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Wallowa-Whitman Forest Collaborative
The Forest Collaborative is a group of public and private organizations and individuals passionate about working together on large scale management efforts. They are engage in landscape-scale analysis and planning to support the USFS in its efforts to accelerate the pace of restoration and job creation on the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. We are excited about the opportunities and benefits this level of collaboration can bring to Northeast Oregon. The Wallowa-Whitman Forest Collaborative was established in June of 2012. Over 31 diverse groups and an additional 14 individuals have participated in the forest collaborative to date.
The Forest Collaborative Focus
The geographic focus for the Wallowa – Whitman Forest Collaborative is the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest (WWNF) and adjacent lands. Encompassing 2,392,508 acres, the WWNF lies in three states and 10 counties and is bordered in Oregon by the Umatilla and Malheur National Forests. Forest elevation varies from 9,945 to 875 feet.
The Wallowa-Whitman is home to four ranger districts, one national recreation area, four wilderness areas, and ten Wild and Scenic Rivers. WWNF land area in square miles per county: Union county – 2,037, Baker County – 3,068, Wallowa County 3,146.
The Forest Collaborative Mission
To improve the social, economic, and ecological resiliency of the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and local communities through collaboration by a diverse group of stakeholders.
Priorities
- Continue to build on, and expand, the collaborative relationship amongst stakeholders.
- Review and finalize the Operations Principles Framework as a collaborative.
- Engage in landscape-scale analysis and planning to support the USFS in its efforts to accelerate the pace of restoration and job creation on the WWNF.
- Work collaboratively on multiple projects and offer appropriate support and recommendations to responsible land management agencies over the next year.
Current Field Project Work
- Partner with Wallowa County to finalize and advance the Lower Joseph Creek Watershed Assessment and Recommendations and build a broader base of local, state and regional support for these projects.
- Development of a collaborative project on the Whitman District of the WWNF in partnership with the Baker County Natural Resource Advisory Committee.
Operations Group and its Members
At the June 7, 2012 meeting when stakeholders agreed to form this new Forest Collaborative, an Operations Group was approved to plan and manage the Collaborative between meetings. The following are members of this Operations Group:
- John Buckman, Oregon Department of Forestry
- Nils Christoffersen, Wallowa Resources
- Mark Davidson, Union County
- Steve Edwards, Blue Mountain Forest Cooperative
- Brian Kelly, Hells Canyon Preservation Council
- John Laurence, WWNF Forest Supervisor (or designate)
- Tim Lillebo, Oregon Wild
- Bob Parker, OSU Forest Extension
- Patrick Shannon, Sustainable Northwest
- Lindsay Warness, Boise Cascade
Nick Myatt of ODFW was originally on the group but asked to step off due to scheduling conflicts - he remains a participant in the full Collaborative. Patrick Shannon assumed the position previously held by Maia Enzer of Sustainable Northwest.
Past Meeting Notes
January 23, 2013 Meeting Notes
October 25, 2012 Meeting Notes
September 26, 2012 Meeting Notes
Field Trip Notes
September 26, 2012 Field Trip Notes - Lower Joseph Creek
Collaborative Operations Principles
Operations Principles January 24 2013
Lower Joseph Creek - Forest Conditions
Forest, Fire, and Fuels Recommendations
Forest Condition Assesment - April 2012
Historic Harvest Activities 1975-2004
Other reference information - web links
Eastside Restoration Strategy Update - March 2013
Eastside Restoration Strategy Update - April 2013
Federal Forestlands Advisory Committee - Implementation Work Group
Ecosystem Workforce Program - Map of Oregon Collaborative
For more information, contact Nils Christoffersen.
