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State Forest Resource Assessments and Strategies: An Update & Your Role

State Forest Resource Assessments and Strategies: An Update & Your Role. Sherri Wormstead Sustainability & Planning Coordinator Northeastern Area S&PF July 12, 2009. The Farm Bill (Title VIII) Requires. “State-wide assessment of forest resource conditions”

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State Forest Resource Assessments and Strategies: An Update & Your Role

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  1. State Forest Resource Assessments and Strategies: An Update & Your Role Sherri Wormstead Sustainability & Planning Coordinator Northeastern Area S&PF July 12, 2009

  2. The Farm Bill (Title VIII) Requires • “State-wide assessment of forest resource conditions” • “A long-term State-wide forest resource strategy” • Within 2 years of enactment of the Farm Bill (2010) • For a State to be eligible to receive CFAA funds “State-wide assessment & State-wide strategy…shall be deemed to be sufficient to satisfy all relevant State planning & assessment requirements under Act.”

  3. S&PF Redesign—Why? • In response to the combined impacts of • Increasing pressures on our nation’s forests • Decreasing S&PF resources and funds • = need for progressive strategies

  4. S&PF Redesign—Components • Themes • State assessments & strategies • National assessment • Competitive resource allocation • Programs and staffing • Demonstrating and communicating results 3 Themes Conserve working forest landscapes Protect forests from harm Enhance public benefits from trees and forests http://www.fs.fed.us/spf/redesign/

  5. State Assessment Requirements • Analysis of present and future forest conditions and trends on all ownerships • Identify threats, benefits, and services • Consistent with the S&PF national themes • Delineate priority landscape areas • Identify multi-state areas

  6. State Strategy—Requirements • Long-term strategies to address priority issues, threats, and areas • How invest Fed. and other resources • Long-term timeline for implementation • ID partner and stakeholder involvement • How will monitor outcomes and revise action • How will accomplish S&PF nat. objectives • How S&PF programs will be used • Incorporate existing statewide plans

  7. Draft Guidance for State Strategies • Developed by State Strategy Team • Slightly revised following wider review • Accompanies NAASF Guide for State Assessments and Strategies • Geared to state forest planning contacts • This is guidance: • Our interpretation of requirements • Suggestions, tips, examples

  8. Key Points from Guide for State Strategies • To address priority issues & areas • Long term (5+ years) • There is flexibility for content and structure • Planning document for S&PF programs (and more!) • Strategies are broad and flexible • Annual actions tier from State Strategy • Stakeholder involvement • Consulting other plans

  9. Suggested State Strategy Components Page 7-11 • Description of priority areas & issues • Description of strategies • Investing resources • Protocol for translating into annual actions • Monitoring and reporting • Stakeholder involvement • List of other plans consulted • Glossary of terms and acronyms Example outline for State Strategy on page 7

  10. Assess—Plan—Implement—Adapt Long Term (5+ yrs) State Assessment State Strategy • Report & Monitor • State annual report • S&PF Performance Measures Annual Actions • S&PF Grants • Core activities • Competitive projects • Other Funding • Other grants • State budget

  11. Program Area Integration • Intent of Farm Bill & Redesign—integrate programs • Prior individual S&PF Program plans not required (fully integrate into the State Strategy) • Address priority issues and areas through collaborative approach • Recognize there will still be some strategies implemented by one program.

  12. Program & Other Elements to Consider in the State Strategy • Community Forest & Open Space Program • Utilization & marketing • State lands management • Conservation education • Watershed forestry • Fire • Forest Health • Forest Legacy • Forest Stewardship • Urban & Community Forestry

  13. Identifying Multi-State Priority Areas • NA help facilitate the process • Held brainstorming session at FRPC meeting • Planners want state program managers input on potential areas • Discussion about the process  NAASF mtg.

  14. Key Unknowns • Federal approval process • S&PF Reporting • Performance measures • Annual Report • Annual grant narrative/proposals

  15. NAASF Forest Resource Planning Committee Web Site: www.northeasternforests.org/FRPC Case Sensitive! More Info & Resources FRPC contacts National guidance Regional guidance Stakeholder involvement resources Example state assessments and plans Links to data sources Link to national Resource Center

  16. The Role of State Program Staff • Meet often with assessment and planning lead • Share ideas for priority areas and issues • Discuss multi-state priorities with peers • Share data, draft sections, review drafts • Help engage stakeholders • Contribute to drafting strategies • Integrate strategies from prior program plan • Consider how your program can contribute • Make sure “routine” activities are captured

  17. Let’s Discuss • How well are program staff engaged in state assessments? • How can NAASF Committees encourage members to engage and contribute? • Desire to discuss multi-state priority areas and issues?

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