ASSESSING THE DIRECTION OF THE FOREST RESOURCE

Transcription

1 ASSESSING THE DIRECTION OF THE FOREST RESOURCE C U R T W I L S O N - R E G I O N A L F O R E S T R Y L E A D E R N O R T H E A S T R E G I O N - G R E E N B A Y, W D N R J U N E

2 QUESTIONS FOR TODAY 1. What s the state of the Upper Great Lakes forests? Trends in the Upper Great Lakes states and examples from Wisconsin s 2010 Statewide Forest Assessment 2. What can we do to address the issues, threats, and opportunities? Wisconsin s Statewide Forest Strategy & Forestry Division s Strategic Direction as an example

3 THE WORLD IS CHANGING Changing demographics Accelerating globalization Expanding impact of technology Increasing environmental/natural resource concerns

4 FORESTRY IN THE REGION IS CHANGING Demographic of our customers - citizens and landowners is changing. Capacity of partners is evolving. Globalization is affecting the extent and make-up of forest industry. Demand for the benefits forests provide is increasing.

5 THE FOREST RESOURCE I N THE UP P E R G R E A T LAKES STATES AND WISCONSIN

6 PLANNING PROCESS 1. Sustainability Framework 2. Statewide Forest Assessment 3. Statewide Forest Strategy 4. Strategic Direction

7 THEMES 1. Fragmentation & Parcelization 2. Forest Composition & Structure 3. Energy & Climate Change 4. Forests as Economic Contributor 5. Protection of Life & Property in Forested Areas

8 FOREST AREA -UPPER GREAT LAKES STATES- % Total Forest Land and Non Forest Land in Michigan, Minnesota, & Wisconsin in 2007 Currently, 43% of the Upper Great Lakes States are covered by forests. Upper Great Lakes State Forest Cover Acreage % Forest Cover Michigan 19,544, Minnesota 16,391, Wisconsin 16,274, Upper Great Lakes States 52,210, Data Source: USDA Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis

9 FOREST AREA -WISCONSIN- Over 47% of Wisconsin is covered by forests. Forest land Area Land use Type 1983 acres 1996 acres 2007 acres Timberland 14,759,400 15,700,877 16,181,993 Reserved Forest Land 260, ,428 93,266 Other Forest Land 331,000 60, ,711 Total Forest Land 15,351,300 15,963,019 16,407,970 (USFS, FIA, 2007)

10 FOREST LAND OWNERSHIP -UPPER GREAT LAKES STATES- Forest Ownership in 2011 State(s) FEDERAL STATE COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL PRIVATE FOREST INDUSTRY PRIVATE NONINDUSTRIAL NATIVE AMERICAN TOTAL FORESTLAND Michigan 3,061,815 4,165, , ,447 11,452,548 25,644 20,127,049 Minnesota 2,989,628 3,878,943 2,750, ,138 6,530, ,006 17,370,394 Wisconsin 1,616,442 1,148,165 2,337, ,970 10,592, ,949 16,980,084 Upper Great Lakes States % of Total Forestland Sources: USDA Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis 7,667,885 9,192,917 5,494,605 2,544,556 28,575, ,600 54,477,527 14% 17% 10% 5% 52% 2% 59% of forests in the Upper Great Lakes States are under some form of private ownership

11 FOREST LAND OWNERSHIP -WISCONSIN- 37% increase in nonindustrial land owners 263,000 (1997) 362,000 (2006) Number of owners of private forest in Wisconsin by parcel size class Ownership Parcel Size # Owners (thousands) Change from 1997 to ,080,000 1,030, , ,000 Acres in WI Forest Tax Laws under Industrial Status by year <1 < , <1 <1 0 Acres in 1999 Acres in 2002 Acres in 2003 Acres in 2005 Acres in 2006 Acres in 2007 Total (USDA, FIA, NWOS, 2006)

12 FOREST LAND OWNERSHIP -WISCONSIN- Area of Wisconsin Forest Land by Ownership Forest industry 4% Native American Tribes 2% Federal government 10% Nonindustrial private forest owners 62% State government 7% Local government 15% Total non-industrial private forest acreage rose 14.23% and forest industry ownership fell 51.50% during the 38 year span ( ) as land was transferred to other ownership categories.

13 WILDFIRE -GREAT LAKES STATES- Wildfires are a natural force, influencing--and even renewing--forest ecosystems. Different suppression strategies are used in each of the Great Lakes States and among various landholders State(s) Acres of Land Burned by Wildfire in 2010 Michigan 11,357 Minnesota 27,000 Wisconsin 2,093 Great Lakes States 40,450 Data Source: USDA Forest Service, Fire and Aviation Management Amount of land burned by wildfire in MI, MN, WI Short term weather conditions are the major driver of fire risk; blow downs and ice storms result in fuel accumulations in the Great Lakes States

14 WILDLAND FIRE -WISCONSIN- Specific areas have a high risk of large, destructive wildland fires, from an ecological, social and/or historical perspective The principle causes of wildfires have changed over time. Railroads are causing fewer fires and the no. 1 cause of wildland fires is debris burning.

15 CLIMATE CHANGE -UPPER GREAT LAKES STATES- Shifts are likely to lead to changes in forest function and composition Climate change may relieve some stressors while exacerbating others

16 CLIMATE CHANGE -UPPER GREAT LAKES STATES- Trends among models show: Northern and boreal species decrease in extent and/or abundance Species highly likely to show severe declines include balsam fir, paper birch, and white spruce Species likely to show some decline include red pine, jack pine, northern white-cedar, quaking aspen, and yellow birch Species with potential to increase include bur oak, black oak, and bitternut hickory

17 CLIMATE CHANGE -WISCONSIN- Long-term climate related changes in temperature and precipitation will directly and indirectly impact the health and vitality of Wisconsin s forests.

18 INVASIVE SPECIES -UPPER GREAT LAKES STATES- Non-native invasive species have the potential to reduce forest diversity and cause huge economic and ecological damage to forests. Insect species such as the Emerald Ash Borer, Gypsy Moth and Asian Long Horned Beetle have already caused major damage in forests and in urban areas in the Midwest. Non-native disease causing organisms that cause mortality from White Pine Blister Rust, and Dutch Elm Disease are well documented historically. More recent examples include Beech Bark Disease and Sudden Oak Death.

19 INVASIVE SPECIES -UPPER GREAT LAKES STATES- National map of emerald ash borer detections as of May, Areas outlined in blue are under federal quarantine for emerald ash borer.

20 INVASIVE SPECIES -WISCONSIN- EAB Infestation in Wisconsin as of 2011 The emerald ash borer (EAB), Agrilus planipennis, is an exotic insect that was first observed in Wisconsin in Approximately 5.2 million urban trees, about 20% of all trees in Wisconsin s cities and villages, are ash.

21 WATER PROTECTION -UPPER GREAT LAKES STATES-

22 WATER PROTECTION -WISCONSIN- Over 10 million acres of Wisconsin s 16 million acres of forest land have a management focus that includes protection of soil and water resources.

23 GROWTH & REMOVALS -UPPER GREAT LAKES STATES- Net annual growth and removals of growing stock on timberland in the Upper Great Lakes States In 1996, the growth to removal ratio was 1.56; By 2011, the ratio had jumped to 1.88 Data Source: USDA Forest Service, Forest Inventory and Analysis Michigan has the highest ratio (2.22 in 2011), while Minnesota has the lowest ratio (1.52 in 2011).

24 Million cubic feet GROWTH & REMOVALS -WISCONSIN- In Wisconsin, growth exceeded removals by at least 30% from 1983 to Four major commercial species have declined significantly in growing stock volume since 1983: jack pine (45% decline) paper birch (40% decline) balsam fir (27% decline) quaking aspen (14% decline) Growth Removals

25 FOREST PRODUCTS INDUSTRY -UPPER GREAT LAKES STATES- Value and Rank of Wood Product Shipments in 2011 Rank State Shipments: Wood (x1000) Shipments: Paper (x1000) Total (x1000) 1 Wisconsin $3,158,895 $13,042,346 $16,201,241 2 Pennsylvania $3,474,938 $10,502,906 $13,977,844 3 California $3,913,781 $9,102,976 $13,016,757 4 Georgia $3,057,691 $9,800,444 $12,858,135 5 Alabama $2,419,280 $7,718,266 $10,137,546 6 Texas $3,772,821 $5,933,975 $9,706,796 7 Washington $2,648,765 $4,942,873 $7,591,638 8 Oregon $4,042,191 $3,037,137 $7,079,328 9 Minnesota $2,228,235 $4,790,624 $7,018, Illinois $1,293,843 $5,238,658 $6,532, Tennessee $1,576,702 $4,696,630 $6,273, Kentucky $1,468,913 $4,795,787 $6,264, Virginia $2,706,036 $3,459,180 $6,165, Michigan $1,645,015 $4,482,035 $6,127, New York $1,032,431 $5,022,060 $6,054,491 - Lake States 7,032,145 22,315,005 29,347,150 AFPA, 2011

26 Number FORESTRY PROFESSIONALS -UPPER GREAT LAKES STATES- Forestry Related Degrees Granted by U.S. Colleges Doctoral Masters 1000 Baccalaureate Year Wisconsin Certified Master Loggers # Master Loggers The average logging firm has been in business for over 20 years and the average firm owner is 47 years old. Forest management positions will see over 50% of the workforce turn over in the next decade. Currently, WI has 55 Master Loggers and Michigan has 28. Minnesota does not have an Master Logger program

27 STATEWIDE FOREST STRATEGY

28 STATEWIDE FOREST STRATEGY Focuses everyone on the big issues agreement on the goals and strategies How do we move forward? Forestry community anyone can decide to implement a strategy or action

29 STATEWIDE FOREST STRATEGY THEMES (5) Priority issues identified in the Assessment GOALS Desired conditions for each Theme STRATEGIES Ideas to address the issues/ trends/ opportunities in each Theme ACTIONS Possible activities to enact the Strategies

30 Goal: Large blocks of forest are maintained/increased Strategy: Pursue the conservation and protection of large, unfragmented blocks of forest lands Possible Action: Continue to identify opportunities to purchase easements and encourage investment in working forests through the Forest Legacy program.

31 Goal: The spectrum of native and exotic invasive species is being addressed to minimize loss of forested ecosystem function. Strategy: Strive to prevent infestations of invasive species before they arrive. Possible Action: Work in public/private partnerships to conduct species risk assessments and identify priority invasive species for regulatory action consistent with NR 40.

32 Goal: Wisconsin is a hub of green forest product markets, producing a diversity of value added solid wood, fiber, energy and ecosystem services. Strategy: Support existing forest products companies so that they are competitive domestically and internationally. Possible Action: Develop Great Lakes regional branding to market sustainably produced products with the organizations like the Great Lakes Forests Alliance.

33 STRATEGIC DIRECTION - IMPLEMENTATION

34 DIVISION OF FORESTRY STRATEGIC DIRECTION DIVISION OF FORESTRY STRATEGIC DIRECTION What is our role in the Statewide Forest Strategy? Of the many roles we have/could have, what is our Strategic Direction? DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES May 2011 Division s niche Partners roles Existing resources

35 PUBLIC LANDS Maintain our strong partnership with the counties with more efficient use of resources Meet annual allowable harvest goals on State Lands and invest more in reforestation. Improve recreation opportunities and visitor safety on State Forests

36 FIRE PROTECTION Allocate resources based on an updated assessment of risk as defined by fire landscapes. Value partnerships in accomplishing mission: fire departments and other agencies Maintaining our Fire Department Grant Program Increasing our investment in prevention and our Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) program

37 FOREST HEALTH & INVASIVES Provide technical expertise in the prevention, detection, assessment, management and monitoring of invasive plants, insects and diseases. Maintain education and training and partnership emphasis. Maintain our existing capacity to assist public and private forest landowners.

38 PRIVATE FORESTRY Increase investment in reaching private landowners who have not received professional assistance Facilitate the ability of private landowners to manage their forest land sustainably. Complement the work accomplished by private sector professionals.

39 URBAN & COMMUNITY FORESTS Shift emphasis from a public street tree model to an integrated community canopy model. Facilitate bringing interests together and building partnerships.

40 FOREST PRODUCTS SERVICES Increase our capacity to provide assistance to wood-producing and wood-using companies around the state to increase economic output for the forest sector. Increase new business and forest sector employment.

41 CERTIFICATION The Division remains committed to its investment in third-party certification of state lands, county forests and lands in the Managed Forest Law program

42 PARTNERSHIPS ARE CRITICAL -WE CAN T DO THIS ALONE-

43 PARTNERS (~350 SPECIFIC INDIVIDUALS) Government & Research State Agencies (Agriculture, Wildlife, Endangered Resources, Parks & Rec) Federal Agencies (USFS, NRCS) Wisconsin County Forest Association Regional Planning Commissions Universities, Extension Agents Conservation Districts Tribes Private Business Consulting Foresters Forest Products Companies Wisconsin Paper Council Timber Professionals Conservation The Nature Conservancy Dovetail Partners Wildlife groups (e.g., Ruffed Grouse Society) Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association Advisory Boards Wisconsin Council on Forestry & Council on Urban Forestry Stewardship Committee Water Quality BMP Advisory Committee Others Great Lakes Forest Alliance Society of American Foresters Private forest owners And many others

44 CONCLUSION Forests are a critical asset in the Great Lakes States and will continue to be. Many challenges that exist that we, as the regional forestry community, must address together to enhance that asset.

45 THANK YOU Q U E S T I O N S?