Landscape Stewardship

1. Stewardship Program Revision Landscape Stewardship Steve Westin

2. Presentation Outline • Brief Catch-up • Work Group Updates • Focus Grant Projects • Landscape Stewardship Case Studies • Looking Forward

3. Forest Stewardship Program Reform Addressing community needs builds public support for keeping forest as forest A vision for Landscape Stewardship Stewardship of private forestland helps meet community needs Landscape-scale plans consider the community’s resource-based needs

4. Landscape StewardshipKey Concepts Landscape Stewardship: an ‘all-lands’ approach to forest conservation that works across multiple ownerships to address issues and opportunities identified in a state’s Forest Resource Assessment and Strategies Landscape Stewardship project (or approach if you will): a collaborative effort to determine how to achieve desired social, economic and environmental objectives shared by the stakeholders through community and landowner engagement Landscape Stewardship Plan: one element of a landscape stewardship project. Serves as foundation for streamlined individual plans

5. Revised Forest Stewardship Program Building Blocks Landscape Stewardship Approaches/ Projects/Plans addressing Agency & State priorities Provide Integrated Solutions – Using govt. resources more effectively Enhance Financial Viability for landowners via new tools/partnerships

6. INCREASING THE REACH AND EFFECTIVENESS OF FOREST STEWARDSHIP Our goal is to sustain the health, productivity and diversity of the Nation’s privately-owned forestland such that it helps to meet the needs of current and future generations. MP1 Forest Stewardship can contribute to this goal by helping to “keep forests as forests” [as indicated by the rate of conversion of privately-owned forestland to other uses]. To help “keep forests as forests” we will facilitate the convergence of personal and societal benefits: Gather and analyze NIPF owner information Increase forestland owners’ awareness of opportunities and benefits of their woodlands and its management Landowners are segmented by ownership objectives and motivations Develop targeted messages Landowners within priority landscapes are identified Messages are developed by ownership objectives and motivations MP3 Landowner issues, opportunities, awareness & attitudes are understood Employ targeted communication channels MP7 Communication & marketing plans are being implemented Landowners’ communication channels are identified Cultivate corporate relationships Develop avenues for partnerships Research potential partners Expand partnerships to accelerate stewardship Analyze opportunities and needs Identify spokespersons and gatekeepers Match opportunities with partnership interests and resources NIPF owners sustainably manage their woodlands [as indicated by the proportion of owners and priority acres under management], which requires that we: Enhance/Promote Personal Benefits Redeem value from partnerships Develop partnering messages Create revenue opportunities Cultivate resource-based relationships within large geographic areas Contribute to Marketing & Education Products Formalize partnerships Contribute to Financial Incentives MP8 Research potential partners Complete agreements/MOU’s Contribute to Resource Solutions Increase financial viability of NIPF lands Increase revenue opportunities Decrease ownership cost MP6 Extractive revenue options have increased Financial viability of private forestland ownership has improved Management costs have decreased Non-extractive revenue options have increased Develop issue-based resource solutions within large geographic areas Tax liabilities have decreased MP2 Priority landscapes within large geographic areas are identified Large scale assessment data are available Large geographic areas within assessment areas are identified Resource issues and opportunities within priority landscapes have been identified. Issue-based resource solutions have been developed Develop/provide tools and resources to help forestland owners meet their needs MP10 Landscape level plans, approaches and strategies have been implemented MP1 Priority landscapes for landscape-scale approaches have been identified MP4 Develop new approaches for forest stewardship Guidance for landscape-scale approaches has been developed Number and area of NIPF tracts adopting stewardship principles are increased Prototype applications have been identified and benchmarked Streamlined plans for individual landowners have been implemented in priority landscapes Individual plan prospects within priority landscapes have been targeted MP5 Guidance for streamlined landowner planning has been developed MP11 Gather and analyze socio-demographic information MP3 Develop messages Increase public knowledge of environmental, economic and social benefits of managed private forests Public issues, opportunities, awareness and attitudes are understood Issue and benefit-based messages are developed for specific media markets/channels Employ communication channels within target media markets MP7 Design communication products Communication & marketing plans are being implemented MP1 Public communication channels within priority landscapes are identified NIPF owners experience increased support from communities, decision- makers & representatives Gather and analyze decision-maker information Develop targeted messages Key decision-makers within priority landscapes are identified Beneficiaries of forest-based ecosystem services provide a socio-economic environment conducive to keeping forests as forests [as indicated by trends in attitudes and actions], which requires that we: Improve local decision-makers’ capacity for resource conservation Inform/educate decision-makers within priority landscapes MP3 Enhance/Promote Societal Benefits Personalized issue- and benefit-based messages are developed based on community issues and needs Decision-makers’ issues, opportunities, awareness & attitudes are understood MP7 Communication & marketing plans are being implemented Communication channels with key decision-makers are identified Identify targets Develop messages MP9 Authorizers and appropriators understand the need for and benefits of forest stewardship Facilitate youth & volunteer program opportunities Key political stakeholders have been identified & assessed Targeted talking points are developed Improve political support for forest stewardship Deliver messages Talking points are being delivered through effective channels MP12 Gatekeepers have been identified Youth programs in priority landscapes are engaged in forest stewardship activities Gather and analyze youth & volunteer information Educate and engage youth and volunteers MP13 Youth and volunteer groups within priority landscapes are identified Volunteer contributions to stewardship activities in priority landscapes increase Knowledge of and attitudes toward forest management are understood July 2009 January 2010 July 2010 January 2011 July 2011

7. Project Process First Steps Summer ’08 – NAASF directed CFM to consider revision of program delivery Revised Stewardship Program Delivery written into NA Strategic Business Plan USFS WO support for the Stewardship Project Jan. ‘09 - Project “Road Map” and Charter created Executive Committee, Steering Committee and Project Team Established

8. Process….. • Subdivided the project into functional areas and created work groups around those areas to flesh them out • Meetings…….. Durham, St. Louis, Columbus, Columbus, CT, St. Louis, St. Louis • NAASF “check-in” & approval to move forward • Steering Comm. & W.G. Leads have a standing Monday pm call • Focus Grant Projects – June, ‘10 thru 2012

9. Stewardship ProjectParticipation by State Staff (including Extn) = WG or Steering Cttee Participant

10. Stewardship Project: Primary Benchmarks December 2010 – June 2011 • NAASF endorses draft Landscape Stewardship Guidance • Incorporation of remaining pieces into overall guidance • Training program for CFM developed and initial delivery • Web portal developed and populated

11. Stewardship Project: Work Group Coordination • Landscape-Scale Planning • Communications & Marketing • Measures & Metrics • Engaging Communities • Enhanced Financial Viability

12. Stewardship Project: Work Group Coordination Landscape-Scale Planning • Guidance document and Quick Start Guide completed • Remaining work: • Incorporate additional information as it’s developed

13. Landscape Stewardship Guidance and Quick Start Documents Guidance document • The text book / reference guide for state CFM staff • Incorporated comments from State Foresters, CFM staff, and planners • Professional design/editing • Living document

14. Landscape Guidance Document • Section 1: The Importance and Context of Landscape Stewardship • Section 2: Identifying a Project Area • Section 3: Identifying and Engaging Stakeholders • Section 4: Communicating Landscape Stewardship to the Wider Community • Section 5: Considering Existing Community Plans and Resources

15. Landscape Guidance Document • Section 6: Developing a Long Range Vision, Goals, and Objectives • Section 7: Coordination Guidance • Section 8: Implementation Guidance • Section 9: Technical and Financial Assistance to Landowners • Section 10: Monitoring and Evaluation

16. Landscape Stewardship Guidance and Quick Start Documents • Quick Start Guide • Developed as a kind of cheat sheet • Outlines the expected components of a landscape stewardship project • Meant for CFM staff and • partners • Is landscape stewardship • as simple as the • guide implies?

18. Stewardship Project: Work Group Coordination Communications & Marketing • Work completed: • 20 State and District capacity survey • Social Marketing Consultant doing audience segmentation and messaging research • Leveraging Sustaining Family Forests Initiative (SFFI) and Tools for Effective Landowners Engagement (TELE) social marketing framework

19. Stew Project Web Portal

20. Stewardship Project: Work Group Coordination Measures & Metrics • The M and M work group has basically finished its work. • The next steps: Based on feedback we got from CFM and State Foresters from the March 15 document brief, Karen Bennett will work with Mike Huneke and Sloane Crawford (CFM-NY) to draft the guidance for what each of the measures and metrics means. This will be presented to the state foresters this summer.

21. Measures & Metrics

22. Stewardship Project: Work Group Coordination Engaging Communities • Guidance document includes preliminary advice • Further work underway • Targeting June 2011 for delivery of Tools/Strategies

23. Stewardship Project: Work Group Coordination Enhanced Financial Viability • Tax Reform • Estate Planning Education & Outreach • Corporate Partnerships • Timber & Non-traditional Markets • Forest Cooperatives • Term Conservation Easements • Farm Bill forest stewardship incentive programs • Targeting June 2011 for deliverables

24. Focus Grant Projects • CT - Private Forest L/O Reactions to Community Engagement & Landscape-level Approaches to Forest Stewardship • IA - Maximizing Forest Reserve Potential through Targeted Outreach in the Driftless Area • ME - Development of new partnerships to support and expand the ME Forest Stewardship Program • ME – Determining Effectiveness of Landscape-Level Planning

25. Focus Grant Projects • MN - Applying Landscape Stewardship in Multiple Scales and Settings • OH - Developing Effective Communications & Outreach Tools to Expand the Reach of the Forest Stewardship Project • PA - Communicating Effectively for Enhanced Woodland Sustainability • VT - Landscape‐Based Forest Stewardship Planning - A Regional Approach

26. Landscape Stewardship Case Studies A Minnesota Model Regional landscape plan that aims to increase the number of family forest landowners practicing sustainable forestry The straight forward approach

27. Landscape Stewardship Case Studies A Minnesota Model • High-level view of conservation • Informed by community engagement • Streamlined plans for those who opt in

28. Landscape Stewardship Case Studies A Minnesota Model • Foresters spend more time on coordination & projects • ? NRCS & Tree Farm approved • ? Tax program eligible

29. Landscape Stewardship Case Studies Sub-watershed landscape area Encouraging forestry on NIPF lands to aid threatened species Working with some to satisfy many A Missouri Model

30. Landscape Stewardship Case Studies A Missouri Model • Establish goals and objectives • Understand local drivers • Specific audiences and accompanying marketing strategies

31. Landscape Stewardship Case Studies A Missouri Model • Layering financial benefits • Engaging multiple agencies, organizations, and landowners • Action steps identified

32. Forest Action Plans: Stewardship Project Connection • State Assessments provide context for landscape-scale assessment & planning • Stewardship Project could be considered a tool for advancing some State Strategies • Identification of priority areas varies widely from state to state • A few states specifically reference landscape-scale stewardship planning among their strategies

33. A Look at Some State Strategies • DE: “Explore the possibility for providing assistance to landowners on a landscape scale, such as in a watershed to help achieve larger-scale goals.” • MA: “Explore landscape level or joint plans between neighbors or neighborhoods. Continue to offer individual plans…” • MO: “Develop landscape based stewardship plans in accordance with the USFS’s revised stewardship program.”

34. Thanks!

36. Landscape Stewardship What if there isn’t an established landscape project? How does a state start such an effort? How long will it take to start up a project? What if my staff has questions? How do I work where there are established efforts? What are we going to be held accountable for? What about ………?

37. Stewardship ProjectNAASF Decision Points • Endorsement of draft Landscape Stewardship Guidance & Quick Start guide • Approval of 6-12 month plan/benchmarks • Financial advice and early adopters • FY2011 summer meeting as end-of-project overall endorsement point. From project to implementation.

38. Possible Financial Advice • Consistent with Program Priorities described here in section D: Landscape-Scale Stewardship Planning, section F: Program Direction, and building from the work of NA’s Stewardship Project, states are encouraged to begin using the Stewardship Project’s Landscape Stewardship Guidance in the implementation of their State Forest Resource Strategies. • In anticipation of full adoption in FY 2012, and on a voluntary basis, States are encouraged to identify at least one priority landscape in which that Landscape Stewardship Guidance will be applied and tested in FY2011. The Area’s Landscape Stewardship Guidance, and state implementation, will be further refined and expanded in FY2012 and beyond. To facilitate state-level implementation, NA will provide training in the second quarter of the fiscal year.

39. Forest Resource Assessments & Strategies Habitat Social Issues Water Resources Economic Issues Agriculture and Forestry Environmental Issues Recreational Resources PRIORITY AREA Stewardship COMMUNITY ISSUES RESOURCE ISSUES LAND-USE CONTEXT CONSERVATION CONTEXT Engaging both Landowners & the Community LANDSCAPE STEWARDSHIP PROJECT AREA

40. Landscape Stewardship Approaches/ Projects/Plans addressing Agency & State priorities Provide seamless government – Using resources more effectively Enhance Financial Viability via new tools/partnerships Forest Stewardship Program Approaches In the Northeastern Area

41. Landscape Stewardship Case Studies A New York Model Regional project to protect an important ecological area Grassroots project

42. Landscape Stewardship Case Studies A New York Model • Opportunity to bring Stewardship dollars to an ongoing effort • Multi state, partner, organization, community, agency effort

43. What’s in Common? • Local, State & Federal coordination / collaboration in developing resource solutions • Coordination of benefits, services / outreach / communications • State and local authorities leverage assets to help keep forests as forests

44. Quick Start Guide