National Forest Foundation

Collaborative Restoration Workshop

Working Toward Resilient Landscapes and Communities

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ABOUT THE WORKSHOP

The 2016 Collaborative Restoration Workshop was a forum for sharing innovative approaches to collaborative restoration, tools, and lessons about planning, implementing, and monitoring restoration efforts on and around National Forest System lands. Through a series of plenary sessions and five breakout tracks, participants engaged deeply in discussing the successes, challenges, and critical questions facing community partners, the U.S. Forest Service, and others working on collaborative efforts. Through the lenses of science, collaboration, planning, and monitoring, participants thought critically about amplifying restoration and working together towards success in the future.

Workshop Summary (Full) - Click here Workshop Summary (Executive Summary only) - Click here Archived Workshop Agenda - Click here

What's New?

  • Workshop Summary with lessons, tools, and resources from every session (and you can also scroll down to see the individual, short summary of each session)
  • Workshop photo album
  • Partner blog posts (scroll down to check it out!)

“The CRW was well-organized, and a model of how to manage sessions like this.”

Collaborative Restoration Workshop Participant, Post-Workshop Evaluation

Workshop Plenary Session Live Recordings

Plenary Sessions

The U.S. Forest Service provided online access to plenary sessions on April 26th and 27th. Click on the links below to access the recorded sessions.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECORDING

  • Welcome from Mary Mitsos, Executive Vice President, National Forest Foundation
  • Welcome from Daniel Jirón, Regional Forester, Region 2, U.S. Forest Service
  • Keynote: Tom Tidwell, Chief, U.S. Forest Service
  • Keynote: William J. Possiel, President, National Forest Foundation
  • SUMMARY

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECORDING

  • Keynote: Robert Bonnie, Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment, U.S. Department of Agriculture
  • Moderator: William J. Possiel, President, National Forest Foundation
  • SUMMARY

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECORDING

  • Jerry Ingersoll, Forest Supervisor, Siuslaw National Forest, U.S. Forest Service
  • Cal Joyner, Regional Forester, Region 3, U.S. Forest Service
  • Mark Stern, Oregon Forest Restoration Program Director, The Nature Conservancy
  • Maureen Bookwalter, U.S. Forest Service-Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation Liaison
  • Steve Andringa, Forestry Program Manager, Yakama Nation
  • Moderator: Brian Ferebee, Associate Deputy Chief, U.S. Forest Service
  • SUMMARY

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECORDING

  • Tony Cheng, Director, Colorado Forest Restoration Institute, Professor, Colorado State University
  • Laura McCarthy, Senior Policy Advisor for Fire and Forest Restoration, NM, The Nature Conservancy
  • Mary Mitsos, Executive Vice President, National Forest Foundation
  • Russ Vaagen, Vice President, Vaagen Brothers Lumber
  • Moderator: Karen Hardigg, Wallowa Resources & Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition
  • SUMMARY

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECORDING

  • Melissa Freeman, Harvard Negotiation & Mediation Clinical Program
  • Heather Kulp, Harvard Negotiation & Mediation Clinical Program
  • Presentation
  • SUMMARY

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECORDING

Panel Speakers:

  • Karen Hardigg, Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition
  • Phil Rigdon, Intertribal Timber Council
  • Martin Blaney, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission
  • Lindsay Warness, Boise Cascade
  • Moderator: Lenise Lago, Deputy Chief for Business Operationis, USDA Forest Service

Closing Keynote Speaker:

  • Nils Christoffersen, Executive Director, Wallowa Resources
  • SUMMARY

Workshop Presentations and Handouts

Tuesday, April 26th Concurrent Panels

Objective: Describe the constraints and complexities of planning at the landscape scale, and share lessons related to, for example, fire management, urban development, land fragmentation, wildlife management, and invasive species.

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

  • Bill Aney, Eastside Restoration Coordinator, Region 6, U.S. Forest Service, Blue Mountains Restoration Strategy
  • Genevieve Johnson, Coordinator, Desert Landscape Conservation Cooperative
  • Jim Capurso, Regional Fisheries Biologist, Region 6, U.S. Forest Service, Salmon Super Highway

Objectives:

  • Provide effective approaches of integrating science into action
  • Highlight examples of collaboration amongst multiple scientists to develop research that can be integrated into planning and implementation

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

  • Daniel Williams, Research Social Scientist, Rocky Mountain Research Station, U.S. Forest Service
  • Courtney Schultz, Assistant Professor, Forest & Rangeland Stewardship, Colorado State University
  • Anne Carlson, Climate Associate, The Wilderness Society

Objectives:

  • Shed light on the legal and policy context for collaboration
  • Clarify common terms, and distinguish between a collaborative effort and group
  • Share insights, lessons, and experiences around the question of collaboration “ripeness,” and knowing when collaboration is the right tool to address conflict.

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

  • Mike Anderson, Senior Policy Analyst, The Wilderness Society
  • Tera Little, Team Leader, R1 Farm Bill Strike Team, U.S. Forest Service
  • Connie Lewis, Senior Partner, Meridian Institute
  • Bob Christensen, Sustainable Southeast Partnership

Objectives:

  • Provide information on the steps agency staff must take after a signed decision to prepare a project for implementation
  • Provide examples of innovative technology and approaches to project layout for implementation

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

  • Sandy Mack, Blackfoot-Swan Landscape Restoration Project Team Leader, Region 1, U.S. Forest Service
  • Jeff Underhill, Regional Silviculturist, Region 2, U.S. Forest Service
  • Travis Woolley, Forest Ecologist, The Nature Conservancy

Objectives: This session introduced data modeling tools and metrics that have been successful in monitoring large scale forest projects. Remote sensing data continues to improve and modelling tools are becoming increasingly accessible. Large-scale monitoring tools not only assist in identifying management opportunities and priorities, they also add transparency and shared knowledge to collaborative efforts.

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

  • Matt Trager, NEPA Planner, National Forests in Florida, U.S. Forest Service
  • Karen Honeycutt, Natural Resources Program Manager, Colville National Forest, U.S. Forest Service
  • Lynne Bridgford, GIS Developer, Ecosystem Management Coordination, U.S. Forest Service

Objectives:

  • Describe methods to determine where and how to select forest projects on the landscape (i.e., through five-year plans, IRR prioritization, and other mid-range planning efforts)
  • Share advice, strategies, and lessons from engaging collaboratively in mid-range planning efforts

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

Objectives:

  • Provide examples of where science modeling and cost/benefit analysis guide restoration design and implementation
  • Provide examples of how best to incorporate traditional knowledge into restoration planning

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

  • Conor Phelan, Conservation Analyst, Chesapeake Conservancy
  • Sherry Hazelhurst, Director, State & Private Forestry, Region 5, U.S. Forest Service
  • Jim Durglo, Forest Manager, Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes

Objective:

  • Share tools and resources available to aid collaborative groups and build collaborative capacity

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

Objective: Provide an overview of stewardship authority and examples of how it can be used efficiently

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

  • MaeLee Hafer, Stewardship Coordinator for Regions 8 and 9, U.S. Forest Service
  • Rebecca Barnard, National Forestry Programs Manager, National Wild Turkey Federation
  • James Mordica, Timber Management Assistant & Region 8 CFLR Coordinator, U.S. Forest Service

Objective: Discuss the following questions: What is adaptive management for federal land managers? How does adaptive management differ from research? How do non-federal partners successfully contribute to adaptive management on federal lands? How adaptive are our federal partners? What are limitations to adaptability when compared to private lands?

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

  • Ayn Shlisky, Eastside Restoration Team Lead, Umatilla National Forest, U.S. Forest Service
  • John Stanturf, Senior Scientist, Southern Research Station, U.S. Forest Service
  • McRee Anderson, Fire Restoration Program Director, The Nature Conservancy
  • Gregg Simonds, Consultant and Ranch Manager, Open Range Consulting

Objectives:

  • Discuss the 2012 Planning Rule framework, with a special focus on “collaboration”
  • Share lessons from “early adopter” plan revision efforts
  • Discuss how forests are integrating public values into the planning process

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

  • Susan Jane Brown, Western Environmental Law Center, Planning Rule FACA Committee
  • Karen DiBari, Director, Conservation Connect, National Forest Foundation
  • Michelle Nuttall, Senior Project Manager, Environmental Policy & Affairs, Southern California Edison; San Gabriel Mountains National Monument Amendment & Community Collaborative
  • James Melonas, Deputy Forest Supervisor, National Forests in North Carolina

Objectives:

  • Provide examples of how to successfully engage partners and the public in science and planning
  • Provide an example of how to incorporate citizen-based input to develop science questions

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

  • Lee Cerveny, Research Social Scientist, Pacific Northwest Research Station, U.S. Forest Service
  • Megan Matonis, Biological Scientist, Rocky Mountain Research Station, U.S. Forest Service
  • Mike Petersen, Executive Director, The Lands Council

Objective: From multiple perspectives, discuss the Front Range Roundtable’s story, including how the group formed, important considerations made by members while launching and nurturing the effort, the decision-making or governance structure, role of the Forest Service, overcoming challenges, and thoughts on the group’s future.

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

  • Sara Mayben, Renewable Resources Staff Officer, Region 2, U.S. Forest Service
  • Mike Lester, State Forester & Director, Colorado State Forest Service
  • Megan Davis, Policy Analyst, Boulder County
  • Heather Bergman, Facilitator/President, Peak Facilitation Group

Objective: Highlight examples of implementation across boundaries including examples of using Good Neighbor Authority and the Tribal Forest Protection Act

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

  • Alan Clark, Watershed Program Director, Utah Department of Natural Resources
  • Karl Welch, Timber Program Manager/Contracting Officer, Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest

Objectives:

  • Discuss how to example social attitudes toward restoration using surveys and other tools
  • Demonstrate how collaborative economic monitoring augments Forest Service monitoring

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

  • Jonathan Kusel, Executive Director, Sierra Institute for Community and Environment
  • Cassandra Moseley, Associate Vice President for Research, Research Professor & Director, Institute for a Sustainable Environment, Director, Ecosystem Workforce Program, University of Oregon
  • Gina Knudson, Executive Director, Salmon Valley Stewardship
  • Matt Piccarello, Community Forestry Coordinator, Forest Stewards Guild

Workshop Presentations and Handouts

Wednesday, April 27th Concurrent Panels

Objective: Describe innovative, collaborative projects, including: Mill Creek A to Z Stewardship Project on the Colville National Forest, Bottom Canyon on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, and the North Shore Restoration Project on the Superior National Forest

Summary

Presentations & Handouts:

  • Liz Johnson-Gebhardt, Executive Director, Priest Community Forest Connection
  • Ryan Foote, Deputy District Ranger, Idaho Panhandle National Forest
  • Rebecca Bartol, Environmental Coordinator, Superior National Forest, U.S Forest Service
  • Russ Vaagen, Vice President, Vaagen Brother’s Lumber

Objective: Provide case studies of applied ecological science from different biomes to look at efforts to integrate science and restoration action among groups with diverse social, economic, and personal values.

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

Objective: From multiple perspectives, discuss the West Virginia Restoration Venture’s story, including how the stakeholders came together, important considerations made by members while launching and nurturing the effort, the decision-making structure, role of the Forest Service, overcoming challenges, and thoughts on the group’s future.

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

  • Darrin Kelly, Partnership Coordinator, Monongahela National Forest, U.S. Forest Service
  • Gary Berti, Director, Eastern Home Rivers Initiative, Trout Unlimited
  • Keith Fisher, Director of Conservation Programs, West Virginia, The Nature Conservancy
  • Todd Miller, Director of Aquatic Restoration, Canaan Valley Institute

Objectives:

  • Review incentives and efforts to reduce the cost of biomass removal
  • Provide examples of different scales of utilization of biomass

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

  • Dylan Kruse, Policy Director, Sustainable Northwest
  • Brad Worsley, President, Novo Power
  • David Schmidt, Owner, Integrated Biomass

Objectives:

  • Highlight application of key indicators and metrics for ecosystem resiliency
  • Discuss broad monitoring initiatives and emerging questions, struggles, and challenges that lie ahead, with a specific focus on resilience

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

Objective: Introduce new, innovative, and emerging tools to prioritize and plan restoration projects, including:

  • Integrated Landscape Analysis Program (ILAP)
  • Policy mechanisms to support tool development in DOI, and the importance of cross-fertilization when it comes to innovation with collaborative restoration; and,
  • Project prioritization process, in coordination with a local collaborative group, on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

  • David Seesholtz, Research Liaison, Pacific Northwest Research Station, U.S. Forest Service
  • Rob Campellone, Landscape Conservation Design Policy Advisor, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
  • Alan Ager, Research Forester, Rocky Mountain Research Station, U.S. Forest Service

Objective: Discuss how climate information at management scales can aid in restoration decision-making

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

  • Cynthia West, Director of the Office of Sustainability and Climate Change, U.S. Forest Service
  • John Stanturf, Senior Scientist, Southern Research Station, U.S. Forest Service
  • Matt Williamson, Conservation Scientist, University of California-Davis

Objective: Shed light on the challenges of collaboration from the Forest Service and partner perspectives, addressing questions such as: What does the Forest Service have to consider when working with a collaborative group or effort? From the Forest Service perspective, what are key components of a valuable, effective relationship with a collaborative group?

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

  • Jerry Ingersoll, Forest Supervisor, Siuslaw National Forest, U.S. Forest Service
  • Nolan Colegrove, District Ranger, Six Rivers National Forest, U.S. Forest Service
  • William Butler, Assistant Professor, Florida State University
  • Alan Harper, Resource Manager, Idaho Forest Group

Objective: Provide examples of innovative approaches to funding the implementation of restoration projects

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

  • Dana Coelho, Program Manager, Urban & Community Forestry, Region 2 and Claire Harper, Program Manager, State & Private Forestry
  • Marcus Selig, Director, Southern Rockies Region, National Forest Foundation
  • Chad Davis, Senior Policy Analyst, Oregon Department of Forestry

Objectives:

  • Highlight key innovations from collaborative monitoring programs
  • Demonstrate innovative integration of ecological, social and economic elements
  • Share tools and techniques to integrate citizen science
  • Provide examples of data sharing among partnering entities for federal landscapes

SUMMARY

Presentations & Handouts:

  • Cory Davis, Monitoring Coordinator, Southwestern Crown Collaborative CFLRP, University of Montana
  • Mary O’Brien, Utah Forests Program Director, Grand Canyon Trust
  • Judith Dyess, Assistant Director of Rangeland Management, Region 3, U.S. Forest Service

Thursday Sessions

CFLRP: Looking Back, Looking Forward

CLICK HERE FOR THE SESSION SUMMARY

Objectives:

  • Support shared learning on common opportunities and challenges
  • Build a foundation for an ongoing community of practice to improve project implementation and outcomes
  • Bring together USFS staff and partners to strengthen our communications about the CFLR Program amongst projects and with partners, media, and other key groups to support a shared understanding of the Program and support for its success
  • Generate and capture key lessons learned from the first years of program implementation
  • Gather key input from restoration practitioners on needs and expectations beyond FY2019 when the authorization is currently set to expire


Front Range Roundtable Field Trip - Photo by The Nature Conservancy

Restoration of Sage-Grouse Habitat Concurrent with Land Management Activities

Objectives:

  • Provide overview of the cultural setting the grazing management and sage grouse habitat management occurs in.
  • Provide high level information about , sage grouse and sage brush steppe biology and ecology.
  • Provide high level information about invasive species impacts to sage-grouse ecosystem and the steps we are taking to control invasive annual grasses.
  • Provide a forum to explore models to build collaboratives that may be specific to sage grouse management and grazing management.

Archived Agenda

Water Stewardship and Climate Change

NOTES AND SUMMARY: WATER STEWARDSHIP AND CLIMATE CHANGE - MANAGING WATER RESOURCES IN A CHANGING CLIMATE

Expected Outcomes:

  • Overview of latest climate science as it relates to the impact of climate change on water and other related resources.
  • Improved understanding of tools to assess risks to water related resources such as infrastructure, fisheries, hydrology, and recreation with the intent to inform restoration priorities and set priorities.
  • Learning from the field – case studies and partnerships across various landscapes – an opportunity to dialogue with resource practitioners about future needs, challenges and opportunities.
  • Identify critical challenges and needs to inform decision-making for water stewardship.

Social Media & Photos

Workshop Photo Album Workshop Storify Re-Cap

Check out these blog posts from participants:


The National Forest Foundation was proud to host this workshop with support from several generous sponsors!

Title Sponor

Event Sponsors

“All thanks to NFF and all those who assisted in developing the agenda and concepts for this workshop! It was an awesome week of idea sharing and networking! Definitely time and money well spent and I hope we can continue to capitalize on the momentum going forward.”

Tera Little, Collaborative Restoration Workshop, 2016

Have a question about the workshop?

Karen DiBari | kdibari@nationalforests.org or 406-830-3352

Emily Olsen | eolsen@nationalforests.org or 406-830-3369

Emily Struss | estruss@nationalforests.org or 406-830-3360