a natural resources extension and outreach publication ......a natural resources extension and...

A Natural Resources Extension and Outreach Publication from Virginia Tech’s College of Natural Resources

A Few Words from Bob Smith

StudentsaretrudgingthroughthesnowonthegroundinBlacksburgasIwrite.ItisalwaysgoodtoberemindedofwhyIleftnorthernMichigansomanyyearsago.Wehadbetween16and20inchesofsnowtheweekbeforeChristmasandthenthecoldsnap came in. It was the first white Christmasinanumberofyears;therefore,therewasalotoftalkinmyhometownaboutthecoolingeffectsofglobalwarminginourareaovertheholidays.IrecentlyreturnedfromaregionalmeetingforExtension,andtwoofthekeyresearchareasidentified under the new administration areclimatechangeandenergysecurity/bioenergy.VirginiaTechisworkinginbothoftheseareas.Asweknow,goodforeststewardshiphasastrongimpactonclimatechange,andtherearenumerousfacultyworkinginthebioenergyarea. Whatbetterwaytostartanewyear than to reflect upon the many opportunitiesforengagementprovidedbycommunitiesandourcollege?OurgoalsaretomakeVirginia’snaturalresourcesmoresustainableandeconomicallyviable.Ihavesharedwithmanyofyouthatworkingwithourfaculty,students,andstafftopartnerwithourlocalitiesisoneofthegreatestjobsapersoncouldhave.Theseeffortsarewherewecanseeadifferencebeingmadeontheground.Ouruniversityisaleaderinengagementacrossthecountry,anditisanincreasinglyimportantaspectoftheworkwedo.ThisiswhereVirginiaTechputsknowledgetowork,asouroldmottousedtosay.WhetheritislookingatgreenspaceinthecityofRadford,orthebestplacetolocateatouristinformationcenteralongtheBlueRidgeParkway,ourengagementeffortsaimtoimprovethelivesofourcitizensandthenaturalresourcesthatsurroundthem. TheBlueRidgeParkway,whichincludes12countiesinCentralandSouthwestVirginia,iscelebrating

its75thanniversarythisyear.Theparkwayisaneconomicdriverfortheregionandisthemostvisitednationalparkinthenation.TheCollege

ofNaturalResources,incollaborationwithBlueRidge75Inc.,willhostaconferenceonthefutureoftheparkwayfromOctober14-16,2010,

attheHotelRoanoke,aspartofitsyear-longcelebration.Theconferencewillfocusonissuesthatimpactthevitalityoftheparkwayanditscommunities,andisinconjunctionwithaconferenceatAppalachianStateUniversityinBoone,N.C.,inApril.For

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What’s InsideServiceLearningandWhole-FarmAgroforestryPlanning

HokiesTeachingGeographyinDominicanRepublic

ConferenceAddressesImpactsofChangingClimatesonWaterResources

ForestBiologyandDendrologyEducationalMaterials—ReachingThousands

IntheField—ForestLandownerRetreatofValue

PalletRe-useandRecyclingSaves Material from Landfill

Wood-BasedCompositesCenter:TheNextTenYears

GeospatialWorkshopTargetsSmall,RuralBusinesses

CalendarofEvents

DirectoryofNaturalResourcesExtensionStaff

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College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2 . Issue 1 . p. 2

thesemester.Inadditiontolecturesandlaboratoriesonagroforestryprinciples,history,andpractices(e.g.,forestfarming,silvopastures,riparianbuffermanagement),studentsalsoconductaseriesofservice-learningpropertyandlandscape-levelassessments.Studentsareintroducedtopermaculturedesign,agroforestrymarketingandeconomics,andincentiveprograms,andprovidedwithdedicatedwhole-farmplanningperiods.

This project is a valuable experience, both for the community who can see different options for the land and for students who see the practical value of their training and work. Ofimportancetothelearninginitiativeisthesemester-longdiscussionandplanningthataimstointentionallyintegratetreesandcropsaspartofanagroforestryplanthatincorporatesthebiological,social,economic,andtechnicalaspectsofwhole-farmmanagementandmeetsthegoalsofparticipatingservice-learninglandowners.Settingthelearningprocessintoapracticalcontext, the role of animals and fish, trees,agriculturalcrops,property-levelgreeninfrastructuredesign,andamenityvaluesinagroforestrysystemsbecomeanimatedand

AsksomeonetodescribelandanditsuseintheCatawbaandNorthForkValleysoutsideBlacksburgandyouwilllikelyheararangeofresponses—forests,rockyslopes,pasture,forage,riparianareas,andlawn,amongothers.Similardescriptionsarejustaslikelyifthesamepersonwereaskedtocharacterizeasinglepropertyineitherofthesevalleys.Achievingcoordinatedregionalmanagementacrossavarietyoflandtypes,uses,andownerships,suchasthoseintheCatawbaandNorthForkValleys,requiresacollaborativeapproach,wherepropertiesaremanagedtobenefit both the individual owner andlargerlandscape.Landusepracticesarenotcenteredononeproductordevelopedinisolation,butcraftedwiththewholepropertyandsustainabilityofsurroundingresourcesinmind.CatawbaandNorthForklandownersareincreasinglyawareofthisneed,andstudentsandfacultyatVirginiaTecharedoingtheirparttomakewhole-farmagroforestryplanningandcoordinationpossible. Forasecondyear,agroupofstudentsfromVirginiaTech’sCollegeofNaturalResourcesworkedwithlandownersandtheCatawbaSustainabilityCenter(CSC)intheCatawbaValleyviaacollaborativeservice-learningprogramthatispartoftheDepartmentofForestResourcesandEnvironmentalConservation’sagroforestrycourse.Theprogram’sprimaryobjectiveistofacilitatesharedwhole-farmagroforestrylearningbypairingstudentswithlandownersthroughout

ENGAGEMENTmatters

PublishedquarterlybytheCollegeofNaturalResources

324CheathamHall(0324)VirginiaTech

Blacksburg,VA24061

ArliceK.Banks,EditorPhone:540/231-7051

arbanks@vt.edu

BobSmith,ContributingEditorPhone:540/231-7679

rsmith4@vt.edu

Submissionsmaybesenttotheeditororcontributingeditor

attheaboveaddressorviae-mail.

VirginiaCooperativeExtensionprogramsandemploymentareopentoall,regardlessofrace,color,national

origin,sex,religion,age,disability,politicalbeliefs,sexualorientation,ormaritalorfamilystatus.Anequal

opportunity/affirmative action employer. ExtensionisajointprogramofVirginiaTech,VirginiaStateUniversity,theU.S.

DepartmentofAgriculture,andstateandlocalgovernments.

Continued on page 3

Service Learning and Whole-Farm Agroforestry Planning in the Catawba and North Fork Valleys

John F. Munsell, Forest Management Extension SpecialistCourtney Kimmel, Ph.D. Student

Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation College of Natural Resources

FEATURE

moreinformationonalltheactivitiesfortheBlueRidgeParkway75thAnniversarycelebrations,pleasevisitwww.blueridgeparkway75.org. InthisissuewesharewhatJohnMunsell’sstudentsareworkingonattheCatawbaproperty.UrsBuehlmann,DepartmentofWoodScienceandForestProducts,discussestheimpactofpalletrecyclingonlocalcommunitydevelopment,andyouwillhaveaninsidelookatoneofthemanyindustry-universitypartnershipsatVirginiaTechthroughtheWood-BasedCompositeCenter.Dr.JohnSeilershareshishighlysuccessfuldendrologysitethatisusedbypeoplearoundtheworld,andJasonFishersharesExtensionnewsfromtheCentralregion. Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorsuggestionsonourengagementefforts,pleasecontactme.

Smith continued from page 1

http://www.blueridgeparkway75.org

College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2. Issue 1. p. �

enfoldedintoauniquewhole-farmstrategy.SeanAllen,ajuniormajoringinforestry,commentedthat“Themajorconceptsofwhole-farmagroforestryplanningcannotbefullyunderstoodfromattendinglecturesandreadingourtextbooks.Thereisaneedtogoon-site,talktothelandowners,andworkoutwhatagroforestryapplicationscanbeimplementedontheirpropertytomeettheirobjectives.Thisprovidesanelementofcommunityinteractionthatallowsustogainworkingknowledgeofagroforestrypracticeswhiledealingwithrealworldproblems.”ForHeatherTaylor,adoublemajorincropandsoilenvironmentalscienceandphilosophy,theprojecthashelped“pointmetowardswhatIwanttodowithmygraduatecareer.” Servicelearningprivatepropertyownerparticipantshavehadrelativelysmallparcels,averagingaround35acres,whichrequires

thatstudentsthinkcreativelyandunconventionallyaboutproductionenterpriseandresource-useefficiencies. Other important learning facetsarethedifferentobjectivesandmanagementintensitiesassociatedwithparticipatingowners.Studentsmustshapeagroforestrywhole-farmapproachesthatcorrespondtotheowner’sabilitytomaintainproductionregimes.Lessismoreforsomeowners,whileothersprefertoconsiderhighlyintegrated,intensivepossibilities.Ontheotherhand,studentsassignedtotheCSCfacedadifferentsetofchallenges.Theywereforcedtothinkintermsofthecenter’s377acresanditspublicoutreachandruralbusinessincubationmissions. Attheconclusionofthesemester,students,participatinglandowners,andotherinterestedcitizensandexpertsgatheredattheCatawbaCommunityCentertocelebratethesemester-long

FEATUREService Learning continued from page 2 collaborativelearningexperience.

Studentspresentedtheirplans,followed by an open-floor dialogue. Asinthepast,presentationsraisedverygoodandinterestingideasamonglandownersinattendance.RobGuiles,aCatawbaValleyLandownerandpresentationattendeelastyear,servedasaservice-learningparticipantthisyear. He reflected, “After hearing theclasspresentationslastyearconcerningthesustainabilitycenter,IapproachedJohnMunsellabouthavingastudentgroupinitiateastudyonoursmallfarmshouldthatbedesirableforhisfutureclasses.Thatstudywasinitiatedin2009byonegroup...Itisapleasuretobeexperiencingthistypeofclassfromthe‘otherside.’” Someaspectsoftheplanspresentedlastyearhaveledtoactualon-the-groundimplementationatCatawbaSustainabilityCenter.Forexample,thelocationofbeehives,riparianplantings,andlocalfood plots were all influenced by theplanningeffortsofservicelearningagroforestrystudents.ChristyGabbard,DirectorofVirginiaTech’sCSC,stated,“Workingwithstudentsisawin-winforCSCandforthestudents.Forthestudentsitprovidesauniqueopportunityforexperientiallearningwithreal-worldapplication.ForCSCitprovidesanopportunityforconsultationtogainnewperspectivesandcreativemeansforimplementation.” CatawbaLandcare,alocalorganizationoflandownersinterestedinsustainablelandmanagementandcommunitybuilding,hasbeenverysupportiveoftheprojectandco-sponsoredthe final presentation. Asked about thevalueofsuchopportunitiestoworkwiththeuniversity,CatawbaLandcarecoordinatorCourtneyKimmelresponded,“Fromthebeginningofourplanningsessions

Working in the pouring rain at her farm in the Catawba Valley are Betty Bailey, a service-learning landowner participant (holding corn), and her student partners (l-r: J. B. Snelson, agricultural sciences, Chris Mernin, Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation, Spencer Blakenship, agricultural sciences, and Bonnie Lawrie, agricultural sciences)

Continued on page 9

College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2 . Issue 1 . p. �

ENGAGEMENT

Hokies Teaching Geography in the Dominican Republic

Stacy Boyer, Adjunct Instructor, Department of GeographyCollege of Natural Resources

Aspartofmymedicalgeographycourseinthefall2009DominicanRepublicsemesterabroadprogram,VirginiaTechundergraduatestaughtbasicgeographytoHaitianchildreninagrassrootsschoolonthecountry’snortherncoast.TheBateyMunozschoolinPuertoPlataisfundedbyProjectEsperanza(“hope”inEnglish),anNGO,startedbyVirginiaTechalumniCaitlinMcHaleandKristenPreve. TheSpanishterm“batey”traditionallyreferstocommunitiesofHaitianimmigrantswholiveonoradjacenttosugarcaneplantations.ThesesettlementsweresetupbysugarcompaniestohouseHaitiansemployedtocutcane.ManyoftheHaitianswholiveinthesecommunitiesarewithoutdocumentationandthereforenotrecognizedbytheDominicangovernment,eventhoughsomewerecoaxedacrosstheborderbysugarcompanieswithpromisesofgoodwagesandachanceatabetterlife.Asaresult,mostofthebateyresidents(manywhomarewomenandchildren)arelivinginextremepovertyandaredeniedeventhemostbasicofresources,suchasaccesstoeducation. ProjectEsperanzahasstartedthreegrassrootsschoolsinPuertoPlataandisrunningaboys’hometohelpkeephomelessHaitianyoungmenoffthestreetsandprovidethememploymentandaccesstoeducation.ThemedicalgeographystudentsworkedwithProjectEsperanzaandtaughtinoneoftheseschoolsfortwodaysasaservice-learningcomponentofthecourse. “Atthebateyes,itwasclearlyvisiblethatagoodportionofthechildrenwereveryeagertolearn.Ifeelthatitwouldbeextremelyfrustrating,knowingyouarecapableoflearning,butnothavingtheresourcesoropportunitiestodoso.Itwasveryrewardingtoteachthechildreneventhesmallamountthatwedid.Thefactthattheydidn’tknowallthecontinentswasshocking.Itseemsthatwehavetakenoureducationforgranted.Wehavebeengivensomanychancestofurtherourselves,”commentedJessicaLinkous,aVirginiaTechjunior,ofherexperienceinBateyMunoz. ArmedwithmapsandglobesdonatedbytheVirginiaGeographicAllianceandschoolsuppliesdonatedbyalocalchurch,theVirginiaTechstudentstaughtabout70children their first geography lesson ever. With the help ofinterpreters,studentslearnedaboutcontinentsandoceansintheirnativeCreolelanguage.Theycoloredmaps and flags of their country and participated in their first geography “bee.” WeaskedtheHaitianschoolteacherstoparticipatewithusduringthelessonswiththehopethattheywould

continuewiththelessonsandhavethematerialsandfoundationtodoso.

Ourgroupwassostronglyimpactedbythisteachingexperienceinthebateythatwesponsoredamicro-finance project (a small“seed”loan)toassistwomeninthecommunitywiththeircandle-makingbusiness.Inaddition,thestudentsplantobeginanInternetcenterneartheschoolthatwillprovideincomeforteachers,whileatthesametimeimprovingthechildren’seducation

throughaccesstotechnology.WeareactivelyfundraisingandplantoreturntoBateyMunozschooloverspringbreaktogetthecenterupandrunningandperhapsteachanothergeographylessonwhilewearethere! Foradditionalinformationaboutourexperienceinthebateyorhowyoucanhelp,contactStacyBoyeratstboyer@vt.eduor540/239-5801.

Biological sciences junior James McWhorter quizzes a group of students on the continents and oceans.

Munoz student proudly shows off his colored picture of the Dominican flag.

mailto:stboyer@vt.edu

College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2. Issue 1. p. �

ENGAGEMENT

“My hope is that . . . their new ideas will translate into actions that improve the management of

our water resources.”

Virginia Water Research Conference Addresses Impacts of

Changing Climates on Water Resources

Patrick Fay, Communications ManagerVirginia Water Resources Research Center

College of Natural Resources

Morethan140waterscientists,managers,policymakers,andstudentsgatheredinRichmondforthe2009VirginiaWaterResearchConference.HostedbytheVirginiaWaterResourcesResearchCenter(WaterCenter)atVirginiaTechandtheIngerandWalterRiceCenterforEnvironmentalLifeSciencesatVirginiaCommonwealthUniversity(VCU),theconferenceaddressedtheenvironmental,political,andeconomicchangesfacingstakeholders,researchers,andmanagersofwaterresources. TheOctober15-16conferenceopenedwithaplenarysessionthatincludedspeakersPrestonBryant,Virginiasecretaryofnaturalresources,andVirginiaBurkett,chiefscientistforglobalchangeresearchattheU.S.GeologicalSurvey.StephenSchoenholtz,directoroftheWaterCenter,observed,“Theplenarysessionveryeffectivelymetourgoalofprovidinganinformative,provocativeoverviewofsomeofthekeyissueswefaceinVirginiainrelationtoclimatechange.” Alsoincludedintheconferencewere70oralandposterpresentations.Themajorityofthesepresentationsfocusedonenvironmentalchallenges,includingseveralsessionsdevotedtostormwaterpolicy,management,andresearch.Theunderpinningformuchofthediscussionisthatstormwaterchallengeswillbeexacerbatedbymostpredictedclimate-changescenariosinVirginia. When asked about how this conference could benefit individualcommunitiesintheCommonwealthofVirginiaandbeyond,Schoenholtzreplied,“Myhopeisthatpeoplewhoattendedtheconferencewillheadbacktotheircommunitiesandtheirjobswithanewideaortwo,andultimatelythattheirnewideaswilltranslateintoactionsthatimprovethemanagementofourwaterresources.” ProceedingsoftheconferenceareavailableontheWaterCenter’swebsiteatwww.vwrrc.vt.edu.

Forest Biology and Dendrology Internet- and CD-Based Educational Material:

Serving the Needs of Thousands

John R. Seiler, Professor of Forestry (aka Dr. Dendro)Department of Forest Resources and

Environmental ConservationCollege of Natural Resources

Ourforestbiologyanddendrologywebsiteandcomputersoftwareprovidesacontinuousstreamof

educationalopportunitiesfornaturalresourceprofessionals,teachers,students,andthegeneralpublic.Startingwithtreeidentification, we have forestbiologyeducationalsoftware,onlinegraduateforestecologyeducationforpublicschoolteachers, and scientific investigationsforpublicschoolstudentsconductedutilizingtheInternet.

Our CD-ROM based woody plant identification program(WoodyPlantsinNorthAmerica,Kendall/HuntPublishing)hasover20,000colorphotoscovering840plantsfoundthroughoutNorthAmerica,andwearecurrentlydevelopingplansforanewversionwithevenmorespecies,photographs,andfeatures.Thecurrentsoftwarecontainsmultiplepicturesforeachspeciesofleaves, flower, fruit, twig, bark and form of each plant, andallowsside-by-sidecomparisonsofsimilarspecies.Usersarealsoabletotakequizzesfromcustomizedtreelists.ThissoftwareisinusebydendrologyprogramsandprofessionalsacrosstheUnitedStates.Wealsohavesoftwareforteachingtreebiologythatcontainsanimationsonphotosynthesis,diametergrowth,wateruptake,budbreak,andevenfallcolorchange. In addition to tree identification, we also have developedlandownerfactsheets.Thesesheetsdisplay,in a very efficient manner, basic silvical characteristics forthetree,wildlifevalue,regenerationpracticesandfunfactsaboutthetree.Otherweb-basededucationalmaterialincludesinformationonfallcolor,themeaningofLatinnames,scenicpanoramasfromecosystemsaroundtheUnitedStates,a“what’sblooming”feature(particularlypopular in the spring), various identification keys, online text books, and even a tree identification quiz. Tovisitanyofthewebsitesmentioned,seemoreinformationaboutoursoftware,oraskDr.Dendroaquestion,visitwww.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/.

L-R: John Seiler and Kevin Riedel work on leaf identification.

http://www.vwrrc.vt.eduhttp://www.cnr.vt.edu/dendro/

College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2 . Issue 1 . p. �

ThesecondforestlandownerretreatwasheldNovember6-8,2009,atHolidayLake4-HCenterinAppomattoxCounty,Va.ThisretreatwasofferedthroughacollaborativeeffortbetweenVirginiaDepartmentofForestry(VDOF)andVirginiaCooperativeExtension,thanksinparttosupportfromtheBallyshannonFund,adonor-advisedfundoftheCharlottesvilleAreaCommunityFoundation.Thisyear’sretreatwasentitled“ForestLandownerRetreat—AddingValueToYourForest,”andwasattendedby40participantsfrom19countiesinVirginiaowningapproximately1,900acresofland,nearlydoubletheattendantsfromthepreviousyear. Participantshadtheopportunitythroughouttheweekendtoperuseahostofeducationalmaterialsfromestate planning, tree identification, sustainable forestry materials,andmore.ThekickofftopicwascenteredonestateplanninginVirginiaandthesocialimplicationsofproperplanningforfutureforestlandmanagement.Toooftenitseemsthatthefamilyfarmhastoutilizetimber—usuallyimmature—topayforpoorestatetaxplanning.AnexcellentpresentationwasgivenbyHoneycutt&McGuireCPAsinFarmville,whoreceivednumerousquestionsonestateplanningregimesforfamilyforestland. OnSaturday,AssistantRegionalForesterDavidSnyderoftheVirginiaDepartmentofForestry(VDOF),presentedinformationpertainingtoforeststewardshipplans. The group then headed to the field for planned tour stopsthatincludedearlysuccessionmanagementthroughintermediatestandtreatmentshostedbyWayneBowman,researchforesterwithVDOF,andme. The first stop included a mulching demonstration by aprivatecontractorforreturningabandonedfarmland

andoftenuntreatedforeststandstomoremanageablesituationswhilemaintainingsoilintegrity.Forestrymulchingisoneofseveralalternativesforclearingareas for fire lines, wildlife food plots, dwellings, and site preparationonupto5-year-oldclearcuts. Afterreturningforlunch,thegrouplearnedhowtosuccessfullyconductatimbersaleandharvestbeforetouringachipmillatGoldHillinDillwynfortheafternoon.Thegroupgainedfurtherappreciationfortheprocessthattakesplaceatthisparticularmillwithregardstoharvestedtreethinningswithinanapproximate50-mileradius.WoodchipsareloadedonrailcarsandfreightedtotheCovingtonpapermill—“about90-100tonsofwoodchipsperrailcarsavingapproximately$3pertonversustractortrailerhauling,”statedEastonLoving,procurementmanagerforthemill.FulghumFibres’GoldHillfacilityislocatedjustwestofRichmondandwasconstructedin2005.Thefacilityprocessesapproximately300,000tonsperyearofpineandhardwoodforMeadWestvaco.

Followingdinner,eachparticipantconductedanassessmentactivitytohaveastartingpointforactionontheirpropertyfollowingtheweekend.Later,thegroupwastreatedtoaseriesofmovies,rangingfromaparticipantsharing his wild mountain flower collection via DVD withmusic,to20-minutehistoricalforestryvideosfromarchivesfromtheSouthernResearchExtensionForestrycollections,thankstocommitteememberNeilClark.

INTHEFIELD

Forest Landowner Retreat of Value

K. Jason Fisher, Extension Agent, ANR Forestry and Natural Resources VCE Central Region, Halifax County Office

Continued on page 7

Forestry mulching is becoming a productive alternative for opening up land to better manage overgrown farmland and undesirable species while maintaining soil stability and a favorable seed bed for plantings.

Host Easton Loving (red cap) addresses the landowners about the procurement process at the MeadWestvaco Gold Hill chip mill in Dillwyn.

College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2. Issue 1. p. �

NEWSBRIEF

Sundaymorninggaverisetoanearlytreeidentification session and brief field walk with Jennifer Gagnonandcommittee.MorningpresentationsincludedmytalkonNuisanceWildlife,ForestFragmentationpresentedbyJenniferGagnon,VirginiaForestLandownerEducationCoordinatoratVirginiaTech,andEcosystemValuesandFunctionsbyNeilClark,VCESoutheastRegionExtensionForester.

Theplanningcommitteewouldliketothankitssponsors,particularlytheBallyshannonFundandHolidayLake4-HEducationalCenter,formakingthiseventpossible.Ithasbeensaidbeforethatdiscoveringvalueonyourpropertybeginswithspendingsometimewalkingthepropertyonyourownandthenconsultingwithaprofessionalforesterwhocanproperlyadviseyouinassessingwhatyouhave.Factorssuchasthehistoryofthestandoftreesandconsequentlytheplantlifeyouhavepresent,thegeographyoftheproperty,includingsitecharacteristicsandlocation,andspecialhabitatssuchasstreamsandwetlandsareimportantasastartingpointinputtingaplaninplace.Lastly,weareremindedthatpeaceofmindisanotherfactorofimmeasurablevaluefosteredbyownershipofforestland. ForfurtherinformationonVirginia’sLandownerEducationprogramsandresources,visitwww.cnr.vt.edu/forestupdate/orcontactJenniferGagnonat540/231-6391.YoumayalsocontactyourregionalExtensionagent.AlistingofallExtensionstaffislocatedonpages12and13ofthisnewsletter.

An enthusiastic participant counts the rings in a tree core at a thinned pined stand on the 19,808-acre Appomattox Buckingham State Forest.

Retreat continued from page 6 Virginia Tech Urban Forestry Students Lead Campus Tree Planting During Sustainability

Week 2009

P. Eric Wiseman, Assistant Professor of Urban ForestryDepartment of Forest Resources and

Environmental Conservation College of Natural Resources

VirginiaTechurbanforestrystudentsspearheadedanothersuccessfultreeplantingduringSustainabilityWeek2009.TheclubcollaboratedwithstaffintheOffice of the University Architect and the Grounds Servicesdivisiontoplantover50hardwoodtreesneartheintersectionofWashingtonStreetandKentStreet.Thisspaceisoneofseverallawnareasoncampusthathavebeenrecentlyconvertedtonativemeadowinanefforttodecreasemowingcostsandencouragecampussustainability.Severalofthesemeadowshavebeenselectedforreforestationtoincreasetreecanopycoveron campus and enhance urban forest benefits for the community.Treespeciesplantedbythestudentsincludedblackoak,buroak,greenash,hackberry,redmaple,andsourwood.VirginiaTechwasoneofnineuniversitiesaccreditedasTreeCampusUSAbytheArborDayFoundationin2008.

Virginia Tech urban forestry students and grounds staff busily planting trees.

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/forestupdate/http://www.cnr.vt.edu/forestupdate/

College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2 . Issue 1 . p. �

ENGAGEMENT

Pallet Re-Use and Recycling Saves High Value Material from Landfills

Urs Buehlmann, Associate Professor of Wood Science and Forest Products and Extension SpecialistPhilip A. Araman, Adjunct Senior Research Scientist and Project Leader,

USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station Utilization of Southern Forest ResourcesRobert Bush, Professor of Forest Products Marketing

Department of Wood Science and Forest ProductsCollege of Natural Resources

Continued on page 10

Palletsmovetheworld.IntheUnitedStates,anestimated4billionpalletsareindailyservice.Nationwide,onanannualbasis,anestimated441millionnewpalletsaremanufacturedand357millionpalletsarerepairedorrebuiltfromdiscardedpallets.Manufacturingthesepalletsconsumesmorethansevenbillionbdft1oflumberannually,roughlytwo-thirdshardwoods2.Thismakesthepalletindustrythesinglemostimportantuserofhardwoodlumber(byvolume)inNorthAmerica.

Figure 1. New pallets ready to be shipped. Photo by Urs Buehlmann

Palletreuseandrecyclinghaveincreasedgreatlyoverthepasttwodecades.Whileonly51millionpalletswererecovered,repairedandreusedin1992,almosttriplethatnumberwererecovered,repaired,andreusedin1995(143millionpallets),andin2006thisnumberincreasedto357millionunits.Itisestimatedthatpalletreuseandrecyclingsavedanestimated5.7billionbdftoflumberin2006,bringingthevolumeoflumberbeingsavedclosetothelevelofnewlumberbeingconsumed(43.8percentrecovered,repaired,andreusedversus56.2percentnewlumber,Figure2).

Figure 2. Volumes of lumber used in the United States pallet industry.3

Despitealltheseefforts,BushandAramanestimatethat up to 100 million pallets are still landfilled.3However,there is no reason why pallets should end up in landfills. Manyalternativeusesfordiscardedpalletsexistbesidesreuseorrecyclingintopallets,rangingfromtheproductionofmulch,animalbedding,orfueltomorevalue-addedopportunities like producing flooring for eco-friendly buildings,asshowninFigure3.

Figure 3. “Green” flooring from recycled pallets installed in Sprig Garden Shop, Grove Arcade Mall, Asheville, N.C. Photo by Urs Buehlmann

1Aboardfoot(bdft)isavolumedescribedby1’x1’x1”.

2Bush,R.andP.Araman.2009.MaterialUseandProductionChangesintheU.S.WoodPalletandContainerIndustry:1992to2006.Pallet Enterprise.June2009.pp,38-43.

3Araman,P.,B.Hansen,andR.Bush.2009.Woodenpalletreuseisgrowing,butmorecanbedone.Workshoppresentation.DepartmentofWoodScienceandForestProducts,VirginiaTech.

College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2. Issue 1. p. �

TheWood-BasedCompositesCenter(WBC)wasestablishedin1999forthepurposeofadvancing

thescienceandtechnologyofwood-basedcompositematerials.

FormerDepartmentofWoodScienceandForestProductsProfessorFredKamke,alongwiththesupportoftenindustrialpartners,formedtheWBCatVirginiaTech.Overitsten-yearhistory,andinthespiritofservicetotheindustry,theWBChasevolvedintoafullpartnershipamongfourNorthAmericanuniversities,eachwithrenownedcomposites-relatedresearchprograms:theUniversitiesofBritishColumbiaandMaine,OregonStateUniversity,andVirginiaTech.Industrialmembersprovidefinancial support for the center and engageregularlywithfacultyandstudents.Partneruniversitiessharegraduatestudentfundingandtaketurnshostingsemi-annualindustryadvisoryboardmeetings.Thecenter’sdirector,ProfessorChipFrazier,andmanagingdirectorLindaCaudill,remainhousedatVirginiaTech. TheWBChasserved22industrialmembersoveritsten-yearhistorywithresearchandoutreachactivities.Thirtycontinuingeducationshortcourseshaveprovidedtrainingtoover700industryprofessionalsinsuchtopicsaswoodadhesion,analyticalmethods,andwoodmaterialscience.AcademicpartnershipsallowtheWBCtooffercoursesthroughoutNorthAmerica,wheretrainingdesignedto specifically address the needs oftheindustrycombinestraditionalclassroomlecturewithhands-onlaboratoryexercises.

ENGAGEMENT

Feature continued from page 3

fortheyear,thetopicofagroforestryandwhole-propertyplanninghasbeenapriority.Peopleinthecommunitywhohavebeeninvolvedintheprojectareexcitedabouttheideasthatstudentscomeupwith,andotherswanttobeinvolved.Thisprojectisavaluableexperience,bothforthecommunitywhocanseedifferentoptionsforthelandandforstudentswhoseethepracticalvalueoftheirtrainingandwork.” AscommunityengagementseepsintoVirginiaTech’sculture,service-learningprogramssimilartothewhole-farmagroforestryplanningprogramintheCatawbaandNorthForkValleyswilllikelyincrease.Regardlessofscopeandfocus,futureeffortswillneedtoincorporatecollaborativeknowledgebuilding.Intheinstanceoftheagroforestrycourse,thisentailsstudentsandpropertyownersworkinghand-in-handtoselectproductive,sustainable,andpreferredmanagementoptions.Ratherthanpursueproperty-leveluniformitythatisseparatefromneighboringparcels,theprogramusescrop,tree,andanimalcombinationstoexplorelandscapeplanningacrossdiverseproperties.Atthepropertylevel,theaimistohelpachieveimportantlandmanagementobjectivessuchasreducingsoilerosion,minimizingnutrientleaching,maximizingmarketablecropproduction,augmentingincome,andincreasingbiodiversity.Onalargerscale,thehopeisthattheprogramhelpsshepherdtheenvironmental,social,andeconomicwell-beingoftheCatawbaandNorthForkValleysandtherebydemonstratestheremarkablerelevanceofservicescholarshipatVirginiaTech.

Wood-Based Composites Center: The Next Ten Years

Linda Caudill, Managing Director, Wood-Based Composites CenterCollege of Natural Resources

ArguablythegreatestaccomplishmentoftheWood-BasedCompositesCenteristhedevelopmentoffutureprofessionalsforitsindustrialpartners.Since1999,theWBChasprovidedover100undergraduatescholarshipsandsupportednearly40graduateresearchprojects.WBCFellows,graduatestudentswhoaresupportedbyWBCmembers,areintroducedearlyintheirstudiestoindustryprofessionals,andon-goingcontactoftenculminatesinemploymentwithaWBCmember. WBCmembercompaniesworkhardtohireWBCstudents;theyarespecifically trained to work in the industry,andhiringmanagershaveinteractedwiththemthroughouttheirgraduatestudies.WBCstudents,ontheotherhand,aregiventheopportunitytogettoknowandlearnaboutWBCmembercompanies.They benefit from the experience ofpresentingtechnicalpostersandpresentationsinseminar-likeWBCmeetings,andfrequentlyenterintodesirablecareersasscientists,technicalleaders,andentry-levelmanagers.It’sawin-winforeveryoneinvolved. So,what’snextfortheWood-BasedCompositesCenter?AstherecipientofaNationalScienceFoundationPlanningGrant,theWBCismovingtowardestablishinganNSFIndustry/UniversityCooperativeResearchCenter(I/UCRC)in2010,andislookingforwardtothenextten years of significant service to the industry.Themessageofcompositewoodproductsisoneofresponsibleuseofresourcesandsustainability,andtheWBCispoisedtocarrythismessageforwardtotheworld. VisittheWBCwebsiteatwww.wbc.vt.eduforadditionalinformation,orcontactusatwbc@vt.edu.

http://www.wbc.vt.eduhttp://www.wbc.vt.edumailto:wbc@vt.edu

College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2 . Issue 1 . p. 10

EXTENSION

Infact,havingpalletscommingledwithmunicipalsolidwaste(MSW)isalossofvaluableresourcesthat reduces available landfill space.Forexample,palletscausetheSoutheasternPublicServiceAuthority(SPSA)inChesapeakeasizeableamountofproblems.Theyhavetobemanuallyremovedfromtheoverallwastestreamthatfeedsintotheauthority’swaste-to-energyRefuseDerivedFuelPlant(RDF)poweringtheU.S.Navy’sNorfolkNavyShipyard.Thosepallets,forlackofabettersolution,thenhaveto be landfilled at the SPSA’s 833 acre regional landfill in Suffolk, a costlyandwastefulsolution.Iflocalpalletorwoodrecyclershaduseofthediscardedpallets,theywouldnotendupintheMSWstream.Tohelpsalvagepallets,theDepartmentofWoodScienceandForestProducts,

As a consequence of these workshops, two companies have invested in their own pallet recycling operation . . .incollaborationwiththeUSDAForestService,BlacksburgStation,hasheldworkshopsinAbingdon,SouthBoston,Harrisonburg,andVirginiaBeach,teachingaboutpalletsandhowtorecyclethemandmatchingthosewhohavepalletswiththosewhoneedpallets.Asaconsequenceoftheseworkshops,twocompanieshaveinvestedintheirownpalletrecyclingoperationandseveral companies were able to find asolutiontotheirpalletproblems.However,moreworkremainstobedonebytheVTWoodRecyclingteamtopromotethereuseorrecyclingofpallets,andfutureworkshopsareinearlyplanningstages.

New Geospatial Extension Workshop Targets Marketing Needs of Small, Rural Businesses

John McGee, Virginia Geospatial Extension SpecialistDepartment of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation

College of Natural Resources

Itiswellknownthatourprogramssupportnaturalresourceefforts,butdidyouknowthatwealsosupportothereffortsassociatedwithcommunityviabilityaswell?“MarketingintheVirtualWorld”isanewworkshopprovidedbytheVirginiaGeospatialExtensionProgramandVirginiaCooperativeExtension.Thisworkshopisdesigned to “level the playing field” byprovidingsmallerbusinesseswithincreasedaccesstoahighlymobilecustomerbase. Small,ruralbusinesses(e.g.,tourismandagritourismoperators,artisans,craftspeople,“momandpop”restaurants)facemanychallenges,especiallywhenitcomestomarketingandadvertisingtheirproductsandservices.Forexample,businessownersmaybepreoccupiedwith“traditional”formsofadvertising.Theseapproachescanbeexpensiveanddonotalwaystargetintendedaudiences.Furthermore,someareasofVirginia,includingregionsalongtheBlueRidgeParkway,donotpermitsomeformsoftraditionaladvertising(roadsidesignage).

Location-Based Services Advancesintechnologyhaveresultedinarevolutioninmarketingandadvertising.Locationandplace-basedservices,madepossiblethroughtheuseofglobalpositioningsystem(GPS)devices(carnavigationsystems,smartphoneapplications)canbeusedtogeographicallyconnectpotentialconsumerswithnearbybusinesses. Theseapplicationsprovideatechnicalbridge,linkingpotential(andoftenmobile)customerswith

nearby businesses and specific products.Likewise,businessownersarealsoabletotargetand“reachout”topotentialcustomersthroughtheuseofvirtualcouponsandothermarketingtechniques. Thisworkshopwalksbusinessownersthroughtheprocessofregisteringtheirbusinessesonmultiplenationalbusinessdatabases.Thesedatabasesarethenconsumedbyavarietyoflocation-basedservicedevicesandapplications(TomTom,Garmin,iPhone/Blackberry/PalmPre,etc.).Throughouttheworkshop,participantsalsolearnhowtoleveragefree,onlinetoolsthatcanbeemployedtoenhancetheirexposure. Additionalinformationabouttheworkshopcanbeaccessedatwww.cnr.vt.edu/gep/virtualmarketing.html. Ifyouwouldliketoorganizeaworkshopinyourorganizationorcommunity,pleasecontactJohnMcGeeattheVirginiaGeospatialExtensionProgramatgep@vt.eduor540/231-2428.

Acknowledgments: This program is modeled after an initiative developed by Adeel Ahmed through the University of Minnesota Cooperative Extension Service.

Pallets continued from page 8

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/gep/virtualmarketing.htmlhttp://www.cnr.vt.edu/gep/virtualmarketing.htmlmailto:gep@vt.edu

College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2. Issue 1. p. 11

Events CalendarForthemostcompletelistingofnaturalresourceeducationevents,visitthe

onlineeventscalendaratwww.cnr.vt.edu/forestupdate

Contact Date Location Event Time Fee

DCR Jan.,Feb.,MarchVirginiaState

ParksA variety of events and activities. For a complete

list visit: www.dcr.virginia.gov/parks Varies Varies

TL Mar.13-14April10-11 Harrisonburg

Spring 2010 Permaculture Design CourseUnderstandandworkwithnaturalsystemstodesignsustainableenvironmentsthatproducefood,shelter,

andenergy.

Allweekend $995-$1,200

CG Jan.19-Mar.9 Roanoke

Grower’s AcademyVegetable and cut flower production. Learn about

low-impact,small-scalefarming;learntodevelopabusinessplanandnewgrowingtechniques.

6-9p.m.(Tuesdays) $210

JM Mar.12 Stuart

Marketing in a Virtual World: A Workshop for Small/Rural Business Owners

Thisworkshopwalksbusinessownersthroughtheprocessofregisteringtheirbusinessesonmultiple

businessdatabases.Foradditionalinformation,visitwww.cnr.vt.edu/gep/virtualmarketing.html

1-4p.m. $40

MY Mar.12Cruisin’ Through the Woods Part I

Ahands-onclassthatwillteachyoutoestimatetimbervolumesonyourland.

9-4 $20(or$35forPartsIandII)

MY Mar.19Cruisin’ Through the Woods Part II

Ahands-onclassthatwillteachyoutoestimatetimbervolumesonyourland.

9-4 $20(or$35forPartsIandII)

BB Mar.25 MadisonPesticide Applicators Recertification Training Program, Category 12, Wood Preservation and

Wood Product Treatment9a.m.-noon $7.00

BB March26 LexingtonPesticide Applicators Recertification Training Program, Category 12, Wood Preservation and

Wood Product Treatment9a.m.-noon $7.00

Events continued on page 12

Events Contacts

Contact Name/Affiliation Phone E-mail/website

DCR DepartmentofConservationandRecreation 804/786-1712 www.dcr.virginia.gov/parks

TL TerryLilley 434/296-3963 www.blueridgepermaculture.net

CG ChristyGabbard 540/558-8010 cgunnels@vt.edu

JM JohnMcGee 540/231-2428 jmcg@vt.edu

MY MattYancey 540/564-3080 yancey@vt.edu

BB BrianBond 540/231-8752 bbond@vt.edu

http://www.cnr.vt.edu/gep/virtualmarketing.htmlmailto://cgunnels@vt.edumailto://jmcg@vt.edumailto://yancey@vt.edumailto://bbond@vt.edu

College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2 . Issue 1 . p. 12

Events CalendarForthemostcompletelistingofnaturalresourceeducationevents,visitthe

onlineeventscalendaratwww.cnr.vt.edu/forestupdate

Contact Date Location Event Time Fee

BW April10 GateCity Non-Timber Forest Products: Medicinal Herbs Workshop 9:30-3:30 TBA

GP April16-18 Wintergreen VFA Annual ConventionFutureIssuesImpactingtheForestSupplyChain Allweekend Varies

AD May12-19 RappahannockCo.

The Woods in Your BackyardWorkthroughaself-assessmentmanualthatuses

acommonsenseapproachformanagingsmallacreages,helpsusersidentifygoalsfortheirland,

andoffersguidancetoachievethem.

1:30-4:30$20or$25/couple;preregistrationis

required.

AD May20-27 FauquierCo.

The Woods in Your BackyardWorkthroughaself-assessmentmanualthatuses

acommonsenseapproachformanagingsmallacreages,helpsusersidentifygoalsfortheirland,

andoffersguidancetoachievethem.

6:30-9:00p.m.$20or$25/couple;preregistrationis

required.

AD June1-8 CulpeperCo.

The Woods in Your BackyardWorkthroughaself-assessmentmanualthatuses

acommonsenseapproachformanagingsmallacreages,helpsusersidentifygoalsfortheirland,

andoffersguidancetoachievethem.

6:30-9:00p.m.$20or$25/couple;preregistrationis

required.

JGJune1through

August17

On-line Woodland Options for LandownersVisitwww.cnr.vt.edu/forestupdateforcoursedetails

andregistrationform.$25/family

AD August23and30 Warrenton

FamilyForestlandShortcourse:FocusingonLandTransfertoGeneration“NEXT”

Speakers include legal and financial experts experiencedinestateplanning,aswellasnatural

resourceprofessionalswhoworkwithlandownerstoconservelandandplanforthefuture.

12:30-7:00p.m.

$50Registration/ApplicationFee

MP

TrainingtobecomeaVirginia Master Naturalist volunteerisofferedannuallybythe27Master

NaturalistchaptersacrossVirginia.Visitwww.virginiamasternaturalist.orgto

locateachapternearyou.

Events Contacts

Contact Name/Affiliation Phone E-mail/website

BW BillWorrell 276/889-8056 bworrell@vt.edu

GP GlendaParrish 804/278-8733 gparrish@vaforestry.org

AD AdamDowning 540/948-6881 adowning@vt.edu

JG JenniferGagnon 540/231-6391 jgagnon@vt.edu

MP MichellePrysby 434/872-4580 mprysby@vt.edu

mailto://bworrell@vt.edumailto://gparrish@vaforestry.orgmailto://adowning@vt.edumailto://jgagnon@vt.edumailto://mprysby@vt.edu

College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2. Issue 1. p. 1�

College of Natural Resources Extension Staff

Name Title Address Telephone Fax E-mail

ScottM.Barrett

ExtensionAssociate,TimberHarvesting

Coordinator,SHARPLoggerProgram

CollegeofNaturalResources232CheathamHall(0324)

VirginiaTechBlacksburg,VA24061

540/231-6494 540/231-3330 sbarrett@vt.edu

BrianH.Bond ExtensionSpecialist,WoodProducts

CollegeofNaturalResourcesBrooksCenter(0503)

VirginiaTechBlacksburg,VA24061

540/231-8752 540/231-8868 bbond@vt.edu

UrsBuehlmann ExtensionSpecialist,WoodProducts

CollegeofNaturalResourcesBrooksCenter(0503)

VirginiaTechBlacksburg,VA24061

540/231-9759 540/231-8868 buehlmann@vt.edu

NeilA.Clark ExtensionAgent,NaturalResources

VCESoutheastRegionTidewaterAREC

6321HollandRoadSuffolk,VA23437

757/657-6450,Ext.406 757/657-9333 neclark@vt.edu

MichelleDavis ExtensionAssociate,Fisheries

CollegeofNaturalResources349LathamHall(0321)

VirginiaTechBlacksburg,VA24061

540/231-1424 540/231-7580 midavis1@vt.edu

AdamK.Downing ExtensionAgent,NaturalResources

VCENorthernRegionMadison County OfficeWarMemorialBuilding

2ndFloor,MainStreet,Box10Madison,VA22727

540/948-6881 540/948-6883 adowning@vt.edu

AmyG.Fannon

AssociateExtensionAgent,

AgricultureandNaturalResources/MinedLand

Restoration

VCEWiseCountyP.O.Box1156

WiseVA24293-1156276/328-6194 276/328-5902 afannon@vt.edu

K.JasonFisher ExtensionAgent,NaturalResources

VCECentralRegionHalifax County Office

P.O.Box757171SouthMainStreet

Halifax,VA24558-0757

434/476-2147 434/476-7777 kefishe2@vt.edu

JenniferL.Gagnon

ExtensionAssociate,Forestry;VirginiaForestLandownerEducation

Program

CollegeofNaturalResources228CheathamHall(0324)

VirginiaTechBlacksburg,VA24061

540/231-6391 540/231-3330 jgagnon@vt.edu

JohnA.McGee

ExtensionSpecialist,GeospatialTechnology;

Coordinator,VirginiaGeospatialExtension

Program

CollegeofNaturalResources307CCheathamHall(0324)

VirginiaTechBlacksburg,VA24061

540/231-2428 540/231-3698 jmcg@vt.edu

JohnF.Munsell ExtensionSpecialist,ForestManagement

CollegeofNaturalResources304CheathamHall(0324)

VirginiaTechBlacksburg,VA24061

540/231-1611 540/231-3698 jfmunsel@vt.edu

JamesA.Parkhurst

ExtensionSpecialist,Wildlife

CollegeofNaturalResources144CheathamHall

MailCode0324,VirginiaTechBlacksburg,VA24061

540/231-9283 540/231-7580 jparkhur@vt.edu

Continued on page 14

mailto://sbarrett@vt.edumailto://bbond@vt.edumailto://buehlmann@vt.edumailto://neclark@vt.edumailto://midavis1@vt.edumailto://adowning@vt.edumailto://afannon@vt.edumailto://kefishe2@vt.edumailto://jgagnon@vt.edumailto://jmcg@vt.edumailto://jfmunsel@vt.edumailto://jparkhur@vt.edu

College of Natural Resources . Engagement Matters . Volume 2 . Issue 1 . p. 1�

College of Natural Resources Extension Staff

Name Title Address Telephone Fax E-mail

KyleR.Peer ExtensionAssociate,ChristmasTrees

ReynoldsHomesteadForestResourcesResearchCenter

P.O.Box70Critz,VA24082

276/694-4135 276/694-2971 krpeer@vt.edu

HenryQuesada-Pineda

ExtensionSpecialist,WoodProducts

CollegeofNaturalResourcesBrooksCenter(0503)

VirginiaTechBlacksburg,VA24061

540/231-0978 540/231-8868 quesada@vt.edu

MichelleD.Prysby

ExtensionAssociate,NaturalResources;Coordinator,Virginia

MasterNaturalistProgram

AlbemarleCountyExtension Office

460StagecoachRoadCharlottesville,VA22902

434/872-4580 434/872-4578 mprysby@vt.edu

Robert(Bob)L.Smith

AssociateDeanforEngagement

CollegeofNaturalResources324CheathamHall(0324)

VirginiaTechBlacksburg,VA24061

540/231-7679 540/231-7664 rsmith4@vt.edu

P.EricWiseman AssistantProfessorofUrbanForestry

CollegeofNaturalResources228CheathamHall(0324)

VirginiaTechBlacksburg,VA24061

540/231-5148 540/231-3330 pwiseman@vt.edu

William(Bill)C.Worrell

ExtensionAgent,NaturalResources

VCESouthwestRegionRussell County Office

P.O.Box697Lebanon,VA24266-0697

276/889-8056 276/889-8075 bworrell@vt.edu

MatthewW.Yancey

ExtensionAgent,NaturalResources

VCENorthernRegionRockingham County Office965PleasantValleyRoad

Harrisonburg,VA22801-9630

540/564-3080 540/564-3093 yancey@vt.edu