ESFPA E-News

ALA Future of Private Forests Conference

This past Saturday, ESFPA participated in the Adirondack Landowners “Future of Private Forests” Conference at Adirondack Community College in Queensbury.  Over 70 people from throughout the Park participated in the Conference, featuring a keynote address from Kim Elliman, retired CEO of the Open Space Institute and six key policy panels covering a range of topics for private forest landowners. 

Executive Director John Bartow moderated a panel on Adirondack Forest Management Challenges: Opportunities and Professional Support.  Thank you to ESFPA Board member and F&W Regional Forest Manager Tom Golman, Finch Regional Forest Manager Len Cronin and Dr. Jenny Frank from SUNY ESF for participating on the panel.

Tool for Assessing Carbon Storing Materials

In 2022, ESFPA supported an application by SUNY ESF to NYSERDA to study carbon storage in wood products.  In 2023, that study was funded under the NYSERDA “Natural Carbon Solutions Innovation Challenge” and a team at ESF led by Dr. Obste Therasme has been producing the “Tool for Assessing Carbon Storage Materials” (TACSMA). 

They have developed the tool and are now looking to demonstrate the application of the tool on some wood product manufacturers in New York.  Here is a one-pager that describes TACSMA and what they would need from a company willing to let them demonstrate the tool on their product.  Ideally, we would get a handful of wood product manufacturers to work with Dr. Therasme and his team and develop this measurement on product lines.

If anyone would be interested in exploring this and possibly collaborating with the project, we would greatly appreciate that.  Please feel free to let us know if you and your company would be interested or reach out directly to Dr. Therasme by email.

Thanks in advance for considering this.

2025 Northern Hardwoods Conference

The 2025 Northern Hardwood Conference is being held this August 5-7 in Syracuse, NY. This year is the third biennial Northern Hardwood Conference, and presents an opportunity for forestry practitioners, researchers, students and industry professionals to share ideas, explore innovative management practices and cutting-edge technologies, and discuss the challenges and opportunities facing our northern hardwood forests. SUNY ESF is taking a lead in coordinating the conference and ESFPA is helping spread the word for registrations and sponsorships.

You can find out more about the conference and the latest on the agenda here. If you would like to be an exhibitor or sponsor of the conference, please check out here and here.

Green Groups Sue the State Under Constitutional Green Amendment for Failure to Adopt Cap & Invest

A lawsuit filed by several green environmental organizations is challenging the State under the Constitutional Amendment passed two years ago calling for Clean Air, Clean Water and a Healthful Environment (the Green Amendment) for failure to adopt Cap & Invest regulations.  The lawsuit, filed in the Albany County Supreme Court, was submitted by Citizen Action of New York, People United for Sustainable Housing Buffalo, the Sierra Club and WE ACT for Environmental Justice. The complaint accuses the state of “stonewalling necessary climate action in outright violation of its statutory obligations,” referencing the 2019 Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

Ethan Gormley, a climate justice organizer for Citizen Action said, “they want to see clean, affordable energy delivered to their homes and they want to stop seeing their communities polluted by fossil fuels.” This when virtually every public utility is before the Public Service Commission asking for double digit rates increases in both natural gas and electric rates. What they are demanding is a massive transfer tax that will impose fees on every rate payer and then subsidize utility bills of lower income individuals.  This somehow rationalizes more costly rates whether renewable resources or not.

Last Chance to Register: 29th Annual Conference on the Adirondacks – Resilience in Action

May 15^th & 16^th, 2025 - High Peaks Resort, Lake Placid, NY

Join the Adirondack Research Consortium for the 29th Annual Conference on the Adirondacks! This year’s theme, “Resilience in Action: Addressing Climate Challenges in the North Country,” brings together leading experts, policymakers, and environmental advocates to explore pressing climate impacts, socio-ecological issues, and innovative solutions.

Don’t miss this opportunity to engage, collaborate, and take action toward a more resilient region. Register today and be part of the conversation shaping the future of the North Country!

Click the link below to register: