Kootenai officials to speak at Montana Forest Network workshop

The Montana Forest Collaboration Network is convening its 10th Annual Workshop Nov. 6-7 at the Hilton Garden Inn in Missoula.

Registration is free and the workshop is open to the public. To register, visit montanaforestcollaboration.org and/or follow MFCN on Facebook.

There will be a number of local people speaking Thursday. They include Lincoln County Stewardship Agreement: Mark Peck—Former Lincoln County Commissioner; Kate Stephens-- Director, Lincoln County Port Authority; Chad Benson—Supervisor, Kootenai National Forest, USDA Forest Service

This year's workshop is titled, “Adapting collaboration to a changing federal landscape.”

The Network is again bringing together Montana collaborative and interest groups focused on natural resource management and engaging with state and federal agencies. 

“The workshop is a cross-section of interests, from conservation and the environment, industry, landowners and in some cases, government--that all have the same interest of ‘we need to get something done,’” says Steve Kimball, MFCN Coordinator. “It’s very important that we find solutions to the protracted and acrimonious debate over management of our public natural resources.” 

Collaborative groups have been favorably seen by the public--especially among lawmakers and agencies seeking resolution of forest management issues. The ability to communicate and compromise results in better projects and promotes consensus support. 

The workshop specifically addresses some of the issues involved. It will present examples of actual collaborative projects along with expert panel discussions. The Montana Forest Collaboration Network (MFCN) assists collaboration in forest and grassland restoration, conservation and resource utilization for the benefit of all.

Here is the agenda.

Thursday, Nov. 6 

10 a.m. - Optional Pre-Session: Creating Meaningful Collaborative Connections: Steve Daniels, Gregg Walker Interactive (not lecture-based) session viewing meaningful connections as a building block for the relevance of collaborative groups. Focuses on connections with each other, partners, agencies and with the community. Participants will work on a “Connections Action Plan.”

Noon-1 p.m. - Lunch: On Your Own

1 p.m. - Welcome and Introductions: Jim Burchfield, Gordy Sanders, MFCN

1:10 p.m. - Comments from Montana Elected Officials

1:20 p.m. – Amanda Kaster: Director--Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation: State Responses to Federal Changes

1:40 p.m. - Questions/Comments: Conference Participants

1:50 p.m. Case Studies (10-15 min. each) Current Adaptations and Initiatives to Advance Locally Driven, Cross-Boundary Action:

- Lincoln County Stewardship Agreement: Mark Peck—Former Lincoln County Commissioner; Kate Stephens-- Director, Lincoln County Port Authority; Chad Benson—Supervisor, Kootenai National Forest, USDA Forest Service

- Blackfoot River/Bureau of Land Management/Private/Tribal Collaboration: Mike Schaedel—The Nature Conservancy; Katie McDonald—Confederated Salish-Kootenai Tribe; Erin Carey—Missoula Field Office Manager, Bureau of Land Management.

- DNRC/Forest Service Shared Stewardship Agreement: Shawn Thomas –Administrator, Forestry & Trust Land Division, Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation; Chad Benson-- Supervisor, Kootenai National Forest, USDA Forest Service • Stewardship Research: Chelsea Pennick, PhD—Assistant Professor of Natural Resources Policy, Administration and Governance & Assoc. Director of the Policy Analysis Group—University of Idaho.

3:15 – Break

3:30 - Panel of MFCN Participating Groups: Response to the changing federal landscape (10 minutes each):

- Margaret Gorski – Ravalli County Collaborative

- Vaia Errett – Beaverhead-Deerlodge Working Group

- Sam Gilbert – Big Elk Divide Restoration Committee

4:15 p.m. - Response of Agency Regional Leaders: USDA Forest Service; Montana Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation; U.S. Bureau of Land Management; Natural Resources Conservation Service

4:45 p.m. - Open Discussion, All Workshop Participants

5 p.m. - Social – Appetizers/No-Host Bar (credit card only)

Friday, Nov. 7

8 a.m. – Welcome and MFCN Business meeting: Jim Burchfield and Steve Kimball

8:30 a.m. – Keynote Address: Kristin Sleeper, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Natural Resources, U.S. Department of Agriculture

9:10 a.m. - Open Discussion: All Workshop Participants

9:40 a.m. – Break

10:00 – 10:20 Status of Montana Wood Products Industry: Todd Morgan--Director of Forest Industry Research, Bureau of Business and Economic Research, University of Montana

10:20 a.m. –  NEPA Changes: Sara Gharfouri – Attorney, American Forest Resource Council

10:40 a.m. –  Open Discussion by Participants

10:50 a.m. - Small Group Sessions -- Pathways to Action for Collaborative Groups: Discussions and examples of how groups can meet objectives and accomplish their group’s goals

Noon – Closing Remarks: Steve Kimball, Gordy Sanders -- MFCN