Preliminary Findings from the NE Statewide Forest Resource Assessments and Strategies

Deputy Chief James E. HubbardAugust 25, 2010

A Quick Refresher on the Farm Bill (Title VIII) Requirements Statewide assessment of forest resource conditions

Conditions and trendsThreats to forest lands and resourcesAreas or regions that are a priorityMulti-state areas that are a regional priority

Long-term Statewide forest resource strategyStrategies for addressing threatsDescription of resources to address the strategy

Due June 2010 for Approval by Secretary of AgricultureDelegated to Deputy Chief for State & Private ForestryApproved August 6, 2010

Annual Report on use of funds

National Priorities for Private Forest Conservation

Conserve working forest landscapes

Protect forests from threatsEnhance public benefits from

private forests

Preliminary Findings

Priority Landscapes/IssuesUrban forestsKeeping forests as forestsWildfireWater resourcesInvasive speciesConserving biodiversityMaintaining & enhancing economic benefits of

forestsRural landscapesManaging for economic and ecosystem benefitsRisk of conversion/fragmentation

Regional Threats/Trends/Priorities

Demographic Shifts & Changing Ownership

Aging landowner population

Intergenerational transfer of ownership

Shift from large industrial timber owners to TIMOs

Regional Threats/Trends/Priorities

Regional Threats/Trends/Priorities(cont’d)

Forest fragmentation and conversion

Changing markets and economic trends

Climate change

Fuel loads and wildfire management needs

Insects and pathogensInvasive plants and other forest

health issuesForest composition

Regional Threats/Trends/Priorities(cont’d)

Regional Threats/Trends/Priorities(cont’d)Water

quality/quantityWildlife &

habitatChanging

recreational patterns

Urban forests/trees

Regional Solutions

Regional SolutionsDemographic shifts

and changing ownership

Forest fragmentation

Changing markets and economic trends

Climate change

Regional SolutionsFuel loads and wildfire management needsInsects and pathogensInvasive plants and other forest health issues

Regional SolutionsWater quality/quantityWildlife and habitatForest composition and trendsChanging recreational patternsUrban forests/trees

Multi-State Issues

Examples of Multi-State Issues:Regional FocusConnecticut River Valley – CT, ME, NHTactonic Mountains – CT, MA, NY, VTLake Champlain Basin – NY, VT, QuebecHighlands Region – CT, NJ, NY, PABorderlands Project – CT, RII – 95 Corridor – CT, DE, ME, MA, NH, RI,

DE, DC, NY, MD, PAGreat Lakes Cooperative – IL, IN, MI, MN,

NY, OH, PA, WI, Ontario

Examples of Multi-State Issues:Issue FocusOil & Gas Drilling – MD, NY, OH, PA, VA, WVBiomass Projects – MD, OH, WVSlow-the-Spread – IA, IL, IN, KY, MI, MN, NC, OH, VA,

WI, WVCall Before You Cut – IA, IL, IN, MO, OH, WVReforestation of Previously Mined Lands – AL, KY,

MD, OH, PA, TN, VA, WVUpper Ohio River Valley Watershed – OH, PA, IN, IL,

KY, WVSustaining Traditional Timber Markets & Developing

Non-Traditional Markets in the Appalachian Region – KY, MD, OH, PA, VA, WV

Summary

Thank You