Latest news with #LeopoldConservationAward
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Small business owner makes massive impact after starting forest preservation foundation with late wife: 'Patience, humility, and a unique long-term view'
A business owner and nonprofit founder is working to preserve Pennsylvania's forests tree by tree. By buying up forested land and engaging in sustainable logging practices, he's already helped save several thousand acres. Troy Firth has proven his commitment to forest preservation for more than 50 years. Since 1971, he's owned and managed Firth Maple Products, located in the northwest part of the state and relying on forests to produce lumber and maple syrup. He founded the Foundation for Sustainable Forests in 2004 with his late wife, Lynn. The nonprofit operates as a land trust, protecting more than 3,700 acres of Pennsylvania woods via direct ownership and conservation easements, according to the foundation. "The mission is to keep forested land forested," Firth told Lancaster Farming, a regional farm newspaper for the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic United States. "That's why the foundation exists." Both the nonprofit and the business practice sustainable logging methods, including horse logging. Firth Maple Products says this causes less damage to the forests than modern machinery, preventing soil compaction, erosion, and harm to tree roots lying just beneath the topsoil. The benefits of preserving forests are clear, chief among them a healthier environment for humans. Not only do trees help purify the air by absorbing heat-trapping carbon dioxide, producing oxygen as well, but they're also the source of many medicines on the market. There's yet another way in which protecting forests can help safeguard health across species. Since woodlands serve as important habitats for animals that might otherwise be forced into dangerous proximity with human activity, preserving these ecosystems can help reduce dangerous human-wildlife interactions that can cause injuries and spread disease. The recipient of the 2024 Leopold Conservation Award, Firth has long been recognized for his work in forestry and conservation. Previously, he has received the Pennsylvania Tree Farmer of the Year Award, the Forest Conservation Stewardship Award, and numerous other honors, per the nonprofit WeConservePA. Firth's influence and impact on Pennsylvania's forestry industry are evident in how his peers and colleagues talk about him. "Troy has taught me to truly think about what 'perpetuity' means to a piece of land," Annie Socci, the foundation's executive director, told WeConservePA. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "The lifespan of a forest, if cared for, is far greater than any of us. In the woods, Troy thinks and manages on a time scale that matches that of both the forest ecosystem and the Foundation for Sustainable Forests as an organization. To do so takes patience, humility, and a unique long-term view." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
22-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Outdoors Notebook: Grand Forks man joins Sand County Foundation
Mar. 22—MADISON, Wis. — The Sand County Foundation has named Alex Erickson of Grand Forks as associate director of the Leopold Conservation Award program. Erickson, who began his new job March 17, will play a key role in outreach to Leopold Conservation Award recipients and sponsors nationally. Based in Madison, Sand County Foundation is a national nonprofit that works with farmers, ranchers, foresters and other private landowners to improve soil health, water quality and wildlife habitat. Leopold Conservation Awards are presented annually in 28 states to innovative landowners who inspire others to consider conservation opportunities on their own land. "With a strong background in agricultural sales, business development and marketing, Alex is uniquely qualified for this role," Lance Irving, Sand County Foundation's vice president of the Leopold Conservation Award, said in a statement. "He also brings a deep appreciation for conservation and agriculture. "I am excited for the Leopold Conservation Award's network of past recipients, sponsors and partners to collaborate with Alex to advance conservation across the country," Irving added. Erickson graduated from St. John's University with a bachelor's degree in biology. He enjoys many outdoor pursuits in Grand Forks and serves as secretary of an archery club, the Sand County Foundation said. BISMARCK — North Dakota anglers, hunters and trappers should note that new licenses are required beginning April 1, the Game and Fish Department said in a reminder. Licenses can be purchased on the North Dakota Game and Fish Department website, . Once the license is processed, hunters and anglers will have the option to print a hard copy and/or download the license to a smartphone or mobile device, which is helpful when asked to show proof while hunting or fishing in rural areas that lack cellular service. Licenses can also be purchased at more than 80 vendor locations throughout the state. The 2025-26 small game, fishing and furbearer licenses are effective April 1, 2025 to March 31, 2026. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reopening the public comment period for a proposed rule to list the monarch butterfly as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, the agency said this week. The proposed rule includes species-specific protections and flexibilities to encourage conservation of the butterfly under the ESA, according to a news release from the FWS. The comment period will be reopened for 60 days, until May 19, 2025, to give all interested parties an additional opportunity to comment on the proposed rule, which was published on Dec. 12, 2024. Comments that previously were submitted do not need to be resubmitted, as they are already incorporated into the public record and will be fully considered in the final listing determination. The public comment period reopened March 19. Information about how to submit comments can be found at by searching for docket number FWS-R3-ES-2024-0137. * On the web: . Minnesota has been named among the top five fishing states in the country by the world's largest platform for booking fishing trips. Based on 17 criteria in four categories — Community, Facilities, Financial and Geography — Minnesota climbed into the top 10, securing a shared fifth place with Wisconsin. The top 4 remained unchanged from 2024, with Alaska holding the No. 1 spot, followed by Florida, Delaware and Michigan. In a news release, said Minnesota was the biggest climber in this year's rankings, receiving 99.5 out of a total possible score of 210 points. The North Star State scored especially well in the Financial category, leading the field with 51.5 out of 65 points.
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
State regulators permit Deuel South Wind farm
PIERRE, SD (KELO) — South Dakota is getting another wind-energy farm. A 68-turbine project including a six-mile tie-line proposed for Deuel County in northeastern South Dakota meets all of the conditions for a state permit, according to the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. The commission on Friday voted 3-0 to approve an application from Invenergy to construct what's officially called South Deuel Wind. The project in the townships of Blom, Brandt, Clear Lake, Norden, and Scandinavia will cost an estimated $621 million. DOGE announces first real estate closure in South Dakota One of the permit conditions says there can be no construction activity between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m. Commissioner Chris Nelson voted against adding the condition. 'By nature, I hate telling somebody they cannot work,' he said. Commissioner Gary Hanson offered the construction restriction. The area already has two wind projects. 'Is there ever a point when there's just too many turbines in an area?' Hanson asked Lisa Agrimonti, the attorney representing South Deuel Wind. 'I think that's a matter of individual perception,' Agrimonti replied. 'I have to tell you,' Hanson continued, 'I'm at a point where I wrestle with this.' He said visiting the area, especially at night, was troubling to him. 'I would not choose to live there myself,' Hanson said. Hanson directed his next comments to intervenor Arla Hamann Poindexter. She's part of a farm family that was recognized in 2017 as that year's winner of the Leopold Conservation Award for land practices. 'I think Miss Poindexter has presented some good arguments, from my perspective. Unfortunately she's not a county commissioner,' Hanson said. Agrimonti however said she didn't believe the commission could deny the permit because the project meets all of the requirements set in state laws. 'The reasoning I heard you describe was a social condition,' Agrimonti told Hanson. Nelson likewise praised Hamann Poindexter, who had argued in a final filing that she should be considered an expert in wildlife management, though she lacks any official title or position. 'You've made the case,' Nelson said to Hamann Poindexter, noting that the Leopold award is a big deal. 'You don't get that by being a rookie.' However, Nelson added, while she may know what to do with her property, that doesn't mean she gets to tell neighbors what they can do on their properties. Commissioner Kristie Fiegen said Hamann Poindexter made the process better. 'The applicant put three conditions on there. That may not have happened if Miss Poindexter were not there,' Fiegen said. Earlier in the meeting, Hamann Poindexter told the commission that more than half of the residents in the project area chose to not participate. 'I'm asking the commission to honor their voice and deny the project,' she said. In other action Friday, the commission: Added more intervenors and denied others in the Summit Carbon Solutions docket seeking a permit for South Dakota's first CO2 pipeline that will be decided later this year; and Approved MidAmerican Energy Company's petition for approval of deferred accounting treatment of costs incurred related to McCook Lake flooding last June. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
