NCASI, Inc.

On #WorldWildlifeDay, it’s important to recognize the significant investments made by NCASI, Inc. and our Members to understand biodiversity within managed forests. For over 50 years, our sector has worked diligently to integrate science-based wildlife conservation into forest management practices, ensuring that we can sustainably produce wood products while conserving species that live in these landscapes. With more than half of US forests under private ownership, landowners whose primary goal is income from timber sales depend on seeing a return from their forestland investment. This financial incentive is essential in encouraging landowners to maintain forest cover, which in turn benefits both biodiversity and the broader environment. Our Members’ long-standing commitment to research and sustainable forestry practices reflects a deep dedication to the conservation of biological diversity. This investment is vital not only for the future of our forests but for the many species that depend on them. #SustainableForestry #BiodiversityConservation #ForestManagement #WoodProducts #Wildlife #NCASI

Over the past two decades, research has revealed just how crucial nutrition, particularly during summer, is for shaping dynamics of large ungulate populations in various regions of North America. In 2009, NCASI, Inc. launched an innovative research program to explore how nutritional resources influence caribou populations and how forest management can be used to influence these resources. ? Using a novel approach, NCASI researchers deployed captive, trained lactating caribou and their calves in temporary, electrified pens set within native habitats. This method allowed us to evaluate the relationships between fine-scale forage attributes (e.g., forage abundance, composition, and quality) and caribou foraging dynamics and nutrition (e.g., dietary preferences, the digestible energy and protein content of diets and most importantly, forage and nutrient intake rate). ? The insights gained went well beyond traditional forage surveys by providing direct estimates of the nutrition caribou actually obtain from their environment. In 2024, NCASI received $135,000 from Ontario’s 23-24 Caribou Conservation Stewardship Program (CCSP) to apply our findings across eight boreal caribou ranges in northern Ontario, extending west to east from Berens to Kesagami. Our work delivered: ?? Foodscape Maps: Spatially explicit maps of nutritional resources ?? Habitat Use Map: A tool that predicts probability of selection for adult female caribou relative to nutrition resources and predation risk; ?? Nutritional Implication Map: ?A user-friendly tool rating each pixel according to: - Nutritional adequacy for lactating females and their calves during summer; - Response to stand-replacing disturbance; - The likelihood that forage resources could benefit moose and thus be potentially detrimental to caribou; ?? Field Guide: An accessible resource to interpret and utilize these innovative products: https://lnkd.in/eD8xz7qB ? Overall, these products offer the Ontario government and land managers a robust landscape planning tool – helping to forecast how forage, caribou nutrition, and habitat use might shift over time due to forest management actions and natural disturbance, and ultimately guiding strategic decisions to enhance caribou forage across northern Ontario. ? #NCASI #caribou #forestmanagement #wildlifeconservation #ONenvironment #ONenvrionnement

We're Hiring - Help Us Spread the Word NCASI, Inc. is looking for seasonal field staff to support important wildlife research in Oregon. If you or someone you know is passionate about fieldwork and conservation, check out these opportunities: ?? Wildlife Biologist I – Amphibian (3 positions) Location: Northern Oregon Coast Range ?? Wildlife Biologist I – Forest Carnivore/Marten Telemetry (2-3 positions) Location: Western Oregon ?? Wildlife Biologist I – Pollinator (2 positions) Location: Eugene, OR, or HJ Andrews Experimental Forest ?? Wildlife Biologist I – Post-fire Riparian Vegetation (2-3 positions) Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon ?? Wildlife Biologist I – Red Tree Vole (1-2 positions) Location: Western Oregon ?? Wildlife Biologist II – Red Tree Vole (1 position) Location: Western Oregon These roles offer hands-on experience in ecological research, field data collection, and species conservation. ?? Learn more and apply: https://lnkd.in/e5sF3YY #pulpandpaperindustry #forestproducts #sustainabilityjobs #forestmanagement #wildlifebiologist #environmentaljobs #researchjobs #aquaticbiologist #redtreevole #marten #riparian #pollinator #amphibian

A recent article published in Evidence-Based Toxicology titled "Systematic review methods in environmental health: a critical interpretive synthesis to inform the evolution of systematic review guidance" highlights the collaborative efforts of NCASI, Inc. staff and Evidence-Based Toxicology Collaboration (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health) to advance the science and application of systematic review approaches for the most robust use of science in policy decision making. A comprehensive assessment of systematic review frameworks was conducted to identify current practices in the systematic review of environmental health data.?This work assists stakeholders of systematic review to identify strengths and weaknesses of different approaches and reveal potential barriers to the effective implementation of systematic review practices.?Further research in this area will be directed at identifying areas where systematic review could be made more efficient and accessible to policy decision making organizations to ensure policy decisions are informed by high quality science. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eEzG8bR4. Giffe Johnson, PhD

NCASI, Inc. is pleased to support International Sustainable Forestry Coalition's initiative to gather nature-related information. ISFC has launched the Nature Measures survey to assess how forestry investors and companies quantify nature-related data across 35 countries and forest types. This effort, conducted by NCASI, aims to advance standardized natural capital accounting and reporting—helping investors move toward more ‘nature-positive’ outcomes. We look forward to continuing to provide technical support to ISFC as they evaluate the survey results and determine the organization’s next steps. Read the press release here: https://lnkd.in/eMqXCz3W

An analysis by NCASI, Inc. staff Camille Flinders, Brad Barnhart, PhD, and Renee Ragsdale on the sources of variability in fish bioaccumulation factor (BAF) estimates for perfluoro-n-octane sulfonic acid (PFOS) has been published in the January 2025 issue of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. Using a large, publicly available dataset of PFOS concentrations in water and fish tissue, the study: ?? Evaluates overall patterns and drivers of PFOS concentrations in water and fish tissue, as well as derived fish BAFs. ?? Quantifies how biological, environmental, and study design factors affect BAF estimates. Findings demonstrate that BAF study design decisions significantly impact key components of water quality criteria derivation. The research underscores the need for sampling regimes that accurately characterize exposure to improve the quality of BAFs used in risk assessment and regulatory standard development. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gx8UUumn Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry (SETAC) #SETAC #NCASI #WaterQuality #PFOS?

At NCASI, Inc., women scientists are at the forefront of our research, bringing their expertise to our technical programs. With nearly half of our technical staff being women, they contribute to critical environmental and sustainability topics such as emission measurements, air and water analytical methods, carbon, wastewater treatment, wildlife conservation, and chemical management. We celebrate their dedication, leadership, and impact. Happy International Day of Women in Science! Learn more about all of our outstanding staff by visiting our staff directory at https://lnkd.in/ds4ZWZT. Pictured are some of our recent hires, Natalie Brooks, Sara Correa García, PhD, Yi-Chun Lai, Ph.D., Amanda Miller, PhD, and Milena Ponczek, PhD, that we celebrate along with all of the women at NCASI today. #womeninscience #womeninstem #environmentalscience #forestproducts #pulpandpaper #NCASI

In ???????????? ???????????????????? ?????? ???????????? ????????????????: ???????????? ???????? ?????? ?????? ???????? ??????????????????, NCASI, Inc.’s Craig Loehle, PhD, models how carbon storage and substitution effects evolve over a 100-year timeframe. Published in ???????????????????????????, the study highlights that structural lumber reaches carbon parity within approximately 22 years for fast-growing forests, while paper and biofuel take around 40 years. Over time, wood products contribute more to carbon sequestration and fossil fuel substitution than land sparing alone. ? By recognizing the long history of wood product use and landfill storage, the study emphasizes that many forest products have already surpassed parity—becoming carbon assets rather than liabilities. Read more on this research here: https://lnkd.in/eF2trEt6. Society of American Foresters Springer Nature ? #ClimateChange #CarbonSequestration #ForestProducts #NCASI

NCASI, Inc. was excited to participate in the University of Florida’s Career Showcase this week, connecting with students who are passionate about environmental research and sustainability. It was a great opportunity to share insights into our work supporting the forest products industry with science-based solutions. Engaging with the next generation of scientists, engineers, and industry professionals is always rewarding, and we look forward to continuing these important conversations. ? UF Career Connections Center #NCASI #CareerShowcase #EnvironmentalScience #Sustainability #ForestProductsIndustry ? Zachery Emerson Dr. Waruna Kiridena Tanvir Khan Cher Lindelien

We bid a heartfelt farewell to Lee Carlson as he retires after an exemplary and impactful 27+ year tenure at NCASI, Inc.. Lee’s technical contributions in source emissions measurement and analysis are numerous and will have a lasting impact on the forest products industry.?The most significant among them are his detailed examinations of ???????????????????? ?????? ?????????????????????? ?????????????????????? ???????????? (????, ??????) measurement methods.?Lee’s technical research uncovered biases in EPA Method 202 used to measure CPM emissions, spawned cooperative research with the USEPA, and paved the way for multiple method modifications and best practice development. Lee’s contributions as part of NCASI have also been critical to inform multiple rulemakings.???? Lee leaves behind a legacy of technical achievements and exceptional leadership, staying at the forefront of developments in sampling methodologies, and providing invaluable technical support to our Member Companies. As we celebrate Lee’s retirement, we extend our deepest gratitude for his many years of service and wish him all the best in this next chapter of his life. Thank you, Lee, for your outstanding contributions to NCASI and the industry—we will miss you!