Latest news with #UnitedStatesDepartmentofAgricultureForestService
Yahoo
8 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Lassen National Forest welcomes new supervisor
The Lassen National Forest welcomes new Forest Supervisor Rick Hopson to the north state. Hopson joins the Lassen National Forest after serving as deputy director of the Ecosystem Management staff within the Pacific Southwest Region of the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Prior to being deputy director, Hopson worked as a district ranger on the Eldorado National Forest, Regional Hydrologist in the Intermountain Region, and in various hydrologist roles across the Pacific Southwest Region, including the Sierra and Inyo National Forests and the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit. In 2020 he served as the acting director of Grants and Agreements, in 2023 as acting director of Ecosystem Management, and last winter as Acting Forest Supervisor on the Plumas National Forest. 'I am honored to serve the American public, as the Lassen National Forest's new supervisor,' Hopson said. 'In my twenty-eight years of public service, I have learned to value partners, local and tribal governments, interested parties and others to help guide and implement the work we do. It is my belief that through thoughtful active forest management we can promote healthy and fire resilient forests, while protecting the cultural, tribal and natural resources on Lassen National Forest lands.' He has a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Science degree in Forest Hydrology from Oregon State University. 'I look forward to learning more about my new community, and how I can become involved to continue to build relationships and support our partnerships for the critical work we do together,' Hopson added 'Along with the hardworking and dedicated staff here on the Lassen National Forest, I offer to you my commitment to serve to the best of my ability the communities and public that rely on our sustainable, multi-use management of these public lands.'
Chicago Tribune
13-05-2025
- General
- Chicago Tribune
Grant funding supports 50 new trees in Indian Head Park
A $25,000 matching grant to support the planting of more than 50 trees on public property in the fall and next spring is a perfect fit for Indian Head Park. The village has been a Tree City USA community for 35 years, a designation by the Arbor Day Foundation, which has a mission of inspiring people to plant, nurture and celebrate trees. 'The village values its wildlife and the beauty of nature,' said Joe Coons, Indian Head Park's director of Public Works. 'Also, the village has a no fence ordinance in place, so planting trees becomes even more important for screening and beautification.' The grant funding is provided by the Urban and Community Forestry Programs of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service – Eastern Region. The village has allocated an additional $25,000 from the approved 2025/2026 budget to support the project. The program is administered by The Morton Arboretum's Chicago Region Trees Initiative, which supports urban forestry planning and implementation efforts throughout the region. 'This grant allows Indian Head Park to continue our legacy of environmental stewardship by strengthening our urban tree canopy for generations to come,' Village President Amy Jo Wittenberg said in a statement. 'As a Tree City USA community for 35 years, proactive tree management and canopy enhancement remain top priorities. These new trees will improve quality of life and build resilience against environmental stressors, pests and diseases.' Urban Tree Canopy is the leafy, green, overhead cover from trees that community groups, residents, and local governments maintain in the landscape for beauty, shade, fruit production, wildlife habitat, energy conservation, stormwater mitigation and a host of public health and educational values, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 'A good tree canopy not only makes the community beautiful, but it also helps with keeping temperatures cooler during the summer months,' Coons said. 'It also helps with flood mitigation.' Coons said the planting locations for the additional trees will be identified using the village's in-progress Urban Forestry Management Plan, which includes a detailed tree inventory report. 'The inventory will evaluate tree quantity, species, condition, and size, helping guide reforestation decisions and tree maintenance strategies into the future,' he said. Coons said the village usually tries to plant at least 20 trees per year. The grant will allow Indian Head Park to plant more trees than otherwise would be the case, he said. Newly planted trees will be a mix of replacements for existing trees and additional ones. Indian Head Park is one of 186 places in Illinois that have received the Tree City USA designation.
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Settlement reached in Cow Creek Wildfire
PLACERVILLE, Colo. (KREX) — A settlement has been reached between the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service (USDA) and family owned and operated business Jackson Outfitters in regard to the Cow Creek Fire that happened October 2019 in the Uncompahgre National Forest. A settlement of $500,000 was reached for the 850-acre wildfire after Jackson Outfitters hired an independent fire investigator to back the claim of four self-guided elk hunters from Wisconsin, who were using the company's services. The hunters, whose camp included a wall tent, woodstove, stovepipe, spark arrestor, dome tent, propane heaters, cots, chairs and other items, claim they had spotted the fire roughly 300 yards uphill from their campsite and that it could have emanated from two other groups of hunters that were in the area. The USDA Forest Service originally served the company a notice of indebtedness, demanding they pay just over $2.2 million. Jackson Outfitters, using evidence from its independent investigation, and wanting to continue to operate in the Uncompahgre National Forest agreed to settle the case for $500,000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
