Northeastern Area Overview

Our Mission Lead and help support sustainable forest management and use of forests across the landscape to provide benefits for the people of the 20 Northeastern and Midwestern States and the District of Columbia.

Northeastern Area Overview We Achieve This By … Providing leading-edge technical assistance, Building strong state forestry programs, Targeting financial assistance, Reducing Federal investments through prevention, Monitoring and assessing forest sustainability trends, Acting as an information clearinghouse.

Northeastern Area Overview Who we are Who we serve What we do How we work Who cares? (And, why they should!)

Northeastern Area Overview We are Part of the Forest Service Who We Are Who We Are United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service State and Private Forestry Northeastern... Area National Forest System Research

Northeastern Area Overview Director and Deputy Director Grey Towers Administration and Civil Rights services through NE and NC Who We Are Who We Are STAFF ORGANIZATION Forest Management – Robin Morgan Coop Fire – Bill Terry Forest Health Protection – Jerry Boughton Grants – Kathy Duran Information Management – Terry Gross (Acting) LINE ORGANIZATION St. Paul, MN Field Office Mike Prouty Morgantown, WV Field Office John Hazel Durham, NH Field Office Lew McCreery, Acting

Northeastern Area Overview St. Paul, MN Morgantown, WV Grey Towers, Milford, PA Durham, NH Newtown Square Headquarters Headquarters Field Office Historical Site The Northeast and Midwest We Serve We Serve

Northeastern Area Overview About 5 million non-Federal landowners More than 170 million acres of forest More than 120 million people in 20 states Nearly 43% of the US population We Serve

Northeastern Area Overview We Serve the Nation’s Forest Land U.S. Forest Land 23% 77% 20 States Served by NA Rest of the U.S.

Northeastern Area Overview We Serve State and Private (Non-Federal) Forests U.S. Forest Land All Ownerships 23% 77% NA rest of the U.S. 8% 92% Federal Non-Federal 42% 58% Federal Non-Federal * Forest health support also provided on federal lands

Northeastern Area Overview We Serve Millions of Americans U.S. Population 43% 57% 20 States Served by NA Rest of the U.S. NA Population 4.8 Million Landowners 120+ million citizens

Northeastern Area Overview What We Do Implement S&PF programs Provide expert advice, innovative technology Financial assistance Work with FS Regions, Stations Work at Federal, State, and local levels

Northeastern Area Overview What We Do We have National Responsibilities –National Information Center – St. Paul, MN –Grey Towers – Milford, PA –Wood Education and Resource Center – WV –Army Environmental Center – Aberdeen, MD

Northeastern Area Overview These Guiding Principles Guide Our Work: Partnerships Program Integration Innovative Approaches Focused Resources Outcome-based Performance Measures How We Work

Northeastern Area Overview We Use a Variety of Programs How We Work Forest Health Protection & Monitoring Cooperative Fire Management Urban & Community Forestry Forest Stewardship National Fire Plan ForestLegacy

Northeastern Area Overview We Seek to: Add Value through –Voluntary partnerships and cooperation –Non-regulatory assistance Create Opportunity –For the people and forest –Through improved program delivery How We Work

Northeastern Area Overview Our Emphases for FY 2006: –Homeland Security –Sustainable Forest Management –Cost-effective Assistance –Healthy Forests How We Work

Northeastern Area Overview Healthy Forests Restoration Act, 2003 Focus on hazardous fuels reduction in communities at risk Streamlines administrative procedures Authorizes $760 million New authorities –Biomass research –Utilization –Watershed Forestry Assistance Emphasis on forest health and reduction of insects and disease

Northeastern Area Overview VALUE from… –Sustainable forests –Well-prepared volunteer fire departments –More-livable towns and cities –Better informed forest land owners –Jobs contributing to local economies Who Cares? (Why We Should)

Northeastern Area Overview OPPORTUNITY to Achieve… –R –R esults! –E –E ffective mgmt. – watersheds and forests –S –S erve more peoples’ needs –U –U se and extend FS expertise –L –L everage investments –T –T urn around Forest Service credibility –S –S ustainable forests Who Cares? (Why We Should)

Northeastern Area Overview The Current NA Budget... Forest Health Management Cooperative Fire Management Cooperative Forestry Grey Towers Total 28,56618,18950,3111,95099,016 FY 2006 Operating Costs16,678 Assessment to NERS/NCRS1,547

Northeastern Area Overview The Current National Budget... FY 2006 State & Private Forestry $361,238,000 27% $99,016,000

Northeastern Area Overview Some Key Accomplishments in 2005… Placed 804,557 acres of private lands under stewardship. Assisted more than 3,727 towns and cities to improve their urban forest resources. Protected 22,636 acres through Forest Legacy. Monitored 20 states for forest health conditions. Assisted 3,428 Rural Volunteer Fire Departments.

Northeastern Area Overview The Outlook... Private Landowners will determine the future of most of America’s forests. Private lands will continue to outproduce Federal lands. Urban forests will contribute to: –More livable communities –Better air quality –Increased energy savings Collaboration and partnerships are key.

Northeastern Area Overview Fuel and fires Invasive species Fragmentation Unmanaged recreation The Forest Service is focusing on four profound threats to our Nation’s forests: The Northeastern Area wants to make Americans aware of these threats and what we’re doing to address them. The Outlook...

Northeastern Area Overview Questions Questions?