Here's how to comment on the 2010 Draft National Report on Sustainable Forests

First, some background: The 2010 National Report on Sustainable Forests is the second in a series of reports addressing conditions and trends in U.S. forests as they relate to the overarching concept of sustainability. The first report was published in 2003. These reports are produced as part of the Montreal Process, a group of 12 countries that first came together in 1994 to develop and implement internationally agreed upon criteria and indicators for the conservation and sustainable management of temperate and boreal forests.

The 2010 Report involves the collaboration of over 20 scientists and forestry professionals within the Forest Service along with a number of outside collaborators and it covers a comprehensive range of issues and information sources relevant to the sustainable management of our nation's forests.

How you can inform the report: A draft version of the 2010 Report is available here. During the 120-day comment period, input is sought from as broad a range of interests and perspectives as possible. Comments need to be received by April 7 in order to be incorporated into the final version of the report. Both general and technical comments are appreciated.

Along with its series of three National Review Workshops, the Roundtable on Sustainable Forests'will also hold a series of web-based conferences (Webinars) on the draft report. The Webinars are intended for all individuals who have interest in the state of the Nation's forests, and/or who plan to attend one of the upcoming Review Workshops.
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Webinar # 1
Title: Informational
Host: USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, & Extension Service
Date: Friday, January 16, 2009
Time: 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)

Webinar # 2
Title: Preparatory
Host: USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, & Extension Service
Date: Thursday, January 22, 2009
Time: 3:30 - 5:00 p.m. EST

To join the Webinars:

Dial 1-866-809-9680 followed by the participant pass code 5634128 # for audio, and
Visit http://csrees-breeze.csrees.usda.gov/rsf/ for visual.

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Space is limited - so attendance will be on a ‘first come, first serve' basis. If you are unable to join either Webinar, please contact Shawn Walker at shawnwalker@merid.org for information about future Webinars.

Assistance during the call - If you have problems connecting your computer to this Webinar on the day of the event, please contact Daniel Cassidy, Ph.D., National Program Leader for Forest-based Bioenergy, USDA Cooperative State Research, Education, & Extension Service at 202-401-6444 or dcassidy@csrees.usda.gov.