U.S. Forest Service

Downtown Juneau as seen from the Mt. Bradley Trail in July 2017. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Land swap to lead to logging in Southeast

A parcel of land on Douglas is involved in the deal.

 

Moss covers old growth trees along Auke Lake on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire File)

Environmental groups object to Prince of Wales timber sale

The organizations are from near and far.

 

David Schmid has been named as the new regional forester for the Alaska region by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Schmid replaces Beth Pendleton in overseeing management of the more than 22 million acres of National Forest System lands in Southcentral and Southeast Alaska. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

One forester, 22 million acres of forest

Meet Alaska’s new regional forester.

 

Moss covers old-growth trees along Auke Lake on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Court invalidates four timber sales in Tongass National Forest

Environmental groups get the win.

Moss covers old-growth trees along Auke Lake on Thursday, Nov. 29, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Dr. Wini Kessler delivers a keynote address at The Wildlife Society’s annual conference in Cleveland, Ohio, in October. (Courtesy Photo | David Frey via The Wildlife Society)

Former Juneau ecologist becomes second woman to win national award

She was the only woman in the room. Now, she’s risen to the top of her profession.

Dr. Wini Kessler delivers a keynote address at The Wildlife Society’s annual conference in Cleveland, Ohio, in October. (Courtesy Photo | David Frey via The Wildlife Society)
Sockeye salmon splash their way up Steep Creek in 2012. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)

Glacier center starts ‘Mendenhall Minis’ program for young children

The Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center will host a series of activities for young children this winter on the second Saturday of every month. The events… Continue reading

Sockeye salmon splash their way up Steep Creek in 2012. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire file)
A bat hibernates in a cave. (Courtesy Photo | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Glacier sends up bat signal with weekend activities

Just in time for Halloween, the U.S. Forest Service will celebrate National Bat Week at the Mendenhall Glacier Visitor Center this weekend. Youth-oriented activities and… Continue reading

A bat hibernates in a cave. (Courtesy Photo | U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)
The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States at 17 million acres. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

USFS offers email updates on Tongass projects

People interested in keeping up-to-date project happenings on the Tongass National Forest can sign up for email lists. The U.S. Forest Service uses these lists… Continue reading

The Tongass National Forest is the largest national forest in the United States at 17 million acres. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Flyfishing guide Mark Hieronymus speaks during the public comment period for the new Roadless Rule advisory committee at Centennial Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Roadless rule committee questioned at first meeting

More roads may be built on the Tongass National Forest with the creation of a new Alaska-specific version of the national roadless rule. A committee… Continue reading

Flyfishing guide Mark Hieronymus speaks during the public comment period for the new Roadless Rule advisory committee at Centennial Hall on Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Opinion: Phony Forest Service Process

Opinion: Phony Forest Service Process

The decision was already made before the “Roadless Rule Process” even started. The onslaught against our nation’s public lands and the environment had reached my… Continue reading

Opinion: Phony Forest Service Process
A U.S. Forest Service crew works to replace the nearly 30-year-old roof on the historic building of Skaters Cabin on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)

Skater’s Cabin gets new look

A new roof being installed at the historic cabin should lessen leaks and vandalism.

A U.S. Forest Service crew works to replace the nearly 30-year-old roof on the historic building of Skaters Cabin on Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2018. (Michael Penn | Juneau Empire)
Marc Ramonda, development recreation manager for the Juneau Ranger District, speaks about renovations at Lena Beach Recreation Area on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. The area opened this weekend after two new shelters were installed, among other improvements. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)

Lena Beach now open after renovations

A few charred pieces of firewood sat on Lena Beach on Saturday morning, evidence of a bonfire the night before. Juneau Ranger District Developed Recreation… Continue reading

Marc Ramonda, development recreation manager for the Juneau Ranger District, speaks about renovations at Lena Beach Recreation Area on Saturday, Sept. 1, 2018. The area opened this weekend after two new shelters were installed, among other improvements. (Alex McCarthy | Juneau Empire)
Alaska roadless rule opens for public comment

Alaska roadless rule opens for public comment

More timber may soon be harvested on the Tongass National Forest and the U.S. Forest Service wants to know what the public thinks about that.… Continue reading

Alaska roadless rule opens for public comment
An insect has three body parts, something kids learned with a dance at Bug Day at the Jensen-Olson Arboretum on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)

Ecosystem ‘glue:’ Kids learn insect ins and outs at Bug Day

They’re creepy. They’re crawly. And in Alaska, they’re the bane of any fishing expedition. But bugs — even mosquitos — are also a vital part… Continue reading

An insect has three body parts, something kids learned with a dance at Bug Day at the Jensen-Olson Arboretum on Saturday, Aug. 11, 2018. (Kevin Gullufsen | Juneau Empire)