota students interested in a career in forestry will find great opportunity in that field over the next ten years. That’s according to a survey conducted by the state’s paper and wood products manufacturers.
http://www.minnforests.com/resources/pdfs/mfi_foresters_needs_release.pdf
November 30, 2007
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Governer's Task Force on the Competitiveness of Minnesota's Primary Forest Products Industry
The primary forest products industry is vital to Minnesota's economy, as well as the health and management of both public and private forests. The industry provides jobs and economic activity that benefit communities statewide, but especially rural communities in northern Minnesota.
http://www.minnforests.com/resources/pdfs/govreport2006.pdf
December 15, 2006
