LandCAN Toolbox

Are you considering the value of carbon in your soil?
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LandCAN Toolbox

EDDMapS - Early Detection and Distribution Mapping System
EDDMapS is a web-based mapping system for documenting invasive species distribution. It is fast, easy to use and doesn't require Geographic Information Systems experience. Launched in 2005 by the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia, it was originally designed as a tool for state Exotic Pest Plant Councils to develop more complete distribution data of invasive species.

EDDMapS goal is to maximize the effectiveness and accessibility of the immense numbers of invasive species observations recorded each year. As of May 2013, EDDMapS has over 1.9 million records.

EDDMapS combines data from other databases and organizations as well as volunteer observations to create a national network of invasive species distribution data that is shared with educators, land managers, conservation biologists, and beyond. This data will become the foundation for a better understanding of invasive species distribution around the world.

Why do we care?
The biological pollution caused by invasive species is extremely challenging, because even if we never import another non-native species, the ones already invading our native ecosystems will continue to grow and spread. We must actively seek solutions to control or eradicate the species which are problems already or have the potential to become problems.

How does it work?
EDDMapS documents the presence of invasive species. A simple, interactive Web interface engages participants to submit their observations or view results through interactive queries into the EDDMapS database. EDDMapS encourages users to participate by providing Internet tools that maintain their personal records and enable them to visualize data with interactive maps.

Users simply enter information from their observations into the standardized on-line data form, which allows specific information about the infestation and images to be added. Data entered is immediately loaded to the Website, allowing real time tracking of species. Being able to see the current data of a species as it moves into a new area helps to facilitate Early Detection and Rapid Response programs (EDRR). EDRR programs help stop or control an invasive species before it becomes an unmanageable problem.

All data is reviewed by state verifiers to ensure all data is accurate. The data is made freely available to scientists, researchers, land managers, land owners, educators, conservationists, ecologists, farmers, foresters, state and national parks.

Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM) Lender Database
State by state listing of lenders who are known to offer EEMs compiled by Mortgageloan.com.

Events and Conferences for Farmers
Western Farm Press provides a list of events and conferences for farmers in the western states. Click here.

Farm and Dairy Agri-Book
Farm and Dairy Agri-Book contains a catalog of Agribusinesses as well as Regional, State, Local Listings of Agri-Bureaus, Agencies, Associations and Organizations (Government and Private Sectors). Click here.

Farmland Information Center (FIC)

The Farmland Information Center (FIC) is a clearinghouse for information about farmland protection and stewardship. It is a partnership between the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and American Farmland Trust, which was authorized by the federal Farmland Protection Policy Act (FPPA).

Fence Collision Risk Tool
The Fence Collision Risk Tool is a GIS map available to state wildlife agencies and NRCS field offices range-wide. The tool can be used to map out high-risk areas and plan fence marking and mitigation projects locally or across landscapes. The resulting maps are not directly available to the public because of the sensitivity of lek location data. However, whether you are a private landowner or public land manager, you can work with the NRCS to identify high-risk areas for your landscapes. The Fence Collision Risk Tool was produced using modeling that maps collision risk within 3 kilometers of known leks as a function of terrain ruggedness and distance to nearest lek across 10 western States. For more information read the NRCS publication Applying the Sage-Grouse Fence Collision Risk Tool to Reduce Bird Strikes (PDF)

Fieldprint Calculator
The Fieldprint Calculator is a free online tool for growers to voluntarily and securely analyze how their management choices impact natural resources and operational efficiency. Field To Market has developed the Calculator as an easy way to find out how your current land use, energy use, water use, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil loss compare with state and national averages.

Find a Landscape Conservation Cooperative (LCCs)
Find an LCC here. The 22 LCCs collectively form a network of resource managers and scientists who share a common need for scientific information and interest in conservation. Each LCC brings together federal, state, and local governments along with Tribes and First Nations, non-governmental organizations, universities, and interested public and private organizations. Our partners work collaboratively to identify best practices, connect efforts, identify science gaps, and avoid duplication through conservation planning and design.

Managing the landscapes that provide our natural and cultural resources has become increasingly challenging. With the signing of Secretarial Order No. 3289, the Department of the Interior launched the Landscape Conservation Cooperatives (LCCs) to better integrate science and management to address climate change and other landscape scale issues. By building a network that is holistic, collaborative, adaptive, and grounded in science, LCCs are working to ensure the sustainability of our economy, land, water, wildlife, and cultural resources.

Find a National Forest in the South
The Southern Region covers thirteen states--a vast area stretching from Texas on the western side, Virginia on the north, and down to Puerto Rico on the south. You'll find a wide variety of forest environments, including the only tropical forest (El Yunque) in the agency. Find a forest nearest you!

Find National Forests and Grasslands

The National Forests and Grasslands provide the greatest diversity of outdoor recreation opportunities in the world, connecting you with nature in an unmatched variety of settings and activities. You hike, bike, ride horses and drive off-highway vehicles. You picnic, camp, hunt, fish, and navigate waterways. You view wildlife and scenery, and explore historic places. You glide though powder at world class alpine resorts and challenge yourselves on primitive cross-country ski or snowmobile routes.

Fire Effects Information System
The Fire Effects Information System is an online collection of reviews of the scientific literature about fire effects on plants and animals and about fire regimes of plant communities in the United States. FEIS reviews are based on thorough literature searches, often supplemented with insights from field scientists and managers. FEIS provides reviews that are efficient to use, thoroughly documented, and defensible. Approximately 15 to 30 new or revised reviews are published in FEIS each year. There are 3 types of FEIS reviews:

Species Reviews

Fire Studies

Fire Regime Syntheses

Fire Safety Guide Book

Approximately 140 students complete fire science programs every year in Arkansas at one of the state’s three accredited fire science schools. A significant number of these fire science graduates come out of the Arkansas Fire Training Academy at Southern Arkansas University Tech. Although the number of graduating fire science students is relatively low, their job prospects are wide-ranging. In addition to firefighting and fire service administration, potential career opportunities also include inspecting structures for fire safety or analyzing and investigating the causes of fires.

Fire science education in Arkansas is limited to certificates and associate degrees. Programs range in focus from fire and emergency response to fire science technology to fire services management. Degree programs explore the knowledge and skills that aspiring fire professionals need to enter the workforce, while also offering preparation for specialized career choices.

Fire Science Degree Programs

Fish and Wildlife Service Aquatic Invasive Species Coordinators
Through the Service’s AIS Program, one AIS Coordinator is funded in each Service Region. This dedicated group of people works closely with state invasive species coordinators, non-governmental groups, private landowners and many others in their day-to-day activities. Find the Regional AIS Coordinator responsible for your state.

One of the premier activities that the AIS coordinators have worked on with public and private entities is the 100th Meridian Initiative. The goal of the Initiative is to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species by boats personal watercraft and other pathways. Boat inspections and assessments are conducted across the states west of the 100th Meridian. Through inspections and boaters assessments, partners can learn how to prevent the spread of zebra mussels and other AIS via transport of boats and personal watercraft. Often recreational users have unknowingly had their watercraft in zebra mussel-infested waters and haven’t washed it thoroughly enough to prevent a transfer of the small critters into an uninfested waterbody.

The AIS coordinators also organize cooperative sampling efforts with other Federal, State, and local agencies, universities, and public interest groups to track the distribution of AIS. AIS Coordinators author articles and provide interviews for national publications and news programs. They often attend boating and sportfishing shows, informing thousands of participants about the definition, biology, and impacts of AIS and what they can do to help prevent their spread.

Food Access Research Atlas
The USDA's ERS Food Access Research Atlas maps food deserts, or areas where there is limited access to supermarkets, grocery stores, or other sources of healthy and affordable food. There are many ways to define which areas are considered "food deserts" and many ways to measure food store access for individuals and for neighborhoods. Most measures and definitions take into account at least some of the following indicators of access:
Accessibility to sources of healthy food, as measured by distance to a store or by the number of stores in an area.
Individual-level resources that may affect accessibility, such as family income or vehicle availability.
Neighborhood-level indicators of resources, such as the average income of the neighborhood and the availability of public transportation.
In the Food Access Research Atlas, several options are available to describe food access along these dimensions. Click here.

Forage Information System
The Forage Information System, provided by Oregon State University is a resource for forage-related topics, including Extension, research, and teaching.

Forest Products Laboratory
Forest Products Laboratory

Located in Madison, Wisconsin, since 1910

Nation's only federally funded wood utilization research laboratory

Currently employs 60 Research Scientists

Primarily or partly responsible for many of today's wood-based technologies, including wood preservatives, glulam beams, oriented strandboard, and fiber-based packaging

Research partnerships located in virtually every state in the Nation

Early research highlights

Reduced timber demand for railroad ties by 75% through preservatives research

Increased average lumber yield per log from 25% to 60%

Wood frame technology used in over 90% of our Nation's homes

Designed and constructed Nation's first prefabricated home

Forest* A *Syst
Forest*A*Syst is a self-assessment guide, designed for a national audience, with the goals of helping new forest landowners articulate their objectives in a written management plan and foster a working relationship with a resource professional who can provide them with technical assistance. The national document was intended to serve as a protocol for state forestry agencies to follow as they developed their own state-specific Forest*A*Syst document and programming. Only a few states adopted the concept and produced their own printed version of Forest*A*Syst.
Profile Your Land

Forestry Careers & Degrees - A Guide For Students

If you’re considering a career in the forestry profession, use this Forestry Career Guide to help you find a wealth of information about the forestry profession, including facts and data on employment prospects, educational requirements and options, and more. Forestry and forestry-related jobs can be found in every sector of the employment market. And while the majority of employment opportunities exist with state and federal governments, there are also many jobs available with private businesses such as the timber industry.

Fire Science Online recently launched career and education guides focused on public service and safety careers including firefighting, law enforcement, forestry, and paramedics to name a few. Each guide contains career and salary information, a school search tool, internships, scholarships, and other related educational information.

FracFocus
Looking for information on a well site near you? Use FracFocus to search for nearby well sites that have been hydraulically fractured to see what chemicals were used in the process.
Click here.

Gardening for Butterflies: How You Can Attract and Protect Beautiful, Beneficial Insects
by The Xerces Society

Gardening for Butterflies, by the experts at the Xerces Society, introduces you to a variety of butterflies who need our help, and shows you how to design a habitat where they will thrive. This optimistic call to arms is packed with everything you need to create a beautiful, pollinator-friendly garden. You will learn why butterflies matter, why they are in danger, and what simple steps we can take to make a difference. You'll also learn how to choose the right plants and how to create a garden that flutters and flourishes with life.

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