Dear IFWOA members,
Now that everything is leafed out its a chance to evaluate any new or existing invasive species or mortality in your woods. And don't forget to enjoy your property too! The migratory songbirds have been a pleasure to see back this year. Please let us know if you have questions or a specific topic you want to learn more about. IFWOA Board of Directors and Liz Jackson, Executive Director
Looking for Exceptional Woodland Owners
Nominate someone now!
Applications are due June 15.
IFWOA sponsors the Charles Deam Forest Stewardship Award to find woodland owners who have demonstrated exceptional management of their property. Nominations can be made by any person or organization except no self-nominations. Learn more about the Deam award nomination process or submit a nomination.
Webinar: A New Carbon Program for Hardwood Landowners
Tuesday, June 15
12 PM ET/1 PM CT Live online via Zoom
A carbon program is coming to the Midwest on June 1, allowing landowners to enroll their woodlands for carbon credits and potentially annual payments. In this webinar, Alex Macintosh, Director of Landowner Success at SilviaTerra, will share information on their data-driven forest carbon marketplace and how woodland owners can participate now.
Many woodland owners have heard about forest carbon markets, or the ability for landowners to be paid for the carbon benefits their trees and forest provide.
This article from NC State Extension describes the forest carbon market today and explains the possible opportunity as an alternative source of income for certain forest landowners.
USDA Expands and Renews Conservation Reserve Program (CRP)
USDA has opened enrollment in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) with higher payment rates and new incentives. USDA’s goal is to enroll up to 4 million new acres in CRP by raising rental payment rates and expanding the number of incentivized environmental practices allowed. To learn more about the new incentives and payments, read the press release.
CRP Forest Management Incentive Program Announced
In addition to the increased CRP signups, the USDA announced additional incentives for practices for those already enrolled in CRP. The 2018 Farm Bill provided for financial assistance to CRP participants with existing tree covers to engage in management activities that improve forest resource condition, promote forest management, and enhance wildlife habitat..
To find out more about CRP and see if you qualify to enroll or install new practices on existing CRP land, contact your local FSA office.
Register Your Timber or Plantation with Drift Watch
This site features a powerful map interface at https://in.driftwatch.org/map that clearly shows pesticide applicators the locations of registered specialty sites so they can use the information in their ongoing stewardship activities before they spray.
Register your timber at www.in.driftwatch.orgor order “No Drift Zone” signs to help applicators recognize your sensitive crops.
This information was published in the latest issue of the Indiana Woodland Steward. The Woodland Steward is published 3x per year and is free to subscribers, sign up here.
Photo credit: Kansas Department of Agriculture, Bugwood.org
They're Here! Brood X 17-year cicadas
Cicadas have begun to emerge in our southern counties and with the heat this week we should all see emergence soon. The branch damage, or “flagging,” associated with periodical cicadas results from females cutting many slits in small twigs and laying eggs. The slits can cause breakage, or flagging, of the tips of the branches. While some damage can be expected, most trees will survive the cicada damage. Indiana NRCS has published an alert with recommendations for young tree plantations and landscape trees. But don't worry, if the noise or damage bothers you they should be gone by the end of June.
A Moment in the Wild: Mole Salamanders
In this episode of A Moment in the Wild, Purdue Extension wildlife specialist Nick Burgmeier introduces you to mole salamanders, which live most of their lives underground. He also shared about their breeding habits and their need for ephemeral ponds and other wetlands to survive.
Common or European buckthorn, Rhamnus cathartica, credit Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org
Invasive Common Buckthorn
Common buckthorn is a deciduous shrub or small tree that can grow to 25 ft. in height. It is more prevalent in northern Indiana but has been spreading south.
The bark is dark gray and the inner bark is orange (easily seen when the tree is cut). Twigs are usually tipped with a sharp spine. The leaf arrangement is usually sub-opposite, but examples of opposite and/or alternate arrangements are commonly found. Leaves are dark green, oval, 1.5-3 in. long, slightly serrate with 3 to 4 pairs of curving veins and a somewhat folded tip.
IFWOA Annual Woodland Owner Meeting- Save the Date
Mark your calendars for our 1 day meeting on Saturday, November 6 at the Hendricks County 4H Conference Center. In addition, we will have a series of smaller regional forestry field tours around the state in September and October. Watch your mail and email for details in the summer!
Indiana Legislative Session Update
Carbon bill SB373: The bill did not pass. It called for a task force to evaluate ways to incorporate carbon programs in Indiana, especially for landowners. Regardless of the bill, a task force is expected to meet over the next several months to determine ways IN can participate in carbon markets.
DNR matters HB1395: This bill included changes to timber buyers law to require a written contract for the purchase of timber but did not pass.
SB 389, wetlands regulation repeal: This bill had broad opposition in the environmental community but passed out of the legislature and was recently signed into law.
DNR and Division of Forestry budgets: Budgets were steady or slightly off past years. New federal funding will provide for $25 million to the Benjamin Harrison Trust for conserving lands, $60 million to the Next Level Trails project, and additional monies for state park inns.
IFWOA encourages its members to contact their legislators at any time to share your story of forest management and your concerns about Indiana forestry.
IFWOA member and forester Steve Creech was honored with a lifetime achievement award from Purdue University's Forestry & Natural Resources Department. The Creech's were the 2015 Deam award winners.
