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AFRC:Background & ContextAFRC BAC meeting, October 21, 2002

Colin Donohue, Principal Investigator colind@ruralaction.org

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What is AFRC? Appalachian Forest Resource

Center

Serves Central and Southern Appalachia

Appalachian counties in 13 statesPennsylvania to Alabama

3Note- AFRC office location has changed.

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Appalachian Regional Commission “Distressed Counties” FY 2003

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What is AFRC? (2) One of four regional branches of

NCFC- National Community Forestry Center

A project of NNFP-Nat. Network of Forest Practitioners

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Origins of the NNFP Started about 10 years ago amidst

mushrooming of grassroots efforts Ford Foundation supported efforts to find

out Who are the individuals and

organizations? Can we learn from each other? Can we Network?

Discovered - WE HAVE A MOVEMENT

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Evolution of the Role of the Network Networking – annual meeting – 1990s

- regional networking Training – contracting, fire plan

workshops Capacity building – “Week in

Washington” Policy Interventions– Economic

Assistance Program Research – four regional community

forestry centers

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National Community Forestry Center (NCFC)

USDA FFRA 4 year grant Established four regional Centers (Pacific

West, SW, NE, Appalachia) www.nationalcommunityforestrycenter.org

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3 primary activitiesPartner 2-5 communities for

participatory researchConduct locally and regionally relevant

researchTechnical assistance – resource center

National Community Forestry Center (NCFC)

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Who is AFRC?

Hosted by Rural Action and SACCO

Advised by BAC- Bioregional Advisory Council

Supported by technical advisors

Partnering with local communities

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AFRC is YOU! A network of local communities

creating innovative solutions

A network of people helping each other learn and succeed

A movement for jobs AND the environment in Appalachia

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Goals of AFRC Support communities in

participatory research

Conduct research which supports innovating communities

Make existing research available to and useable by communities

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“Deliverables”

Local partners’ work Publications Workshops Technical assistance Regional network of practitioners

learning together A cadre of Tech. Assist. providers Policy?

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Examples of NCFC Research

Participatory research with partner communities

Research conducted by the center – locally and regionally relevant

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Starksboro, VT – measuring indicators of forest health to inform local decision-making.

Center researchers working with community partners

Research – NCFC Northern Center

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Research – Northern Center

How changes in forestland ownership impacts local communities

Survey of landowner needs and motives, Mt. Washington Valley, NH

Identifying demonstration forests Utilization of low value wood

www.ncfcnfr.net

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Research – Southwest CenterPartner communities Navajo Nation and ICE – utilizing small diameter

wood Southern Utah Forest Products Association

(SUFPA) – assessing accessibility of timber sales to members

Las Humanas Cooperative, NM – ecological monitoring of forest restoration treatments

Zuni Pueblo, NM –ecological monitoring of thinning treatments

www.theforesttrust.org/research.html)

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Research – Pacific West Center

Matsutake Mushroom Monitoring at the Winema NF, OR

Harvesters monitor raking damage

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Research – Pacific West Center Matsutake Mushroom Harvesting Map

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Research – Pacific West CenterPartnering the “underserved” Crescent Lake, OR mushroom monitoring project Maidu Culture and Development Group, CA –

traditional ecological knowledge Latino brush harvester communities in WA and

OR – building their capacity to participate in forestry dialogues

Assessing the forest contract and mobile workforce in the Pacific West

www.pwcfc.org

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Most Importantly, What Will AFRC Be?

We are creating it. It is what we want it to be It is what most will benefit

the region’s people and forests

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The End. Or Shall We Say

The Beginning….www.nnfp.org

www.nationalcommunityforestrycenter.org

www.appalachianforest.org