Ruth McWilliams National Sustainable Development Coordinator USDA Forest Service May 31, 2001 May 31, 2001 Science Day 2001 Sustainability Framework … Provides Substance for Forests, Rangelands, and Minerals/Energy

What is sustainability? How to measure sustainability? How to manage for sustainability? Key Questions

Is present and future oriented “…the capacity to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” Sustainable Development Source: Brundtland Commission, 1987

Includes economic, environmental, and social concerns “…essential to seek economic prosperity, environmental protection, and social equity together” Sustainable Development Source: President’s Council on Sustainable Development, 1996

U. S. Commitment 1992 Earth Summit 1993 International Seminar of Experts; and Presidential Decision 1995 Santiago Declaration 1999 Roundtable on Sustainable Forests 2000 Federal Interagency Cooperation 2003 National Report

Montreal Process Seven Criteria 1. Biological Diversity 2. Productive Capacity of Forest Ecosystems 3. Forest Ecosystem Health and Vitality 4. Soil and Water Resources 5. Forest Contribution to Global Carbon Cycles 6. Socio-Economic Benefits 7. Legal, Institutional, and Economic Framework

Widely accepted starting point Practical framework and common language Test and refine by using Montreal Process Criteria & Indicators (C&I)

Three Sector-Based Efforts  Forests  Rangelands  Minerals / Energy

U.S. Land Type Other 26% Cropland 20% Forest land 28% Rangeland 26% Source: 2000 RPA Assessment

Stakeholders Federal agencies Tribal, state, and local units of government Private landowners Industry and business Conservation and environmental groups Regional and community-based organizations Other citizens

U. S. Forest Land Type Non-industrial Private Landowners 52.2% Federal 27.4% State and local 9.3% Forest Industry 9.1% Source: 2000 RPA Assessment

Roundtable on Sustainable Forests National multi-stakeholder forum Self-chartered in February 1999 Montreal Process C&I focus Data and technical issues Communication and outreach

Power of Framework Better data Better information Better decisions

Local to Global Actions  Local Unit C&I Development  Community-based measurement  State resource planning  Eco-regional and national-level Assessments  United Nations Forum on Forests

C&I Gaps and Needs  General data issues  Montreal Process data issues  Integration issues  Stakeholder collaboration

Minerals / Energy Using Roundtable process Developing Montreal-like criteria Drafting indicators

Rangelands Reviewing Montreal Process C & I Using Monitoring Systems and Assessments Organizing Roundtable process

Conservation in the 21 st Century Connections and Investments Short- and long-term focus Comprehensive / simultaneous solutions Public and private collaboration Place-based actions at multiple scales

Organizational Success Mission and long-term strategy Annual performance Human resource capabilities Communication Policies and programs Training

Individual Responsibility and Commitment Build trust Generate and share ideas Align behavior and intentions Stop and reflect Look at yourself first Put stake in the ground Clarify and reinforce Ask for feedback Coach others to succeed

Sustainability is not a Slogan !