Friday has arrived and so has our weekly Forest Digest!
Here’s this week’s news in trees:
- “Through Urban Forestry 2020, Schools Aim to Advance Urban Forestry Profession” — National Association of State Foresters
Urban forests are in for assistance from some higher education. Universities in Maryland, Virginia, and West Virginia are collaborating with the goal of improving the urban forestry profession by understanding the issues within the field. - “Borneo deforested 30 percent over past 40 years” — ScienceDaily
Decades of deforestation, fires, and logging have taken their toll on forests in Borneo. New research indicates that the percent of forest area on the island has decreased at a rate two times faster than anywhere else in the world. - “Could Autoluminescent Trees Be The Streetlights Of The Future?” — HuffPost Green
The future looks bright, thanks to glowing trees! Scientists and enthusiasts alike are attempting to advance autoluminescent, or self-glowing, plants and trees so they can be utilized in place of electric lights. - “Forests as important as farming for some rural communities” — MongaBay.com
Never underestimate the power of the tree. A study from the Poverty and Environment Network endeavors to describe the value that forests have to people’s livelihoods. - “Rare Florida Forest to be Bulldozed and Turned into Wal-Mart” — Nature World News
In a controversial decision, the University of Miami sold 88 acres of Miami-Dade forest to a local developer that plans to build on the land. The company agreed to reserve 40 acres of the forest for a wildlife preserve; however, this project has raised concern among federal officials and environmentalists. - “Montana Governor Unveils ‘Forests in Focus’ Initiative” — National Association of State Foresters
Montana trees are in luck! The state’s governor announced a new program that will advance reforestation, improve watershed protection, and repair wildlife habitat in public and private forests.