Providing Knowledge at the Click of a Mouse: Forestry and Natural Resources Desktop Reference Library

North Carolina State University Forestry Extension developed The Forestry and Natural Resources Desktop Reference Library (DRL) to help Extension county agents overcome a lack of training in forestry and natural resources. DRL is a Web-based, distance learning and information resource project that incorporates synchronized multimedia and the World Wide Web to provide up-to-date research-based information on forestry and natural resources. DRL is the result of collaboration between researchers and Extension faculty to provide a time- and space-independent model for information exchange between the university and Extension agents

Five-year survival and growth of northern red oak (Quercus rubra L) seedlings in upland hardwood stands in south central Iowa

A major concern in the management of Quercus rubra is the the difficulty in regenerating stands that have developed dense understories of shade tolerant species. A study was conducted at two locations in south central Iowa to determine the impact over a five year period of using root graded seedlings, understory control, tree shelters, and overstory reduction on establishing underplanted, 1-0, Quercus rubra bare root stock. Relationships between growth or mortality, and photosynthetically active radiation, red to far red light ratio, basal area, average stand diameter, number of trees/hectare, percent stocking, and various combinations of these variables were tested. Shelters and root grading had the greatest impact on survival and growth of the underplanted seedlings. Annual survival and growth of non-sheltered seedlings was greater than sheltered seedlings after three growing seasons. However, By the end of the fifth growing season non-sheltered seedlings had averaged 221 percent greater growth and 75 percent greater survival than sheltered seedlings. Underplanted seedlings with five or more permanent, first-order, lateral roots had 93 percent greater growth at the McNay site and 407 percent at the Stephens sites, respectively, compared to seedlings with fewer, first-order lateral roots. R-square relationships between growth or mortality, and photosynthetically active radiation, red to far red light ratio, basal area, average stand diameter, number of trees/hectare, percent stocking, and various combinations ranged from 0.00 to 0.66. Spraying and mechanical clearing of the understory prior to underplanting helped underplanted seedlings maintaining a competitive position in the understory. Based on the literature and the results of this study resource managers should: (i) reduce overstory stocking to approximately 60 percent; (ii) use herbicide or mechanical methods to reduce understory competition; (iii) plant bare root stock with five or more permanent, first-order, lateral roots; and (iv) remove the remaining overstory when the underplanted Quercus rubra seedlings are 1.5 m in height in order to aid in the regeneration of Quercus rubra in south central Iowa

Calculating the Green Impact of Online Extension Programs

The environmental and economic benefits achieved by participants in an e-learning event are often overlooked by Extension educators, even though they are easy to calculate based on some basic information often collected from participants. To help make it easier to calculate these benefits, which are referred to as Green savings, a Green savings model has been developed. This model calculates the sum of savings realized by e-learning participants who do not have to travel to face-to-face events. These savings are based on savings related to e-learning participants\u27 travel, time, and vehicles carbon emissions

Landowners\u27 Knowledge, Attitudes, and Aspirations Towards Woody Biomass Markets in North Carolina

Non-industrial private forest (NIPF) landowners are often not included in discussions of emerging woody biomass markets for energy, yet they will likely be principal suppliers of the resource. Surveys administered to 475 forest landowners before and after an Extension Forestry education program in 10 counties across North Carolina indicated that landowners have low knowledge levels of woody biomass. However, as a result of participating in the training, landowners increased knowledge, had more positive attitudes, and developed aspirations to harvest woody biomass on their land. Extension professionals can use our training model to develop similar woody biomass educational programs

Educational Needs of North Carolina Non-industrial Private Forest Landowners and Barriers to Meeting These Needs

Forest landowners are an important target audience for many state Extension programs. Acknowledging the differences and associations between landownership values, characteristics, and educational preferences of forest landowners should lead to improvement of educational programs and ensuring that educational needs are being met. Through an internet-based survey of forest landowners four distinct landowner typologies were identified based on respondents’ reason for owning forestland. Results also identified the educational needs and barriers to meeting these needs for the landowners. Creating typologies based on attitudinal responses will allow for a more focused approach to developing educational products and services to meet landowner needs

A Framework for Integrating and Managing Expectations of Multiple Stakeholder Groups in a Collaborative Partnership

The success of collaborative partnerships depends on the integration and management of multiple stakeholder expectations to develop mutually agreeable solutions that lead to desired environmental conditions and social well-being. The North Carolina Sentinel Landscapes Partnership (NCSLP) provides an example of a coalition representing Extension, military, conservation, natural resources, and economic interests to address conservation of forest and farm lands. This article presents a framework for determining the diverse expectations of large collaborative programs and integrating them into an outcome-based decision making model

Lessons Learned for Military-Based Partnerships for Landscape-Scale Conservation: A Case Study of the North Carolina Sentinel Landscapes Partnership

Landscape-scale conservation has become a popular approach for addressing complex land and water issues. Achieving this level of conservation requires regional collaboration that evokes a variety of approaches tailored to fit the scope and nature of the particular issues. In many states, military training grounds are a part of the rural landscape, resulting in significant interest from the military services in the maintenance and enhancement of land uses that are compatible with their operations. Many programs and initiatives are managing this issue utilizing a landscape-scale approach based on a recognition of the interconnectedness of interests. To date, there has been limited research on military partnerships related to land conservation. In order to better understand how engaging stakeholders from various sectors impacts the initial stages of military-based partnerships for landscape-scale conservation, this study explores climate, processes, people, policies, and resources—five variables that shape cross-sector partnerships, an important theoretical framework for evaluating such collaborative partnerships

Using Survey Responses to Determine the Value-Added Features of a Webinar Portal System for Adoption by Natural Resource Professionals

This article presents the findings of a recent survey of natural resource webinar providers. Respondents were asked a range of questions regarding their webinar services. Findings showed that respondents most commonly marketed their webinars through email or websites and targeted an audience of professionals. Respondents noted that the greatest challenge in offering webinars was the time commitment, whereas access to high-quality speakers added the most value to a webinar portal. Although the majority of responding webinar providers do not currently charge for their webinars, over one third noted that they would be willing to pay a fee per participant

Role of Extension in Building Sustainable Partnerships with Multiple Stakeholders for Land Conservation

The complexity of issues facing rural landscapes in the United States has resulted in a shift from the traditional Extension model to a partnership building approach. In North Carolina, Extension was charged with coordinating a partnership with a diverse set of stakeholders representing the interests of working lands, conservation, and national defense to address shared land compatibility issues. Using a single case study design, we evaluate the role of Extension in the coordination of diverse stakeholder groups for conservation of rural landscapes to protect the military training mission based on insights from the North Carolina Sentinel Landscapes Partnership. The case study includes analysis of key informant interviews and organizational documents through the constant comparative method that provides themes for Extension to consider for such efforts. We found that Extension plays a leadership role in convening a diverse set of interests, facilitating organizational development and educating a broad range of stakeholders. We provide eight key recommendations to accelerate the process of initiation and implementation of such efforts based on an ability to implement a realistic and feasible program that is informed by knowledge of what works elsewhere