May 7, 2009
Experts to discuss future of Pacific Northwest forestry May 14
More than a dozen experts will discuss the future of forestry in the Pacific Northwest on Thursday, May 14, from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Center for Urban Horticulture, UW Botanic Gardens.
The event, part of the ongoing College of Forest Resources’ Denman Forestry Issues Series, is free and open to the public but seating is limited and reservations are required, contact Ellen Matheny, ematheny@u.washington.edu, 206-919-5632.
The first set of speakers will consider the history of forestry in the region, the continuing need for forest products, the ecosystem services — such as fresh water supplies — that forests provide and environmental concerns.
The second set will talk about current forestry challenges including forest lands being converted to other uses such as housing developments, global climate change and the declining health of some Pacific Northwest forests.
A third round of speakers will talk about the future of forest management for forest products, in the face of ongoing use and ownership changes and the latest tools for precision forestry.
Moderating the panel will be Brian Boyle, director of the College of Forest Resources Northwest Environmental Forum. During the last five years the forum has brought together more than 400 participants from 94 organizations, representing environmental advocacy groups, land trust organizations, tribal nations, the forest industry, non-industrial forest owners, academia and government to consider the loss of working forests, forest-conversion issues and to seek broad agreement on needed actions.
Click here for a list of speakers.
