July - September, 2009
Missouri’s Forests are at a Crossroads!
Missouri’s trees and forests have the potential to play a pivotal role in many of the serious challenges society is currently facing – energy demand, water quality and climate change just to name a few. At the same time, Missouri’s forests are under serious threat from a number of influencers, and available resources for addressing these threats are limited. In order to determine the best path forward, the Missouri Department of Conservation is currently embarking on an effort called the Missouri Forest Resource Assessment and Strategy (FRAS). Once completed, FRAS will include a comprehensive assessment of the key threats and opportunities facing Missouri’s urban and rural forest resources, a vision for desired future forest conditions, and a road map for achieving this vision. The success of this effort depends on the involvement and collaboration of people like you.
In order to fully understand the threats and opportunities facing Missouri’s forest resources, it is important to first establish Desired Future Conditions (DFC’s). By beginning with the end in mind, we can have a more clear vision for our goals, and a better understanding of the threats and opportunities for achieving this vision.
Early in the FRAS process, through internal deliberations and limited stakeholder collaboration we have come up with a list of 12 key Issue Themes, listed below Please remember that the word ?forest? is being used in the broadest of terms to include forests and woodlands in rural settings, and individual trees and forest patches in urban settings.
- Private Forest Landowner Demographic Trends and Corresponding Land Use Changes
- Challenges and Opportunities for Private Forest Land Owners
- Climate Change
- Maintaining High Quality Soil and Water Resources
- The Role of Fire in Missouri’s Forests
- Missouri’s Growth, Harvest and Consumption of Forest Products
- Exotic/Invasive Plants, Animals and Diseases
- The Role of Trees in Making Cities More Livable and Sustainable
- Public Lands which Provide Multiple Benefits to the Public
- Maintaining Biologically Diversity
- Public Awareness of Forests and their Benefits and Issues
- Legal, Institutional and Economic Considerations
Please check back with MDC as this planning process continues!
Source: Missouri Department of Conservation