Forest service strategic framework for responding to climate change

The Nation’s forests and grasslands provide clean water, scenic beauty, biodiversity, outdoor recreation, natural resource-based jobs, forest products, renewable energy and carbon sequestration. Climate change is one of the greatest challenges to sustainable management of forests and grasslands and to human well-being that we have ever faced, because rates of change will likely exceed many ecosystems’ capabilities to naturally adapt. Without fully integrating consideration of climate change impacts into planning and actions, the Forest Service can no longer fulfill its mission. The Forest Service has a unique opportunity and responsibility to sustain forests and grasslands in the United States and internationally. This responsibility includes: 1) stewardship of 193 million acres of national forests and grasslands, 2) partnerships with States, Tribes, and private landowners for assisting communities and owners of 430 million acres of private and Tribal forests, and with other federal agencies, 3) international cooperation, 4) research and development to provide science and management tools. These responsibilities make it imperative that we understand and be able to respond to the effects of climate change on the Nation’s forest and grassland resources. This document provides a strategic framework for the Forest Service to guide current and future actions to meet the challenge of climate change. It incorporates the actions included in Chief Gail Kimbell’s letter to the National Leadership Council of February 15, 2008.