Forest Service decide whether to join private timber companies seeking independent certification of sustainable management practices to boost forest product sales to consumers who want reassurance that forests are being protected. Overall, the forests rated well for planning, community involvement and for identifying threatened or endangered species. PORTLAND -- National forests generally meet "green certification" standards for sustainable management to ensure they remain healthy but...

Conservationists are frustrated the mill debate and assessment process has glossed over what this hunger for woodchips will mean for Tasmania's native forests. The issue has been further clouded by Bob Brown's successful Federal Court case, in which Justice Shane Marshall found logging in the Wielangta forest was not exempt from federal environment law because not enough was being done to protect endangered species. BOTH main parties spent much of the federal election campaign in 2004...

The first item listed to achieve this is: Advocating a conservation ethic in promoting the health, productivity, diversity, and beauty of forests and associated lands. Do they all really deem such scrutiny from the public, in order for the Forest Service to do the job they are educated and trained in doing? When it comes to providing a healthy, safe forest, especially after a catastrophic event such as a wildfire or straight line winds, is it really necessary to garner public comments to...

The HIA says the building industry is extremely competitive despite the shortages, which are placing growing pressure on the industry. HIA senior policy director Chris Lamont says employers require better incentives to take on apprentices and the duration of certain courses could in some cases be halved. The worst affected trades are plumbing, site preparation and roofing. Tradie shortage 'driving up house prices' October 29, 2007 - 2:00PM Source:ABC The Housing Industry Association says...

The town s beautification commission has once again partnered with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Frederick County Division of Public Works to add native trees and shrubs intended to recharge groundwater and protect the watershed around Woodville Branch of Linganore Creek, which flows through the park. The town s beautification commission has once again partnered with the Maryland Department of Natural Resources and the Frederick County Division of Public Works to add...

So if you plant an apple tree next spring, you ll be reaping the rewards for years to come. The staff is nurturing several hundred young apple trees that will be planted next spring in the new Apple Court, one of the plantings in the Heartland Harvest Garden, a 12-acre ornamental farm garden of astonishing breadth scheduled to open in the fall of 2008. But the apple trees themselves were unharmed, and there will be plenty of fruit next year. Start investigating your choices with some...