Two Reports on Forests and Rangelands Released

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) has released California’s Forest and Rangelands: 2010 Assessment. The assessment was recently certified by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Forest Service, as required by both the 2008 Federal Farm Bill and by state law.

The assessment contains comprehensive information on the state’s forests and rangelands and evaluates potential threats to these important ecosystems. The assessment was developed with input and assistance from local, state, federal, non-governmental organizations and the public. It identifies significant issues, trends, and priority areas on which to focus management strategies and actions for California’s forests and rangelands, regardless of ownership.

“Maintaining the health of our state’s forests and rangelands is critical to the future of all Californians,” said State Forester and CAL FIRE Director, Del Walters. “Assessing their current status is an essential step towards sustaining them. We are pleased that the USDA Forest Service has approved California’s state assessment. We look forward to working side by side with the USDA Forest Service, other interested parties and the public to implement the strategies in the assessment intended to achieve an all-lands approach.”

“The California Assessment and Strategy documents were completed with our full support, and the strategies outlined in them will fit extremely well with the all-lands approach of the Department of Agriculture and U.S. Forest Service,” said Pacific Southwest Region Regional Forester Randy Moore. “I look forward to working with Cal Fire and our other cooperators, partners, in implementing these strategies to protect, restore, and improve the natural resources of the state of California.”

The report is organized around three broad themes: conserving working forest and range landscapes, protecting forests and rangelands from harm, and enhancing public benefits from trees, forests and rangelands. Within these broad themes the following chapters are explored:

– Population Growth and Development Impacts

– Sustainable Working Forests and Rangelands

– Wildfire Threat to Ecosystem Health and Community Safety

– Forest Pests and Other Threats to Ecosystem Health and Community Safety

– Water Quality and Quantity Protection and Enhancement

– Urban Forestry for Energy Conservation and Air Quality

– Planning for and Reducing Wildfire Risks to Communities

– Emerging Markets for Forest and Rangeland Products and Services

– Plant, Wildlife and Fish Habitat Protection, Conservation and Enhancement

– Green Infrastructure for Connecting People to the Natural Environment

– Climate Change: Threats and Opportunities

A second report, California’s Forests and Rangelands: 2010 Strategy Report (PDF) contains specific recommendations and actions to address the broad range of issues and priority areas that were identified in the assessment report. Both reports can be found on CAL FIRE’s Fire and Resource Assessment Program website. The reports and supporting data are provided as a guide to assist in the sustainable management of forests and rangelands across California.