successes--our major accomplishments
Forest Values, Uses and Policies

New Technique to Determine Urea Levels in Wood Composites

Thomas L. Eberhardt (318-473-7274)
teberhardt@fs.fed.us

Urea is a common additive to the resin adhesives used by wood composite manufacturers; its low cost makes it a viable substitute to other resin components. The detection of urea in the manufacturing process is critical because high levels of urea cause product deficiencies. To determine urea levels, manufacturers measure nitrogen, a urea indicator, through elemental analyses. This method, although time consuming and not amenable to in-line production placement, has been traditionally used to detect detrimental changes in resin formulation.

SRS scientists have developed a new technique, using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy coupled with multivariate analysis, to rapidly determine the nitrogen content of adhesives with great accuracy. Scientists first assessed the utility of a facile sampling method, where liquid samples are applied directly on a diamond-attenuated total reflectance (ATR) accessory. A set of resins provided a calibration model with a correlation coefficient (R²) of 0.98 between the nitrogen values determined by an elemental analysis and the FTIR spectroscopy method. Scientists then used the FTIR method to determine the nitrogen values of a set of unknown test resins. The results of an elemental analysis of the same test resins, a correlation coefficient (R²) of 0.97, verified the strength of the model.

The technique, which has a provisional patent, can be applied for the same costs as other analytical equipment utilized by forest products companies. FTIR spectroscopic monitoring of urea levels allows manufacturers to continuously monitor and adjust their production process.
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From Wood Chips to Bioenergy

Leslie Groom (318-473-7267)
lgroom@fs.fed.us

SRS scientists are evaluating the efficiency of raw materials converted to bioenergy. The Biomax25, a type of gasifier, burns wood chips in an ash bed. The chips produce three combustible gases: methane, carbon monoxide, and hydrogen. The gases are fed directly into a modified diesel engine that powers a turbine, producing 25 kilowatts of electricity. Hurricanes, hazardous fuel reduction, and insect damage provide the salvage material used for wood chip samples.

SRS scientists are evaluating the effect of the raw materials on the yield of gases, and the utilization of ash, a by-product of the process, in soil remediation. The research has generated significant collaboration; partners have identified several unique opportunities to expand the reach of the initial work. The Winn Ranger District will evaluate the day-to-day performance of the overall system by using the gasifier as their source of electrical power. The Southern Region's State and Private Forestry will conduct a demonstration project, using salvage material from southern pine beetle control methods to provide wood chips. The BioMax25, constructed by the Community Power Corporation, will soon have a company-developed add-on component to convert the combustible gases to a transportable liquid fuel. The system itself is fully transportable and shows promise as an emergency response tool; it could provide electrical power using downed wood after a hurricane.
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Can Loblolly Decline be Predicted?

Emily A. Carter (334-826-8700, x41)
eacarter@fs.fed.us

Loblolly decline has been linked to the presence of soil fungal pathogens. The infectious capabilities of pathogens may be enhanced by specific soil conditions such as poor internal drainage and insufficient nutrient content. SRS scientists initiated a study to investigate the biological and site factors associated with loblolly pine trees in decline (symptomatic) and sites showing no evidence of disease (asymptomatic). Thirty-two plots were installed in three physiographic regions of Alabama; seven sites were asymptomatic and the remainder symptomatic.

Scientists tabulated data for soil physical properties related to bulk density, soil moisture, and particle size; soil chemical data related to soil nutrient content and pH were also tabulated. Cursory examination indicated that bulk density was slightly higher with increased depth in the symptomatic plots. This trend was also apparent when bulk density data was examined by physiographic region. Initial examination of soil chemical characteristics indicated soil pH to be in the acidic range, between 4.0 and 5.7, at sampled depths.

Soil nutrient indicators, base saturation (BS), effective cation exchange capacity (ECEC), and the calcium:aluminum (Ca:Al) balance were examined; BS and ECEC were consistently lower in symptomatic sites. Aluminum was fairly consistent at all depths regardless of tree symptoms. Examination of soil chemical data by region indicated elevated levels of each indicator in symptomatic sites. Comparison of the data based on fungal ratings indicated higher levels of BS and ECEC in subsoil layers, consistent with pathogenicity; elevated levels of Al appeared to be associated with healthy sites. These results provide basic knowledge to help understand why loblolly decline is more prevalent in some areas than in others. Maps of soil physical and chemical properties can identify forest areas that may be at a higher risk for this pathogen causing loblolly decline.
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Alternative Turnout Designs to Control Sediment

Johnny M. Grace (334-826-8700, x29)
jmgrace@fs.fed.us

SRS scientists have initiated a long-term water quality study to define expected sediment loads from forest roads. The control of sediment movement is an objective in most forestry Best Management Practices (BMPs), in spite of a lack of information documenting the effectiveness of prescribed practices in reducing sediment and nutrient loads in forest watersheds. This is primarily due to the complexity of assessing the effectiveness of erosion and sediment control, stormwater control, and BMPs in the forest setting. Designing and maintaining environmentally sustainable systems and monitoring techniques require additional work to evaluate potential impacts of forest operations and reductions realized from BMPs.

A study was recently installed on the Cherokee National Forest in north Georgia, with replicated treatments of alternative ditch turnout control methods such as sediment basins with riser control, settling basins, and hay bale barriers. The installation uses a system of tipping buckets, V-notch weirs, and water samplers to collect data. The study, although in its initial stages, has already impacted technology in this area; the unique installation methods were presented at the International Erosion Control Association Conference. Based on an assessment of the study installation method and approach, industry partners have contributed sufficient funding to nearly double the size of the project.
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Evaluation of Biomass Recovery and Chipping Costs of Forest Health Treatments

Dana Mitchell (334-826-8700, x23)
danamitchell@fs.fed.us

Forest health treatments focus on the removal of small diameter understory and hardwood encroachment. This prescription helps restore foraging habitat for wildlife, increase residual stand vigor, and may reduce wildfire risk. Unfortunately, most of the volume targeted for removal is only suitable for fuel chip product, with little market value. Managers must make a decision: remove the biomass in a stewardship contract or use alternatives such as mastication or pile burning to treat the material in the stand. To make a sound decision, accurate information about the production and cost of each alternative is imperative.

SRS scientists initiated a pilot project, in partnership with the Forest Service Oakmulgee Ranger District in Alabama, to assess the effect of material size and processing equipment on both production and cost. A 30-acre site was treated using a feller-buncher/skidder system, with a disk chipper at roadside. Productivity was about 30 green tons per hour; this is half of the potential productivity with larger material. Qualitative observations of performance identified organizational factors that affected system efficiency. The Oakmulgee District is using this data to develop a stewardship contract. This thinning project will be implemented in FY07 and will include a biomass utilization study. 
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Enhanced Forest Products Transportation Cost Model

Robert B. Rummer (334-826-8700, x22)
rrummer@fs.fed.us

The cost of transporting salvage material, particularly low-valued biomass such as wood chips, residues, and hog fuel, is a significant barrier to forest product recovery and utilization. Transportation often accounts for half of the total costs of material delivered to a wood-using facility. To identify the most cost-effective method, SRS scientists have developed a broadly applicable forest products transportation cost analysis model. This decision-support tool offers users unique alternatives, including two-stage hauling and pre-processing options.

The original transportation cost analysis model, developed from U.S. Intermountain West scenarios, proved useful in the analysis of biomass procurement in North Carolina, comparison of reconstruction and two-stage hauling in California, and the evaluation of transporting hurricane debris in Louisiana. User feedback over this fiscal year, while supporting the utility of the model, also provided suggestions for enhancements. Building on the original, scientists developed an enhanced version of the model; the spreadsheet-based decision support tool allows selection of alternative routing, equipment, and processing flow. It is user friendly, with online instructions, utilities for moisture content conversions, and user-definable equipment costs. Enhancements include a national selection of species and product types, refined travel speed estimation, better equipment costing, and a wider selection of equipment options. Funding from the Southern Region’s State & Private Forestry supported the development of this national tool.
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Community Benefits Generated by Timber Activities on National Forests

Steverson Moffat (504-589-7133)
smoffat@fs.fed.us

SRS scientists designed a study to evaluate the social and economic impacts of the wide array of Forest Service management activities on national forests. The research examines benefits that accrue from Forest Service management activities at both the contractor and subcontractor levels. Over 200 interviews were completed with timber sale purchasers and service contractors in six national forests across the United States. The results provide important information to better understand actual and perceived impacts of Forest Service management activities on forest-based communities.

Interview results with timber sale purchasers identified several direct benefits to local communities:
• A significant percentage of timber purchasers are small businesses.
• A significant percentage of their direct and subcontract employees come from the local area.
• A significant percentage of timber sale volume purchased from the Forest Service is sold and /or processed locally (25 miles from business operation) or regionally (150 miles from business operation).
Interview results with service contractors identified fewer direct benefits to local communities.
• Although a significant percentage of service contractors are small businesses, there is a large degree of employment variability due to the seasonal fluctuations in work offerings.
• Large mobile companies provide the most employment; however such employment is also the most seasonal and involves the most travel and time away from home.
• Smaller contractors tend to employ fewer people and are less likely to work away from home.
This approach to analyzing Forest Service timber sale and service contracting programs will improve the Agency’s ability to accomplish its land management goals, and contribute to the sustainability of neighboring rural communities.
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Financial Incentive Programs Play a Limited Role in Promoting Sustainable Forestry

John L. Greene (504-589-7130)
jgreene01@fs.fed.us

SRS scientists led a team that identified existing and potential incentives for practicing sustainable forestry on non-industrial private forest lands; the study was sponsored by the National Commission on Science for Sustainable Forestry. The purpose was two-fold: (1) to determine whether existing financial incentive programs, many of which use approaches dating back to the 1940s and 50s, promote sustainable management on the nation’s non-industrial private forests; and (2) to identify prospective new program directions.

A key finding of the study is that financial incentive programs currently play a limited role in promoting sustainable forestry practices on non-industrial private forests. This is not due to a structural disconnect between incentive programs and the practice of sustainable forestry; it is due to the fact that the programs play a minor role in the decision forest owners make regarding the management and use of their land.

Another key is that in spite of regional differences, three findings were identified in all four regions:
• The highest program priority among forest owners is one-on-one access to a forester or other natural resource professional to “walk the land” with them.
• The most effective way to increase the impact of financial incentive programs is to ensure adequate funding and stable program requirements over time.
• There is a need for flexibility in financial incentive programs to address regional differences in forest characteristics and landowner objectives.
The research team developed nine recommendations from the study regarding the design and implementation of prospective financial incentive programs. Another product of the study is an online catalog of the financial incentive programs available in each State, located at http://www.srs.fs.usda.gov/econ/data/forestincentives/.
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Economic Simulators for Two Growth and Yield Models

Rodney L. Busby (504-589-7128)
rbusby@fs.fed.us

Understanding the economic implications of forest management activities is vitally important to forest landowners as they make plans for long-term forestry investments. SRS scientists developed two models to help landowners and consultants evaluate alternative forestry investments. The first, VB Merchslash, is a growth and yield modeling system that allows one to model both the growth in volume and the value of slash pine in the West Gulf region. A unique feature, merchandising routines were added to the slash pine simulator. The second model, VB Merchlob, is an update, in Visual Basic, of the previously released COMPUTE_MERCHLOB. VB Merchlob models the growth in volume and value of loblolly pine plantations in the West Gulf. Both models are available in CD format; they can run on a personal computer, as well as on the Internet at http://www.rnr.lsu.edu/merchlob/.
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Timber Salvage in the Wake of Disasters

Jeffrey Prestemon (919-549-4013)
jprestemon@fs.fed.us

In the aftermath of a catastrophic event, forest landowners are left with concerns about the current value of their damaged timber and uncertainty about the future market. SRS scientists have evaluated policy and management options for treating post-disaster timber salvage. Initial research addressed damage from hurricanes, insect outbreaks, and fire; it resulted in a theoretical model to describe the short- and long-term effects of catastrophic events on timber prices. This post-hurricane salvage research was recently highlighted in U.S. Senate testimony. The model was cited as an effective decision tool for the thousands of forest landowners trying to decide how and when to harvest their trees after Hurricane Katrina.

SRS scientists further developed the initial research to evaluate management options in the wake of two of the largest fires in recent history: the Bitterroot fire complex in western Montana and the Biscuit Fire in Oregon. Building on this study, they published new research focused on the economics of expediency, which outlined the large public policy question regarding salvage on national forests and other public lands. The study evaluated the economic impacts of delayed salvage, including the costs of delay through analysis and litigation, on public lands following catastrophic wildfires. In April 2006, the Congressional Budget Office used this research as the basis for an assessment of the effects of expedited timber salvage on national forests. The findings were also used in discussions of a U.S. House bill intended to expedite salvage harvesting from public land.
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The Effects of Global Market Forces on Forest Product Markets in the South

David N. Wear (919-549-4011)
dwear@fs.fed.us

In the aftermath of a catastrophic event, forest landowners are left with concerns about the current value of their damaged timber and uncertainty about the future market. SRS scientists have evaluated policy and management options for treating post-disaster timber salvage. Initial research addressed damage from hurricanes, insect outbreaks, and fire; it resulted in a theoretical model to describe the short- and long-term effects of catastrophic events on timber prices. This post-hurricane salvage research was recently highlighted in U.S. Senate testimony. The model was cited as an effective decision tool for the thousands of forest landowners trying to decide how and when to harvest their trees after Hurricane Katrina.

SRS scientists further developed the initial research to evaluate management options in the wake of two of the largest fires in recent history: the Bitterroot fire complex in western Montana and the Biscuit Fire in Oregon. Building on this study, they published new research focused on the economics of expediency, which outlined the large public policy question regarding salvage on national forests and other public lands. The study evaluated the economic impacts of delayed salvage, including the costs of delay through analysis and litigation, on public lands following catastrophic wildfires. In April 2006, the Congressional Budget Office used this research as the basis for an assessment of the effects of expedited timber salvage on national forests. The findings were also used in discussions of a U.S. House bill intended to expedite salvage harvesting from public land.
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Hemlock Wooly Adelgid Impacts Property Values

Thomas P. Holmes (919-549-4031)
tholmes@fs.fed.us

SRS scientists have discovered a statistically significant relationship between hemlock health and residential property values in New Jersey. The study evaluated the economic impact of hemlock mortality, caused by the hemlock wooly adelgid, on residential properties. Scientists noted direct negative effects on parcels where the declining hemlock stands are located, as well as spillover impacts from hemlock decline on neighboring properties.

The finding of spillover, or landscape level impacts, indicates that broader groups, such as neighborhood associations, should be engaged to address the issue. Although the potential efficacy of control methods for hemlock wooly adelgid is not clear at this time, these results provide insights into the benefits of control programs and strategies. The results of this study provide the first empirically based estimates of the economic impacts of this exotic insect pest.
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Outdoor Recreation Trends

H. Ken Cordell (706-559-4263)
kcordell@fs.fed.us

This research continued a national partnership between Federal agencies, States and three universities to study the activity, participation, and recreation lifestyles of Americans. Numerous products have resulted from this comprehensive assessment. A Web-based, interactive database provides recreation participation, down to the county level, for all States. Estimates of 81 outdoor activities, broken out in 30 demographic strata, have been developed for each national forest, providing critical information on outdoor recreation demand. Reports, including Internet search links, are now available for each national forest.

SRS scientists projected future recreation use and demand on 90 national forests; this was done in conjunction with the National Forest System Recreation Infrastructure Facilities Master Plan. Scientists also estimated the value of recreation access to the National Forest System and examined public opinion regarding user fees on public lands. The assessment also produced a national model to examine constraints to outdoor recreation by the American public.

Scientists also examined recreation use by Mexican and Chinese minority groups. Results showed Chinese immigrant participation is distinguished only slightly from Mexican immigrant participation; no differences were found between U.S.-born Chinese Americans and U.S.-born Mexican Americans. Results of this study are intended to help raise awareness among environmental professionals on both the different ways nature is perceived by various cultural groups, and the important role natural resources can play in acculturating immigrants to U.S. society.
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The Multiple Values of Wilderness

H. Ken Cordell (706-559-4263)
kcordell@fs.fed.us

SRS scientists published a nation-wide assessment of the public values of the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS). The assessment was published as a book entitled The Multiple Values of Wilderness. Designed to inform policymakers, the book represents the work of a national panel of expert scientists. The focus is to provide a comprehensive view of the range of values Americans hold toward the NWPS. Replicable, science-based evidence of different types of wildnerness values are presented.

Established by Congress in 1964, the NWPS initially included 54 areas and a little over 9.1 million acres; since then, over 600 more areas and almost 100 million more acres have been added. These additions came early on; additions are now coming more slowly amidst questions about the efficacy of continued protection of Federal lands as wilderness versus more utilitarian or commercial uses of these wild lands. The Multiple Values of Wilderness aims to examine where wilderness, as a concept and a land management system, fits into modern society.
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Two Rural Communities Respond to Urban Growth Initiatives

Cassandra Y. Johnson (706-559-4270)
cjohnson09@fs.fed.us

SRS scientist explored the responses of two rural communities to urban growth initiatives in coastal South Carolina. The majority of citizens in a lower income town are African American; the majority of citizens in a neighboring town are white. The research examines the ways in which race and socio-economic status combine to produce markedly different responses to urban expansion. A better understanding of the response to expanding urbanization in rural areas is critical because of the obvious threat to the natural environment and potential threat to the culture and value systems of residents.

Results suggest that urban growth is more welcomed by area blacks because of the need among this population for economic improvement. Whites, in contrast, are more likely to be better off financially and view added infrastructure, such as public water and sewer, as attracting unwanted development. The urgent need for potable water among many in the African-American community and a relative lack of engagement with the area’s natural resources are among the factors differentiating black/white responses to growth.

Municipal leaders in the majority black town have refused to sign an accord with other area municipalities to limit growth near the Francis Marion National Forest. While acknowledging the necessity of preserving the area’s ecological integrity, town leaders contend that economic growth is vital to their town’s survival. Black leaders see added infrastructure as a type of environmental justice owed to poor blacks who have lived for generations with dilapidated housing and contaminated water. Whites, on the other hand, stress the need to preserve the area’s rural characteristics and traditional ways of life.

Future forest management will be impacted by the town’s growth; for this reason, managers need to understand the various, often conflicting goals motivating area communities, and develop constructive dialogues with various constituencies.
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Installation and Inventory of Urban Forest Effects (UFORE) Plots

Wayne Zipperer (352-376-4576)
wzipperer@fs.fed.us

The previously developed Urban Forest Effects computer model, known as UFORE, was designed to help managers and researchers quantify the structure and functions of urban forests. UFORE quantifies effects by using standardized field data from randomly located plots, hourly air pollution and meteorological data, and numerous urban forest effects for cities across the world. The plot installed in Gainesville, FL, is one of the first studies of this type for a medium-sized city in the Southeastern United States.

The model calculates numerous attributes about the urban forest, including: species composition, diameter distribution, tree health, species diversity, and exotic vs. native species distribution. The model also calculates various forest functions and values related to tree effects on air pollution, greenhouse gases and global warming, pollen, and building energy use.

The information collected by UFORE will provide a better understanding of existing urban forest cover, structure, and composition in Gainesville, and how this cover will change in the future. The information will allow the town to quantify, in a simple, accurate and cost effective method, their urban forest structure and its effect on air quality and atmospheric carbon dioxide.
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Flammability of Common Garden Mulches

Wayne Zipperer (352-376-4576)
wzipperer@fs.fed.us

This study measures the rate of spread and heat release for fires moving through four common southern mulches under natural conditions. The mulches are also combined with gallberry shrubs planted at several densities to determine how mulches contribute to shrub, and ultimately structure, ignitions. For each of the mulches and shrub/mulch combinations, several drying schedules will provide insight into the value of irrigation for reducing fire risk close to structures. Mulch and shrub flammability will be repeated under controlled conditions in a national fire lab and the results of both studies will provide important information for new models that will be used for predicting fire spread and structural ignitions in a variety of landscape conditions.

Upon completion of this study, the knowledge gained about flammability characteristics of landscape plantings will help answer important questions such as:
• What are the flammability characteristics of plantings with different compositions and heights?
• How do drought and irrigation affect flammability characteristics?
• What are the effects of planting designs on structural ignitions?
This study is being well received by the local community. The Gainesville Sun wrote an article about the study on May 19, 2006 titled “Researchers Test Fire-wise Landscaping.” The entire article can be viewed at: http://www.gainesville.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060519/LOCAL/205190331/1078/news&template=printart
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Land Use Change Literature Review

Ed Macie (404-347-1647)
emacie@fs.fed.us

The purpose of this literature review of land use changes was to collect and synthesize the best available science in order to provide a foundation for developing a position paper that is credible and readily adopted by the Forest Service Southern Region and partners.

When the Southern Forest Resource Assessment was published in 2002, it represented the existing knowledge of the loss of ecosystem services and the degradation of forest health associated with changing land use. This literature review focused on land use changes that result in the loss of functioning ecosystems. For example, as population increases in a forested area, there is a decrease in tract size which results in the loss of forest cover. The loss of forest cover may result in the loss of ecological services associated with large forested tracts. The two topics covered were:

 

Other Significant Accomplishments

Advanced in-house, high-yield sugar conversion technology that utilizes high temperature with addition of oxidizing agents during cellulose hydrolysis.

Developed a new method for the removal of CCA components from spent CCA-treated wood using wood liquefaction technology.

Continued the development of wood liquefaction technology for the production of novolac resins, to be used in the fabrication of a high performance, biodegradable molded products.

Continued development of a polyisocyanate urea resin system for bonding preservative-treated panel products.

Established the first phase of engineering data on physical and mechanical properties of tapered wood, laminated composite poles with bio-mimicking bamboo features.

Provided the first images of cellulose fibril orientation on spiculate stone cells from bark, under investigation as a model for nanocomposites based on biomass resources.

Characterized the cell wall chemistry of an invasive species, Chinese tallow tree, to demonstrate its suitability for use in wood composites along with other low-density domestic hardwoods.

Continued development of a stormwater filtration medium based on wood fiber treated with an anionic polymer and an iron salt.

Demonstrated the first application of gadolinium salts as contrast agents for the imaging of wood defect by magnetic resonance.

Developed a hardwood tree stem bucking optimizer and training tool (HW-Buck).

Determined the detection of wetwood possibilities using ultrasound.

Produced a user’s manual on generating logs for hardwood log sawing simulators.
Evaluated mastication treatment of Chinese privet, an invasive exotic species.

Developed new standards for machine operator protection.

Examined the impact of the Federal estate tax on non-industrial private forest owners and provided updates to forest landowners via workshops and publications.

Examined small-scale family forestry ownership in the United States, with an emphasis on the implications for forestry management.

Evaluated the potential impacts of large scale fuel reduction programs on timber markets in the Western United States.

Developed a modeling structure to examine the effects of amenity resources (parks, trails, water) on urban property values.
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Partnership Highlights

Focused Land Management Training for Underserved Landowners

John Schelhas (334-727-8131)
jschellas@fs.fed.us

Historically, forestry outreach and Extension professionals have only reached a small percentage of forest landowners. Minority and limited resource landowners, in particular, have been underserved by traditional programs. Forests provide many important benefits to individuals and society and many of these benefits can be enhanced through forest management. Today, it is more important than ever that our forestry programs reach as many landowners as possible.

The traditional one-on-one forester-to-landowner Extension model has many benefits, and it will remain a keystone of forestry extension and outreach programs. Yet, to broaden our reach, there is also a need to promote community-based approaches. To be effective, these new approaches must:
• Be rooted in existing social networks and community relationships
• Build new connections in communities
• Involve landowner-to-landowner exchanges
• Involve and create linkages among public, non-profit, and private foresters.

In 2004, the USDA Forest Service, Cooperative Forestry Office, provided funding to Alabama A&M University and the Southern Research Station for a pilot project to develop and test new methods of reaching underserved forest landowners. In FY 2006, this project carried out eight workshops involving on-farm forest management training through community-based groups. The workshops were organized by forestry faculty and students from Alabama A&M University; they were cooperative efforts that brought together landowners, foresters, and organizations.

Landowner participation, particularly the attendance of landowners that had never been involved in forestry programs, was facilitated by the community groups that hosted the workshops. University, Federal and State agencies, non-profit organizations, and private foresters also participated in the workshops to provide direct technical assistance.
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Wooden Pallets Reduce Need for New Wood

Philip A. Araman (540-231-5341)
paraman@fs.fed.us

Wood pallet research and development, a longstanding partnership project of the Station, has increased the recovery, repair, reuse, and recycling of pallets. Research on the strength properties of recovered pallet parts and repaired and rebuilt pallets has been conducted through a partnership with the Pallet Research Laboratory and the Center for Forest Products Marketing, both at Virginia Tech, and the National Wooden Pallet and Container Association. The studies allowed Virginia Tech to expand the Pallet Design System, being used by the industry, to include the ability of recyclers to rebuild pallets with appropriate strength and performance specifications. The partnership monitors and provides information on new pallet production and the pallet situation in U.S. landfills, providing the only source of this type of data. The recovery, repair, reuse, and recycling of pallets by industry, largely supported by the information and technology provided through the partnership, has increased from 51 million pallets in 1992 to 280 million pallets last year. This has saved approximately 42 million trees, 12-inches in diameter, from being cut down each year to produce new pallets.
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Key International Activities

Phil Araman was invited to Bolivia to assist with an industrial development project sponsored by the United States Agency for International Development. The project will enable the construction of a modern and efficient sawmill complex to improve forest management and sawmill products in Bolivia.

James M. Bowker participated in a field study in New Zealand to examine sustainable societies and ecosystems; the study was coordinated by the University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources.

H. Ken Cordell was invited as the keynote speaker for several functions this year -- the National Conference of Outdoor Recreation and Well-being; the Recreation Research Outlook Seminar in Helsinki, Finland; and the European Union COST E33 Conference in in Bavaria, Germany.

H. Ken Cordell presented plenary presentations to the World Wilderness Congress in Anchorage, Alaska; this was in partnership with the Leopold Wilderness Research Institute and the International Wild Foundation.

Johnny Grace presented a paper at the International Erosion Control Association Conference on the unique installation methods he developed as part of a long-term water quality study.

Bob Rummer served as the U.S. technical advisory group chairman for the International Standards Organization, Forestry Equipment Standards Subcommittee. As the project leader for three U.S. and ISO forest equipment standards, his role is to promote consistency among standards and enhance collaboration.

John Schelhas and Cassandra Y. Johnson co-organized a session titled “Race, Ethnicity, and Natural Resources in the United States: the Politics of Representation,” at the 12th International Symposium on Society and Resource Management. Johnson also presented findings from the National Survey on Recreation and the Environment on ethnic minority and immigrant use and perceptions of the National Wilderness Preservation System at the conference.

David Wear was invited to be a member of an expert team on forest resources and policy that visited the Peoples Republic of China on a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service exchange.
Wayne Zipperer gave a presentation at the 1st European Conference on Conservation Biology in Eger, Hungary.
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Awards

In recognition of his sustained career productivity and leadership as a scientist, H. Ken Cordell was named Pioneering Scientist for the Station.

Annie Hermansen-Báez received the Gold Award for Training Materials Development in recognition of her outstanding work in creating Changing Roles, a wildland-urban interface professional development program.

Robin K. Stidham received the Station Director’s Award for continued excellence in providing business operations support.

David Wear received the Station Director’s Award for his proactive approach to customer service by conducting innovative research to answer critical questions regarding major changes in the forest economy
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