Ruth McWilliamsRuth McWilliamsNational Sustainable Development CoordinatorNational Sustainable Development Coordinator

USDA Forest ServiceUSDA Forest Service May 31, 2001May 31, 2001

Science Day 2001

Sustainability Framework …

Provides Substance for Forests, Rangelands, and Minerals/Energy

What is sustainability?

How to measure sustainability?

How to manage for sustainability?

Key Questions

Is present and future oriented

“…the capacity to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs”

Sustainable Development

Source: Brundtland Commission, 1987

Includes economic, environmental, and social concerns

“…essential to seek economic prosperity, environmental protection, and social equity together”

Sustainable Development

Source: President’s Council on Sustainable Development, 1996

U. S. Commitment

1992 Earth Summit

1993 International Seminar of Experts; and Presidential Decision

1995 Santiago Declaration

1999 Roundtable on Sustainable Forests

2000 Federal Interagency Cooperation

2003 National Report

Montreal Process Seven Criteria

1. Biological Diversity

2. Productive Capacity of Forest Ecosystems

3. Forest Ecosystem Health and Vitality

4. Soil and Water Resources

5. Forest Contribution to Global Carbon Cycles

6. Socio-Economic Benefits

7. Legal, Institutional, and Economic Framework

Widely accepted starting point

Practical framework and common language

Test and refine by using

Montreal ProcessCriteria & Indicators (C&I)

Three Sector-Based Efforts

Forests

Rangelands

Minerals / Energy

U.S. Land Type

Other26%

Cropland20%

Forest land28%

Rangeland26%

Source: 2000 RPA Assessment

Stakeholders

Federal agencies

Tribal, state, and local units of government

Private landowners

Industry and business

Conservation and environmental groups

Regional and community-based organizations

Other citizens

U. S. Forest Land Type

Non-industrial PrivateLandowners 52.2%

Federal 27.4%

State and local9.3%

Forest Industry9.1%

Source: 2000 RPA Assessment

Roundtable on Sustainable Forests

National multi-stakeholder forum

Self-chartered in February 1999

Montreal Process C&I focus

Data and technical issues

Communication and outreach

                             

    

www.sustainableforests.net

Power of Framework

Better data

Better information

Better decisions

Local to Global Actions

Local Unit C&I Development Community-based measurement State resource planning Eco-regional and national-level Assessments United Nations Forum on Forests

C&I Gaps and Needs

General data issues Montreal Process data issues Integration issues Stakeholder collaboration

Minerals / Energy

Using Roundtable process

Developing Montreal-like criteria

Drafting indicators

Rangelands

Reviewing Montreal Process C & I

Using Monitoring Systems and Assessments

Organizing Roundtable process

Conservation in the 21st Century

Connections and Investments

Short- and long-term focus

Comprehensive / simultaneous solutions

Public and private collaboration

Place-based actions at multiple scales

Organizational Success

Mission and long-term strategy Annual performance Human resource capabilities Communication Policies and programs Training

Individual Responsibility and Commitment

Build trust Generate and share ideas Align behavior and intentions Stop and reflect Look at yourself first Put stake in the ground Clarify and reinforce Ask for feedback Coach others to succeed

Sustainability

is not a

Slogan !