Oregon Department of Forestry Kevin Birch Planning Coordinator Use of Criteria & Indicators and Sustainable Forest Management at Different Scales Oregon Department of Forestry

Kevin Birch Planning Coordinator What We’ll Cover Why Use C&I’s of Sustainability Sustainability as Part of the Policy and Vision for Oregon’s Forests Using the Framework at Different Scales Examples Summary

Oregon Department of Forestry Kevin Birch Planning Coordinator Sustainability is a Unifying Theme that resonates with the public “Sustainability” is defined as: “Meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs” (Brundtland Commission Report)

Oregon Department of Forestry Kevin Birch Planning Coordinator There is Power in the Ideas and Language of Sustainability We can significantly change the dynamics of confrontation by latching onto some of the sustainable forestry ideas being developed nationally and internationally. Sustainability affects public values both in terms of opinion and behavior.

Oregon Department of Forestry Kevin Birch Planning Coordinator What We’ll Cover Why Use C&I’s of Sustainability Sustainability as Part of the Policy and Vision for Oregon’s Forests Using the Framework at Different Scales The Department and Board’s work Summary

Oregon Department of Forestry Kevin Birch Planning Coordinator Developing a Policy for Oregon’s Forestland that Includes Sustainability Oregon Board of Forestry Strategic Planning -- The Forestry Program for Oregon

Oregon Department of Forestry Kevin Birch Planning Coordinator Sustainability as Part of the Vision for Oregon’s Forests Oregon’s forests provide a sustainable flow of goods, values, and services Landowners willingly investing to provide this array The public understands and accepts their responsibility

Oregon Department of Forestry Kevin Birch Planning Coordinator Incorporating Sustainability into Strategic Planning/Policy Making Criteria form the framework needed to organize forest issues Core indicators - a tool to evaluate conditions at the landscape level

Oregon Department of Forestry Kevin Birch Planning Coordinator Montreal Process Criteria - Goals of sustainability and a way to organize issues Biological diversity Productive capacity Ecosystem health Soil and water resources Contribution to global carbon cycles Socioeconomic benefits Legal and institutional framework

USING THE FPFO AS A CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT PROCESS FPFO Policy Formation Public dialogue to set goals Ability to set measurable objectives Design programs/incentives as needed to achieve goals Landscape Scale Assessments Indicators of Sustainability Examine forest conditions Objective information Model alternative policies Evaluate progress to objectives Goals (Criteria) of Sustainability Maintain Biodiversity Maintain Productive Capacity Maintain Ecosystem Health Conservation of Soil and Water Maintain Global Carbon Cycles Maintain Socio-economic benefits Legal / Institutional Framework Department Programs Implement objectives Address issues Plan Act Monitor Evaluate Collect data on Indicators of Sustainability to examine effectiveness of policies at achieving goals Collect data on agency performance measures to evaluate efficiency of program delivery Other Programs Coordinate with other agencies Research Economic Development Certification

Oregon Department of Forestry Kevin Birch Planning Coordinator What We’ll Cover Why Use C&I’s of Sustainability Sustainability as Part of the Policy and Vision for Oregon’s Forests Using the Framework at Different Scales Examples Summary

INPUT/OUTPUT/OUTCOME LOGIC MODEL High-level Outcomes –Measure progress toward goals (Indictors) Agency Goals – Intermediate goals that build to High-Level Outcomes Outputs – Products or Services Intermediate Outcomes – Portion of H-L Outcome under your control Objectives – Methods to achieve goals (Programs) High Level Goal (Criterion) Inputs – Time / $

Issues/Obstacles to Achieving Goals (Agency Goals) Programs Maintain the size of the forest land baseLand Use Planning Program Min Resource loss from fireFire Protection Program Min Resource loss from insects and diseaseForest Health Mgmt Program Prompt reforestationFPA Reforestation Rules Vision Landowners willingly invest Public Accepts their responsibility Forests Providing a Sustainable Flow of Goods Values and Services Vision Landowners willingly invest Public Accepts their responsibility Forests Providing a Sustainable Flow of Goods Values and Services High Level Goals (Criteria of Sustainability) Maintain Biodiversity Maintain Productive Capacity Maintain Ecosystem Health Conservation of Soil and Water Maintain Global Carbon Cycles Maintain Socio-economic benefits Legal / Institutional Framework Incorporating Sustainability

Objective - (Methods to achieve agency goals) Support the use of the Statewide Land Use Planning Program as a critical tool to conserve Oregon’s forest land base. Program Oregon’s Land Use Planning Program Incorporating Sustainability (Continued) Program Action Items - (Outputs) Actively participate in the development of land use plans and regulations at the state and local level. Where an informed decision has been made to remove forestland from the base to accommodate growth, the Department will promote planning for those lands to assure the least possible impact to the productive capacity of the rest of the land base. Issue/Agency Goal - Maintain the size of the forest land base Goal / Criterion - Maintain Productive Capacity Intermediate Outcomes - (Performance Measures) The number of zone changes taking land out of forest uses Acres of forestland converted to other uses

Oregon Department of Forestry Kevin Birch Planning Coordinator Reality Check Using Core Indicators of Maintaining Productive Capacity (Timber) Indicators: (High Level Outcomes) –#10 Forestland available for timber production –#11 Growing stock –#13 Timber harvest vs. sustainable Check on Agency Performance Measures –Provides additional information on land converted to other uses –Coordinated with inventory information to examine quality

Oregon Department of Forestry Kevin Birch Planning Coordinator What We’ll Cover Why Use C&I’s of Sustainability Sustainability as Part of the Policy and Vision for Oregon’s Forests Using the Framework at Different Scales Examples Summary

Oregon Department of Forestry Kevin Birch Planning Coordinator Monitoring and Evaluation Indicator #10 Forestland available for timber production

Oregon Department of Forestry Kevin Birch Planning Coordinator Forestland available for timber production (1000’s Acres of Private Land in W. OR) 3Area Lost3790 Planning Laws Passed Plans Implemented HB 3661 Changes

Oregon Department of Forestry Kevin Birch Planning Coordinator Land Use Program Is Slowing Urban & Residential Conversion in Oregon Apples and Oranges comparison with other nearby states –Washington: lost 262,800 ( Best, 2002 ) –California: lost 564,600 (Best, 2002) –W. Oregon : lost 40,000 (Lettman, 2002) Majority of development is occurring within planned areas - UGB’s and rural residential areas

Oregon Department of Forestry Kevin Birch Planning Coordinator Policy Development Indicators – Broad set of data useful for a number of issues – Real time policy analysis

Oregon Department of Forestry Kevin Birch Planning Coordinator Core Indicators – Basic Data for Policy Development on Many Issues Indicator #3 Area of Forestland in Protected Categories –Forestland available for timber production –Wildlife habitat –Sustainable timber harvest levels –Values at risk from wildfire –Recreation

Oregon Department of Forestry Kevin Birch Planning Coordinator What We’ll Cover Why Use C&I’s of Sustainability Sustainability as Part of the Policy and Vision for Oregon’s Forests Using the Framework at Different Scales Examples Summary

C&I Framework Unifying Theme Lessons from National & International Set Context for Policy Decisions Add Pieces Together Holistically Multiple Programs Working Toward Common Goals SCALE

Oregon Department of Forestry Kevin Birch Planning Coordinator C&I’s of Sustainability Provide: Framework - add pieces together holistically - multiple ownerships and management objectives Common language to discuss forest conditions and social responsibilities National/International acceptance and recognition

Oregon Department of Forestry Kevin Birch Planning Coordinator Indictors Broad set of data useful for a number of issues Real time policy analysis Monitor & evaluate

Oregon Department of Forestry Kevin Birch Planning Coordinator Maintain the Social License to Practice Forestry Power in the language of sustainability –Framework is broad and inclusive –Public dialogue about issues and goals Tell the “Stories” of Sustainability in a language the public understands –Answer the question about “How are we doing?”

Federal Timber Harvest