ESFPA E-News Volume 3 - Issue 13
April 14, 2022
A round-up of our interesting stories from the past week.
It is Time to be Proactive – Our Industry is at Risk
This is not an exaggeration. We can no longer sit back and hope someone else speaks up for us. Our members cannot rely solely upon the work of the Association staff or leaders. Everyone of us needs to speak up for ourselves – ESFPA has developed the mechanism and the talking points – members and employees and family members need only “click”! We need to be louder than our “green” counterparts who have mastered their digital grassroots advocacy – it’s the medium which the legislators use now and so must we.
Members must get involved. We can no longer say we are too busy, too tired, not tech savvy. We may work in an industry that is rural by nature, but our society at large – and those who make the decisions – are urban minded. We either meet this reality or we will lose.
ESFPA is preparing a series of OneClickPolitics advocacy campaigns. OneClickPoltics is our software which we launched over a year ago to enhance our ability to reach lawmakers. This can be done on your phone too!
Our campaigns will consist of:
1. Comments on 6-8 components of the CLCPA Draft Scoping Plan - Each topic will have a separate campaign and ,embers should comment on EACH campaign
2. Legislative Responses - We will have several legislative bills which will need our comments and members should comment on EACH bill
We need each and every PERSON who relies on this industry to send in an email - your co-workers, employees, family and friends. These prewritten comment letters can be sent “as is” or they can be personalized within the software. Each campaign is set up by ESFPA to be sent to an individual’s local legislator – based on the address provided the first time the program is used – and to which ever governing body is responsible for that particular issue.
This process is simple and quick. If we all do not partake in every issue – whether there is a direct impact to your business or just the industry as a whole – we have no one to blame but ourselves when things do not go our way.
Do your part – take a moment and “click.” Campaigns will begin by next week.
If you have any questions, please contact Muriel Church at mchurch@esfpa.org or 518-463-1297.
Bioeconomy Workshop Scheduled for May 12th at SUNY ESF
ESF recently announced that the 2021 Thermochemical Processing Consortium Workshop has been rescheduled and in-person on May 12 at the SUNY-ESF Gateway Center in Syracuse, NY. This year’s workshop will have a different format than previous years’ in that it will be held as part of a broader technical workshop on “The Climate-Focused Bioeconomy in the New York Climate Action Council’s Draft Scoping Plan.”
Reservations are required. Please click on the the button below for the full announcement and reservation directions.
FRA Update on NLEB Hearing
On Thursday, April 7th, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) held a virtual meeting to brief the public on the proposed rule to list the Northern Long-eared Bat (NLEB) as endangered. If the status of the NLEB is uplifted from threatened to endangered status, the current 4(d) rule would no longer be in effect. The 4(d) rule, implemented in 2016, has allowed forest management operations to continue with minimal impacts on timber management operations. Once listed as endangered, states would need a Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP) approved by USFWS that would allow timber operations to continue on non-federal lands by implementing the conservation strategies outlined in the HCP. States that currently have approved or draft HCPs are MO, PA, IN, MN, WI, and MI. The USFWS will be developing management guidance for the NLEB that will address the impacts of
forest management, the timing of operations, and the development of guidelines designed to protect the NLEB. The USFWS cited three documents that the agency is reviewing to assist in developing management guidance (see resources) for the NLEB. The range of the NLEB covers 37 states and the District of Columbia. The proposed rule public comment period ends on May 23. The USFWS will decide on changing the listing status before the end of the year. FRA will be preparing comments.
ESFPA Chair of the Board and Executive Direct Sit On NY Ag Summit
Earlier this week, the New York Farm Bureau brought nearly 20 partner organizations together in Syracuse representing the great diversity of NY agriculture to begin a larger discussion about the challenges and opportunities facing us in NYS. This is the first step to find ways to work together to build a stronger agricultural sector in our state.
Jen DeFrancesco, ESFPA Chairperson of the Board noted that it was reassuring to know that the pressures we feel are not just ours - that the Agriculture sector and all the groups represented, are facing the same issues. This should serve to strengthen our resolve, she noted. We all need to get involved to impart any change!
REMINDER - Forest Carbon Training Webinars sign-up - May 4, 11, 18 & 25
Do you want the latest in everything from the science of forest carbon to climate-friendly management to forest carbon markets? Then sign up for one or more of the upcoming series of forest
carbon training webinars coming up in May. Designed for professional foresters, these webinars will also be useful for any forest landowner interested in the topic. Please pass this along to anyone you think might be interested. The webinars are free. Registration is required and separate to each individual workshop. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
The Science of Forest Carbon
When: May 4, 2022 9:00 – 10:30 AM Eastern Time Register
The Science of Forest Carbon Management
When: May 11, 2022 9:00 – 10:30 AM Eastern Time Register
Forest Carbon Markets Overview and NRCS Forest Carbon Opportunities
When: May 18, 2022 9:00 – 10:30 AM Eastern Time Register
Forest Carbon Project Developers
When: May 25, 2022 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon Eastern Time
Register
NYS DEC is Hiring!
The NYS DEC is looking to fill the open position for Division Director in it's Division of Lands and Forests.
Interested individuals can follow this link for more information.
MFI Seeks Director of Forest Policy
Minnesota Forest Industries, Inc. (MFI) is an association representing Minnesota’s primary forest products companies and is looing to fill the full-time position of Director of Forest Policy (DFP). This position primarily analyzes forest plans and related documents and advocates with land managers to provide the type and quantity of raw fiber needed for member companies to thrive in a globally competitive environment.
To view the qualifications and job description, please follow the appropriate links.
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