Accelerating Forest Restoration in Northern Arizona
Location
USU Eccles Conference Center
Event Website
https://www.restoringthewest.org/
Abstract
The Nature Conservancy in Arizona is working to transform the way national forests are managed by forming strategic partnerships, developing advanced technology, and modernizing business practices using the 2.4 million-acre Four Forest Restoration Initiative as a demonstration site.
Current Forest Service economic and management models are based on logging practices designed for the harvest of commercially valuable, large trees. These practices often do not account for the emerging technologies and new economic realities of ecological restoration.
The Forest Service can effectively mobilize when the incentives and expectations are in place. This is clear in how they expertly fight multiple large fires by bringing all their resources to bear. Forest restoration activities need to become just as adept.
The Nature Conservancy in Arizona and the US Forest Service Region 3 are entering into an agreement to catalyze this change - to attract new investment and sustain existing investments in wood products by creating a more reliable flow of wood at a reasonable cost and at a scale large enough to make a difference. Together we will create forests that protect our future and sustain and protect water supplies, air quality, communities, jobs, wildlife and recreation.
Accelerating Forest Restoration in Northern Arizona
USU Eccles Conference Center
The Nature Conservancy in Arizona is working to transform the way national forests are managed by forming strategic partnerships, developing advanced technology, and modernizing business practices using the 2.4 million-acre Four Forest Restoration Initiative as a demonstration site.
Current Forest Service economic and management models are based on logging practices designed for the harvest of commercially valuable, large trees. These practices often do not account for the emerging technologies and new economic realities of ecological restoration.
The Forest Service can effectively mobilize when the incentives and expectations are in place. This is clear in how they expertly fight multiple large fires by bringing all their resources to bear. Forest restoration activities need to become just as adept.
The Nature Conservancy in Arizona and the US Forest Service Region 3 are entering into an agreement to catalyze this change - to attract new investment and sustain existing investments in wood products by creating a more reliable flow of wood at a reasonable cost and at a scale large enough to make a difference. Together we will create forests that protect our future and sustain and protect water supplies, air quality, communities, jobs, wildlife and recreation.
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/rtw/2017/Oct18/4
Comments
Neil Chapman is The Nature Conservancy's Northern Arizona Program Restoration Manager based in Flagstaff, Arizona. After receiving a B.S. from Colorado State University, Neil’s career with The Nature Conservancy began at the Nachusa Grasslands in northern Illinois where he supported the stewardship of tall grass prairie and oak savannah restoration projects. In 2006, Neil began managing ecological restoration projects throughout Arizona. Neil's current role involves forestry and fire management programs in northern Arizona’s forests and grasslands.