ESFPA E-News

ESFPA Comments on Eligibility Guidelines for Restoring & Expanding Forests

Last week ESFPA submitted our comments on Eligibility Guidelines for Restoring and Expanding Forests through Reforestation and Afforestation Practices proposed by the Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) in the Environmental Notice Bulletin published May 21, 2025. The central theme of the guidance posed by DEC is how to best invest Clean Water, Clean Air and Green Jobs Environmental Bond Act of 2022 (Bond Act) funding in support of tree planting and forest establishment projects.

Our comments are intended to address that theme by sharing the adaptable and scientifically rigorous standards, systems, and practices used by private forest landowners that consistently lead to improved health and resilience of forests. In addition, we hope to compel a change in the Department’s position of excluding “the planting of trees for future timber harvests.”  

Click the link below to see our full comments:

Northern Hardwood Conference 2025 Discounted Early Bird Registration Closes June 30

Be sure to register for NHC before prices go up on July 1

Registration for the full conference gets you:

• Two scientific conference days, including 5 general sessions plus 11 breakout sessions split over 3 breakout time slots
• A full day of field tours
• Up to 16.5 SAF Continuing Forestry Education credits
• All meals, from breakfast on Tuesday Aug. 5 through lunch on Thursday Aug. 7
• Evening TREEvia with a cash bar
• Wednesday Night Jamboree, featuring catered dinner from the legendary Dinosaur BBQ, drinks from local favorites Willow Rock Brewing and Madison County Distillery, live music, a bonfire, and guaranteed good times!

View the full agenda here.

Single-day registration is available for those who can’t attend the whole 3-day conference, and discounted student pricing is available for all high school, undergraduate, and graduate students!

Click the link below to register:

Commentary: Maintaining, Protecting Forests and Woodlands Across NY Needs to Take Priority

By Hugh Canham, Legislative Affairs Committee Chair of New York Forest Owners Association - written in response to this article submitted by Adirondack Protect on May 29^th   

The 19 million acres of forests and woodlands that cover 63% of New York are among our most valuable assets.  These forests provide wood products, habitats for various flora and fauna, carbon sequestration and storage, biodiversity, recreational opportunities, purify air, and ensure high quality water. About 70% are privately owned, primarily held by individuals, and families, with larger estates and corporations concentrated in the Adirondacks and Catskills Forest Parks.

The recently introduced bill by Senator Rachel May and Assemblymember Dr. Anna Kelles (S.5603/A.7550) would give partial property tax relief to landowners statewide who agree to permanent easements agree to permanent easements to protect private forest land from development while increasing carbon storage, in response to the stated need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across the State.  This is a worthy objective and using easements instead of fee purchase is a good way to proceed. However, there are several concerns when viewed from the perspective of the private landowner concerning timber harvests, biodiversity, carbon sequestration, type of easement, and property tax relief.

Within the Adirondack and Catskill Parks large tracts of “Forever Wild” forests are held by the State of New York as Forest Preserve (approximately 50% of the land within the Adirondack Park boundary and 40% within the Catskill Park boundary).  These lands contain many older areas of forest but lack the open areas and young successional growth of mixed hardwood and softwood species needed for wildlife and overall biodiversity.  The private forest lands within the Parks, and throughout New York, sustainably managed with periodic timber harvests, provide this biodiversity that wildlife requires to survive.

Carbon sequestration is an important function of New York’s forests and woodlands.  It is necessary to recognize the difference between the STOCK, or amount of carbon in a tree, and the RATE at which the tree is sequestering, or adding to the storage of carbon.  Large old-growth trees contain larger amounts of carbon STOCK, but more vigorous younger trees sequester carbon at a much higher RATE. We also need to focus on the net sequestration of the forest and not individual trees. 

Click the link below to read the full article: 

11 Quirky Facts About Porcupines You Probably Never Knew

Fact #1: Baby Porcupines Are Born with Soft Quills

It might sound unbelievable, but baby porcupines—called porcupettes—enter the world with soft, flexible quills. These quills begin to harden within just a few hours after birth, giving the young immediate protection while ensuring a safer birthing process for the mother. Porcupettes are surprisingly well-developed at birth, with open eyes and the ability to move around almost immediately. This unique trait ensures they can adapt quickly to their surroundings and start climbing trees within days, setting them on the path to becoming solitary, tree-loving adults.

Click the link below to read 10 more porcupine facts:

Legislative Update

On Wednesday, June 18th, at 12:36 a.m. the NYS Assembly adjourned, and we managed to avoid a lot of potentially bad legislation. All is not perfect, but we live to fight another day.

Here are some highlights:

• Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (EPR) passed the Senate but did not get thru the Assembly. We will regroup this summer/fall and look to strategy in 2026.
• Tropical Rainforest Economic & Environmental Stability Act (TREES Act) passed the Senate but did not get thru the Assembly.
• PFAS Discharge Disclosure Act (water) passed the Senate but did not get thru the Assembly. Would have required stormwater testing and reporting for PFAS.
• Short-term Disability Benefit Increases passed the Senate but did not get thru the Assembly.  Would increase STDB rewards 600% over-4 years
• Pesticides in Wetlands passed both houses and we will seek a veto. Governor Hochul has vetoed this legislation twice.
• NY Home Energy Affordable Transition Act (HEAT Act) “Light” The 100’ Rule passed both houses but watered down to only eliminating the 100' rule for new connections to natural gas.
• Petroleum Bulk Storage Paint passed both houses.  Amends a 2021 law that required facilities to paint all bulk storage tanks white or cream.  The only legislation we supported that passed.

Click the link below to read the full legislative report:

Join Us at the Woodsmen's Field Days 2025