State Forestry Agency Seeking Input on Forestry Issues
New Hampshire citizens have the opportunity to provide their perspective on the future of New Hampshire’s forests. The New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands is seeking public input in regard to the issues affecting the forests and natural resources of the state. The Division has scheduled the following Public Input Sessions:
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Division of Forests and Lands
Urban Forestry Center
45 Elwyn Road
Portsmouth, New Hampshire
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Fish & Game Department Headquarters
Hazen Dr.
Concord, New Hampshire
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
6:30 pm – 9:00 pm
Division of Forests and Lands
North Country Regional Headquarters
Lancaster, New Hampshire
In addition, the Division has prepared an Online Public Input Survey as another source for collecting public input. The survey builds on resource issues identified in the 1996 Forest Resource Plan and the 2002 The State of New Hampshire’s Forests.
The Online Public Input Survey can be found on the Division’s website at http://www.nhdfl.org/about-forests-and-lands/bureaus/sars.aspx and will be available through October 9, 2009. The Division encourages all natural resources stakeholders, landowners, and interested citizens to participate in the survey.
Once the issues have been identified and prioritized, a comprehensive strategy will be developed to effectively address the issues. As part of a national effort to be completed by the summer of 2010, all state forestry agencies are completing a Forest Assessment and Resource Strategy.
"Although New Hampshire’s forests are abundant and diverse, the health, productivity, and future of’ New Hampshire’s forests and related natural resources are being impacted by a wide variety of influences,” said Brad Simpkins, New Hampshire’s State Forester. “Changes in land use and ownership, impacts of foreign markets on forest products and raw materials, the influence of climate change and emergence of carbon sequestration, the rapid spread of non-native invasive species, the need for alternative sources of energy, and many other influences are affecting the decisions made by natural resource managers and landowners across the state and throughout the region.”
"The New Hampshire Forest Assessment and Resource Strategy will serve as the foundation on which to direct a unified approach to addressing the many issues affecting New Hampshire’s trees, forests, and associated natural resources,” said Simpkins.
New Hampshire’s Forest Assessment and Resource Strategy will provide a comprehensive analysis of the forest-related conditions, trends, threats, and opportunities within the state. The assessment will also identify priority rural and urban forest landscape areas most affected by the issues. The Forest Resource Strategy will provide a long-term, comprehensive, coordinated strategy for investing state, federal, and other resources to the management of priority landscapes identified in the forest assessment.
The New Hampshire Division of Forests and Lands is part of the Department of Resources and Economic Development and promotes the values provided by trees and forests. To learn more about the Division of Forests and Lands, visit www.nhdfl.org or call 603/271-2214.
posted September 9, 2009
