Yuletide splash: Recycled Christmas trees become homes for fish Harvesting and decorating a live Christmas tree is a holiday tradition in millions of U.S. households. Equally important and beautiful traditions surround taking down the coniferous holiday icon to recycle it for a second life and purpose. The Wayne National Forest in Ohio has a particularly creative Christmas tree tradition: recycling local communities’ live Christmas trees to build homes for fish. “We’ve been doing this project for several years – at least as long as anyone who works here can remember,” said Ashley Kuflewski, district biologist for the Ironton Ranger District on the Wayne National Forest. “We work with some great partners, and we couldn’t do it without their help.” Read more…

A wildlife biologist studies an endangered boreal toad at its breeding site in the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness Area in Colorado. (USDA photo by Melissa Markle)

Species in peril: 50-year-old Endangered Species Act focuses on severely troubled species populations National forests and grasslands across the country are home to dozens of species from frogs and fish to foxes and fishers listed as endangered or threatened. The uninterrupted habitats that extend for hundreds of miles and areas of complete solitude give many species the space needed for recovery of their populations. Large, extremely hot fires have ripped through many of these lands, charring if not destroying habitat crucial to species survival. To help reduce the risk of large, devastating fires, the Forest Service is working to remove vegetation that could feed a fire and is working with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to simultaneously support the conservation of listed species. Read more…

Information Technology Specialist Tara Chavez works as a Collaboration Conferencing Specialist at the Albuquerque Service Center. New Mexico, Oct. 18, 2023. (USDA Forest Service photo by Preston Keres)

Digital Accessibility: Paving the Way for Accessibility in the USDA Forest Service In the heart of the Forest Service, an inspiring journey unfolds – a journey led by Tara Chavez, a blind employee who has defied expectations and shattered barriers in the world of information technology. Tara’s story is a testament to the power of diversity and the remarkable ways in which unique skillsets can shape the greater good. From her early days as an intern in Human Resources Management to her current role in the Chief Information Office, Tara’s unwavering commitment to ensuring technology’s accessibility for all shines brightly. But her advocacy goes beyond personal convenience; it’s about creating a world where technology seamlessly welcomes everyone. Read more…