1. Colorado’s Forest Action Plan Mike Lester, State Forester and Director
January 31, 2017

2. Agenda Background and Forest Action Plan Guidance
Colorado’s Forest Action Plan (FAP)
Components of Colorado’s FAP
Assessing Colorado’s Forests and Threats
Colorado’s Overarching Strategies
FAP in Progress: Collaborative Projects
Working Together - Possibilities
Dialogue and Questions

3. National Background
Forest Action Plans: first strategic plan for US forests
Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (the 2008 Farm Bill)
Congress tasked states and territories with assessing forests and developing strategies to address threats and improve forest health

4. FAP Guidance Describe conditions and trends
Identify priority landscape areas
Develop practical, 10-year plans
Informs investment by governmental and other resources to achieve national conservation goals
Approach varies based on needs of state / territory

5. Visit csfs.colostate.edu/forest-action-plan/
Colorado’s FAP
Developed via direction from USFS and NASF
First CO geospatial assessment published in 2009; in-person input solicited from stakeholders in 2014; next version 2019
Visit csfs.colostate.edu/forest-action-plan/

6. Components of Colorado’s FAP

7. Assessing Colorado’s Forests
Process utilized and people engaged
Brief history of forest uses
Forest types and ownership
Conditions, trends and priority landscapes
State maps of priority areas by themes
Conserve Working Forest Landscapes
Protect Forests from Harm
Enhance Public Benefits from Trees and Forests

8. Threats to Colorado’s Forests
Forest fragmentation
Decline of forest products businesses
Insects and diseases
Wildfire
Climatic impacts on resiliency and adaptability
Watershed risks
Decline of riparian eco-systems
Air quality issues

9. CO’s 10 Overarching Strategies
Manage forests according to appropriate science-based information
Actively manage forests to improve resiliency and adaptability
Develop a strategic marketing and communications plan
Foster a viable forest products industry
Collaborate management across ownerships

10. Additional Strategies
Use the assessment to support forest management
Focus efforts to leverage resources
Work with neighboring states to conserve working forest lands
Restore ecosystem function at appropriate scale
Reduce process impediments

11. FAP in Progress: Collaboration with Conservation Districts
State forestry partnerships with conservation districts allow use of our respective assets to enhance the quality of service and support available to landowners.
Examples:
Conservation efforts using CSFS Nursery stock
Upper South Platte Partnership
$3.25 million NRCS Regional Conservation Partnership (RCPP) Grant

12. Trees, shrubs and perennials grown by CSFS
Reforest burned & flooded areas
Stabilize soil & control erosion
Enhance habitats
Create shelterbelts
Recent partnerships with CDs:
Colorado (28), Wyoming (28), Texas (23)
Oklahoma (7), Nebraska (2), New Mexico (2)

13. Upper S Platte Partnership
Five year collaboration of 10 entities (NRCS, CSFS, Jefferson Conservation District, USFS, national and local non-profits, water providers and university centers)
In a high-priority watershed along populated Denver’s Front Range
Fosters proactive forest management by private landowners to accomplish personal goals and contribute to watershed restoration

14. San Juan – Rio Chama RCPP Grant
To protect water diversion structures / tunnels carrying runoff 26 miles
across the Continental Divide
(Colorado and New Mexico)
East Rio Arriba Soil and Water Conservation District plus 21 Initial Partners (including CSFS) 
Complement recent diversion structures with additional forest health and watershed treatments
Increases the resiliency of the landscape to withstand drought, wildfire and climate change

15. Working together to make a coordinated impact on the landscape and in our communities
Integrate skills and knowledge to enhance technical assistance provided to landowners
Provide common understanding and messaging regarding conservation practices and priorities
Leverage our joint resources and expertise to make a more profound impact on our mountains, plains, riparian areas and urban forests.

16. Possibilities Joint landowner education programs
Intermittent program updates – invite your local forester to board meetings
State Forest Stewardship Coordinating Committee
State Technical Committee
Collaborative and partnership groups
Community Tree Boards
Watershed Protection Groups
Wildfire Councils

17. Dialogue and Questions