Implementing strategies to foster old-growth forest conditions that serve diverse local and national communities.

Learning Objectives:

• The session presents an opportunity to hear from agency leaders on their vision, intent and communication and consultation with Tribes and partners. Along with the NOGA, the Forest Service plans to foster the long-term resilience of old-growth forest conditions through adaptive strategies and monitoring.
• Participants in this session will hear an overview and update on the Forest Service efforts related to stewardship and management of old-growth forest conditions both now and into the future. The agency has been very active over the last two years in regard to considering old growth forest management through the inventory, threat analysis, and amending all 128 land management plans for units across the agency.
• The Forest Service has begun a process to amend all 128 land management plans for units across the agency. Participants will be informed of progress for the National Old Growth Amendment (NOGA).
• Attendees will gain a historic perspective of Forest Service policies around old growth forests, an understanding of the current amounts and conditions of old growth forests on Federal lands, and an understanding of the current and projected threats to old growth forests and the associated species that depend on them.
• Attendees will become familiar with the Forest Service Tribal Action Plan, and commitments and responsibilities to Tribes and Alaska Native Corporations. They will also be informed of specific engagement and consultation efforts associated with the National Old Growth Amendment.
• Public perceptions of old growth forests will be explored and results shared from a recent survey of American voters.