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HomeMy WebLinkAbout020723 FW_ Are you EQIP-ed for your forest stewardship this year_ ________________________________ From: NNRG Sent: Tuesday, February 7, 2023 10:00:47 AM (UTC-08:00) Pacific Time (US & Canada) To: Heidi Eisenhour Subject: Are you EQIP-ed for your forest stewardship this year? ________________________________ ALERT: BE CAUTIOUS This email originated outside the organization. Do not open attachments or click on links if you are not expecting them. ________________________________ EQIP can help pay for your forest stewardship View this email in your browser <https://mailchi.mp/nnrg/wherebeaversandbutterfliesroam-13376103?e=b279c8a19f> <https://mcusercontent.com/f7fac24f39af609be946c1056/images/2f9525cc-9f28-4eb9-b266-13e8e70da2bd.png> A HELPING HAND WITH FOREST COSTS FROM THE OTHER WASHINGTON NNRG NEWSLETTER | FEBRUARY 2023 DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE One of the better-kept secrets among small woodland owners is that you don't have to pay full price to implement ecological forestry practices, thanks to a couple of federally funded programs. I’m referring to the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP), both of which are managed by the USDA’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS). Both EQIP & CSP are considered “cost-share” programs in that they provide set repayment rates for specific conservation activities, such as tree and shrub planting, pre-commercial thinning, and improving wildlife habitat. In short, the programs help defray the cost of conservation activities, but the landowner should expect some out-of-pocket expenses. I’ve enrolled in both programs off and on for many years to improve the condition of the three tracts of forestland my family owns, and can personally attest to the quality of NRCS staff and the utility of the financial and technical assistance they provide. I encourage you to get out into your woods, begin making notes about the sorts of stewardship projects you want to take on, then proactively contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office to discuss your eligibility and the application process. The EQIP and CSP deadlines for receiving funding in 2024 have not been announced yet, but will likely land sometime in autumn 2023. It’s never too early to get to know your local NRCS staff and start collecting the information you need for the application - particularly if you’re a first-time applicant. If you’d like to learn more about the sorts of projects EQIP and CSP can help fund, we invite you to join NNRG for this month’s Fireside Chat <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f 39af609be946c1056&id=cf997f00f8&e=b279c8a19f> . We’ll briefly discuss the elements of an EQIP application and the types of stewardship projects which EQIP can help pay for. Then we’ll ask woodland owners who have successfully implemented EQIP and CSP projects on their land to share details about those projects and offer tips for landowners interested in applying for the programs. Kirk Hanson Director of Forestry Northwest Natural Resource Group kirk@nnrg.org <mailto:kirk@nnrg.org> <https://mcusercontent.com/f7fac24f39af609be946c1056/images/a03cf262-cdb8-e13b-4188-23e9b45f7b14.jpg> SHARE THE FORESTRY LOVE THIS VALENTINE’S DAY Who are you falling fir? Make a donation to NNRG now through the end of February and we’ll help you spread the forestry love with a limited-edition pack of NNRG’s pun postcards. For the next month, gifts of $10 or more will receive a pack of five postcards from our limited edition PNW native species pun collection. These cute cards are a great way to show someone you care about them this Valentine's Day...and beyond! <https://mcusercontent.com/f7fac24f39af609be946c1056/images/e627e4b9-40c1-d571-4e1d-4c98d9bab54f.jpeg> Make a gift and get your pun cards! <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=a29cf633d3&e=b279c8a19f> EVENTS Assessing Climate Risk to Urban Forests <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=0d268d2f0d&e=b279c8a19f> Feb 8 | Online Backyard Biochar: Burnpile to Soil Booster <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=ff51ba419e&e=b279c8a19f> Feb 9 | Online Planting Forest Tree Seedlings Workshop <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=4507aff121&e=b279c8a19f> Feb 11 | Oregon City, OR Health and Resilience of the Pacific Madrone <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=d8da85684c&e=b279c8a19f> Feb 11 | Camano Island, WA Forestry Lunch Breaks: Root Diseases in Western Washington <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=8ce6c97e7b&e=b279c8a19f> Feb 13-16 | Online Riparian Forest Restoration: A Consensus-Based Guide for Land Managers <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=8551c14d16&e=b279c8a19f> Feb 15 | Online Log Buyer Forum <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=4880b32e56&e=b279c8a19f> Feb 15 | Springfield, OR Prescribed Fire on Private Lands <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=e0b24354c9&e=b279c8a19f> Feb 15 | Online Starker Lecture Series 2023: Log and Lumber Scanning Technology <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=1be4cbe2ed&e=b279c8a19f> Feb 22 | Online Women Owning Woodlands – Chainsaw Safety and Maintenance Workshop <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=6fcf04c9e8&e=b279c8a19f> Feb 24 | Centralia, WA Understanding Soil Health <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=f4aafd8070&e=b279c8a19f> Feb 27 | Online Tree School Coast <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=87d38a7c91&e=b279c8a19f> Mar 4 | Waldport, OR Managing Forests in a Changing Climate <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=22d3c8ca98&e=b279c8a19f> Mar 9 | Oregon City, OR *NNRG Event* Stewarding a Climate Resilient Forest West of the Cascades <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=6c1b5376bf&e=b279c8a19f> Mar 11 | Eatonville, WA OSU Extension Clackamas Trees School <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=3ccdc0c0b2&e=b279c8a19f> Mar 25 | Oregon City, OR Camano Island Library Forest Health Seminar <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=9d82e635dc&e=b279c8a19f> Mar 25 | Camano Island, WA International Mass Timber Conference <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=6f5b610889&e=b279c8a19f> Mar 27-29 | Portland, OR *NNRG Event* Chainsaw Safety & Tree Felling for Beginners <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=a021174908&e=b279c8a19f> April TBD | Lilliwaup & Eatonville, WA What's Happening with Sudden Oak Death <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=6efa812c42&e=b279c8a19f> Apr 11 & 18 | Online Vashon Forest Stewardship Coached Planning 2023 <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=328d0264f0&e=b279c8a19f> Apr 18 - Jun 13 | Vashon Island, WA Oregon Bigleaf Maple Festival <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=33dd56aa97&e=b279c8a19f> May 13 | Salem, OR <https://mcusercontent.com/f7fac24f39af609be946c1056/images/f67ee928-324f-f4d3-29b4-6aa341a3f636.jpg> February Fireside Chat: Let's Talk About EQIP! Are you interested in applying for funding from the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) or the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)? Have you received EQIP or CSP funding in the past? Join us at our February Fireside Chat to discuss what sorts of forest stewardship projects can be funded by EQIP, learn about projects other forest landowners have successfully completed, and talk about what makes for a successful EQIP application. The February Fireside Chat will take place on Zoom on Wednesday, February 15, 2023 from 7:30-8:30pm. Fill out the form here to register for the Fireside Chat and get the Zoom invite. <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=9ac6ba75ff&e=b279c8a19f> ARTICLES <https://mcusercontent.com/f7fac24f39af609be946c1056/images/63c003e4-0317-2b27-650a-ef24b1df418d.jpg> TIME TO START THINKING ABOUT NEXT YEAR'S EQIP PROJECTS The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) is a technical and financial assistance program managed by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. EQIP funding is available for a variety of forest stewardship projects. NNRG members have used EQIP funding and assistance to pay for having a forest management plan written, conducting pre-commercial thinnings, removing invasive plants, creating fire breaks, installing wildlife nesting boxes, and even restoring entire wetlands. Although application deadlines for 2024 Oregon and Washington EQIP funding have not been announced yet, they are likely to land sometime toward the end of 2023. If you are a first-time applicant, you’ll need some time to gather the information and materials needed for a strong, complete application. Visit the NNRG Blog to learn more about applying for EQIP! <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=750ae290e0&e=b279c8a19f> <https://mcusercontent.com/f7fac24f39af609be946c1056/images/4934af26-1310-13a5-414d-45f36b1c6cde.jpg> 2023 SPRING & WINTER NATIVE PLANT SALES The winter wet season in the Pacific Northwest is the ideal time to plant young trees and native shrubs. Planting native trees and shrubs enhances forest biodiversity by providing habitat for wildlife and forage for pollinators. It’s also a great way to connect to the land and increase your aesthetic and recreational appreciation for the forest. Looking for native plant sales near you? Browse our list of native plants sales in Washington and Oregon. <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=70fb360fc3&e=b2 79c8a19f> NEWS <https://mcusercontent.com/f7fac24f39af609be946c1056/images/3b80db71-1d76-8b58-4e48-03e9a2fb90f6.png> Biden Bans New Roads and Logging in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest. <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=660ef88791&e=b279c8a19f> The new U.S. Forest Service rule restricts development on more than nine million acres in North America’s largest temperate rainforest, reversing a Trump decision. <https://mcusercontent.com/f7fac24f39af609be946c1056/images/2649395b-16ba-982f-ec17-1fe1ede18f41.png> Wood Banks Emerge as Vital Source of Heat While US Gas Bills Still on the Rise. <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=d9480de0ee&e=b279c8a19f> As the cost of keeping a home warm this winter rises, people are returning to a surprising source of heat to keep costs down: wood. <https://mcusercontent.com/f7fac24f39af609be946c1056/images/4f72aee0-62e3-82e2-2b7e-0747adb4e6e5.jpg> Forest Debris Could Shelter Huckleberry From Climate Change. <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=cf5e767787&e=b279c8a19f> WSU scientists are studying how fallen logs and other woodland debris could shelter the mountain huckleberry, an iconic western fruit, from a hotter, drier future. <https://mcusercontent.com/f7fac24f39af609be946c1056/images/0dbc8518-e569-73b0-9ad3-bc6ca1553d97.jpg> How Does the Forest Excise Tax Affect You? <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=ede08c65fa&e=b279c8a19f> Chris Westwood, Revenue Forester for Washington Department of Revenue, explains how Washington's Forest Excise Tax works and how it affects forest landowners. <https://mcusercontent.com/f7fac24f39af609be946c1056/images/a597957b-2be3-a1d0-b7b0-866402f9f5bb.png> Bears May Rub Against Trees for Protection From Parasites. <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=194b83c58e&e=b279c8a19f> Bears may rub against trees to scent-mark them or to scratch hard-to-reach itches. A study shared by the New York Times posits an additional perk: slathering on nature-made tick repellent. <https://mcusercontent.com/f7fac24f39af609be946c1056/images/3d2dd05e-c376-61d7-c775-403134e36d50.png> Deer Browsing Is Just One of Many Factors Shaping American Forests <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=6d13cb2a21&e=b279c8a19f> . In a new study, a Penn State-led research team discovered evidence that browsing by white-tailed deer had relatively little long-term impact on two tree species in a northern forest. FOREST STEWARDSHIP FUNDING RESOURCES Establishing a healthy forest doesn't have to mean breaking the bank, and EQIP <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=974671760c&e=b279c8a19f> isn't the only option for getting funding. Many public agencies offer funding to help forest owners pay for stewardship activities and realize their woodland goals. Whether you envision a habitat-rich stand bursting with forage shrubs and large snags; a business plan for timber harvest on your land; or an aesthetic retreat replete with meandering trails, there’s funding available to help you get there. COST-SHARE PROGRAMS IN OREGON * Wildlife Habitat Conservation and Management Program <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=f03ae65504&e=b279c8a19f> – Offers a property tax incentive to private landowners who want to provide wildlife habitat on their properties instead of, or in addition to, farming, growing timber or other land uses. * Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=c085444f41&e=b279c8a19f> – Provides grants to help protect and restore healthy watersheds and natural habitats that support thriving communities and strong economies. * Agricultural Conservation Easement Program <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=2c08d6d153&e=b279c8a19f> – Provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits. * Conservation Stewardship Program <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=f7dd5146a8&e=b279c8a19f> – Offers an opportunity for forestland managers to enhance their agricultural operations while adopting conservation activities that can improve crop quality, improve soil health, and improve water quality. COST-SHARE PROGRAMS IN WASHINGTON * Agricultural Conservation Easement Program <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=de9b8621af&e=b279c8a19f> – Provides financial and technical assistance to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits. * Conservation Stewardship Program <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=a326db2941&e=b279c8a19f> – Helps forestland managers to enhance their agricultural operations while adopting conservation activities that can improve crop quality, improve soil health, and improve water quality. * Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=e6f3277dab&e=b279c8a19f> (WA) – A joint federal and state funded program that restores streamside habitat for salmon and protects that habitat for 10-15 years. CREP plants native trees and shrubs to improve stream conditions and enhance wetlands along salmon streams. * Family Forest Fish Passage Program <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=663f1b145d&e=b279c8a19f> – Assists private forestland owners in removing culverts and other stream crossing structures that keep trout, salmon, and other fish from reaching upstream habitat. * Forestry Riparian Easement Program <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=96d2b912a4&e=b279c8a19f> – A voluntary program that reimburses landowners for the value of the trees they are required to leave to protect fish habitat. <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=601efbb213&e=b279c8a19f> <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=12338c4ea5&e=b279c8a19f> <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=c6673040ee&e=b279c8a19f> <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=f9bddf791c&e=b279c8a19f> Copyright © 2023 Northwest Natural Resource Group, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website, via direct email, or at an NNRG event. Our mailing address is: Northwest Natural Resource Group 2701 1st Ave. Suite 240 Seattle, Wa 98121 Add us to your address book <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/vcard?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=d91eb35ad6> Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/profile?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=d91eb35ad6&e=b279c8a19f&c=127bd0d5cf> or unsubscribe from this list <https://nnrg.us10.list- manage.com/unsubscribe?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=d91eb35ad6&e=b279c8a19f&c=127bd0d5cf> . <https://nnrg.us10.list-manage.com/track/open.php?u=f7fac24f39af609be946c1056&id=127bd0d5cf&e=b279c8a19f>