The Statewide Strategy for Restoring Arizona's Forest

A 20 Year Road Map for Achieving Sustainable Forests, Economies, and Communities

Background

Many of Arizona's fire-adapted forests are at risk of unnatural, severe fires because of poor forest health. These fires lead to skyrocketing costs for fire suppression, pollute surface water and impair watersheds, diminish recreational opportunities, threaten community and biological values, and have a negative impact on tourism and the economies of recreation-dependent communities. Fortunately, targeted forest restoration may provide a solution.

What is the Statewide Strategy for Restoring Arizona's Forests?

The Statewide Strategy for Restoring Arizona Forests creates a 20-year road map for restoring forest health, building sustainable forest-based businesses, and protecting our rural communities from wildfire. The strategy is a response to the desire expressed by Arizona citizens at three Forest Health Summits, members of the state legislature and the Governor for a coherent plan of action to improve forest health and reduce the risk of unnatural wildfire to forests and communities.

In 2005, a subcommittee of the Governor's Forest Health Advisory and Oversight Councils initiated a collaborative process to identify the steps required to restore forests. The subcommittee made fifteen recommendations and identified associated action items that provide the starting point for implementation of the Statewide Strategy. Based on sound ecological and social science, the Statewide Strategy incorporates valuable insights and techniques from successful and innovative efforts already underway in Arizona in order to promote the strategic and efficient use of resources and achieve ecosystem restoration on a landscape scale.

How can I participate?

There are two ways to submit comments and participate in the process:

Comment online:
The complete document can be found at: www.azforests.info.. The site provides an email address to send comments. The public is welcome to provide input until May 28, 2007.

Attend a public meeting:
The Governor's Forest Health Councils are organizing meetings in four locations. All meetings will be held from 5:30 until 8:30 PM. Participants will be given the opportunity to see the strategy presented (from 6-6:30) and to provide comments orally or in writing.

Tucson:	Tuesday, May 15th 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.	Historic Y. 738 North 5th Avenue, Tucson
Flagstaff:	Thursday, May 17th 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.	Flagstaff High School 400 W. Elm Avenue, Flagstaff, AZ
Phoenix:	Monday, May 21st 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.	The Carnegie Library 1101 W. Washington St., Phoenix, Arizona
Pinetop:	Tuesday, May 22nd 5:30 – 8:00 p.m.	Arizona Game and Fish Dept. 2878 E. White Mountain Blvd., Pinetop, AZ

For more information

Go online to: www.azforests.info
or call Jean Palumbo, Strategy Coordinator at 928-523-0608