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2.
Summary of Action Items and Decisions
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General
- The
North American Forest Commission's
Bureau of Alternates (BOA) agreed that Working
Groups, wishing to recognize members (or contributors),
could do so through awards of that Working Group.
If Working Groups would like assistance on structuring
award criteria, they are encouraged to look over at
the criteria and standards developed by the Fire Management
Working Group.
- If
a Working Group feels that an individual has made
a sustained and superior contribution to the advancement
of NAFC as a whole, the Working Group may nominate
him/her for a Commission award. The Working Group
will submit the candidate's name in writing with a
one-page background, outlining the reasons for the
nomination, to the BOA.
- BOA
will send out a message to the entire Commission to
inform the regional body of new products, reports,
and meeting announcements as these updates arise.
- Members
of the BOA will try to attend more Working Groups
meetings in order to promote more interaction between
the BOA and the Working Groups. A schedule for these
meetings has been developed.
- In
order to promote more interaction between the Working
Groups and the Food
and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO),
D. Kneeland (FAO) will identify subject matter specialists
as focal points and will assist in increasing their
involvement with the NAFC Working Groups, including
possible attendance at some of the Working Group meetings,
in particular those for the Silviculture,
Inventory
and Monitoring, Insects
and Diseases and Fire
Management Working Groups.
- J.
Caloz (Canada) will provide information concerning
NAFC's capabilities in inventory and monitoring at
the Japan-led "International Expert Meeting on
Monitoring, Assessment and Reporting on the Progress
Toward Sustainable Forest Management" in support
of the United Nations Forum on Forests in November
being held following the International Tropical Timber
Council meeting.
- BOA
will undertake scoping meeting to determine the value
of a Watershed Management Working Group. The United
States has agreed to host the meeting. Each country
will nominate two experts plus a chairperson and send
nominations to C. Karr (USA) by November 1. Experts
will present feedback at the next BOA meeting.
- A
scoping meeting, similar to one being created for
Watershed Management, will take a look at Invasive
Plant Species. Mexico has agreed to host this meeting
before next BOA meeting. L. Lara (Mexico) will get
a place and date for the meeting by November 1. In
addition, each country will send nominations to L.
Lara by November 1.
- For
the 2002 Commission Meeting in Hawaii, three issues
were identified as themes for technical papers: watershed
management, plantation forestry and criteria and indicators.
Watershed management was chosen due to the growing
global importance of water and the critical role healthy
forests play in maintaining water quality and quantity.
The technical paper on plantation forestry will look
at the increasing importance of plantation forests
to the world fiber supply and the resulting implications
for North America. Meanwhile, the last issue paper
will examine the linkages between national level and
local level criteria and indicators.
- By
November 1, each country will identify lead expert,
who will be responsible for writing and presenting
a paper at the Commission meeting on the assigned
technical issue. United States will be responsible
for watersheds; Mexico will handle plantation forestry,
and Canada will identify lead to write on criteria
and indicators. In addition, each country will identify
co-authors who will assist the leads in developing
the technical papers. Names will be submitted to C.
Karr (USA).
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Working
Groups
- C.
Karr (USA), G. Miller (Canada) and L. Lara (Mexico)
will get a hold of key Forest Products working group
members to get updated activities report and membership
list as well encourage group to create a new work
plan.
- The
BOA will send out an announcement of the recently
published proceedings
from the Merida meeting of the Silviculture Working
Group to the rest of the Commission.
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Funding
- As
requested, the United States will fund activities
by Forest
Genetics Working Group, in the sum of $10,000:
- $5,000
to continue funding database by Mexican students
- $1,500
for intensive course on genetic conservation
- $2,000
for seminar on genetic resources at the next working
group meeting
- $1,500
for Symposium in Baja California
- Although
the Silviculture
Working Group requested funding to print proceedings
from the 2nd International Forum on Utilization of
Natural Forests, it did not specify any amount. Therefore,
Mexico will contact the Working Group to determine
the amount.
- The
USDA
Forest Service is considering funding an initiative
related to the Inventory
and Monitoring Working Group, specifically in
support of a pilot study in Jalisco, Mexico.
.
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Website
and Mailing List
The
BOA has decided that:
- Website
will link to other regional commission websites as
well as that of the World Forestry Congress in 2003.
- As
the Fire Management Working Group's website is being
developed, it will be linked to the NAFC websites
and vice versa.
- The
Working Groups will give L. Paqueo (USA) updated membership,
activities, links and electronic publications.
- L.
Paqueo (USA) will hyperlink the NAFC Commission meeting
in Hawaii to the Institute of Pacific Island Forestry
website.
- A
recommendation to the FAO Webmaster to change Statutory
Bodies to Regional Commissions will be placed.
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Upcoming
Events and Meetings
The
BOA members will work towards attending the following
Working Group meetings:
- Atmospheric
Change--October 24-26, 2001; Queretero, Mexico.
L. Lara (Mexico) is planning to attend this meeting.
- Fire
Management--February
11-15, 2002; Cancun, Mexico
- Inventory
and Monitoring--March 2002; Oaxaca, Mexico
- Bureau
of Alternates--April 1-5, 2002; Annapolis, Maryland,
United States
- NAFC
Commission Meeting--October 21-26, 2002; Big Island,
Hawaii, United States
- Forest
Genetics and Silviculture
Joint Meeting--July 2002; Jalapa, Mexico (tentative)
- Forest
Products--TBD
- Insects
and Diseases--TBD
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3.
Previous Meeting
The
previous
meeting of the BOA was held November 7-9, in Oaxaca
City, Mexico.
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4.
Details of Meeting - October 2, 2001
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A.
OPENING SESSION
V.
Mezainis (USA) chaired the meeting of the BOA. He
opened with introductions-specifically, with new participants
to the meeting-and then reviewed the meeting agenda.
Boyd Case, Director General of the Northern Forestry
Centre of the Canadian
Forest Service, gave a history and significance
of Banff National Park. The following themes were
added to the agenda: a) Model Forest Program, b) policy,
and c) NAFC involvement with World Forestry Congress.
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B.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES
1.
MEXICO
Last
year, Mexico changed administration. Newly elected
party and administration made several important changes:
- Victor
Lichtinger is the new Secretary
of the Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT).
SEMARNAP changed to SEMARNAT. Fisheries were transferred
to Secretariat
of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food
(SAGARPA).
- Undersecretariat
of Management of Natural Resources is now the Undersecretariat
of Management for Environmental Protection, which
deals with operative areas and function as well as
Environmental Impact and Risk Assessment and Wildlife.
- National
Institute of Ecology (INE) was reorganized and
now deals mainly with research activities.
- The
National
Forest Commission (CONAFOR), whose office is in
Guadalajara, was created. The General Director of
CONAFOR is Mr. Alberto Cardenas. CONAFOR is an autonomous
organization entailed on SEMARNAT and will concentrate
on promoting forestry activities through special programs.
CONAFOR will implement and operate projects and programs
for supporting forestry activities regarding national
forest policies and plans.
- Forest
law accomplishments will be centralized under General
Directorate of Decentralization and Federalization
of Forest Service and Soil of SEMARNAT, headed by
Cuauhtemoc Gonzalez Pacheco. Other responsibilities
of SEMARNAT include: forest management permission,
forest health, and national forest registration.
- SEMARNAT
transfers resources and programs. The main support
programs are being transferred: National Reforestation
Program (PRONARE), the Forest Development Program
(PRODEFOR) and the National Program for Forest Commercial
Plantations (PRODEPLAN). The National Program for
Forest Management and Conservation (PROCYMAF) is also
being transferred.
- The
operative branch of Wildfires Prevention and Control,
Forest Health and Forest Education and Training will
transfer to CONAFOR.
- General
Directorate of Decentralization and Federalization
of Forest Services and Soil of SEMARNAT will handle:
National Forest and Soil Inventory, Forest Management
and Technical Assistance, National Forest Registration
and National Coordination of Wildfires Prevention
and Control and Forest Health. This Directorate will
also handle programs and actions concerning conservation
and management of forests and soils and will deal
with United Nations Combat Desertification Convention.
- INIFAP
will continue with forest research, which belongs
to SAGARPA.
- International
forestry affairs will be linked with national forestry
policies and programs. CONAFOR will deal with Forest
Model Program and International Year of Mountains.
- Mexico
will most likely send representatives from different
branches to NAFC.
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2.
CANADA
- There
have been no significant organizational changes, except
in Policy area.
- At
a September meeting in Toronto, the Canadian Council
of Forest Ministers endorsed Forest 2020, a concept
being discussed in Canada to further sustainable forest
management. Forest 2020 will promote the role of fast
growing-high yield plantations in maintaining and
enhancing the forest sector's contribution to meeting
the growing demands being placed on Canada's forests.
In addition, it will provide a basis for a strong
agroforestry program in Canada through provision of
a new crop alternative.
- The
National Forest Information System, another national
initiative to establish an infrastructure system to
improve Canada's ability to assess the current state
of its forests, will be pursued. This initiative will
involve industry and stakeholders and is a joint venture
between federal and provincial governments.
- British
Columbia's new provincial government aims to reduce
provincial spending. Forest Renewal System is under
review. 60% of the Province's Forest Service funding
is derived from the Forest Renewal System.
- Within
the Canadian
Forest Service (CFS), The First Nation Forest
Program and Model Forest Program are undergoing an
evaluation. The CFS remains committed to the latter,
but is reviewing the current composition of the model
forests.
- The
federal government is placing a lot of emphasis on
a more horizontal approach to management and on encouraging
federal organizations to collaborate. There are implications
for CFS on the policy and technology side, as CFS
aims to make information available to the public online.
- A
large human resources initiative is well underway
to review the job classification system across organizations.
- National
Forest Strategy is being evaluated. The Forest Strategy
will start afresh from ground up in about one year.
National Forest Congress will prepare to deliver the
strategy by May 2003, prior to World Forestry Congress.
- Canadian
Biodiversity Strategy: Over the coming year, Canada
will focus more on implementation, data gathering
and working on the science agenda.
- New
Species At Risk Act-to be completed by December or
January-will impact forest strategy and have implications
on land use.
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3.
FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION OF THE UN (FAO)
- A
new initiative-the National Forest Programme Facility-will
support countries' implementation of national forest
programs, specifically in developing countries and
countries in transition. Several European countries
and the EC are supporting the Facility, which will
be hosted by FAO.
NAFC members are encouraged to participate. Support
can be provided in the form of funding or "in
kind" contributions of staff or consultants.
- FAO
has advertised a new post to assist countries in developing
a coordinated response to forest fires around the
world. The need for this post was highlighted at an
expert meeting in Rome in March; the USA, Canada and
Mexico each participated in this meeting. North America
has a long history of collaboration among countries
in fire management, including the NAFC Fire
Management Working Group, serving as a model for
other regions.
- Some
recent staff changes of interest to NAFC include:
- Tina
Vahanen has joined FAO after working four years
in the IFF/UNFF secretariat.
- Jim
Ball has retired, and Doug Kneeland is acting
Chief of the Forestry Information and Liaison
Unit until Jim's replacement is named. In addition,
Doug is also the new NAFC Secretary.
- Rosalie
McConnell has joined FAO for up to one year as
a visiting expert from Natural Resources Canada;
she will work on UNFF issues as well as planning
for the World Forestry Congress.
- Robert
Davis, who headed up the FRA 2000 program, is
joining the World
Bank Latin American Bureau for a two-year
secondment from FAO.
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4.
UNITED STATES
- Former
USDA
Forest Service (USFS) Chief, Mike Dombeck, is
now at the University of Wisconsin (endowed chair).
- 15th
Chief of USFS is Dale Bosworth.
- Deputy
Chiefs have been replaced except for Research (Robert
Lewis).
- Sally
Collins is now the lone Associate Chief-replacing
the former two-Associate Chief model.
- The
USFS Agenda, due out next year, will emphasize the
following: recreation, watershed, forest health, and
forest sustainability.
The Bush Administration started reviewing agreements
and environmental policies: roadless policy and forest
planning regulations. So far, public comment has shown
desire to keep roadless policy intact. There is also
an ongoing debate on the viability of species, criteria
and indicators, and general forest sustainability.
- There
was a large fire season this year, resulting in four
fatalities. The diminishing forest health resonates
strongly with public. Increased budget for fire by
$1billion.
- Payments
to states legislation: 25% of all timber sales would
go back to county. Last year, good bipartisan support
decoupled that.
- Due
to the attacks on September 11, international travel
has been curtailed. USDA Forest Service sent three
incident management teams to respond to the attacks.
- The
Local
Unit Criteria and Indicators Development (LUCID)
projects, tested in six forests-have helped land managers
ability to look at sustainability at the local level.
-
The annual cabinet level bi-national meetings in USA,
September 1, in conjunction with President Vincente
Fox's visit highlighted collaboration between USA
and Mexico.
- Bi-national
Commission meeting in Mexico at the end of October.
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C.
REPORTS FROM THE WORKING GROUPS
1.
Overall Coordination (V. Mezainis-USA)
- In
order to promote more interaction between the BOA
and the NAFC Working Groups, BOA members will attend
more Working Group meetings.
- V.
Mezainis (USA) will send out an email to NAFC, highlighting
the following: details from BOA meeting, awards information
and recipients and upcoming events.
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2.
Atmospheric Change
(G. Miller-Canada)
- Three-country
ozone protocol initiative: Mexico set up research
sites equivalent to Canada and the USA. The money
($15K) given by BOA facilitated a final proposal of
over $300K, which will be pursued through industrial
and European partnerships. The goal: to harmonize
monitoring and assessment protocols related to ozone
damage in forests among the three countries.
- Working
with Parks Canada, the University of Minnesota and
others, the Working Group is currently developing
a pamphlet for a general audience on impacts of air
pollution on major forest ecosystems of North America.
Emphasis will be on ozone impacts with a view for
other pamphlets on other pollutants.
- Joint
meetings planned with Insects and Diseases (2002 or
2003) and Fire Management Working Groups.
- Working
Group has expanded active membership to include Parks
Canada, Environment Canada, selected universities
in Canada and USA plus other USA and Mexican federal
institutions.
- Hugo
Ramírez Maldonado replaced Dr. Carlos Rodriguez
- Annual
meeting in Queretero - October 24-26, 2001. L. Lara
(Mexico) will try to attend meeting.
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3.
Forest Products
(G. Miller-Canada)
- C.
Karr (USA), G. Miller (Canada) and L. Lara (Mexico)
will get a hold of key Forest Products working group
members to get updated activities report and membership
list as well encourage group to create a new work
plan.
- Proposal
for North American Workshop on Non-Wood Products-FAO
would like to still co-sponsor it but needs to know
if sub-group still exists.
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4.
Forest Genetics
(L. Lara-Mexico)
- July
2001: There was a working meeting to put together
a research proposal for Mexican Nut Pines.
- July
2001: They had a meeting in Chihuahua on the indicators
of genetic diversity.
- July
31-August 7 2001, Placerville, California: Working
Group meeting and supported Symposium on Geographic
Variation of Forest Species. Field trip to see protected
areas in California and conservation of forest genetics
resources.
- Activities
include:
- Working
on database of work by Mexican students on genetic
and ecological aspects of native forest species
of Mexico.
- Expect
to put database on website.
- Members
of the Working Group have published articles and
helped Silviculture Working Group put together
proceedings from Merida meeting.
- Established
seven more activities for the next 6 months:
- They
want to create a directory for institutions and
individuals interested in participating in training
programs and scientific exchanges related to forest
genetic resources.
- Research
proposals on nut pines.
- Continue
discussion on indicators of genetic diversity.
- Continue
with sampling in their studies.
- Continue
work on database.
- In
July 2002, they are planning an intensive course
on genetic conservation in Montecillo in a graduate
institution.
Symposium-"Biological Diversity in Baja California"-in
Ensenada in 2003 on genetic diversity (more bilateral
activity).
- Preparing
another training in Chapingos, Mexico next July 2002
- Requests/Other:
- $5,000
to continue funding database by Mexican students
- $1,500
for intensive course on genetic conservation
- $2,000
for seminar on genetic resources at the next working
group meeting
- $1,500
for Symposium in Baja California
- Dr.
Basilio Bermejo passed away---Working Group requesting
acknowledgement to recognize his activities.
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5.
Silviculture
(L. Lara-Mexico)
- Javier
Musalem, Fernando Patino, Carleen Yocum and Les Whitmore
are no longer with the group. John Parrotta and Margaret
Devall replaced the latter two.
- Electronic
proceedings from the Merida Meeting are posted
on the Silviculture Working Group's Reports and Activities
webpage.
- Proceedings
from 2nd International Forum on Utilization of Natural
Forests are still pending review and will be sent
to the Webmaster.
- Request
for funding: To print copies of proceedings. The Working
Group has asked members to submit a proposal request
to BOA.
- The
Working Group is also concerned about emergent issues:
- Urban
forestry, watershed and criteria and indicators
- How
to join this project with Mesoamerican Biological
Corridor project of the Word
Bank.
- The
Working Group also wants to respond to the concerns
of the Commission over reforestation of degraded
lands and nursery techniques.
- Members
reiterated that it would be useful to have the
website in Spanish.
- Working
Group also proposes creation of Urban Silviculture
group and a database of projects or potential
sites.
- List
of North American Trees is not feasible. Project will
not continue.
- Activities
for next year:
- Publication
of Seed Manual, which will describe seeds of 175
tropical species.
- Marking
off demonstration areas in Campeche, Mexico and
will analyze results at the next meeting.
- Coordination
and linkages with other Working Groups.
- Information
generated by group is concentrated only in Southeast
Mexico but wants to spread it to other Latin American
countries-wants to establish linkages with Latin
American Forestry Commission. Request to establish
linkages with Belize and Guatemala.
- Considering
additional publications and buying forestry compendium
from CABI and translating a portion of it into
Spanish.
- Requests/Others:
- Recognize
Les Whitmore for his outstanding contributions
to Silviculture Working Group.
- Funding
to print proceedings from 2nd International Forum
on Utilization of Natural Forests.
- Silviculture
Working Group will try to have another joint meeting
with Forest Genetics Working Group in Jalapa, Mexico
in 2002.
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6.
Fire Management
(V. Mezainis-USA)
- Previous
meeting: Hawaii in 2000
- Next
meeting: February in Cancun, Mexico
- Working
Group is planning 3rd International Wildfire Conference
in Sydney, Australia in October 2003. Members are:
- Trying
to obtain resources to ensure adequate representation
of Latin American countries to the conference.
Seed money from earlier Wildland Fire Conference
in Vancouver.
- Seeking
sponsors for additional funding
- Setting
up committees to recruit Lat. Am. Participants
and to assist Australian organizers on agenda
and other topics.
- Cooperation
for training, equipment procurement and planning continues
under the Mexico National Fires Prevention and Restoration
Program, funded by US
Agency for International Development and administered
by USDA Forest Service International
Programs.
- Paul
Weeden retired.
- Some
funding from Canada is intended to update web page
of the working group.
- Requests/Other:
Sheryl Maddux has been appointed International Fire
Coordinator for the USDA
Forest Service.
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7.
Insects and Diseases (V. Mezainis-USA)
- Previous
meeting: 10-13 September 2001 in Carmel, California
- Next
meeting: TBA
- Change
in Mexico's membership to Working Group
- The
exotic pest information list of North America has
been expanded; about 50 records have been added to
the web-based list of unwanted potential invaders.
- Pilot
tests are being conducted in nine US ports, with cooperation
from Mexico and Canada, to track new invasions.
- USDA
Forest Service has helped support training for
Mexican specialists on aerial survey techniques and
gypsy moth eradication.
- NAFC
supported publication on Forest Diseases of Mexico
book.
- No
report received yet from September 2001 meeting.
- Requests/other:
request approval of revisions to Working Group charter
and two resolutions to NAFC plus proposal to put working
group on Invasive Species.
- Canada
will get reaction from Tom Sterner on a proposal for
creation of an Invasive Plants or Diseases Working
Group. Canada will also brief Sterner on reaction
of BOA to Review of Charter.
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8.
Inventory
and Monitoring (V. Mezainis-USA)
- Previous
meeting: 17-19 January 2001 in Victoria, BC.
- Next
meeting: March 2002 in Oaxaca, Mexico and will focus
on Information Management-Data, Analysis and Reporting
- Working
Group is expanding emphasis to include more aspects
of data continuum (capture, integration, analysis,
display and reporting).
- Activities
for this year include:
- Workshop
to report on the state of National Forest Inventory
in each country
- Evaluation
of current and future use of remote sensing tools
- Description
of currently used land cover/land use classification
- Development
of ecoregion summary database for North America
- Improvement
of website information
- The
main priority is focused on assisting in the development
of a framework for a National Forest Inventory for
Mexico
- A
pilot study is being designed for the southeastern
states of Jalisco and Colima. Meetings were held
in May 2001 in Mexico and July 2001 in Salt Lake
City to discuss technical aspects and planning
for the study. The State of Jalisco is contributing
$325,000 in FY2002 with funding from other Mexican
institutions expected to bring total to $500,000
for the fiscal year.
- Requests/Others:
USDA
Forest Service is considering a request for funding
to support the pilot study in Jalisco.
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D.
OTHER WORKING GROUP BUSINESS
1.
General
-
BOA will send out a message to the entire Commission
to inform the regional body of new products, reports,
and meeting announcements as these updates arise.
2.
FAO Focal Points (D. Kneeland-FAO)
- Kneeland
will work with the FAO
focal points to ensure that they are actively involved
in NAFC Working Group activities, including the
possible participation in Working Group meetings
subject to travel restrictions. In particular, it
was felt that FAO could make significant contributions
to the Working Groups on Silviculture, Inventory
and Monitoring, and Insects and Diseases and Fire
Management.
3.
Invasive Species (L. Lara-Mexico)
- Tom
Sterner will update Miller.
4.
Fire Management Working Group and Web Site Development
(L. Lara-Mexico)
- The
Fire Management
Working Group would like to create its own web page.
BOA has agreed to the request and decided that the
Working Group's website will provide linkage to
our main NAFC and FAO/NAFC websites, acknowledge
involvement with NAFC and provide a mission statement
and goals.
5.
Mexico Silviculture Working Group (L. Lara-Mexico)
- The
BOA will send out an announcement of the recently
published proceedings from the Merida meeting to
the rest of the Commission.
Silviculture Working Group wants to be able to give
awards to its own members. Please see Awards Section.
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5.
Details of Meeting - November 8, 2000
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A.
AWARDS
- Working
Groups have autonomy in giving own awards. If Working
Groups would like assistance in developing own criteria,
they are encouraged to look at the Fire Management
Working Group model.
- Nominees
for Commission award include: Yves Dube, Victor Sosa,
Les Whitmore, and Basilio Bermejo. L. Paqueo (USA)
will facilitate process for having awards made. The
language on the plaques will be in English and Spanish
for Sosa, Whitmore and Bermejo, while the award for
Dube will be in both English and French.
- At
the next Commission meeting, BOA will acknowledge
award recipients.
- In
an email to the Working Groups, the BOA will acknowledge
recipients and offer to Groups that if they want to
nominate anyone for an award, let BOA know.
- In
an email to the Working Groups regarding awards, the
language will read as follows: "If the Working
Group feels an individual is meritorious of recognition
by the Commission for an outstanding contribution,
they should submit the candidate's name in writing
with a one-page background outlining the reasons for
submitting that individual."
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B.
REVIEW OF CHARTER OF INSECTS AND DISEASES WORKING GROUP
- The
Insects and
Diseases Working Group is concerned about invasives
and their early detection and would like Commission
to recognize increasing importance of this problem.
- The
Working Group is almost exclusively working on Invasive
Species, but members are not comfortable adding weeds
to the group.
- BOA
will contact Insects and Diseases Working Group to
discuss reaction to proposals.
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C.
FOLLOW UP TO THE REGIONAL FOREST COMMISSIONS (D. Kneeland-FAO)
- NAFC
representatives participated in a meeting of the Bureaux
of the Regional Forestry Commissions in Rome, the
day before COFO in March 2001.
- The
meeting discussed the status of implementation of
IFF/IPF Proposals for Action in each region, and the
possibility that the regional forestry commissions
could be more involved in this process.
- Regional
Forestry Commissions, which have websites, were encouraged
to add linkages to other Commissions.
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D.
OTHER ACTIVITIES OF INTEREST
1.
International Activities (D. Kneeland-FAO)
- United
Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF)
- All
NAFC countries participated in the first meeting
of the UNFF in New York earlier in 2001. The
main outcome of the first meeting was establishment
of a Program of Work for the UNFF for the five-year
period 2001-05.
- Committee
on Forestry (COFO)
- All
NAFC countries participated in the COFO in March
2001. Among the COFO recommendations are several
that are specifically relevant to Regional Forestry
Commissions:
- The
Committee recommended that FAO continue
to work with regional partners and processes
in global forest resources assessments.
- The
Committee recommended that FAO presented
a more detailed proposal on the proposed
"global forest survey" at the
next sessions of the Regional Forestry Commissions.
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2.
Criteria and Indicators
- Mexico
- Chihuahua
LUCID Project is working very well. The project
has some changes in the technical group. The
people who live in the ejido are participating
but the coordinator of the project has moved.
Restructuring and search for new coordinator
are underway.
- Pam
Wright, Catherine Karr and Laura Lara went to
Quintana Roo. Two ejidos would like to be a
part of LUCID projects. Discussion with INIFAP.
Would like support from US Forest Service to
begin pilot projects.
- Canada
- Model
Forest Program in Canada just published a report.
Discussions to something more systematic, similar
to LUCID. So far, Model Forests have been choosing
own indicators. Technical review on how indicators
should be modified. Several of the provinces
have been reporting on own activities with criteria
and indicators.
- USA
- Six
National Forests involved with LUCID.
Meeting with Forest Supervisors and Chief to
discuss integrating LUCID on all National Forests-development
of core group of criteria and indicators for
individual National Forests-systems approach.
It would be an effective mechanism to describe
and discuss what is forest sustainability on
a particular National Forest to stakeholders
and public. Ideally, there should be a linkage
between Montreal
Process and LUCID. Disconnect still exists.
- Stakeholder
roundtables-USDA Forest Service International
Programs is chairing to discuss stakeholder
involvement in criteria and indicators discussion.
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3.
International
Tropical Timber Organization (J. Caloz-Canada)
J. Caloz will provide information concerning NAFC's
capabilities in inventory and monitoring at the Japan-led
"International Expert Meeting on Monitoring,
Assessment and Reporting on the Progress Toward Sustainable
Forest Management" in support of the United Nations
Forum on Forests in November being held following
the International Tropical Timber Council meeting.
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E.
DISCUSSION OF PROPOSALS/NEW WORKING GROUPS
1.
Watershed Management
- A
proposal to start a project first before a new Working
Group was raised in the discussion; however, there
may be problems finding resources to support this
project as opposed to wider berth from a new Working
Group.
- Instead,
the BOA is undertaking a possible intermediate approach:
Start a pilot group to handle project.
- Each
country will nominate two people for a scoping meeting-project
proposal, funding, and budget. Expert group will
provide feedback to the BOA on whether Commission
will support project or new Working Group. Projects
could be on transboundary watersheds.
- The
Scoping Meeting will encompass the following:
- Issue:
NAFC has acknowledged the need to share information
on knowledge on the role of forests in watershed
management in North America as well as current
approaches to address watershed issues.
- Objectives:
The expert group will:
- Get
an understanding on interest of member countries
in the role of forests in watershed management;
Understand current activities and where
watershed management is taking place (what
is being done and who is doing it?);
- Determine
the opportunity/niche for NAFC;
- Determine
how NAFC might propose to address the issue
(e.g. project; working group, strategy);
- Have
an initial meeting before the next BOA (hosted
by USA; the Chairperson will be appointed
by the USA);
- Make
a presentation to the BOA outlining findings.
- Next
Steps:
- BOA
members agreed to approach C. Karr (USA)
with nominations of a minimum of two experts
per country by November 1. D. Kneeland (FAO)
recommends that Tage Michaelsen will represent
FAO.
- USA
offered to host a meeting to initiate a
discussion on the issue; USA also offered
to nominate a Chairperson.
- The
Chairperson will frame the context of the
discussion which might include a roundtable
on existing documentation on mechanisms
for addressing issues related to watershed
management, (e.g. conservation and water
resources).
- Presentation
from someone at meeting at the next BOA
meeting.
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2.
Urban Forestry
Canada will have problem engaging in this project.
No new Working Group at the present time.
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3.
Recreation
Mexico will have problem engaging in this project.
No new Working Group at the present time.
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4.
Carbon Sequestration
No need to complete issue paper. No new Working Group
at the present time.
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5.
Protected Areas
BOA will look at this as a potential Working Group.
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6.
Invasive Weeds/Plants
This issues is big with the United States and Mexico,
but not Canada. NAPPO
regulates this problem but is not a proactive organization.
BOA recommends putting together a scoping meeting
similar to one for Watershed for Invasive Weeds.
- Mexico
proposes to host meeting before next BOA meeting.
L. Lara (Mexico) will take responsibility and get
back to BOA.
- Use
same model as Watershed scoping meeting.
- By
November 1, L. Lara will get place and date for
meeting.
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F.
NAFC 2002 MEETING (V. Mezainis, C. Karr-USA)
- Location
and dates:
- October
21-26, 2002
- Kona
on the Big Island, Hawaii
- Meetings
will begin on Tuesday. Monday will be a travel
day.
- C.
Karr (USA) will continue to inform BOA of planning
details for the NAFC Commission meeting.
- FAO
will send out invitations. D. Kneeland (FAO) will
help USA with logistics.
- Major
focus of the Institute
for Pacific Island Forestry (IPIF) work is on
the Big Island, and some of its work is in collaboration
with The Nature Conservancy. IPIF focuses its work
on invasive species and endangered species, which
are major problems in Hawaii. Plantation forestry
will also be a focus.
- The
BOA recommends that Jack Ewel give a presentation
or technical paper on alien species specific to Hawaii.
- For
the 2002 Commission Meeting in Hawaii, three issues
were identified as themes for technical papers: watershed
management, plantation forestry and criteria and indicators.
Watershed management was chosen due to the growing
global importance of water and the critical role healthy
forests play in maintaining water quality and quantity.
The technical paper on plantation forestry will look
at the increasing importance of plantation forests
to the world fiber supply and the resulting implications
for North America. Meanwhile, the last issue paper
will examine the linkages between national level and
local level criteria and indicators.
- By
November 1, each country will identify lead expert,
who will be responsible for writing and presenting
a paper at the Commission meeting on the assigned
technical issue, as well as co-authors to assist the
leads in developing the technical papers.
- Countries
will pursue following topics and leads for technical
papers:
- United
States: watershed management
- Mexico:
plantation forestry
- Canada:
criteria and indicators
- D.
Kneeland (FAO) has identified the following Focal
Points as experts from FAO on the given issues: Tage
Michaelson (watersheds), Jim Carle (plantations),
Christal Palmberg (criteria and indicators).
- Discussion
of Preliminary Agenda
- Welcome
from the State of Hawaii
- Presentation
on challenges of natural resources situation in
Hawaii.
- Awards
- From
FAO, all regional commission meetings should include
the following in the agenda:
- Regional
inputs to the UNFF
- Regional
involvement in future forest resource assessments
- Information
items for FAO: pass out information papers
- International
Year of the Mountain
- Arrangements
for the World Forestry Congress
- World
Summit on Sustainable Development outputs?
- National
Forest Programme Facility
- Add
regional inputs to UNFF as a stand-alone Agenda
item. Response to FAO-all three countries are
already intensely involved in UNFF.
- Forest
Resource Assessments:
- To
what extent are regional forestry commissions
involved? This ties in with Inventory and
Monitoring Working Group.
- Chairperson
of Inventory and Monitoring Working Group
can address this as a stand-alone agenda.
- El-Lakany
will prepare Background papers.
- May
or may not have proposals for new Working Group.
- Technical
items will be framed at the next BOA meeting.
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G.
WEBSITE AND MAILING LIST UPDATE (L. Paqueo-USA)
The BOA has decided that:
- Website
will link to other regional commission websites as
well as that of the World Forestry Congress in 2003.
- As
the Fire Management Working Group's website is being
developed, it will be linked to the NAFC websites
and vice versa.
- The
Working Groups will give L. Paqueo (USA) updated membership,
activities, links and electronic publications.
- L.
Paqueo (USA) will hyperlink the NAFC Commission meeting
in Hawaii to the Institute
of Pacific Island Forestry website.
- A
recommendation to the FAO Webmaster to change Statutory
Bodies to Regional Commissions will be placed.
- BOA
formally recognizes advanced progress of website and
utility for other Working Groups.
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H.
FUNDING REQUESTS
- The
United States has agreed to provide funding for activities
under the Forest
Genetics Working Group:
- $5,000
to continue funding database by Mexican students
- $1,500
for intensive course on genetic conservation
- $2,000
for seminar on genetic resources at the next working
group meeting
- $1,500
for Symposium in Baja California
- The
Silviculture
Working Group requests funding to print proceedings
from 2nd International Forum on Utilization of Natural
Forests, but has not specified any amount. L. Lara
(Mexico) will contact the Working Group to determine
amount.
- USDA
Forest Service is considering a request for funding
to initiate a pilot study in Jalisco, Mexico, and
will try to engage assistance from the Inventory and
Monitoring Working Group.
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I.
OTHER BUSINESS
1.
Next BOA Meeting
- Spring
2002 in Washington DC area-end of March/early April.
- BOA
will invite participants from Working Groups to
this meeting.
- Future
discussion for next BOA meeting:
- Plantation
forestry-Paper on this topic to possibly be
presented at the next Commission meeting.
- Criteria
and Indicators
- Protected
Areas
- Model
Forest
- Policy
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2.
Policy (G. Miller-Canada)
- Do
we want to be more engaged in policy discussions
where there is common interest?
- Since
there will be a paper presented on criteria and
indicators, should we tag on policy view?
- Identify
areas or commonalities on this topic.
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3.
World Forestry Congress Cooperation (G. Miller-Canada)
- Should
we make the NAFC more visible at the Congress? Possible
paper?
- There
will be an opportunity for the NAFC to have a poster
or for some of the Working Groups to do a presentation
(i.e. Fire Management Working Group)
- Theme
of the Congress: Forest, The Source of Life. Invited
Papers on 22 different topics. Voluntary papers
to be submitted. Best papers will be chosen to be
presented.
- BOA
will encourage working groups to submit papers.
Working Groups can contact BOA about details. BOA
will target the Fire
Management, Forest
Genetics, Insects
and Disease and Inventory
and Monitoring.
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4.
Regional Model Forest Network (J. Engert-USA, L. Lara-Mexico)
- The
International Model Forest Network is still working
through their process to internationalize the network.
Unsuccessful in creating secretariat; therefore,
process began to create regional model forest network/secretariat.
In Latin America, the secretariat would be held
in Chile. What about North American Model Forest
Network? Commission has always endorsed this, but
there was dissent, because there were already bilateral
activities. FAO,
however, endorsed Latin American Model Forest Network.
- In
Mexico, Model Forest Program was transferred to
CONAFOR.
There is active participation in Model Forests.
By the end of the year, there should be someone
from CONAFOR to take charge of the program, which
doesn't have a coordinator for the time being.
- Canada:
trying to turn International Model Forest Program
in to a more developmental program. Waiting to receive
federal funding and possible renewal.
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J.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
| Working
Group |
Location |
Dates |
| Atmospherics |
Queretero,
Mexico |
October
24-26, 2001 |
| Fire
Management |
Cancun,
Mexico |
February
11-15, 2002 |
| Inventory
and Monitoring |
Oaxaca,
Mexico |
March
2002 |
| Bureau
of Alternates |
Annapolis,
Maryland |
April
1-5, 2002 |
|
COMMISSION
MEETING
For
more information on the Institute for Pacific
Island Forestry in Hawaii, click here.
|
BIG
ISLAND, HAWAII |
OCTOBER
21-26, 2002 |
| Forest
Genetics & Silviculture
Joint Meeting |
Jalapa,
Mexico (tentative) |
July
2002 |
| Forest
Products |
TBD |
TBD |
| Insects
and Diseases |
TBD |
TBD |
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6.
Details
of Meeting - November 9, 2000
Field Trip: Kananaskis, Canada
|
