Landscape Scale Stewardship Planning

1. Landscape Scale Stewardship Planning Cooperative project of the Northeastern Area, Region 9, and NAASF Andrew Arends Minnesota DNR, St. Paul, MN

2. Presentation Outline • Landscape scale stewardship planning work group • Introduction to landscape scale stewardship • Benefits of landscape stewardship • Project timeline • Landscape case study 2

3. Landscape Scale Planning Work Group This work group was tasked by the Forest Service and NAASF to develop a new way to deliver stewardship assistance to NIPF to dramatically increase the scale and pace of sustainable private forest land management to keep forests as forests in the Northeast and Midwest. 3

4. Landscape Scale Planning Work Group • Work group asked us to develop state guidance for landscape scale stewardship planning/approaches • One of the 6 working groups that are a part of the Stewardship Project • State led effort with Forest Service assistance 4

5. Landscape Scale Planning Work Group • Project Sponsors • Lisa Allen, Missouri State Forester (NAASF) • Kathryn Maloney, Forest Service (NA) • Working with and getting approval from Forest Service and NAASF • Need to present to and get input from CFM staff 5

6. Landscape Scale Planning Work Group - Andrew Arends, Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources - Martina Barnes, Forest Service (NA) - Karen Bennett, University of New Hampshire - Rachel Billingham, Pennsylvania Dept. of Consv. and NR - Maureen Brooks, Forest Service (NA) - Lindberg Ekola, Minnesota Forest Resources Council - Norm Nass, Forest Service (Region 9) - Nicole Potvin, Wisconsin Dept. of Natural Resources - Karen Sykes, Forest Service (NA) - Steve Westin, Missouri Dept. of Conservation - Tom Worthley, University of Connecticut - Paul Wright, Consultant - Tom Ward, Natural Resources Conservation Service 6

7. Landscape Scale Planning Work Group • Our work group is working on • State guidance – how to set of documents • Sets sideboards • How to implement landscape planning at the local level • Establishes measurable metrics • Case studies • Defines landscape scale stewardship • Sharing information and answering questions 7

8. Landscape Scale Planning Working collaboratively with other resource agencies, NGO’s, communities and landowners across interconnected lands is a more effective approach to expand the reach and influence of forest stewardship, leveraging scarce resources and helping meet the shared stewardship goalsof both NA and its partners. 8

9. Landscape Scale Planning Landscape scale planning goals include • More engaged landowners • Increased benefits to communities • Wider recognition of the value of forest stewardship • A decrease in the rate of conversion of NIPF to other uses 9

10. Landscape Scale Planning Benefits of landscape scale planning • Motivates landowners • Builds agency and community capacity • Builds landowner trust of agencies and organizations • Supports the application of science and knowledge • Increases efficiencies in service delivery 10

11. Landscape Scale Planning • Principles for developing an approach to landscape stewardship • Principle 1 Invest in Priority Areas • Principle 2 Build a Collaborative Network • Principle 3 Appeal to Self-Interest • Principle 4 Manage for Results • Principle 5 Encourage Flexibility at All Levels 11

12. Landscape Scale Planning • Components of state guidance document • Planning – Develop a common vision, goals, desired future condition; focus on results • Coordination – Build existing relationships; foster new partnerships • Implementation – Put plan into action with collaboration among landowners and communities • Monitoring and evaluation – Track accomplishments and evaluate effectiveness; make adjustments to increase success 12

13. STATE REGION AREA COMMUNITY PARCEL Landscape Scale Planning

14. Landscape Scale Planning • The Community of Place Approach (or Geographic Based Approach) • Social, economic, or environmental issues that are clearly connected to forest resources in and around the community • County led effort to reduce forest fragmentation for example • Itasca County tax initiative 14

15. Landscape Scale Planning • The Community of Interest Approach (or Issue Based Approach) • Issues and opportunities identified in the state’s assessment and/or around issues and opportunities shared by a significant number of residents • Working with NIPF landowners to address water quality concerns (and improve bat habitat) for example • Missouri Conservation Opportunity Area 15

16. Landscape Work Group’s Timeline • December 2009 • Landscape work group met in Durham, NH • Winter 2009/2010 • Conference calls with work group and steering committee • March 2010 • Steering committee and work group leads met in St. Louis, MO • April 2010 • Landscape work group met in Columbus, OH 16

17. Landscape Work Group’s Timeline • Coming milestones • CFM meeting in New York, June 2010 • Presentation to CFM foresters • Ask for review and comment • NAASF meeting in Michigan, July 2010 • Presentation to State Foresters • Ask for review and comment • NAASF fall meeting, November 2010 • Seek NAASF approval of state guidance 17

18. Landscape Scale Stewardship • How will the state guidance impact state programs? • Move away from one-on-one stewardship plans • Increase scale and pace of landowner stewardship • States can still provide one-on-one plans if they wish • Work collaboratively with partners • Extension, communities, interest groups, agencies • Leverage additional funds • Work in state priority areas 18

19. Landscape Scale Stewardship • How will states be measured? • A work group is researching appropriate state metrics • When will states be expected to implement landscape scale planning? • Not until the plan has been approved • When will the state guidance be approved? • After presenting and getting approval from the Forest Service and NAASF 19

20. Landscape Scale Stewardship • Who can I contact for more information or provide feedback? • Anyone of the work group members • When will I get a copy of the draft state guidance? • An electronic draft will be shared with you and your State Forester soon 20

21. Case Study Four Corners Pilot Forestry Project Minnesota Forest Resources Council 21

22. Case Study • Voluntary • Collaborative • Creative 22

23. Case Study Project information: • Goal was to increase NIPF participation in the East Central plan Activities: • Started with landowner survey – what did they want/need? • Orientation meetings with local gov’t and service providers • Hosted 8 landowner education events • Supported writing stewardship plans • Presented to lake association • Building partnerships 23

24. Case Study Communities of Interest: • Water quality • Invasive species • Forest health • Wildfire Communities of Place: • Rush Lake • Individual townships and cities • Four counties and SWCDs 24

25. Closing • More information coming • Ask work group members questions this week • Review and provide comment when the draft state guidance is released 25

26. Contact Information Landscape Scale Planning Work Group Andrew Arends Andrew.Arends@state.mn.us 651-259-5261 Martina Barnes martinabarnes@fs.fed.us 212-637-3863 26