Northern Research Station NAASF Summer Meeting “An Update”

1. Northern Research StationNAASF Summer Meeting“An Update” The NRS: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level Presented By: Michael T. Rains July 13, 2010 Marquette, MI Final

2. Subject: An NRS Update “…it’s good to see you again.” Babe The NRS: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level NRS.2

3. Subject: Objective Objective: “…To provide you with a quick update about our Station, the Research and Development mission area, and even a few key points about the agency.” Paul The NRS: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level NRS.3

4. Subject: A Sense of Place • 20 states plus 4 (FIA). • 135 scientists at 24 sites. • 14 research work units. • 22 Experimental Forests. • Challenges: • Future predictions. • Forest disturbances. • Urban stewardship. • Sustaining forests. • Clean air and water. • Forest inventory. The NRS: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level NRS.4

5. Subject: Past Concerns That Remain Contemporary Capacity. The ability to respond to future needs and opportunities. Active Management. Acceptance of traditional methods. Invasive Species. More, major forest pests. Loss of Open Space. Increased forest fragmentation with more development. Response to Change. Improved forecasting and a wider array of policy options. Major Reviews, October 2003; August 2009 The NRS: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level NRS.5

6. Subject: A Key Point! NAASF “…If we band together, we can be much more compelling. Our ability to influence goes up exponentially.” NA NRS R-9 The NRS: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level NRS.6

7. Subject: Science Themes The NRS Goal: Stay focused while striving to balance constituent demands with scientific capacity. Forest Disturbance Processes Urban Natural Resources Stewardship Forest Disturbance Processes. Urban Natural Resources Stewardship. Sustaining Forests. Providing Clean Air and Water. Natural Resources Inventory and Monitoring. Sustaining Forests Providing Clean Air and Water Natural Resources Inventory & Monitoring The NRS: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level NRS.7

8. The Capacity-Demand Chasm: The distance between our science capacity and demands for services is getting too great. It’s time for SIM* * Strategic Influence Mapping. Knowing who the real influencers (v. those who deploy) are to help determine where we should put our efforts to succeed. Subject: A Concern The NRS: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level NRS.8

9. Subject: Science Themes Forest Disturbance Processes: • Actions: • Biological control • Risk modeling • Developing resistant trees • “…helping keep ash bats in the lineup” (partnering with MLB™) Forest Disturbance Processes Urban Natural Resources Stewardship Sustaining Forests Providing Clean Air and Water Natural Resources Inventory & Monitoring Grade: C+ Problem: Capacity Needs: +$1,500,000 The NRS: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level NRS.9

10. The Northern Research Station Update Subject: Science Themes Urban Natural Resources Stewardship: • Actions: • i-Tree deployment • Urban Long-Term Research Areas • Urban Waters Federal Partnership • Urban Natural Resources Institute • New York City Field Station Forest Disturbance Processes Urban Natural Resources Stewardship Sustaining Forests Providing Clean Air and Water Natural Resources Inventory & Monitoring Grade: B Problem: Capacity Needs: +$2,000,000 The NRS: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level NRS.10

11. Subject: Science Themes Urban Natural Resources Stewardship: Forest Disturbance Processes Urban Natural Resources Stewardship Sustaining Forests Providing Clean Air and Water Natural Resources Inventory & Monitoring The NRS: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level NRS.11

12. Subject: Science Themes Providing Clean Air and Water: • Actions: • System of regional flux networks • Aspen FACE Phase II • Carbon On-Line Calculator (COLE) • Modeling for variability • “Forest Service Desk” at Princeton Forest Disturbance Processes Urban Natural Resources Stewardship Sustaining Forests Providing Clean Air and Water Natural Resources Inventory & Monitoring Grade: B+ Problem: Strategic Focus Needs: +$3,800,000 The NRS: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level NRS.12

13. Subject: Science Themes Natural Resources Inventory and Monitoring: • Actions: • The “Best of Planet” FIA Program • Improved carbon inventory • Northern Forest Futures Project • Wood for Energy analysis • FIA fully integrated with science • NIMAC: National Inventory and Monitoring Applications Center Forest Disturbance Processes Urban Natural Resources Stewardship Sustaining Forests Providing Clean Air and Water Natural Resources Inventory & Monitoring Grade: A Problem: Funding for Expansion Needs: +$1,300,000 (+$4,000,000 nationally) The NRS: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level NRS.13

14. Subject: An “All-Lands” Approach to Science The region is a natural for “all-lands” forest stewardship • The “Research Agenda” 1: • Engagement. • Capacity determination. • Assessments, Modeling • and Predictive Tools. • 1 Jamie Barbour The NRS: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level NRS.14

15. Subject: An “All-Lands” Approach to Science The Position Paper: Our “Position Paper “is responsive to the Chief’s Review; the Secretary’s vision; events by the NAASF; and many additional thoughts. We will add to this “living document” through a series of Appendices. • Landscape Scale Conservation • in the • Northeast and Midwest • A Charter, Signed By: • Regional Forester • Area Director • Station Director • NAASF • Appendix A: • “Foundations of • Collaboration” • Appendix B; C; Etc. Let’s See Some of the Current Parts and Pieces The NRS: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level NRS.15

16. LSC=F2(R9+NA+NRS)SF (I,SLI2 x Rm x C) *Im SF: State Foresters R9: Region 9 (Eastern Region) NA: Northeastern Area NRS: Northern Research Station F2: Futuring, using the “Northern Forest Futures Project” and Focused (targeted) actions I: Information (management) SLI2: Shared Landscapes, Issues, Investments Foundations of Rm: Risk management Collaboration C: Communication Im: Implementation Kent LSC: Formula for Success Each Mission Area of the Forest Service and others play a unique and interlocking role. The NRS: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level NRS.16

17. The National Outlook1: • Identify “pilot landscapes.” • Restore lands across mixed ownerships. • Conduct vulnerability assessments. • Think along the “rural to urban gradient.” • Protect water quality and supply. • Focus on “Wood for Energy.” • “Move America Outdoors” (Recreation). • Green Jobs for Green Careers. • Environmental Literacy (Education). • 1 NLC Meeting, Madison, WI, June 21-25, 2010. The Northern Research Station Update Subject: An “All-Lands” Approach to Science • Landscape Scale Conservation • in the • Northeast and Midwest • A Charter, Signed By: • Regional Forester • Area Director • Station Director • NAASF • Appendix A: • “Foundations of • Collaboration” • Appendix B; C; Etc. The NRS: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level NRS.17

18. The Northern Research Station Update Subject: The “NRS Profile” (Managing Information to be Better) The “NRS Profile”: A proposed information management system. The NRS: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level NRS.18

19. Subject: The Budget * With outside funds, the total NRS budget is about $70,000,000. Primary increases for Climate Change and FIA The NRS: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level NRS.19

20. Subject: Our Employees: “…we are able and willing to serve” W O W ! The NRS: Discovery and Innovation at the Highest Level NRS.20

21. Subject: The Outlook “…Remember, it is not the time to be coy” The NRS and NAASF: Perfect Together NRS.21

22. Remember… Any Questions? It’s C l To Be Safe. The NRS and NAASF: Perfect Together NRS.22