Progress 04/01/24 to 03/31/25
Outputs
Target Audience:During this reporting period, our resilient and sustainable forestry promotion effots reached out to a) Field foresters and resource managers, b) Industry professionals and consulting foresters, c) Cooperative Extension specialists, associates and county agents, d) NGO professionals and forestry associations, e) Professional society organizations and working groups, e) State, regional, and national professional associations, f) African American forest landowners and professionals/ technicians who serve them. Changes/Problems:The project had two turnovers at the post-doc and Extension associate levels. The post-doc (research associate) position has already been replaced, but the Extension association position is on hold due to the reduction in budgets at Clemson University. We have completed the interviews and identified a suitable candidate but are waiting for the go-ahead from the University administration. One of the Co-PIs has moved to a different University that is not in the project area. It had a minimal impact on the project & the relevant work was reassigned--no specific budget was involved. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The PIs and CO-PIs were able to participate in workshops, conferences, and meetings over the year. These included the International Society of Forest Resource Economics, Society of Amerian Foresters (local, regional, and state levels), the Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals National Conference, and an Alabama Association of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting, among others. Opportunities for professional development included industry groups, government organizations, and universities. We have worked to find collaborators in these spaces and have been successful in this goal. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Multiple methods have been used to disseminate information gathered to the target auidences. Presentations (both oral and poster) and panel discussions have been given at conferences and meetings to discuss project findings. Additionally, webinars, workshops, presentations, extension articles, and journal articles were produced by PIs and CO-PIs to communicate results. Notably, a module-based training is under preparation for providing a curriculum-based outreach education opportunity and peer learning among professionals in the southern region. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?During the next reporting period, we will update on the module-based curriculum and training outcomes. Some of the activites that's been started will continue, including a) provide resilient forestry workshops, Extension toolkits, and online modules: We plan to continue to offer workshops and training on CSF practices in South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia. These workshops allow people from varied forest backgrounds to earn continuing education credits and learn updated information from new research. We also plan to create an online module on this topic, which can provide continuing education credits in a more flexible format. Educational resources used in the Extension toolkits (including factsheets, tools, and presentations) will be updated and compiled to be more user-friendly. b)Disseminating scientific research: We will hold regular webinars to widely disseminate findings related to resilient and sustainable forestry in the southeast. Some of these have already occurred, and future webinars will focus on topics identified in the needs assessment survey. We will also update our website and social media presence with new results to reach a wide audience. We will also continue to publish peer-reviewed studies and white papers on forest disturbances and resilient practices to demonstrate and disseminate emerging knowledge.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
The project aims to improve the understanding of the forestry professionals and Extension agents on emerging knowledge, practices, and tools on climate-smart forestry by increasing their access to science-based, region-specific content tailored to the South using a collaborative approach among multiple states. The project goals will be accomplished by designing a need-based Extension program, creating module-based educational resources and training, and providing educational workshops and demonstration tours for enhanced learning. To synthesize our best understanding of climate change effects on forests in the southern region, we accomplished the following activities in this reporting period: a) We drafted 20 peer-review articles (13 published, three under review, and four under preparation) on topics tailored to the southern region. These papers provided science-based knowledge on forest disturbances, forest productivity change, carbon market and financing opportunities, and useful forest technologies for resilient planning. Some articles were published through University Cooperative Extension Systems to increase their access to the audience groups. b) We completed a needs assessment survey of the forestry professionals and Extension agents in the southern region. The Qualtrics survey was sent using a regional listserv of professionals evaluating their current understanding of resilient forestry, perceived gaps, and readiness to implement adaptive strategies. Key findings reveal that 41.3% of professionals rated their stewardship knowledge as "Good," and only 16.4% considered it "Excellent," indicating significant room for improvement. A strong consensus (45.2%) recognized the need for "a moderate amount of change" in current forestry practices. Emerging concepts like ecosystem-based management and resilience strategies require deeper integration into training programs. Barriers to resilient forestry included limited training opportunities, economic uncertainties, and policy gaps. c)We drafted & finalized a training curriculum on resilient and sustainable forestry in the working forests. This module-based training curriculum will cover a range of topics, including a review of current environmental disturbances and sustainability of working forests, an evaluation of the sensitivity of forests to emerging disturbances and impacts, carbon forestry and financing opportunities, and adaptation and resilient forestry practices.The project is focused on developing the resources (notes, presentations, audio/video, and assessment quizzes) to offer self-service and in-person options for the module training. To provide peer-reviewed resources and continuing education credits on climate smart forestry for the target audience, we accomplished the following activities in this reporting period: a)We created 13 educational opportunities (6 workshops, 4 webinars, 3 demonstration events) to provide science-based resources to the project audience groups. These events focused on disseminating the emerging knowledge, practices, and tools on climate-smart forestry to the landowners, professionals, and Extension agents who would share or use this information with forest landowners for resilient forestry planning. b)We provided 15 presentations at local, regional, and national meetings focusing on emerging knowledge, practices, and tools for practicing climate-smart forestry in the southern region. Besides, we created an organized panel focusing on resilient and adaptive forestry at the Southern Region Forestry, Wildlife, and Natural Resource Extension Meeting for regional networking with Extension specialists, agents, and professionals for impactful collaboration and Extension programming. Data collected: As many as 672 individuals attended all outreach events, although there are likely repeats between events. Where possible, attendants were asked to answer survey questions to gauge audience thoughts. From the two webinars conducted by Auburn University in Alabama, 100% of attendants reported an increase in knowledge of resilient forestry after both events, and 68% and 81% of attendants said they would implement something they learned on their land. These events also allow us to directly communicate with groups of interest and disseminate resources/ gauge educational needs. The needs assessement survey was complete and recevied response from 217 individuals in the region.This data will be analyzed, reported, and used to inform the curriculum design and module contents specific to the southern region. Professionals who attended webinars and workshops for continuing education credits learned about CSF, implementation tactics, and resources available to them. These programs generated 71 continuing education credits to professionals, extension agents, and land managers. These programs were highly rated by participants (one was 4/5 stars, and another had 100% of participants report they left with increased knowledge of resilient forestry), which highlights the content quality and effectiveness of communication. Results:Consulting foresters, forest landowners, forestry professionals, and extension agents learned about resilient forestry and got actionable advice on implementing adaptive management initiatives. By providing information and resources to these target audiences, we promote resilient and sustainable forestry to those who make management decisions on forestlands in the Southeast. Forming professional relationships, connecting individual forest managers to resources, and communicating the most recent scientific research builds a foundation for individuals and organizations to adopt CSF practices. Between 68 and 81% of workshop participants answered that they plan to implement resilient practices.
Publications
- Type:
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Sharma, S.; Beslity, J.O.; Rustad, L.; Shelby, L.J.; Manos, P.T.; Khanal, P.; Reinmann, A.B.; Khanal, C. Remote Sensing and GIS in Natural Resource Management: Comparing Tools and Emphasizing the Importance of In-Situ Data. Remote Sens. 2024, 16, 4161
- Type:
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Sharma, S.; Khanal, P. Forest Fire Prediction: A Spatial Machine Learning and Neural Network Approach. Fire 2024, 7, 205.
- Type:
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Sharma, S.; Wait, D. A.; Khanal, C.; & Khanal, P. (2025). Native bamboo Arundinaria gigantea restoration for climate smart land management: A review. Advances in Bamboo Science, 100125.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2025
Citation:
Sharma, S., Khanal, P.N, and Clay, L. 2025. Sustainable Forestry Practices for Carbon Storage at Clemson Experimental Forest. Oral presentation at the 2025 Annual Symposium of the International Society of Forest Resource Economics, March 10-12, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2025
Citation:
Sharma, S., Khanal, P.N, and Clay, L. 2025. Forest Above-Ground Biomass Estimation Using Remote Sensing and Machine Learning: A Case Study at Clemson Experimental Forest. Oral presentation at the 2025 Annual Symposium of the BSSRC, March 17-20, Greenville, South Carolina.
- Type:
Other Journal Articles
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2025
Citation:
Sharma, S., Clabo, D., Khanal, P. 2024. Climate-Smart Forestry in Georgia. The University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources 2025.
- Type:
Peer Reviewed Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Sharma, S., & P. Khanal.2024. Assessing Land-Cover Change and Urbanization Impact on Riparian Zones in South Carolina: A Decade of Transition. Land 2024, 13, 2232.
- Type:
Other Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Schweisthal, S., Maggard, A., and Shephard, N. 2024. Effective Climate-Smart Forestry: Carbon Cycle & Storage Options. Alabama Cooperative Extension System. FOR-2167
- Type:
Other Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Schweisthal, S., Maggard, A., and Shephard, N. 2024. Effective Climate-Smart Forestry: Carbon Tunnel Vision. Alabama Cooperative Extension System. FOR-2168
- Type:
Other Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Parajuli, M., Cristan, R., Maggard, A., and Gallagher, T. 2024. Woody Biomass Harvesting Practices & Biomass Markets in Alabama. Alabama Cooperative Extension System. FOR-2162
- Type:
Other Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2025
Citation:
Parajuli, M., Cristan, R., Maggard, A., and Gallagher, T. 2024. Woody Biomass/Energy Chipping Operations in Alabama. Alabama Cooperative Extension System. FOR-2160.
- Type:
Other Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Dickens, E., Clabo, D., Waldrop, C., Ingram, S., & Sawyer, A. 2024. Leaning and uprooted pine recovery after a major storm event. WSFNR-24-28A. University of Georgia, Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources. Athens, GA.
- Type:
Other Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Clabo, D.2024. Midrotation Removal: A Beneficial Management Practice for Mature Oak Forests. Warnell Outreach.
- Type:
Other Journal Articles
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2024
Citation:
Clabo, D., Dickens, E., & Moorhead, D. 2024. Longleaf pine seed source impacts on seedling performance in southern Georgia through age 10-years. WSFNR-24-29C. University of Georgia Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources. Athens, GA.
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Progress 04/01/23 to 03/31/24
Outputs
Target Audience:Target audiences reached this year Conservation professionals and natural resources managers- conservation organizations focusing on forest ecosystems and sustainable practices in South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama. We also interacted with their local implementation teams and leaders about the state of climate-resilient resource management. NGOs and forestry associations, the agencies focusing on sustainability and stewardship practices in working forests. State and national forestry agencies, we interacted with experts focusing on climate and forest disturbance topics. Working groups and regional networks (such as fire networks and fire tigers) serving private and public sector forestry professionals. Forest managers, field foresters, and Extension Agents at private and public agencies. Consulting foresters and industry professionals serving private forest landowners and forest industries. Local, regional, and national forestry professionals' networks and associations. Held multiple focus group meetings with forestry technicians and extension professionals serving African American forest landowners and Heirs' property owners. PI supported a sustainable forestry demonstration tour for African American forest landowners in South Carolina. Acts or process used to reach the audiences: Workshops and trainings Extension and outreach materials Development of a climate-smart forestry curriculum Webinars and focus group meetings Presentations and panel discussions Local and national conference participation and presentations Website and social media posts, like Facebook Establishment of Southern Climate Smart Forestry Working Group Changes/Problems: Grant processing and budget release delay:The grant initiation process went a little slow at the beginning to set up everything right and complete the sub-award contracts with four different university administrations and grant offices. Staff hiring delays and challenges finding the right candidate: The project must fill two positions at a post-doc and a project manager level. These positions needed previous training on climate change, southern forestry issues, and Extension training, which was a very specific requirement. Finding the right candidate was challenging, given the remuneration offered in this project. The positions were readvertised with somewhat relaxed requirements to find acceptable candidates. Finding a post-doc with the specific academic training needed for this project has proved more challenging in today's competitive job market for advanced degree candidates. IRB approval delay for completing the needs survey in the first year. An educational needs assessment survey needed approval from all three state universities involved due to the socio-economic details and data collection process. It delayed data collection by a few months. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The PI/Co-PIs and other project professionals participated in multiple workshops, meetings, and conferences. This year, there was a major emphasis on getting recognized and establishing working relationships with various experts, potential partners, and collaborators. PI/Co-PIs and students attended regional and national conventions of the Society of American Foresters. CO-PIs participated in the Alabama Association of Natural Resource Extension Professionals and Alabama Landowners Conference. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Multiple approaches disseminated information about climate-smart forestry to the communities of interest. First, participation and presentations at various professional meetings - we have provided panel presentations and poster displays during SAF and APSAF conventions and meetings attended. Second, Co-PIs offered webinars/workshops and presentations and produced journal publications and extension articles. Finally, focus group meetings were held with the interested communities to find their need and interest in climate-smart forestry. Finally, the project manager has updated social media with content produced by climate-smart forestry contributors. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Climate-smart forestry needs assessment survey and train-the-trainer module: A need assessment survey has been drafted and scheduled for data collection this summer. IRB approval for the survey has already been received from Clemson University, while other partner institutions are currently reviewing it. We will use the information to build a curriculum and training module for southern forestry and ecoregions. This learning module will enable us to align topics and delivery formats that are useful to the target audience. Regional training will be offered using the module and learning resources. Climate-smart forestry workshops and Extension toolkits:We plan to offer workshops and training on climate-smart and resilient forestry in all three participating states. This year, a few workshops have already been provided, but we plan to standardize the curriculum and technical focus to make them more valuable and applicable to our target audiences. These state workshops allow professionals and managers, foresters and loggers, and Extension agents to earn relevant continuing education credits in their respective states. We also plan to increase the publication of Extension toolkits (factsheets, presentations, web content) throughout the year. Compiling educational resources already available for use in our learning module is already ongoing & will be used to identify knowledge gaps and a new toolkit that needs to be developed. Increasing communication and dissemination of results:Quarterly Webinar to widely disseminate results on climate-smart forestry in the south -We have already done a few rounds of meetings to identify its score and delivery platform to offer that is widely accessible to our target audience. We plan to start it in August this year. Preparations are underway to release the annual project report and release for broader dissemination through our project webpage and social media. The project web and social media pages have already been designed and launched.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Goal 1 accomplishments (Promote long-term sustainable forest management through training that synthesizes our best understanding of climate change effects on forests in the southern region). Major activities completed / experiments conducted: We designed and delivered presentations at local and regional meetings on southern region-specific climate-smart forestry issues: Multiple poster and oral presentations at local and national conferences regarding the need for climate-smart forestry to maintain productivity and increase the climate mitigation role of southern forests. In the first year of this project, it was crucial to connect with relevant audience groups, institutions, and experts to get recognized and build working relationships. Delivered extension workshops and webinars for professionals and Extension agents - In the first year of this project, we offered multiple seminars and webinars on highly relevant topics to offer our best understanding of the resilient and sustainable management of various ecosystems in the south. A few notable examples include a webinar on climate smartforestry and biochar benefits, a training on shortleaf pine natural regeneration, and a training on sustainable pine forest management basics. Established Climate Smart Forestry and Working Group and Project Advisory Committee - A thematic working group for the professionals focusing on sustainable and resilient forestry in the south is formed to coordinate and communicate among the regional professionals. The group is titled Southeast Resilient Forests of North America (SERFN). In addition, an external advisory board is formed with relevant experts from the public, private, government, and NGOs focusing on climate change, forest disturbances, and resilient forestry in the south. Conducted focus group meeting with professionals and organizations serving African American landowners: Held three focus group meetings with forestry professionals serving African American forest landowners and Heirs property owners. It was an essential step for developing audience-based educational materials on implementing climate-smart forestry principles. Extension workshops will consider professionals and landowners, including women and African American audience groups. We have drafted a needs assessment survey and received IRB approval. The survey instrument is designed to identify the target audience's educational needs and train them to implement climate-smart forestry principles and practices in the southern region. A draft survey instrument has already received IRB approval for the pilot test and wider dissemination afterward for data collection this spring and summer. The survey instrument will guide focus group meetings with professionals at minority-serving institutions who may not be accessible through the traditional survey approach. Synthesizing existing research studies, Extension toolkits, and climate impact evaluation tools: We are currently compiling current understanding of climate change effects on forests in the southern region. It systematically evaluates existing research and extension publications relevant to the practice foresters, agents, and professionals for passing new knowledge and techniques to their clientele. We are currently compiling relevant resources focusing on climate change and sustainable forestry that other organizations have developed to evaluate their usefulness after identifying the education needs of our target audience. We are reviewing research publications and Extension toolkits (such as factsheets, slides, audio and videos, and data). Also, we are evaluating software or tools for their usefulness to answer a fundamental question - how is climate-smart forestry different than traditional forestry? What socio-economic difference does it make? Data collected: We interacted with target audiences directly and indirectly to promote long-term sustainable forest management. Over 500 direct contacts were made with professionals, foresters and loggers, extension agents, and forestland managers and owners. Through presentations, meetings, and other interactions at local and national conferences, there were over 300 indirect contacts. A survey instrument is ready to find the understanding and preference of our audience groups toward climate smarty forestry in the regions. Summary statistics and discussion of results: Participants of the workshops and webinars found it interesting and indicated improved knowledge of sustainable and resilient forestry practices. Their participation number is particularly encouraging because we plan to recruit them for curriculum-based climate-smart forestry training/workshops starting next year. It also allows us to assess educational needs, establish direct contact with the audience group, and disseminate resources (newsletters and webinars) for increased participation in the fall. We strive to make our learning resources interesting and useful for these professionals so that they find it reasonable to attend these offerings. Goal 2 accomplishments (Develop Peer-reviewed and continuing education credits accredited learning environments on climate smart forestry): Major activities completed / experiments conducted: The 2nd goal of the project is to develop a peer-reviewed and continuing education credits education program on climate-smart forestry. Significant progress has been made in developing a train-the-train module curriculum focusing on the southern forest ecosystem and projected climate stressors and disturbances. First, a draft curriculum on climate-smart forestry education with a southern-region-specific focus is drafted and is under further revision. Secondly, to align the curriculum with the needs of the target audience, a need assessment survey has been designed and has received IRB approval for broader distribution and data collection this summer. Furthermore, multiple training and workshops offered continuing education credits to the professionals and land managers. Various continuing education categories included ISA certified arborist, continuing logger education, continuing forester education, BCMA science credit, master timber harvester category, and pesticide application category. Data collected: These continuing education credits provided updated knowledge on sustainable and resilient management of forest resources in the south, generating over 30 continuing education credits to the professionals, Extension agents, and land managers. These participants reported owning or managing over 275 thousand acres of forest properties in the region. For example, evaluations for the shortleaf workshop noted knowledge gained on managing shortleaf pine natural regeneration and that attendees thought the workshop was engaging. Similarly, over 95% of climate-smart forestry webinar participants reported an increased understanding of managing property following climate-smart practices. Summary statistics and discussion of results: The practicing foresters, agents, and professionals learned about climate change stressors, disturbances, and adaptive forestry practices for productive southeastern forests. The participants will pass on or use the new knowledge and techniques to their clientele, leading to improved resilient forest management amid increasing climate change disturbances in the region. It could lead to increased participation of landowners in carbon sequestration and trading, potentially increasing the climate change mitigation role of the southern region as the region has 86% of forest area under private ownership. With their improved understanding after the training, Extension agents could provide a quality service to landowners, encouraging them to adopt resilient and resistant forestry practices against increased climate disturbances in the region.
Publications
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Dickens, D., D. Dickens, Y. Li, and P. Minogue. 2023. Chemical versus mechanical site preparation in loblolly pine stand management. UGA Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources, Athens, GA. WSFNR-23-29C. 6 p.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Dickens, D., D. Clabo, and P. Minogue. 2023. Subsoiling and ripping to prepare a site for tree planting in the southeastern United States. UGA Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources, Athens, GA. WSFNR-23-30A. 4 p
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Shephard, N. and A. Maggard. 2023. Guidelines for effective climate smart forestry. Environmental Research Letters, 18(6), 061004.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Boby, L., J. Fawcett, D. Clabo, H. Harriman, A. Maggard, B. Coulliette, L. Kays, and S. McNair, S. 2023. Guidebook for Prescribed Burning in the Southern Region. University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Bulletin 1560. UGA Warnell School of Forestry & Natural Resources Outreach Publication, WSFNR-23-16A.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Maggard, A. and C. VanderSchaaf. 2023. Forest Carbon Market Concepts of Business-As-Usual & Additionality from Harvest Deferment. Alabama Cooperative Extension System. FOR-2144.
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Shephard, N. and A. Maggard. 2023. What is Climate-Smart Forestry? Alabama Cooperative Extension System. FOR-2139.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Feng, L., L. Ling Liu, G Geoff Wang, P. Khanal&.and L. Zhao. 2023. Artificial Intelligence for Climate Smart Forestry: A Forward Looking Vision. Conference Proceeding IEEE 5th International Conference on Cognitive Machine Intelligence.
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