The Legislative Research Librarians section of the National Conference of State Legislatures will present the Notable Documents award to Angela Gupta and Julie Miedtke of the University of Minnesota Extension for the Ash Management Guidelines for Private Forest Landowners.
According to their website, “The National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL) is a bipartisan organization that serves the legislators and staffs of the nation's 50 states, its commonwealths and territories. NCSL provides research, technical assistance and opportunities for policymakers to exchange ideas on the most pressing state issues. NCSL is an effective and respected advocate for the interests of state governments before Congress and federal agencies.” The Ash Management Guide won the Notable Documents award. This award is given to publications that, among other things, “formally recognize excellence in documents that explore topics of contemporary interest to legislators and staff by presenting substantive material in an outstanding format and advertise the extensive range of information available to legislators and staff.”
The nomination put forth by Carol Blackburn, Reference Librarian at the Minnesota Legislative Library, outlines some of the Ash Management Guides best attributes. "This well-organized and nicely presented guide is both educational and 'hands on practical'. ...It was compiled by experts but written and organized in a format that makes it understandable and usable to a broad audience. Though the focus is Minnesota, its content could be helpful for policymakers and citizens in any state as they deal with - or plan for the arrival of - this invasive species."
The Ash Management Guidelines for Private Forest Landowners is a collaboration of work from the University of Minnesota, U of MN Extension, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) with additional funding from the Forest Stewardship Fund and the Renewable Resources Extension Act. Project leaders coordinated expert panelists from many different organizations and areas of expertise to develop recommendations and guide the development of this hands-on publication.
The Ash Management Guide is intended for Family Forest Landowners concerned about the effects of emerald ash borer and interested in how they can best prepare and manage for that invasive forest pest’s impact on their forests. The Ash Management Guidelines for Private Forest Landowners is available on-line at http://www.myminnesotawoods.umn.edu/wp-content/uploads/2009/10/Ash-Management-Guide.pdf Hard copies may also be available at your local DNR office.
By Angela Gupta, Forestry Extension Educator, University of Minnesota Extension