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