West Wide Forest Planning
The West Wide Forest Planning strategic initiative is an exciting endeavor by the Council of Western State Foresters and the Western Forestry Leadership Coalition. In addition to assistance to states as they complete their State Assessments and Strategies, the project will consist of a series of maps and narratives to help us tell the story of western forest values, threats, and conservation priorities.
State Forest Resource Assessments and Strategies
The western state and pacific island territories are completing State-wide Assessments of Forest Resource Conditions (Assessments) and long-term State-wide Forest Resource Strategies (Strategies) prior to the June 2010 deadline as established under the 2008 Farm Bill. These Assessments and Strategies are also a critical component of State & Private Forestry Redesign, and will form the foundation on which States receive funding under the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act in support of State and Private Forestry Programs.
Working in collaboration with the USFS and WFLC, the western states and islands will be able to successfully complete their Assessments and Strategies, identify data gaps, and develop the resources needed to fill those gaps in order to produce even more robust products in the future.
Please refer to the links below for more information, or contact Dana Coelho: WFLC Program Manager, dcoelho@fs.fed.us, 303-445-4364.
Telling Our Collective Story
Having a western compilation of state and island Assessments and Strategies (and the rich datasets they contain) will help identify multi-state priority areas and opportunities for collaboration on critical issues. This big-picture analysis will also help make the case for sustainable forestry in the West and contribute to decision making at state, regional, and national levels. The WFLC is currently preparing a contract proposal to complete this element of the West Wide Forest Planning strategic initiative.
Information and Resources
Contacts for Western State Assessments and Strategies from the western states, islands, and US Forest Service Regions. This document also includes state websites. (January 2010)
Voluntary Guidance for States to Incorporate Climate Change into State Wildlife Action Plans and Other Management Plans developed by a collaboration of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies' Climate Change and Teaming With Wildlife Committees. (November 2009)
State Assessment and Resource Strategies Examples presented at the NASF meeting September 24, 2009
State & Private Forestry Redesign State Assessment and Strategy Resource Center created and maintained by the US Forest Service, Washington Office
Statewide Assessment and Strategy Documents created and maintained by the Northeastern Area Association of State Foresters (NAASF) Forest Resource Planning Committee. The website includes national guidance documents, tools, and tips relevant to completing the Assessments and Strategies.
The North American Wild Turkey Management Plan(NAWTMP) was developed by the National Wild Turkey Federation and addresses game bird conservation on international, national, regional, and local levels. Regional and individual State assessments/plans are available on the website and may be used as a resource for completing the Statewide Assessments & Strategies.
Technical assistance is available to the western state and pacific island territories completing their State Assessments and Strategies through the Rocky Mountain Research Station - Missoula Fire Science Lab and Pacific Southwest Region - State and Private Forestry. Please contact the individuals below with outstanding questions on data, analysis methods, and other technical needs.
Jim Menakis
Rocky Mountain Research Station - Missoula Fire Science Lab
406-329-4958
jmenakis@fs.fed.us
http://firelab.fire.org/
Lisa Fischer
Pacific Southwest Region - State and Private Forestry
530-759-1748
lisafischer@fs.fed.us
http://zliu95618.wordpress.com/
