Anchor Forests: Improving forest ecosystem function through balanced Social, Economic, and Ecologic Management

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Ira Bailey
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1 Anchor Forests: Improving forest ecosystem function through balanced Social, Economic, and Ecologic Management National Forest Foundation: Collaborative Restoration Workshop April 26 28, 2016 Denver, Colorado Mark Corrao, Ph.D. P.H. Northwest Management, Inc. Moscow, ID Helena, MT Deer Park, WA

The Problem We are losing our forests Political Conflicts (especially on Federal lands) Legal Challenges Low return on investments --> Land Conversion Lack of timber company investments TIMO s &

2 The Problem We are losing our forests Political Conflicts (especially on Federal lands) Legal Challenges Low return on investments --> Land Conversion Lack of timber company investments TIMO s & REITs Family Forests being sold Catastrophic losses from insect/disease/wildfire Growing uncertainty: climate change, invasive species, infrastructure loss, loss of skilled labor, poor domestic markets, increases in substitutes and imports An Urban population culturally & politically removed

3 How to Reverse Increasing Size & Intensity?

Program Goal: Ecological sustainability on

and monitoring of watershed conditions for

4 Management by Landscape Prioritization Integrated Resource Restoration (IRR) Program Goal: Ecological sustainability on NFS lands. Watershed Condition Framework (WCF) Program Goal: Improve the classification and monitoring of watershed conditions for prioritization. Landscape Treatment Designer (LTD) Software Goal: Prioritize forest areas needing fuels reduction treatments. Commonality: - Expectations - All require data

5 Management by Anchor Forest: A Proactive Approach Social, Cultural, Traditional, and Scientific Knowledge (Data) Ecologically Sustainable (Product) Economically Feasible (Product) Address Forest Health using Cross-boundary Projects - At a Landscape-scale (Expectation)

local infrastructure and technical expertise, endorsed politically and publicly

6 Anchor Forests Defined Anchor Forests are large multi-ownership areas that support sustainable long-term wood and biomass production levels backed by local infrastructure and technical expertise, endorsed politically and publicly to improve forest resilience and achieve sight-specific ecosystem management objectives.

7 Identifying Where and How NC NE Forest Damage Differences in Ownership, Infrastructure Severe Wildfire From Damage Insects & Disease & Management Objectives & Impending Threat SC

8 Anchor Forest Assessments Forestry Infrastructure Collaborative Frameworks Institutional Capacities Willingness and Capability Developed a Resource DB Identified Ecosystem Services & Monetization Methods

9 Task 1 - Forestry Infrastructure A society culturally removed from forestry Forest treatment infrastructure losses An aging workforce demographic Increased interest in substitutes and imports Invasive species Poor domestic markets A changing climate

10 Task 2 - Collaborative Frameworks NCWFHC NEWFC Tapash Where there s a Will there s a Way!

11 Tasks 3 & 4 - Institutional Willingness, Readiness and Capacity The majority of participants from all interviewed sectors were committed to dedicating staff & resources to an Anchor Forest Project. South Central Region Willingness to Participate Readiness to Collaborate Capacity to Contribute 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Federal Tribal State Environmental Private North Central and Northeast Regions Willingness to Participate Readiness to Collaborate 100% 80% 60% 40% 20% 0% Federal Tribal State Private

12 Task 5 - Searchable Resource Database **Legislature such as the 2014 Agriculture Act (Farm Bill) include permanent authorities for Stewardship Contracting. Wildfire damages and suppression activities have the greatest financial impact on the conservation and management of ecosystems.

13 Task 6 ID and Value Ecosystem Services

14 Anchor Forest Assessment Findings Chronic federal agency funding and expense challenges, staff and leadership shortages, personnel turnover, and inconsistencies in leadership that influence management decisions must be overcome. There is a growing urban population culturally removed from the functions of forestry and silviculture. Forest treatment levels on USFS lands are insufficient to keep pace with deteriorating forest ecosystem conditions. Deteriorated forest conditions are facing legislation, local laws, and policies that often prohibit needed restoration actions. Tribal leadership and traditional knowledge can be instrumental in fostering cross-boundary collaboration.

15 Assessment Recommendations Implement forest conservation and management at a sufficient spatial and temporal (15+ year) scales to cumulatively make a significant difference at the landscape (1,000,000 plus acre) level. Identify the direct and indirect impacts associated with ecosystem services through long-term monitoring. Involve diverse landownerships as stakeholders through third party facilitation and structured communication to develop actionable strategies. Develop a measure of protection for the collaborative process and stakeholder efforts in order to minimize administrative appeals and objections, and focus on environmental performance.

16 Assessment Recommendations Support engagement of tribal leaders in collaborative efforts for cross-boundary forest management. A champion and leader is needed in each federal agency and tribal entity during collaboration to facilitate prioritization and to direct management. Funding sources should be integrated within a structured one stop shopping investment framework to facilitate effective leveraging and efficient application. Develop a transparent public forum for dissemination of collaborative decisions, examples, results, and successes.

17 The Choice is Ours GREEN BLACK GONE

18 Questions?

20 Anchor Forest Objectives Address Declining Forest Health Conditions Maintain and Improve Forestry and Forest Treatment Infrastructure Cross-Boundary Forest Stewardship Social/Cultural, Economic, and Ecologic benefits

21 Anchor Forests Are: People, Place, Community, Sustainability

Food, medicines, fuel, and recreation Forest products, employment,

22 The Benefits of Healthy Forest Ecosystems Reduced wildfire severity Better water filtration & supply Aesthetics and Wildlife habitat Food, medicines, fuel, and recreation Forest products, employment, and revenue Renewable Green energy Carbon sequestration Local weather effects

The Benefits of Anchor Forests Improve relationships between landowners Strengthened organizational capabilities Leadership and projects founded by social, economic, and ecologic balance Reduced

23 The Benefits of Anchor Forests Improve relationships between landowners Strengthened organizational capabilities Leadership and projects founded by social, economic, and ecologic balance Reduced administrative and legal challenges to forest management Landscape-scale holistic forest ecosystem management practices Maintenance of working forests - jobs, wages, and local economies Reductions of insect and disease tree mortality and severe wildfire Maintenance of healthy resilient forests in the face of a changing climate Improved ecosystem services and the values they provide Shovel-ready projects for implementation at a scale (location, supply volume, duration) necessary to address declining forest health conditions and provide a sufficient basis for investments in needed infrastructure

24 Value of Indian Forests and Tribal Knowledge Permanent land bases committed to long term stewardship Balanced Social/Cultural, Economic and Ecologic practices Management and operational expertise Can bridge gaps Traditional Ecological Knowledge supported by western science Reserved and Treaty rights Political & Legal relationship with the United States

25 Tribal Forests Respect Neglect Care Manage Use, not abuse Permanence Stewardship Ethic Processing Facilities Management Capacity

State Forest Action Plans: Protecting, Enhancing and Conserving State and Private Forests

State Forest Action Plans: Protecting, Enhancing and Conserving State and Private Forests Joint Forestry Team USDA Forest Service (USFS) Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) National Association