Climate Change in Region 5

Sustainable Operations

Sustainable Operations Vision Statement: Forest Service Pacific Southwest

Sustainability has always been the central principle of the Forest Service's mission to manage natural resources in a manner that "sustains the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations." Yet, Region 5 and PSW are embarking on a new era in which they similarly hope to run their business in a more sustainable way that consumes less. Here are some examples:

Environmental Footprint Report

Region 5 and PSW have completed the report entitled, "Increasing Sustainable Operations in the Forest Service Pacific Southwest: Reducing Our Environmental Footprint" which presents baseline data on fiscal year 2004 energy, water, and fleet use; describes current sustainable operations activities; and contains an "idea bank" with how-to briefings on sustainable operations.

Sustainable Operations Executive Board

This board was established to provide a vision for reducing Region 5 and PSW energy use, water use, and waste production; reducing emissions and increasing fleet fuel efficiency; and increasing recycling and green purchasing. The board consists of a Deputy Regional Forester, Forest Supervisor, District Ranger, State and Private Forestry Director, Engineering Director, PSW's Assistant Station Director for Research and the coordination leads.

Sustainable Operations Coordination Leads

Region 5 and PSW have appointed coordinators to lead sustainability efforts; Dennis Geiser, Regional Environmental Engineer and Larry Rabin, PSW Coordinator of Research Planning and Reporting.

California Climate Action Registry (CCAR) Membership

Region 5 and PSW have joined CCAR, a partnership that enables members to report greenhouse gas emissions by establishing emissions baselines and tracking current and future emissions.

EPA Climate Leaders

Nationally, the Forest Service has joined EPA Climate Leaders, a greenhouse gas registry. Both Region 5 and PSW are serving as Forest Service "demonstration sites" for Climate Leaders emissions reporting. Because Climate Leaders and CCAR use almost identical methods for emissions reporting, data should be transferable with minimal duplication of efforts.

Green Microgrants

Green Microgrants are modest funds awarded to units to stimulate grassroots sustainable operations efforts. In 2008, Region 5 is funding 17 microgrants, each at a maximum value of $1500.

Utility Energy Service Contracts (UESC)

UESCs are a financing mechanism provided to federal agencies by the Department of Energy. The mechanism allows agencies to work with local utility companies to install energy efficiency improvements without using Congressional appropriations. Region 5 is developing a UESC master agreement with Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) for national forests serviced by PG&E. National forests serviced by Southern California Edison (SCE) are required to utilize an existing UESC with SCE.

Testing Biodiesel in Fleet

The Mendocino National Forest is testing B20 Biodiesel in fire engines in use on the Upper Lake District and is also testing biodiesel on the Covelo Ranger District.

Fuel Cell Vehicle

The Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit is negotiating with Nissan and hydrogen fuel suppliers to lease a hydrogen fuel cell vehicle for use in the Lake Tahoe Basin. This vehicle may also be used by the Eldorado National Forest during winters.

Hybrid Vehicles

Region 5 and PSW have replaced some older vehicles in their fleet with new hybrid vehicles like the Ford Escape Hybrid.

Videoconferencing Equipment

To reduce travel and its associated emissions, PSW has installed videoconferencing equipment at each of its labs and facilities. Region 5 has installed equipment at each Forest Supervisor's office, McClellan Training Center, North Operations in Redding, South Operations in Riverside, and at the Regional Office.

Making Green Activities Visible

Region 5 has designed the GREENer! slogan for use with sustainable operations publications. A "Making our fleet GREENer!" variation of this slogan is now on bumper stickers on all Region 5 and PSW hybrids and electric vehicles.

What are we doing about Climate Change?

• Sustainable Operations
  • Sustainable Operations Vision Statement
  • Selected Microgrant Proposals
• Engagement with California Climate Actions
• Planting Trees to Restore Forest Health
• Climate Implication Issue Group
• Counting Carbon on the Mendocino
• Sequoia Partnership
• Monitoring Forest Carbon on the Tahoe

Related Information

• Forest Service National Climate Change
• Pacific Southwest Research Station Climate Change, Mitigation, and Adaptation Science
• Forest Service Climate Change Resource Center
• Pacific Northwest Research Station Climate Change Research
• Northern Research Station Climate Change Atlas
• Western Wildland Environmental Threat Assessment Center

“Climate change is the biggest conservation challenge facing the Forest Service in the 21st century and contributing to global efforts that help forests mitigate and adapt to climate change is a priority for the Forest Service in California.” ~ Randy Moore, Pacific Southwest Regional Forester