Preliminary Findings from the NE Statewide Forest Resource Assessments and Strategies

1. Preliminary Findings from the NE Statewide Forest Resource Assessments and Strategies Deputy Chief James E. Hubbard August 25, 2010

2. A Quick Refresher on the Farm Bill (Title VIII) Requirements • Statewide assessment of forest resource conditions • Conditions and trends • Threats to forest lands and resources • Areas or regions that are a priority • Multi-state areas that are a regional priority • Long-term Statewide forest resource strategy • Strategies for addressing threats • Description of resources to address the strategy • Due June 2010 for Approval by Secretary of Agriculture • Delegated to Deputy Chief for State & Private Forestry • Approved August 6, 2010 • Annual Report on use of funds

3. National Priorities for Private Forest Conservation • Conserve working forest landscapes • Protect forests from threats • Enhance public benefits from private forests

4. Preliminary Findings

5. Priority Landscapes/Issues • Urban forests • Keeping forests as forests • Wildfire • Water resources • Invasive species • Conserving biodiversity • Maintaining & enhancing economic benefits of forests • Rural landscapes • Managing for economic and ecosystem benefits • Risk of conversion/fragmentation

6. Regional Threats/Trends/Priorities

7. Regional Threats/Trends/Priorities Demographic Shifts & Changing Ownership • Aging landowner population • Intergenerational transfer of ownership • Shift from large industrial timber owners to TIMOs

8. Regional Threats/Trends/Priorities(cont’d) • Forest fragmentation and conversion • Changing markets and economic trends • Climate change

9. Regional Threats/Trends/Priorities(cont’d) • Fuel loads and wildfire management needs • Insects and pathogens • Invasive plants and other forest health issues • Forest composition

10. Regional Threats/Trends/Priorities(cont’d) • Water quality/quantity • Wildlife & habitat • Changing recreational patterns • Urban forests/trees

11. Regional Solutions

12. Regional Solutions • Demographic shifts and changing ownership • Forest fragmentation • Changing markets and economic trends • Climate change

13. Regional Solutions • Fuel loads and wildfire management needs • Insects and pathogens • Invasive plants and other forest health issues

14. Regional Solutions • Water quality/quantity • Wildlife and habitat • Forest composition and trends • Changing recreational patterns • Urban forests/trees

15. Multi-State Issues

16. Examples of Multi-State Issues:Regional Focus • Connecticut River Valley – CT, ME, NH • Tactonic Mountains – CT, MA, NY, VT • Lake Champlain Basin – NY, VT, Quebec • Highlands Region – CT, NJ, NY, PA • Borderlands Project – CT, RI • I – 95 Corridor – CT, DE, ME, MA, NH, RI, DE, DC, NY, MD, PA • Great Lakes Cooperative – IL, IN, MI, MN, NY, OH, PA, WI, Ontario

17. Examples of Multi-State Issues:Issue Focus • Oil & Gas Drilling – MD, NY, OH, PA, VA, WV • Biomass Projects – MD, OH, WV • Slow-the-Spread – IA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, NC, OH, VA, WI, WV • Call Before You Cut – IA, IL, IN, MO, OH, WV • Reforestation of Previously Mined Lands – AL, KY, MD, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV • Upper Ohio River Valley Watershed – OH, PA, IN, IL, KY, WV • Sustaining Traditional Timber Markets & Developing Non-Traditional Markets in the Appalachian Region – KY, MD, OH, PA, VA, WV

18. Summary

19. Thank You