Technology Brand Announcement

New Branding, Same Passion

Today’s business environment demands agile, scalable, and adaptive technology that keeps up with the ever-changing landscape.

That’s why the legacy systems like spreadsheets and file based PC software, still widely used in the forestry industry, are the technological equivalent of harvesting trees with axes.

Will they get the job done? Absolutely. But at what cost?

In 2023 companies risk being left behind without the right technology in place. Why? Because without the ability to easily track and analyze data over time or access critical information quickly and accurately from anywhere, organizations miss out on pivotal opportunities.

At Overstory Analytics, redefining forest technology is our passion. Technology should be seamlessly integrated into natural resources operations and leveraged to enable greater efficiency, faster decision making, cost savings, and improved resource management outcomes.

We’re here to make that happen for you.

That means transitioning from outdated workflows to a modern, cloud-based experience that keeps everyone on your team on the same page. From harvesting operations to inventory management, low code, cloud-based platforms and labor-saving automations harness your data’s true power and transform your business.

For us, it’s not just about using the latest technology – it’s about finding the perfect solutions to deliver ever-compounding operational value for your business. Therefore, we’re ushering in a new era of natural resource management utilizing incredible cloud-native technologies like Planet Labs, Prism for forest inventory, Microsoft’s Power BI, and Esri’s Web GIS.

According to The Motley Fool, “The cloud is the #1 technology for the next decade. And ultimately the foundation on which all smaller technologies in the near future are built.”

We couldn’t agree more.

Low code and cloud-native technologies have already revolutionized entire industries, and it’s time to bring that revolution to the forestry sector. We’re actively pushing the technology envelope to ensure that natural resource operations have the tools and insights they need to succeed in the 21st century.

“More companies will adopt the composable enterprise model, in which organizations configure their tools to be modular and interchangeable to better adapt to rapid changes in the market. Organizations that adopt the composable enterprise and an automation-first mindset should dramatically accelerate digital transformation and position themselves far better for the challenges to come.” – Low Code and the Future of Work, Forbes.

Why the shift? It’s simple: Data is the new resource, and its power lies in your ability to use it intelligently and efficiently. The companies that succeed in this new era of natural resource management will use technology to optimize their data and drive better decisions.

We’re proud to partner with technology companies such as Esri, Planet Labs, and Lim Geomatics to bring data-driven insights and workflow automation to forestry and resource management operations. Our team combines standardized data models, analytical capabilities, growth and yield, satellite remote sensing and cloud-managed services to achieve a Single Version of the Truth for assets. This real-time data is available and accessible to your team from anywhere on the planet so you can make fast data-driven decisions and stay ahead of the curve.

The future of forestry is bright, and we’re thrilled to be leading the charge.

Let us show you what’s possible – contact us today to get started! redefine@soforest.com

Overstory Analytics Homepage
Prism
Planet Labs
Web GIS for Forestry

Important Planet Labs Update

Images streamed in real time and apps which are always getting better represent the best of cloud computing and software as a service. To improve the user experience, Planet has recently updated the toolbar (Add-In) for ArcGIS Pro.   The Pro toolbar is the tool of choice for foresters get to their Planet imagery into the same environment as business data like stands, harvest and site prep areas.

A few highlights on the update:

  • The whole interface is redesigned to be more visual and intuitive.
  • There is a new button for Planet Tasking to more easily find your SkySat requests.
  • Improved means to add good images into the map to make stand updates or measure acres.
  • Ability to save searches with criteria like cloud percent and overlap with the stand or tract of interest.

 

Get the New Planet Add-In
(note, you may need to log into ArcGIS Online to access the Add-In; those of you with groups shared with SFC will see the Add-In item in the group)

Grow and Thrive with Software that’s Alive!

By Mike Berzinis II, RF, CSM.

Running your business on dead software is frustrating. Dead software may be real hard to use compared to apps on your phone, or lack regular updates which keep it relevant. Software limping along on its last legs causes one to miss out on time saving automations, modern usability and increased information usefulness. Reliance on dead tech is particularly risky because it is not keeping with the times from a security standpoint.

“Redefining Forest Technology” is about living technology alternatives which reduce risks and meet the growing information demands of the business world.

As part of the Prism software user community, you automatically benefit from enhancements users like you have requested. As “alive” technology, Prism is up to date, secure and continuously provides new value over time. Hit the link below to see a video highlighting some of the hundreds of time saving capabilities brought to Prism just this year.

Welcome to Prism!

Redefining Forest Technology is about enabling forestry and natural resources businesses with the tools to function in the digital age – learn more at our website at the link below:

Redefining Forest Technology

Mike leads SFC’s Geospatial business line and is a military veteran with over 20 years experience in forestry technology.

SFC and WEA Provide Insights to UF Students on Wildlife Management for Private Lands

 

John Dooner (SFC Partner) and Austin Carroll (WEA President and SFC Partner) joined the University of Florida School of Forest Resources and Conservation’s Integrated Natural Resource Management class as guest lecturers for the second consecutive year. Focusing on Wildlife Management and Environmental Considerations on Private Lands in Florida, Mr. Dooner and Mr. Carroll discussed the complexities of managing for multiple objectives on industrial and non-industrial land holdings in the Southeast.  The focal points of the discussion included common silvicultural practices to achieve recreational and financial objectives and the importance of adaptive management when considering the long-term sustainability of multiple resources. The lecture concluded with a brief review of available wildlife management funding sources and a question/answer session.  UF students asked questions on topics ranging from how to evaluate emerging ecosystem services markets (e.g. carbon) to landowner conservation easement considerations.  SFC and WEA are proud to provide practical, real-world insights and scenarios to the next generation of natural resource managers.

 

Are You Maximizing Potential During Reforestation?

Common responses when landowners discuss options for reforestation are, “I will never reap the benefits of the investment” or “I want to minimize costs because it will be so long before I can harvest.” Every situation is unique. Landowners must consider time frame, capital availability and allocation, current and future ownership arrangements, market dynamics, and other objectives that may or may not be financial. Did you know that there are opportunities for shortening the rotation age (date of final harvest) of a timber stand? How complicated can it be? Trees are planted and the owner waits for many years until the timber is suitable for harvesting. Sounds straight forward, however several factors are at play when planning and implementing a reforestation project. Let’s take a deeper dive into these considerations.

Species.  While the site conditions such as soils, topography, and drainage certainly dictate the species chosen at establishment, landowner objectives also drive the ultimate decision on species selection. What is the real motivation for establishing a stand of timber? Is it strictly the performance of the investment? Are wildlife habitat concerns equally important? Is some other non-timber product like pine straw a factor in the investment strategy? Are aesthetics of the timber stand crucial to long-term success? These questions embody the landowner’s vision and goals for the site. Site conditions at times limit options for species selection. Nutrient deficient sites may require slower-growing species that survive in harsher conditions. Sites prone to periods of flooding require species that can best withstand inundation. For most reforestation projects, species selection is the first decision to be considered, and it facilitates the decision-making process for the other components covered below.

Site Preparation.  Although a clear-cut area planned for reforestation may appear to be a clean slate, Mother Nature is never at rest and awaits new opportunities to utilize space and resources. Site preparation techniques must be tailored to address the species that will occupy this “clean slate” and ultimately compete with the newly planted trees. What are the primary species to control? Can they be controlled with an herbicide application? What mixture of herbicides will address the species of concern? Will mechanical site preparation be necessary to address certain species? Is burning before planting an option for the site? Does the site’s hydrology require physical amending to prevent flooding of seedlings? These are just a few of the considerations that must be evaluated months before a seedling is ever planted. Research indicates that appropriate site preparation will increase volume production and reduce a stand’s rotation age by several years. Insufficient site preparation often results in additional costs within ten years of establishment to prevent the complete loss of the investment. It is imperative to consider the minimum, necessary site preparation requirements for the establishment of a timber stand, but it is wise to consider what your budget may allow above and beyond the bare necessities.

Seedling Genetics.  Genetic improvement in seedlings began in the middle of the twentieth century and has now reached a level that allows landowners and foresters many options for improving performance. Some of the tree characteristics favored when making selections are quite intuitive such as stem straightness and growth rate, but have you ever thought about breeding a tree so that the angle of the branches creates smaller knots upon natural pruning? Have you ever considered that selecting a top performer in growth that is prone to specific diseases in your geographic area may prevent your investment from ever maximizing its genetic potential? Genetics selections are generally available to match most considerations including budget, geographic location, and market opportunities. Proper selections can improve your investment’s performance by at least thirty to forty percent, but a proper investment in genetics may not mean the most expensive seedlings. In some geographic regions of the US Southeast timber markets are very limited, so choosing the most expensive seedlings that have “all the bells and whistles” is a waste of your budget that could be allocated to another component of the reforestation project. Working closely with your forestry consultant to determine the appropriate investment in genetically improved seedling stock will help ensure you are maximizing potential.

The old adage about “cutting corners” during the establishment of a stand of timber is not justifiable when we have the ability to influence so many components and ultimately reduce the amount of time to achieve financial return on the investment. By carefully evaluating species, site preparation, and the genetic quality of the seedling stock selected, the rotation age of a timber stand can be reduced substantially while additionally improving the stand quality. While these three components are most important, other options should be considered. For example, fertilization and post-establishment herbicide applications can increase growth and yield, shorten rotation length, and enhance return on investment in some instances.

While foresters often joke about gauging success during reforestation by observing, “green side up and roots in the ground” when referring to seedlings, this does little more than generate a laugh.  Decisions during the establishment of a stand of timber should be carefully considered with the same due diligence that any investment would be given.  These decisions should be made to maximize the effectiveness of the available budget, should be tailored specifically to landowner objectives, and should integrate the different components of the project discussed here to utilize the full potential of the site.  Let’s change the narrative from, “I’ll never reap the benefits of the investment” to “how can I reduce the rotation age of my investment and generate returns as soon as possible.”  Through an understanding of these dynamic systems, opportunities to improve performance are more available now than ever before.