1. Comprehensive Issues List Green Ribbon Task Force on Forest Products, Conservation and Jobs

2. Forest Conservation and Sustainability

3. Well-functioning forest landscapes Fragmentation Parcelization Land conversion Energy development Sprawl Lack of landowner legacy planning Lack of management for existing fragmentation

4. Invasive species Pests/disease leading to changing composition of the forest Competition from invasive plants

5. Forest health Climate change Weather events Resiliency

6. Regeneration Deer Lack of landowner incentives

7. Harvesting practices High grading No market in urban/suburban areas

8. Awareness and education Landowners’ lack of knowledge and follow-through/use of existing resources Connection between wildlife and timber harvesting not seen Lack of communication on human health benefits, ecological services Cultural shifts/perception of timber harvesting Landowners limiting harvesting access Consulting forester pressure to over-harvest Public perception is more negative

9. Economic drivers Many issues with Clean and Green Payments in lieu of taxes seen as insufficient/formula is outdated No value for ecosystem services (carbon credits, water quality) Need for alternative monetary incentive to hold onto land

10. Land use policy Forests seen as undeveloped or “vacant” land Forests not considered in many county/municipal plans No forest easement program Overly restrictive local ordinances on timber harvesting

11. Water Stormwater Water quality

12. Urban forestry Not included in many forest-related conversations Majority of people live in urban areas and have limited connection to large forests

13. Forest conservation jobs Poor definition and therefore little public awareness/appeal

14. Workforce Development and Jobs

15. Recruitment into forest-related jobs Shortage of loggers Shortages/recruitment issues in forest-related trades Getting youth interested in forest-related jobs

16. Negative public perception of the forest products industry Lack of awareness of modern industry Lack of awareness at all levels, particularly youth

17. Disconnect between education/training and current forest jobs Forest jobs have undergone modernization recently Training may not be geared for current skills and tasks

18. Lack of clear/cohesive job- development paths into forest jobs Training and education not developed to create clear paths Need for industry and government support to help build paths

19. Logging and other equipment not always well-suited for current needs Can’t be used on all terrain Can’t be used on all resources Silvicultural limitations

20. Worker’s Compensation Creates additional safety issues – loggers working alone Cost to companies Disincentives for companies to train new/existing workers

21. Economic barriers High cost of equipment Sales taxes on equipment and other items

22. Wage competition From external industries From within the industry Impact of Amish workers/businesses

23. Lack of public and industry supports Need for cross-cutting programs to improve workforce recruitment and development, involving multiple partners Lack of industry partnerships within the forest products world

24. Economic Development and Products

25. PA is not fully capitalizing on forest-based economic opportunities – Timber and traditional products Transportation and infrastructure issues Need for understanding constraints of middle-men/producers/buyers Lack of demand at home Lack of uses for low-value wood

26. PA is not fully capitalizing on forest-based economic opportunities – Non-timber products Need for better, more sustainable growing and harvesting methods Lack of new markets and demand

27. PA is not fully capitalizing on forest-based economic opportunities – Ecosystem services Carbon offsets Water quality Others

28. PA is not fully capitalizing on forest-based economic opportunities – Recreation and tourism Lack of infrastructure and support for small business and startups Need for marketing support

29. Disconnect between locally-sourced materials and manufacturing Need for messaging/branding to highlight durability, quality of PA forest products Government not enough of a leader on use of sustainable, durable wood through its own buildings and through grants

30. Lack of /disincentives for entrepreneurship opportunities Lack of support for makers and manufacturers Small/rural manufacturers left behind during rapid tech. improvements Internet access 3-D printing, other innovations Traditional manufacturing equipment improvements