Dr. Jonathan Kusel Testifies before the Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands February 3, 2012
On February 3, 2012, Jonathan Kusel was asked to testify before the Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forest, and Public Lands. A copy of his testimony can be downloaded here and the webcast can be viewed below or by following this link.
The Sierra Cascades Dialog: Improving Social and Economic Conditions in Rural Forest Communities
On October 12, 2011, The Sierra Cascades Dialog was held in the Garden Pavilion in Sacramento, California. Stakeholders and Forest Service Staff who were interested in the future of Region 5 National Forests were encouraged to attend. The goal of this meeting was to increase awareness of the social and economic conditions in some rural communities.
Discussion revolved around what some communities were doing in working together to use forest restoration work to change local economic and social trends. Additionally, discussions on the potential strategies for restoring forest while improving rural economies and social well-being were held.
Dr. Jonathan Kusel, Executive Director of Sierra Institute, presented Social And Economic Trends in Rural Communities of the Sierra Nevada and Cascades Regions. Some of the talking points were:
What are important social trends and why are they important?
How do these trends relate to natural resource management?
Why is this important to the Forest Service?
Other speakers included William C. Stewart, Forestry Specialist, Environmental Science, Policy, and Management Department, University of California speaking also to the social and economic trends in rural communities. The Economic Panel on How Do Communities of Place and Interest Help Each Other Achieve Forest Restoration and Improve Economic and Social Well Being included Mike Albrecht, Sierra Resource Management Inc.; Marcia Armstrong, Supervisor, Siskiyou County; James French, Superintendent of Schools, Trinity County Office of Education; Bill Nunes, Supervisor, Sierra County; David Schramel, Indian Valley Lumber Company. Steve Wilensky, spoke to the Case Study of the Amador Calaveras Consensus Group.
