Weekly Reads | Jan. 27, 2020

• EPA and the Army finalized the Navigable Waters Protection Rule to define “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) and established federal regulatory authority under the Clean Water Act, providing more clarity for forest landowners. Read more on gfagrow.org →
• China is increasing imports of logs from New Zealand and Europe, while diminishing imports from North America and Russia. As a region, Europe is now the second largest supplier of softwood logs to China behind New Zealand. Read more on cision.com →
• CatchMark Timber Trust, Inc. said Tuesday it promoted Brian M. Davis, previously president and chief financial officer, as the company’s next CEO. Read more at bizjournals.com →
• TORT Reform: a Georgia Senate committee recently released a plan to “safeguard and balance” the state’s civil litigation system. Read more at legalnewsline.com →
• Danish architecture company is working with the city of Copenhagen build an all-timber neighborhood. Read more at fastcompany.com →
• Microsoft announced that the company will be going carbon negative and cites forests as a part of the solution through “programs that pay forest owners to keep trees standing”. Read more at fastcompany.com →
• Starbucks released a statement on the company’s dedication to being “resource positive” by 2030. One of the pillars includes “investment in innovative and regenerative agricultural practices, reforestation, forest conservation and water replenishment.” Read more at starbucks.com →
• Forbes op-ed discusses the potential for carbon credits to provide incentive to private landowners. Read more on forbes.com →
• The travel app “Hopper” donated $1M to planting trees to mitigate climate change. Read more at forbes.com →
• The State of Vermont just awarded $11 million to the Trust for Public Land and the Vermont Land Trust to restore water quality. The program is focused on “permanently protecting” over 10,000 acres of land. Read more at Vermont.gov →

Upcoming Events

• Jan. 25, 2020
  Ladies & Land Workshop
  Oliver, Georgia
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• Feb. 5, 2020
  Mass Timber Construction Management: Design through Project Close Out
  Atlanta, GA
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• Feb. 6, 2020
  2020 Timber Taxation Workshop
  Tifton, GA
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• Feb. 23 – 25, 2020
  SESAF Annual Meeting
  Panama City, FL
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• March 19, 2020
  Forisk Applied Forest Finance Class
  Atlanta, GA
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