Symposium

Title of Session: Forests For Tomorrow: National Commision on Science for Sustainble Forestry (NCSSF/NCSE)

Organizer: National Commission on Science for Sustainable Forestry (NCSSF), Chris Bernabo

Speakers:
Session Moderator - Joyce Berry , CO State University (NCSSF Chair)
John Gordon, former Dean Yale School of Forestry
Jim Brown , former OR State Forester (PowerPoint)
Al Sample, President Pinchot Institute for Conservation
Ann Bartuska , Deputy Chief, USFS Research and Development
Scott Wallinger, VP Forest Science Laboratory, Mead WestVaco (retired)

Session Goals:
1. To share NCSSF’s mission, purpose and process
2. To share the results of NCSSF’s research and the implications for sustainable forestry and biodiversity in the continental US
3. To share ideas and deepen thinking on the challenges facing US forests and frame options for next steps to move policy forward

Summary:
"The National Commission on Science for Sustainable Forestry (NCSSF) was created in 2001 and consists of thirteen leading scientists and forest-management professionals from government, industry, academia, and environmental organizations. Its mission is to improve the scientific basis for the development, implementation, and evaluation of sustainable forestry practices in the US. The Commission’s work focuses primarily on the relationships between biodiversity and forest management practices. Since its inception, the program has produced information, tools and publications of the highest technical quality and greatest relevancy to policy makers, forest managers and practitioners. NCSSF is funded by the Doris Duke Chartiable Foundation, Surdna Foundation, Packard Foundation, and the National Forest Foundation.

  For the NCSE Annual Conference: “Biodiversity in a Rapidly Changing World” the Commission will be running a two hour symposia. It will begin the session with three short presentations. The first will be devoted to an overview of the NCSSF, its mission and process.  This will be followed by a summary of the results and applications of NCSSF research. Then, a section dedicated to forest policy will be discussed by a commission member referencing the “Forests for Tomorrow: NCSSF Call to Action” statement. These presentations will tie together the rationale and results of 7 years of research and collaboration on sustainable forestry and biodiversity conservation efforts.

After taking questions on the NCSSF outcomes, the symposia will move into a panel discussion. Each panel member will briefly discuss the NCSSF results, what these results mean for their sectors/communities and how their thinking has evolved over the Commission’s tenure.  The panel will be balanced to include NGO, Federal Government, Industry, Academic and State perspectives. Next, they will discuss how to move the “Call to Action” forward and engage the conference participants in a dialogue on next steps and opportunities."