National Forest Foundation | Stakeholders Forum for the Nantahala and…

Stakeholders Forum for the Nantahala and Pisgah Plan Revision

The NFF is supporting a collaborative process focused on building agreement and understanding around the Nantahala & Pisgah National Forests plan revision. The collaborative process is intended to augment existing cooperative efforts and public input related to the forest plan revision process. The NFF believes that communities should play a leading role in determining the future of our National Forests and Grasslands, so we focus our efforts on connecting these communities, and the people who comprise them, to the tools, knowledge, and funding to become active and devoted stewards of this incredible public estate.

Recent press:

"Stakeholders offer initial feedback on long-awaited forest management plan" Smoky Mountain News, March 4, 2020

Photo by Jeff Clark

Purpose

In a collaborative dialogue amongst stakeholders representing diverse interests, identify zones of agreement to form recommendations around critical resource issues related to the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests’ plan revision. The key issues are forestry and restoration, special designations, and sustainable recreation, and wildlife. Recommendations should achieve clean and abundant water, connect communities to the land, and maintain and restore resiliency and diversity.

Goals

  • Supplement the Forest Service’s public involvement process with collaborative dialogue
  • Strengthen relationships amongst stakeholders with differing views about how to manage the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests
  • Develop consensus recommendations on key issues to provide to the Forest Service
  • Support the development of an implementable Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests Land and Resource Management Plan

Upcoming Meetings

  • May 1, 2020, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. EDT, Virtual Timber Calculations Q&A session via Adobe Connect
  • May 4, 2020, 1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. EDT, Virtual Special Interest Areas, Wilderness, and Wild and Scenic Rivers Q&A via Adobe Connect
  • May 8, 2020, 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. EDT, Virtual Old Growth Q&A via Adobe Connect
  • May 6, 2020, 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. EDT, Virtual Meeting (contact kdibari @ nationalforests.org for connection information)
  • June 3, 2020 (tentative)

Forest Plan Revision Resources

News

Stakeholders Forum Members

** DENOTES ORGANIZING COMMITTEE MEMBERS

  • Andrea Leslie, Wildlife Resources Commission (shared seat)
  • Ben Prater, Defenders of Wildlife (Alternate is Tracy Davids)
  • Bill Kane, North Carolina Wildlife Federation** (Alternate is Tim Gestwicki)
  • Bill Yarborough, North Carolina Department of Agriculture
  • Chris Coxen, National Wild Turkey Federation
  • Curtis Smalling, National Audubon of NC
  • David Whitmire, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Council**, Headwaters Outfitters(Alternate is Gary Peters)
  • Deirdre Perot, Back Country Horseman of North Carolina & North Carolina Horse Council**
  • Gordon Warburton, Quality Deer Management Association
  • Hugh Irwin, The Wilderness Society (Alternate is Jill Gottesman)
  • JD Diefenbach, Sierra Club, Wenoca Chapter (Alternate is David Reid)
  • Jim Gray, Ruffed Grouse Society** (Alternate is Ben Jones)
  • Jim Sitts, retired Columbia Forest Products (Alternate is Fred Hardin)
  • Josh Kelly, MountainTrue** (Alternate is Bob Gale)
  • Julie White, International Mountain Bicycling Association/Southern Off-Road Bicycling Association
  • Kevin Colburn, American Whitewater
  • Lang Hornthal, EcoForesters
  • Megan Sutton, The Nature Conservancy
  • Morgan Sommerville, Appalachian Trail Conservancy
  • Rob Elliot, Evergreen Paper, Canton**
  • Ruth Hartzler, Carolina Mountain Club** (Alternate is Bill Van Horn)
  • Ryan Jacobs, Wildlife Resources Commission (shared seat)
  • Sam Evans, Southern Environmental Law Center** (Alternate is DJ Gerkin)
  • Susan Fletcher, Pisgah Hardwoods**
  • Zach Lesch-Huie, Access Fund

Documents & Records

Governance

2018 Forum Proposals In Google Docs Consolidated By:

Forum Proposals (As Submitted) For Consideration At The Sept. 25, 2018 Meeting

2018 Materials For Geographic Area (Ga) Review Process

GA synopses: Unicoi Mountains, Great Balsam, Bald Mountains, Fontana Lake, Highland Domes, Eastern Escarpment, Hiwasee, North Slope, Nantahala Gorge, Pisgah Ledge, Nantahala Mountains, Black Mountains

Webinars

Meeting Records

Contact

NFF Staff Working on the Nantahala and Pisgah National Forests Plan Revision Process

Karen DiBari, Conservation Connect Director, at [email protected]

Ben Irey, Conservation Connect Program Manager, at [email protected]