4th Quarter Northern Forests Climate Hub Accomplishments
Highlights from our work in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024 (July - September).
Supporting National Forests to Integrate Climate Considerations into Planning
National Forests are considering the impacts of climate change in integrated resource project planning efforts. This quarter, the USDA Northern Forests Climate Hub facilitated the use of the Adaptation Workbook decision-support tool in workshops for three National Forests (Green Mountain, Huron-Manistee, and Ottawa) attended by 81 participants. The Adaptation Workbook was designed to help forest managers incorporate climate change considerations into management and devise adaptation tactics. Learn more about the Adaptation Workbook
Facilitating the Use of Climate Adaptation Planning Processes
Planning for desired future forest and woodland conditions can be led by a professional silviculturist who plans actions that can help achieve desired conditions. Silviculturists use knowledge of the forest condition, quality, and local values of the landowner to direct management prescriptions. The USDA Northern Forests Climate Hub and the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science hosted a training session on climate change adaptation and carbon stewardship as part of the USDA Forest Service’s National Advanced Silviculture Program (NASP) training. This session facilitated discussions and activities for silviculturists to gain real-world experience evaluating climate change risks and potential adaptation actions. The NFCH and NIACS team also provided climate change training to Forest Service silviculturists who are not part of the NASP program at the National Silviculture Workshop.
Advancing Regional Communities of Practice
Forest managers and landowners in New Hampshire are concerned about how the impacts of climate change and invasive pests and pathogens will affect the ability of their forests to sustain long-lasting values such as wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, and carbon benefits. To address this, forest stewardship managers from conservation organizations, family forest land, and National Forests in two New Hampshire landscapes attended workshops organized by The Nature Conservancy and NIACS, and NFCH to create climate-informed forest management plans. This quarter, the groups came together to form a community of practice to learn from each other and to strengthen the capacity for climate-informed management in the region’s forests. The NFCH and NIACS led field tours to highlight adaptation projects in Southwest NH, and Mt. Washington Valley. Participants showcased tactics for managing forests for various reasons from developing older forest conditions, reducing the effects of forest pests and pathogens, increasing wildlife habitat, reducing deer browse, and promoting the regeneration of diverse climate-adapted species amongst other strategies.
Questions? Contact the USDA Northern Forests Climate Hub staff