The Brass Ring; Innovative Biomass Uses; and Now Is Our Time

We are facing what many consider to be the greatest conservation issue of our time.  Wildfires are destroying America’s landscapes.  But, there is a way out of this dilemma.  That is, America’s forestlands need aggressive management so wildfires remain smaller, less destructive and begin again to be a tool for improved forest health — as opposed…

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Montana needs strong forest management reforms in the Farm Bill

As wildfires burn millions of acres this year, U.S. Sen. Steve Daines has consistently told others in Washington DC, that “we need to start managing our forests before they manage us.”  That’s why he has been working hard to pass strong and effective forest management reforms in the upcoming Farm Bill.  But Sen. Daines needs our help. Please take…

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2018 Great Lakes Logging & Heavy Equipment Expo

Healthy Forests, Healthy Communities will have a booth at the Expo and HFHC Great Lakes Field Representative Steve Kariainen looks forward to seeing you there! The 2018 Great Lakes Logging & Heavy Equipment Expo returns to the Sunnyview Expo Center in Oshkosh, Wisconsin next week.  The Expo opens at Noon Thursday, September 6th and runs…

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HFHC August 2018 Newsletter

August 7, 2018  Inside this issue • Red Sky at Night… • Briefs: The Best in Forest Management News and Commentary • Commentary: Base Endangered Species Act rules on science, not ideology and emotion • Mapping America’s wildfires, smoke • Sign up for daily forestry news Red Sky at Night… by Steve Kariainen: HFHC Great Lakes Director Most of us…

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Southern Oregon suffering from worst air quality in the nation

Southern Oregon is suffering from the worst air quality in the nation. Oregon Department of Environmental Quality’s air monitoring stations have recorded air quality measurements ranging from “very unhealthy” to “hazardous.”  The situation has deteriorated to the point that officials are suggesting small children and pregnant women consider leaving the area. It doesn’t have to…

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Steve Kariainen: Red Sky at Night…

by Steve Kariainen: HFHC Great Lakes Director Most of us know, “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky in morning, sailor take warning.” There appears to be a scientific basis for the rhyme, as sunlight passing through dirty air is dispersed differently than clean air, meaning red sunsets often do predict nice weather for…

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Connecting forest products, forest health and access to public lands

The Southwest and Inter-Mountain West once had vibrant forest products industries that contributed to social, economic and environmental vitality of many communities.  That “forest infrastructure” was decimated as changes in federal forest management all but eliminated timber harvesting from national forests.  The costs of these policies continue to mount. Forests in these regions are rapidly deteriorating…

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Michael T. Rains: Letter to the President

Michael T. Rains, a retired Deputy Chief of the U.S. Forest Service and a board member of the National Wildfire Institute (NWI) shared the following letter with us. It is addressed to President Trump, reiterating the need for a national strategy to confront America’s wildfire crisis. Earlier this year NWI shared such a strategy with…

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