U.S. Forestry R&D Priorities Summit Final Report June 2023
This report is posted with permission from the Society of American Foresters
Executive Summary
U.S. forest and forest products research and development (R&D) capacity and practical relevance has eroded substantially during the past three decades. Without significant investments and leadership, the global competitiveness of the U.S. forestry and forest products sector, and the associated management and sustainability of America’s forests, are at risk. Effectively filling gaps and communicating across stakeholders to solve urgent forest management problems will require establishing a dedicated effort, with dedicated resourcing.
In 2023, a group of over 50 leaders representing more than 25 private, state, federal, and academic organizations came together in a National Summit to scope a new, long-term approach to collectively identify, communicate, coordinate, and advocate for U.S. forest and forest products R&D priorities, capacities, and funding. The group considered the results of a 2020 virtual summit, a national forest management and wood products survey, and a draft vision to create a long-term, funded effort to ensure that ongoing forest R&D addresses the most urgent forest management challenges and meets the needs of decision makers, customers, and communities.
Using comprehensive survey data, Summit participants identified three shared R&D priority areas that merit focus from a future consortium: (1) forest health improvements; (2) climate change adaptation; and (3) wildfire mitigation, with a fourth area - workforce capacity development - identified as an end-goal of the consortium effort. Summit participants also determined three consortium objectives: (1) the efficient use and dissemination of translated science; (2) fostering better alignment between research users, managers, and producers on priorities and resourcing; and (3) the effective translation and communication of the value of forest R&D in ways that resonate with key decision maker audiences.
A proposed consortium will serve as the go-to coordination body for information, priorities, and messaging showcasing the value and relevance of current forestry research and development in the U.S. It will serve as a structured convening forum connecting disparate parts of the forest R&D sector ecosystem and coordinating periodic stakeholder discussions and reports. The consortium will draft educational materials, identify effective messengers, and facilitate alignment of decision makers/managers and producers through consistent and transparent internal communication between members. The consortium’s work will be based on voluntary collaboration, transparency, shared trust, science-based outcomes, and respect for a diversity of viewpoints. Dedicated staff will ensure the consortium will provide value to its members and that deliverables are met. What does success look like? In short, decision makers must recognize the value and relevance of forest and forest products R&D and invest resources to rebuild and sustain our national capacity.