NAASF & NA Draft Guidance for State Strategies

1. NAASF & NA Draft Guidance for State Strategies Sherri Wormstead Sustainability & Planning Coordinator Northeastern Area S&PF April 14, 2009

2. Presentation Overview • Background • Overview of Draft Guidance for State Strategy • Suggested Components for State Strategy • Program Area Integration • Other Sections of the Draft Guidance • Your Input

3. Background: The Farm Bill, S&PF Redesign, & State Strategy Team

4. The Farm Bill (Title VIII) Requires • “State-wide assessment of forest resource conditions” • “A long-term State-wide forest resource strategy” • “Annual report on use funds” • 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.”

5. 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

6. 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/

7. NAASF Charge to Forest Resource Planning Committee “Work with other NAASF committees and key NA staff to draft regional document(s) with more details on the components for State Strategies.”

9. Sherri Wormstead—NA lead Tom Luther—NA GIS lead Dan Devlin (PA, NAASF) Ian MacFarlane (NAASF) NAASF Committee Reps. NAASF & NA State Strategy Team Planning Committee Members NA Program Reps.

10. Overview of Draft Guidancefor State Strategies

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 Draft Guidance for State Strategies • Developed by State Strategy Team • Accompanies NAASF Guide for State Assessments and Strategies • Geared to state forest planning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

12. TOC for Draft Guidance for State Strategies Page 1 Executive Summary A. Introduction and Purpose for State Strategies B. Suggested State Strategy Components & Outline C. Minimum Requirements for State Strategy D. Tips for Statewide Forest Planning E. Program Area Integration: Tell the Whole Story F. Additional Resources Appendices I. Example Timeline for State Strategy Process II. NAASF & NA State Strategy Team

13. State Strategy—Requirements Page 1 • 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 Section C 10-14

14. Key Points from Intro & Purposeabout the State Strategy Page 3-5 • To address priority issues & areas • Long term (5+ years) • There is flexibility for content and structure • Can serve as strategic planning document • Strategies are broad and flexible • Annual actions tier from State Strategy

15. Long Term (5+ yrs) Suggested Process for Implementing the State Strategy Page 3 State Assessment State Strategy Annual Statewide Action Plan Annual S&PF Grant Narrative/Proposals • Core activities • Competitive projects Other Funding Processes • Other grants • State budget process Annual work plans for each State staff unit

16. Questions on Background and Overview of Draft Guidance for State Strategies? Presentation Overview • Background • Overview of Draft Guidance for State Strategy • Suggested Components for State Strategy • Program Area Integration • Other Sections of the Guidance • Your Input

17. Suggested Componentsfor the State StrategySection B of Draft Guidance

18. Suggested State Strategy Components Page 6-10 • Description of priority areas & issues • Strategies and 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 6

19. Priority Issue #1 Description Issues Desired future? Stakeholders Description of Priority Areas & Issues Page 6 • From State Assessment • High level description • Desired future trends/ conditions (not required)

20. Page 6 Strategies and Resources a. High-level overview of strategies to address priority issues & landscape areas - Can be presented in different ways - Reference important ongoing activities b. Suggest a strategies matrix (summary) c. High-level description of resources

21. Page 8 A. Example matrix of strategies organized by priority State issues State Issue #1: Private Forest Landowner Demographic Trends, and Corresponding Land Use Changes Example Matrices of Strategies Second strategy for State issue #1 B. Example matrix of strategies organized by priority landscape areas Priority Landscape Area 1: Lamoille River Corridor

22. Stakeholder Involvement Page 9 • At minimum “coordinate” with: • State Forest Stewardship Committee • State wildlife agency • State Technical Committee • Federal land management agencies • Lead agency for Forest Legacy Program • State Urban Forestry Council • List who was involved • ID stakeholders that will contribute to strategies

23. Other Plans Consulted • State Wildlife Action Plan (required) • Community Wildfire Protection Plans (required) • Past state strategic plans • State Comprehensive Outdoor Rec. Plan • Plans for state-owned land • Applicable plans for Fed. forest land • Prior 5-yr S&PF Program plans How these plans are “incorporated” will vary. Intent—Complement other plans —ID opportunities for coordination

24. Questions on suggested components? Presentation Overview • Background • State Assessment & Strategy Overview • Suggested Components for State Strategy • Program Area Integration • Other Sections of the Guidance • Your Input

25. Program Area Integration:Tell the Whole StorySection E of Draft Guidance

26. Page 15 Program Area Integration • Intent of Farm Bill & Redesign—integrate Programs • Address priority issues and areas through collaborative approach • Prior individual S&PF Program plans not required

27. Page 15 Program Area Integration • “Elements to Consider” for reference • Requirements for Forest Legacy (see pg. 17 and accompanying doc.) • Utilization & marketing • State lands management • Conservation education • Watershed forestry • Fire • Forest Health • Forest Legacy • Forest Stewardship • Urban & Community Forestry

28. Questions on Integrating S&PF Programs? Presentation Overview • Background • State Assessment & Strategy Overview • Suggested Components for State Strategy • Program Area Integration • Other Sections of the Guidance • Your Input

29. Other Sections of the Draft Guidance

30. Section D. Tips for Statewide Forest Planning Page 14 Example Tips: • Organizational relevance is critical • Strategies should be “SMART” Insert Image

31. NAASF Forest Resource Planning Committee Web Site: www.northeasternforests.org/FRPC Case Sensitive! Section F. Additional Resources Page 21 FRPC contacts National guidance Regional guidance Stakeholder involvement resources Example state assessments and plans Links to data sources

32. Appendices: Page 22 • Ex. Timeline for State Strategy Process • NAASF & NA State Strategy Team Page 23

33. We Want Your Input!

34. Your Input is Important for the Draft Guidance! Drafted guidance for State Strategies 1 2 3 Review and input by NAASF Committees and NA staff (Due April 22) State Strategy Team Refine & Share (May) 4 NAASF Approve (June?)

35. Opportunity for Input • This webinar (thanks!) • As a state (submit to Sherri) • As NAASF Committee member • NA staff Input due April 22

36. Other Questions/Discussion? Input due April 22 Contact Info for Sherri Wormstead:603-868-7737, swormstead@fs.fed.us

38. Page 10 S&PF National Themes & Objectives • Table 3. S&PF National Themes and Objectives • 1. Conserve Working Forest Landscapes • 1.1. Identify and conserve high priority forest ecosystems and landscapes • 1.2. Actively and sustainably manage forests • 2. Protect Forests from Harm • 2.1. Restore fire-adapted lands and reduce risk of wildfire impacts • 2.2. Identify, manage, and reduce threats to forest and ecosystem health • 3. Enhance Public Benefits from Trees and Forests • 3.1. Protect and enhance water quality and quantity • 3.2. Improve air quality and conserve energy • 3.3. Assist communities in planning for and reducing wildfire risks • 3.4. Maintain and enhance the economic benefits and values of trees and forests • 3.5. Protect, conserve, and enhance wildlife and fish habitat • 3.6. Connect people to trees and forests, and engage them in environmental stewardship activities • 3.7. Manage and restore trees and forests to mitigate and adapt to global climate change