Statewide Forest Assessment Overview

In the ten years since the last statewide forest assessment (2000 Millennium Assessment), much has changed in Wisconsin forests. Emerald Ash Borer has arrived, forest industries are using biomass and producing biofuels, and climate change is an increasing focus of management planning and conservation. The Statewide Forest Assessment 2010 (Assessment) helps to explain these trends, identify other issues, and present an updated view of the status of forests in Wisconsin; thus acting as a bellwether of the state’s forest sustainability. It provides policymakers and the general public with a database of succinct, comprehensive, and scientifically sound data on forests. The Assessment does not set desired conditions; rather it provides the knowledge to set goals and strategies for sustainability.

The Assessment is based on Wisconsin’s Forest Sustainability Framework (Framework). The Framework, which was approved by the Wisconsin Council on Forestry in December 2007, established a series of seven broad criteria intended to measure the sustainability of Wisconsin’s forest resources. It represents the first attempt to organize data and trends into categories to evaluate the overall health and sustainability of our forests. It is a common set of indicators the forestry community can use to discuss the state of Wisconsin’s forests.

Scope - statewide

The Assessment presents data and analysis of all forests—rural and urban, public and privately owned. Forest benefits and services (clean water, forest products, wildlife habitat, etc.) are produced by all forests, statewide. Risks to forests (fire, insects and disease, development, etc.) can occur anywhere and often spread across large areas affecting public and privately owned forests. Forests provide a complex set of benefits and services, and risks and threats affect forests statewide.

Major Conclusions

The Assessment includes findings which are statements of fact drawn from the body of information and data in each criterion. Findings highlight and summarize the most critical and relevant elements in a discussion of a topic. The major conclusions are statements of informed opinion based on the findings. These are located in the Major Conclusions section and organized by the seven criteria of sustainability. Each criterion begins with an overview of the topic followed by the major conclusions related to the criterion.

There are a total of 30 major conclusions. During the public review period for the Assessment, the public, partners and the Division of Forestry prioritized the conclusions. There was clear consensus on the top twelve. Five themes describe the priorities:

1. Fragmentation and Parcelization
2. Forest Composition & Structure
3. Energy and Climate Change
4. Forests as Economic Contributors
5. Protection of Life and Property in Forested Areas

Perspective

The DNR, Division of Forestry was the primary author of this assessment in consultation with natural resource professionals across Wisconsin. Within the DNR, the bureaus of Wildlife, Endangered Resources, Water, Facilities and Lands, Air Management, Research, Parks, and Legal staff provided data and analysis. The authors have made every effort to not solely present data from the perspective of the DNR. Data sources are from a wide variety of agencies and organizations. The DNR recognizes the agency’s influence and presence in many aspects of forestry, but strove to present unbiased findings and conclusions as a valuable source of information and research for others. Reviewers were requested to provide alternative perspectives to make sure topics were discussed thoroughly. Reviewers identified areas that were perceived as opinion and edits have been made to address those concerns.

Review and Comment Process

The Assessment was first reviewed by DNR staff across Divisions and regions. It was then presented to forestry partners, technical experts and the public for review. Reviewer’s comments were reviewed by the Statewide Forest Assessment Guidance Team. The team determined whether or not to make edits to the document based on the comments. Rationales for why certain comments will/will not be used will be recorded and on file with the Division of Forestry.

Over 300 stakeholders were sent the Assessment and invited to review the document. This included outreach to federal land managers (e.g., FWS, national forests, S&PF, Forest Products Lab), conservation organizations (e.g. TNC), local units of government (e.g., Land and water conservation), landowner associations (e.g., WWOA), advisory boards, councils (e.g., Urban Council), professional organizations (e.g., SAF), and businesses (e.g., consulting foresters, paper industry).

Meetings were held with the following partner groups to gather input and discuss the Assessment: Forest Stewardship Committee, Council on Forestry, Council on Urban Forestry, Wildlife Action Plan (WAP) representatives (Bureau of Endangered Resources), Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, Wisconsin County Forest Association, Wisconsin Woodland Owners Association, Voigt Task Force, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, BMP Water Advisory Committee, NRCS – State Technical Committee, Wisconsin Consulting Foresters.