Annual/Termination Reports:

[11/30/2003] [03/07/2005] [12/01/2006] [12/22/2008]

Report Information

Participants

Gorman, Bob (ffrfg@uaf.edu)-University of Alaska; Wheeler, Bob (ffraw@uaf.edu)-University of Alaska; Young, Deborah (djyoung@ag.arizona.edu)-University of Arizona; Mahoney, Ron (rmahoney@uidaho.edu)-University of Idaho; Reed, A. Scott (scott.reed@oregonstate.edu)-Oregon State University; Kuhns, Michael (mike.kuhns@usu.edu)-Utah State University; Hanley, Donald (dhanley@u.washington.edu)-Washington State University; Sturdivant, Bob (bsturt@lamar.colostate.edu)-Colorado State University; Gay, Chuck (chuckg@ext.usu.edu)-Utah State University; Kolb, Peter (efpfk@forestry.umt.edu)-Montana State University

Brief Summary of Minutes

This was the inaugural meeting of WCC1003, and served to establish organizational linkages, refine and prioritize elements of the initial proposal and begin work on two items of joint work.



The background and purpose of coordinating committees was discussed with particular regard for the value added compared to informal networking. Consensus of the group ultimately reinforced that formalization of the WCC better leads to greater understanding of Cooperative Extension System leaders regarding forestry issues. RCIC member Chuck Gay was especially helpful in enhancing the groups understanding of processes and anticipated benefits.



Considerable time was spent prioritizing committee objectives. Revisions to the proposal will be sought in the way the WCC is described (attached).



Governance of the WCC was determined to consist of chair and chair-elect positions that will rotate on two-year terms per proposal revisions. No secretary will be identified. Decisions will be made on a consensus basis, with Roberts Rules of Order and Parliamentary Procedures used as a back-up approach if needed.



Officers for January 1, 2004 to December 31, 2005 will be Donald Hanley, Washington State University, chair and Bob Wheeler, University of Alaska, chair-elect.



Two active projects were discussed and follow-up actions identified. First, the funded National Web-based Learning center proposal must transition to another principal investigator as a necessary follow-up to Bob Logans retirement. Chair-elect pro-tem Bob Wheeler agreed to convene WCC phonetically December 3, 2003 to decide the next steps, including options for the institutional home and others contributing to the project.



Second, Peter Kolb, Montana State University, will develop an assessment tool to instigate objective number 2 which systematically identifies priority forestry issues and current assets to address them.

Accomplishments

Because this is a new project, few accomplishments beyond initial planning are possible. The new, funded national Web learning center project is noteworthy and evaluation results should be available in 2004. Once the issues and assets are systematically determined, additional documentation of new project priorities will be possible.

Publications

Because this is a new project, few accomplishments beyond initial planning are possible. The new, funded national Web learning center project is noteworthy and evaluation results should be available in 2004. Once the issues and assets are systematically determined, additional documentation of new project priorities will be possible.

Impact Statements

1. The western forestry community has formalized itself under this WCC structure and held it's first meeting. The formation of this comittee has increased awareness and understanding of forestry extension programs among extension faculty in participating states.

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Report Information

Participants

Dave Baumgartner (WA);
Doug Cram (NM);
Fred Deneke, invited guest (USDA-FS);
Don Hanley (WA) - Committee Chairman;
Peter Kolb (MT);
Mike Kuhns (UT);
Doug McCreary (CA);
Tony Nakazawa (AK; by phone);
Eric Norland, invited guest (WDC);
Jim Reeb (OR);
Scott Reed (OR, by phone);
Bob Sturtevant (CO);
Bob Wheeler (AK);
Deborah Young (AZ);

Brief Summary of Minutes

Action Items:

1. Peter Kolb, (MT) needs good, high quality tiff or jpeg forest photos; attractive to look at; also links to what we already have up on web sites; by March 14, 2005. These slides will be used in the web-based education project.


2. Eric Norland (WDC) asked:

a. Who would be willing to help plan the Extension Foresters meeting in conjunction with the SAF National Meeting in Texas?

b. Who would be willing to help plan the CSREES exhibit at SAF National Meeting?

c. Who would be willing to help plan the CSREES exhibit at Association of Consulting Foresters Meeting (6/19-20)?

d. Eric asked for feedback on the National Web-based Learning Center  are we using it; promoting it; is it an attention-getter; is it user-friendly? - If you wish to volunteer contact Eric via email directly.


3. Send Bob Wheeler (AK) before and after slides of trees damaged by fire & showing their recovery for usage in the AK-ID proposal...


4. Bob Wheeler (AK) will let Tony Nakazawa (AK Extension Director) know that the committee is interested in meeting in late summer in Fairbanks in 2006. Committee of Bob Wheeler., Peter Kolb., and Ron Mahoney (ID) will look into logistics of additional study tour to the Brooks Range.


5. Don Hanley (WA) will develop a raft web site for WCC-1003. This website will link shared educational program elements for usage in the west.


6. Don Hanley will ask the non-represented western states (NV, WY, HI) to join WCC.


7. Don Hanley will solicit committee members asking for scheduling availability for quarterly conference call meetings.




WCC Web-based Learning Project:

Peter Kolb updated us on web-based learning project.

Purpose of 1st module is to increase awareness of values of forests, get people thinking about planning, describe national trends related to forests & why their efforts matter to themselves and to society. Module will last 20-60 minutes.

Summarized history of project. $15K budget for initial module with 3 segments; Flash-based. Money transferred to Montana State University in November 2004; nothing spent yet. In Montana internet connections often can be very slow, so he feels we need to talk about level at which this is done. Showed a simple, quick, 20 slide PowerPoint as an example of what he has been thinking of doing. Very simple, no data collected. Culminated with a downloadable form where they can fill out property info and goals for the property, stored on their computer. Some have discussed using video; viewed a portion of video on DVD from MSU about forest land ownership and stewardship program.

Discussion of coached stewardship planning concept and practice in relation to this module. Peter Kolb asked what is ultimate goal of this module? Bob Sturtevant (CO) said that he wants something that can help landowners do something on their own with as little help possible.

Viewed www.forestandrange.org. Committee complained about having to register (Don Hanley will express concerns to Samuel Jackson, UTN). Viewed streaming video examples using MS Producer WSU. Video takes up most of the bandwidth.

Bob Wheeler feels state-by-state incentives that are available need to be included in presentation. In addition, landscape level planning needs to be discussed. Peter Kolb said it would need to be included, but not necessarily in first module. Maybe a first slide might ask what state youre in and direct you to help from your state. Deborah Young (AZ) asked what we might measure in the future as our impact. Eric Norland (WDC) said intent is to reach people who don't show up for workshops. For internet savvy persons, not for everyone.

Deborah Young suggested we look at rangelandswest.org web site for a model of how to direct people to help in their state.


Eric Norland National Update: Eric handed out USDA-CSREES budget information. RREA increase of $29K; recommendations on spending? Presidents 2006 budget proposal (handout) - about $12 million increase over last year (very significant). Some new programs including New Technologies for Ag Extension ($3M) and Agro security Education ($5M). NRI greatly increased and AES competitive grants new. Money came from Hatch & McIntype-Stennis; getting away from formula funding; ½ off this year & ½ off next year. Moneys for 406 programs also moved into NRI & AES Competitive Grants. Also, would pay full overhead on NRI. Level funding a huge accomplishment for Extension.

Scott Reed (OR). Asked about implications of all of this for growing RREA program. Eric Norland doesn't think we'll ever get to a $30M formula program. Strategy should be to talk about base needed, then what more you could do with more money that is competitive.

Bob Wheeler. Asked about healthy forest initiative. Eric Norland -- mostly to Forest Service and state foresters for fire-related work. People/agencies are protective of money; doesn't know what the opportunities are. Forest Service heavily allied with FS.

Don Hanley. Asked about Agro security Education program. Eric Norland didnt know, but assumes it's a resident instruction program.

Dave Baumgartner (WA). Asked about Forest Service budget. Eric Norland said there were some significant cuts, including in S&PF, but they have more flexibility in how they handle moneys.

Peter Kolb asked what is the $21MM in the CSREES budget item under other? Eric Norland stated that they are Congressional earmarks/line items. Such items will continue to be sources of funding.

Don Hanley: What is future of RREA? Eric Norland - RREA is authorized in Farm Bill through 2007; would need to be reauthorized. Wonders if RREA name is best, but risky to change name. Need to tighten & bring up to date (enacted in 1975). Thinks it could be reauthorized. Thinks that NGOs, etc. will go for access to the money. Scott Reed asked where power is now - Eric Norland mentioned National Council Private Forests). Eric - NCPF will have a lot of say in the future negotiations for RREA.

Bob Wheeler, USDA-NRCS will be lobbying for that Farm Bill. How do we have that impact? Eric - NRCS as an example has NACD lobbying for their budget. We need to be at the table. Getting a coalition and not having a lot of contention is very important to Congress.

Eric passed out CSREES-NRE (Natural Resources Extension) unit handout. Unit continues to grow. Adding Forest Health & Protection Program Leader. Looking to hire a National Program Leader in Range & Grasslands.

How to spend extra $29K RREA money? Scott Reed suggested giving to web learning center. Jim Reeb (OR) suggested making pools available to regions. Deb Y. suggested taking one specific measure of RREA impact and do a system-wide assessment of impact/outcome. Peter Kolb said in Wheeling (ANREP National Meeting in Wheeling WV) that it was discussed that RREA is spent in each state in many different ways; might be hard to state impact. Scott Reed and Deborah Young (AZ) agreed, but is it a legitimate use (non-program) of RREA funds. Eric feels like assessment is legitimate. Colleen Hefferin (CSREES Administrator) does not want advocacy done with these funds.

Eric Norland mentioned that Mel Baughman (MN) & Matt Frazier (FL) are in WDC to work on some advocacy efforts with ANREP & the Extension Directors.


Scott Reed Presentation:
Future of WCC 1003 and how we relate to the Western Forestry Leadership Coalition (see WFLC handout) -- Extension forestry has tried to play a role in this coalition, but hasnt been successful. Have many similar goals to us. Deborah Young, Scott Reed, and Eric Norland have attended one of their meetings. The trio was received politely - but without follow-up. Eric Norland stated that we were told that Extension Foresters will never be part of the Coalition, because they are not leaders in forestry. Bob Sturtevant (CO) said that WFLC is hiring a new Director, so this is a good time to have an impact; be on their doorstep when the new Director is in place. He feels that the snub wasnt coming from the Director, but from State Foresters. Bob Wheeler wonders if our name (WCC 1003) hurts; not descriptive; also do we need a brochure or something describing what we do, who we are? We will take Bob Sturtevant's suggestion and be on WFLC doorstep when they have a new Director. Scott Reed is now comfortable with riding coat tails; we need to be a strong committee, maybe linking with NAPFSC or eventually creating and hiring a new western extension forester. Peter Kolb - they may have great differences in mission to what our mission is; we don't advocate, they do; need to be cognizant of that.

Fred Deneke Presentation: Deneke is a former National Extension Forester; now Staff Lead for Woody Biomass Utilization USDA-FS, gave a PowerPoint presentation on the woody biomass utilization program in the FS. Woody biomass includes a wide range of materials, from sawtimber on down. Nine percent, of US, energy comes from renewable energy; of that, 47% is from biomass & biomass is the best source. Talked about opportunities, potential, projections, benefits. Many states are getting involved with renewable energy, but not biomass. Extension can play a very important role in educating people about the potential for woody biomass and how it can help with forest health treatments.

Doug McCreary (CA). - What progress has there been on small, portable biomass utilization technology? Sue Levan (sp?) at FPL is a good source of information on this.

Something on this is likely to show up in the next Farm Bill; get in on it.

Don Hanley has sent a copy of Fred's PowerPoint to full WCC Committee. Address questions to: fdeneke@fs.fed.us

Tony Nakazawa, Extension Director in AK: What is the reporting required of a committee such as ours? Need annual report including impact statement(s). March 1 deadline, but second week of March OK. Follow CSREES themes listed on handout. Scott Reed how can we have such impacts, being a coordinating committee, rather than a group of researchers as are many of these committees? Don Hanley - we are doing, but haven't done a project. Scott Reed - maybe share programs we do from each state and aggregate them. Tony Nakazawa - suggested mentioning activities involved with our developing a strategic plan. Deborah Young - look at committee's charge, what we said we would do, & report how we've done that. Peter Kolb - There is great value just in getting together and sharing program ideas, whether or not it leads to multi-state projects. Bob Wheeler mentioned our discussions about how we'll approach the next Farm Bill and how we'll deal with WFLC. Dave Baumgartner (WA) agreed with Peter's statements.


Bob Wheeler Presentation: Bob Wheeler and Ron Mahoney (ID) have a proposal in to the national web-based learning center to do a module on wildfire effects on forests and trees. Would like us to send him before-and-after slides of trees damaged by fire & showing their recovery. If funded this web-based project will be endorsed and use by WCC committee members

Showed PowerPoint titled Forest Health and Environmental Stress in Alaska. Discussed forest health problems in AK, particularly as affected by climate warming. Extension may have a role to play in educating people about potential impacts of these changes on forests and other environments.

Asked if we are interested in having a WCC-1003 meeting and tour in Alaska late-August 2006? Seemed reasonable to some to do this. Could do just a meeting in Fairbanks w/out tour part or w/ shorter trip to Brooks Range. Eric Norland - what could we do with this, instead of just seeing it? Need some way of telling a compelling story using this. Deborah Young - she has first ever climate specialist; get NOAA involved in a project climate science and our forests. Peter Kolb - hard to get funds to do this; maybe make this a public awareness-building activity; invite key legislators to come along & educate them.

General agreement that a late summer/fall WCC 1003 meeting in Fairbanks would be worthwhile. In terms of adding a longer tour before, people generally felt OK, but many werent sure they could do it (money-wise and/or time-wise). In terms of a tour with legislators, might work; hard to get members, a few key staff for a few days might be possible. Bob Wheeler is to get back to Tony Nakazawa that we are interested in a meeting there & maybe a tour. Get Steve Jones (Chancellor U. Alaska-Fairbanks) involved. Committee will be Bob Wheeler, Peter Kolb, and Ron Mahoney; to investigate the logistics of major tour and funding opportunities.

Committee Business:

Don Hanley: Do we need a brochure or web page to highlight what WCC-1003 is and what it does? Some sentiment that a brochure might be too static & out-of-date too quickly. Maybe a simple web page would be good; WSU will put together something simple.

Priority issues on handout - how do we want to identify WCC-1003 in terms of how we relate to these priorities (forest health, wildland and defensible fire concerns, urban interface issues)?

What do we do about non-represented states (NV, WY, HI)? Don Hanley will work on it.

When should we meet & should we meet by phone periodically? Don Hanley will send out e-mail asking for availability for conference call.

Accomplishments

New project

Publications

Solicited by each state represented in the committee, will be placed on website for distribution. Examples include forest stewardship coached planning video tape produced by Montana State University.

Impact Statements

1. While on-the-ground impacts from our coordination committee are not yet measured, we feel that improved educational methodology and communications in the west will lead to improved land management practices that ultimately will result in reduced fire risk, improved ecological biodiversity, improved forest health, and a reduction of forest fragmentation, especially as land passes from generation to generation.
2. A secondary impact will be financial efficiency brought to each participating land-grant university, whereby avoiding duplication of extension forestry educational efforts.

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Report Information

Participants

Ahrens, Glenn Oregon State University
Baumgartner, David Washington State University
Blatner, Keith Washington State University
Bottorff, Jim Washington Department of Natural Resources
Brooks, Randy University of Idaho
Fagerlie, Dan Washington State University
Farber, Sandy University of D.C
Flavin, Frank University of Nevada
Flynn, Cynthia University of Arizona
Hanley, Donald Washington State University
Hazel, Dennis North Carolina State University
Johnson, James Oregon State University
Kolb, Peter Montana State University
Mahoney, Ron University of Idaho
McCreary, Doug University of California
McAvoy, Darren Utah State University
Norland, Eric USDA-CSREES
Patterson, Steve USDA-FS, S&P, Alaska
Schnepf, Chris University of Idaho
Sturtevant, Bob Colorado State University
Young, Deborah University of Arizona
Bill Hubbard SE Regional Forester, Univ. Georgia
Bob Wheeler University of Alaska-Fairbanks
Mary Haley University of Alaska-Fairbanks

Brief Summary of Minutes

Updates

" Eric Norland, the National Program Leader from DC gave an update on RREA funding. The FY 2005 budget was up slightly from FY 2004 and FY 2006 was down slightly (from 4.04 M in 2004 to 4.19 m in 2006). For FY 2007, the Senate recommendation has a sizeable increase but the House and Presidents recommendations are up only slightly. Will be worked out in Conference Committee. No one knows for sure about next Farm Bill but some emerging themes are bio-energy, ecosystem services, and sustaining family forests. It appears Hatch Act funds will increase slightly and McIntire-Stennis should stay the same or go up slightly. National Research Initiative Competitive grants should go up at least 5 % (more if Presidents budget adopted).

" Peter Kolb from Montana State University gave an update on the ongoing WCC1003 project creating web-based learning center for Forestry Extension programs in the Western US where folks could go to obtain information. Ultimately, it could be used to help forest landowners create forest management plans. He expects to need more detailed information from the individual states. In particular he could use data about NIPFs  number, acreages, etc.  as well as info about different forest types in each state.

New Ideas

" Darren McAvoy, Utah State University, gave a talk on creating virtual web tours on web sites using Breeze macromedia software. Essentially this is a method of having online workshops, which are particularly useful in areas where large distances make it difficult for folks to attend in person. Does not replace in-person meetings, but potentially increases audience. Seems like an emerging tool that could be very useful for conveying a wide range of information. Darren also described a method of having people use cell phones to call and get information along various stops describing forests.

" Bill Hubbard, a regional Extension Forest Specialist stationed in Georgia and serving the South, described how his program is designed to reduce duplication and foster collaboration through regional programming. Was discussion of possibly using same model in the West?

" Jim Johnson, Virginia Tech (and soon to be with OSU) gave a presentation on international opportunities for extension personnel. This presentation focused on IUFRO involvement.

" Bob Wheeler, Climate Change Seminar Host, University of Alaska-Fairbanks - The majority of the technical sessions during the next day and a half addressed some aspect of climate change in Alaska in the last 3-4 decades, including fire, increasing temperatures, insect attacks, thawing of the permafrost, melting of ice in arctic regions, and several other subjects.

Accomplishments

Accomplishments and Impacts<br /> <br /> (1) Collaboration with USDA-FS on Technology Transfer<br /> <br /> As a continuation of the initial discussions between, USDA-FS Experiment Stations (RM, PNW, PSW) on technology transfer collaboration. Several USFS personnel attended this WCC meeting and discussed how this might come about. Are certainly some barriers in terms of the different cultures of each organization, but do seem to be opportunities and a start has been made. Suggested that may be most effective if folks worked around particular issues (SOD in California comes to mind) rather than worrying about MOUs etc. See the attached documents relating to this discussion. The subgroup is composed of Steve Ambrose (RM), Hao Tran, (PSW), Cindy Miner (PNW), Bob Sturtevant (CO), Mike Kuhns (UT), and Don Hanley (WA). <br /> <br /> " As a follow up to the meeting, the subgroup listed above met in Salt Lake City and worked on a draft MOU to be signed by our WCC Administrative Advisor (Scott Reed, OSU) on behalf of Extension and by the FS-RM, PNW, and PSW Station Directors. It is anticipated that this MOU will be signed in early 2007.<br /> <br /> <br /> (2) Climate Change Technical Sessions - with opportunities to work together in the west to address problems<br /> <br /> If we ever had any doubt before about global warming, we dont anymore as all evidence points to dramatic (actually frightening) changes that have occurred and are continuing to occur. As was mentioned numerous times, the Arctic is a bit like the canary in the coal mine as global change models predict the greatest changes in temperatures, for instance, at higher latitudes and that has certainly been borne out by the data in Alaska. Below are some of the things related to climate changes that were discussed at the meeting:<br /> <br /> " FIRE  2004 was the worst fire season on record in Alaska and 2005 was the third worst. Combined, over 11 million acres burned in these two years. The primary cause was the extremely hot summer temperatures and low humidity. <br /> " INSECTS and DISEASE - There have been greatly accelerated insect attacks in last decade or so. Four and a half million acres of spruce has been destroyed by bark beetles, primarily on and near the Kenai Peninsula. In addition, 250,000 acres of spruce have been destroyed by spruce budworms. In addition, an estimated 80 % of all of the larch has been killed, as well as approximately 500,000 acres of yellow cedar (the most valuable commercial species in Alaska). Birch leaf miners have also become a serious problem. These outbreaks all seem to be related to the climate change, though the specific reasons are different. I believe the bark beetle for cedar, on the other hand, damage seems related to a loss of frost hardiness of roots. \<br /> " TEMPERATURE CHANGES  Takeaway message was that since about 1970 there have been drastic weather changes. Of course, there are always weather fluctuations from year-to-year, but overlain on this variability are unmistakable trends in average daily temperatures, average daily maximum temp, average daily minimum temp, and length of the frost-free period. All these support the fact that Alaskas weather has changed substantially. <br /> " PERMAFROST DEGRADATION  Most of the boreal landscape has permafrost beneath it. This impenetrable ice layer is the main reason why the conifer species present black spruce, white spruce on better sites, and larch  grow so slowly. However, there has been a marked increase in the melting of the permafrost, which can cause the water to leak out the bottom, which in turn causes the soil to drop and create large sunken areas. As these widen, the trees fall in. It is estimated that approximately 7% of the arctic landscape has degraded, but it is feared that 50-60% could degrade. One speaker said that if there was a 3 degree C reduction in temperature, the current 60% of the landscape in permafrost could be reduced to 5%. This would obviously have dramatic ecological consequences. In addition to permafrost reduction, there have been instances where ice-bridges previously used for ground transportation in winter have had to be replaced by structural bridges since no longer freezes hard enough. In addition, many, many lakes have dried up.<br /> " INVASIVE SPECIES  For a variety of reasons (remoteness of Alaska, climate, few people), invasive species not as great an issue in Alaska as in the lower 48. However, are many invasive species that have recently come in and there is fear that with climate change, they could rapidly become established. So are trying to aggressively determine occurrences and eliminate before problem becomes more acute.<br />

Publications

<br /> Publications: None to date - but ideas have surfaced to address climate change and its relationship to western forests<br />

Impact Statements

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Report Information

Participants

Miner, Cindy (clminer@fs.fed.us) - USFS PNW Research Station;
Wheeler, Robert (ffraw@uaf.edu) - University of Alaska;
Baumgartner, Dave (baumgartner@wsu.edu) - Washington State University;
Creighton, Janean - Washington State University;
Mahoney, Ron (rmahoney@uidaho.edu) - University of Idaho;
Reed, Scott (scott.reed@oregonstate.edu) - Oregon State University;
Johnson, Jim (jim.johnson@oregonstate.edu) - Oregon State University;
Ahrens, Glenn (Glenn.ahrens@oregonstate.edu)- Oregon State University;
Reeb, Jim (jim.reeb@oregonstate.edu) - Oregon State University;
Strong, Nicole (nicole.strong@oregonstate.edu)- Oregon State University;
Withrow-Robinson, Brad (brad.w-r@oregonstate.edu)- Oregon State University;
Adams, Paul (paul.adams@oregonstate.edu)- Oregon State University;
DeGomez, Tom (degomez@ag.arizona.edu)  University of Arizona;
Stewart, Bill (stewart@nature.berkeley.edu)  University of California;
Kolb, Peter (efpfk@forestry.umt.edu)  Montana State University;
Ambrose, Steve (sambrose@fs.fed.us)  RM Research Station;
Sterdevant, Bob (bsturt@lamar.colostate.edu)  Colorado State University;
Kuhns, Mike MikeK@cnr.usu.edu)  Utah State University;
Hanley, Don (dhanley@u.washington.edu)  Washington State University;
Richardson-Dodge, Sherri (srichardsondodge@fs.fed.us)  PNW Research Station;
Schnepf, Chris (cschnepf@uidaho.edu) - University of Idaho;

Brief Summary of Minutes

Western Coordinating Committee Western Extension Forestry Annual
Meeting  McMenamin's Edgefield Resort, Troutdale, Oregon

Monday November 17

Reception at 6:00 p.m. in the Powerhouse at McMenamins,
7:30 Peter Kolb  German Forestry  Does it really Work

Tuesday November 18  work and educational session

8:00 Introductions and overview of the meeting

8:15 Ongoing Projects and Successes 
Web based learning module - Peter Kolb
Climate change publication - Bill Stewart

8:45 Review the MOU with Western USFS Research Stations - Steve Ambrose

9:15 Review of WCC charge and past commitments  Scott Reed

10:00 Break

10:30 Potential WCC projects
A succession planning program - Brad Withrow-Robinson
Community Planning Program & Climate Change - Bob Wheeler
eXtension Climate Change CoP - Tom DeGomez & Eric Norland
What are land owner needs for information on climate change - Cindy Miner and Janean Creighton

12:00 Lunch at the Resort (provided)

1:30 Potential WCC projects  cont
Working relations between CSU and RMRS  Bob Sturtevant & Steve Ambrose
Communications, tech transfer & Extension education tool  USFS
Climate Change website development - Cindy Miner & Michael Furniss

2:30 Guidelines for multi-state committees  Eric Norland

3:00 Break

3:30 Future of the WCC  Scott Reed

4:30 2010 ANREP National Meeting at University of Alaska-Fairbanks: Whats WCCs role  Bob Wheeler

5:00 Adjourn

6:30 Dinner on your own


Wednesday November 19, 2008  Field Trip

Wind River Experimental Forest Gifford Pinchot National Forest

8:00 Leave hotel for Wind River Experimental Forest

9:00 Crane lifts, old-growth ecosystems in a managed context, and ground installation tours Ken Bible, Rick Meinzer, Todd Wilson and Matt Schroeder (All in general area of crane)

11:30 Lunch: FS Ranger Training Center

12:30 Overview of Forest Service Experimental Forests and the Wind River Experimental ForestTodd Wilson, PNW (FS Ranger Training Center)

1:15 Canopy ResearchRick Meinzer (FS Ranger Training Center)

2:00 Mixed species or arboretum tour (field)

3:15 Leave Wind River Experimental Forest

Accomplishments

At the 2008 meeting - <br /> Participants learned about German forestry and how it works a very informative talk on the forest management style used in Germany. By increasing management they have been able to maximize production. Comparing Montana which is similar in size and area of forestland to Germany. Germany produces ~ twice as much raw timber product than does Montana and they also derive higher value from their timber through value added products for domestic and export markets. A strong argument was made for using German style intensive management for not only increased timber production but also for improving many of the ecosystem services that we value in the United States. <br /> <br /> Participants learned anout a succession planning program - Ties to the Land - that is being used in Oregon and other states to help landowners plan for their heirs to take over management of their forest, farm or other land based resource. <br /> <br /> Participants learned about a Community Planning & Climate Change Program the developed educational materials to educate clients on various aspects of climate change and its effects on natural resources and how changes to the natural resource base effects economic expansion, tourism and other aspects of community development. <br /> <br /> Participants learned about the USFS climate change website Climate Change Resource Center. The website has 22 discipline topics that can be accessed. Each topic area has an introduction and a bibliography of recommended readings for those wanting additional information on the topic area of their choice. In addition to the 22 topic there are two additional pages that have basic information on climate change and management options<br /> <br /> The participants learned about the relations between CSU and RMRS as they work on the mountain pine beetle outbreak in Colorado. CSU requested the assistance of the RMRS to provide materials that could be used to convince landowners of proper control and prevention techniques. RMRS is providing researchers address the problem. <br /> <br /> Participants were about to ride in a crane into and above old-growth ecosystems and learn about the research that is ongoing in conjunction with the plots that surround the 250 foot tall canopy crane stationed within a stand of old growth Douglas-fir.<br /> <br /> <br />

Publications

Impact Statements

1. In light of fore-casted warmer temperatures and reduced moisture, 611 acres on 40 properties were treated in Arizona for improved forest health; 3,590 land owner hours were contributed to the project; 91 cords of firewood, 772 yards of chips and 2,038 cords of logs were produced rather than being burned in slash piles which would have contributed to increased atmospheric CO2.

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