Division of Forestry to Host Assessment Meetings
Friday, March 20, 2009 | 07:37am
NASHVILLE – The Tennessee Department of Agriculture Division of Forestry is requesting input from the public in developing a statewide forest resource assessment and strategy plan. Four public meetings will be held across the state between March 24 and April 6. Each meeting begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 8 p.m., and is conducted as an open house to accommodate participants’ schedules.
Meeting Dates and Locations:
- March 24, Chattanooga - Development Resource Center, 1250 Market Street.
- March 26, Cookeville - Hyder-Burks Agricultural Pavilion, 2390 Gainesboro Grade.
- April 1, Morristown - Morristown Utilities Building, 441 W. Main Street.
- April 6, Jackson - UT Agricultural Center, 605 Airways Boulevard.
The Division wants the assessment to be done collaboratively with key partners and stakeholders to ensure that critical issues are captured. The meetings seek to gather information and perspectives from the public that will help forest planners know better what to consider in the resource assessment. The University of Tennessee, a key partner, will conduct a separate public survey via direct mail of random households. Interested persons can also email TNForestPlan@utk.edu with their input.
The Division of Forestry is leading the process to assess the condition of forest resources in the state and identify key threats. The assessment will provide a comprehensive analysis of the forest-related conditions, trends, threats and opportunities within the state. This will provide information on key issues to the state while also addressing national priorities of conserving, protecting and enhancing the forest resource. Following the assessment, a strategy will be developed that will provide a long-term, comprehensive, coordinated plan for investing state, federal and partner resources to address the management and landscape priorities.
The statewide plan is provided for in the 2008 Farm Bill’s amendment of the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act. The plan is to be submitted by June 2010 to state officials and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Similar plans have been developed for other natural resource agencies. A Tennessee Wildlife Action Plan was developed in 2007 by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, and other regional forest assessments led by the U.S. Forest Service also guide forest management in Tennessee. These include the Southern Appalachian Assessment and the Southern Forest Resource Assessment.
For more information on the Statewide Forest Resource Assessment, visit the Tennessee Division of Forestry at www.TN.gov/agriculture/forestry/sustainability.html.