Strategic Priorities Video Transcript

As we start a new calendar year, I'd like to take some time to discuss the region's five strategic priorities.

The first is climate change, which is the biggest conservation challenge facing the Forest Service in the 21st century. Looking forward, our region can contribute to regional, national, and global efforts that focus on adapting forests for resiliency in response to climate change.

We see the effects of climate change in our forests today in catastrophic wildfires, and with each fire season coming earlier and ending later in increased drought and insect infestation, and in declining water supply.

We all have a role to play in response to climate change, whether it's through daily recycling at home and in the office, carpooling, printing double-sided or developing and implementing management strategies to sustain the nation's forests.

I am proud to say that we in Region Five are already taking some steps to address this compelling issue. We have joined with members of the Pacific Southwest Research Station to identify the natural resource management issues that may arise as a result of changes in our climate and how the issues affect our land management decisions.

Our second priority is ecological restoration, which is ensuring that our National Forests are healthy and can successfully adapt to change or recover from damages that can result from a variety of sources.

In September 2008, our national office issued an interim directive on ecological restoration, which recognizes and reinforces the importance of ecological restoration as the basis for integrating resource management programs in our agency.

This directive provides the framework for the Forest Service to effectively address urgent 21st century environmental issues. This can boost local economies and create green jobs while sustaining healthy productive resources.

The third priority is travel management. We will continue to make significant strides in reducing the damage that results from unmanaged use of motor vehicles on approximately 13,000 miles of unauthorized roads and trails.

Changes will be based on Regional priorities implemented at the local level, and will range from road and trail construction in addition to closures and decommissioning. The ability to have a managed road system will lead to safe vehicle access and protect our valuable natural resources.

I recognize that new travel management rules will change the way that some people access and experience their national forests. But this change must happen in order to allow opportunities for public enjoyment and protection of our resources.

Our fourth priority is NEPA and forest plan revision. We need to develop a NEPA improvement strategy for maintaining or improving the quality of project planning and documentation to accomplish work on the ground that is generally understood and accepted by the public and meets resource needs.

Our fifth and final priority is ensuring a healthy workforce and workplace. If we are to maintain our relevance in the coming years, we must place a high premium on recruiting and retaining a quality diverse workforce.

We should recognize the value that diversity of thought brings to the workplace. All of us in the Forest Service can demonstrate our firm commitment to equality for all employees and applicants.

Now, of course, nothing is more important than the safety and well being of all of our employees. Safety must be emphasized in everything we do.

My hope is that each of us achieves the right work/life balance that suits our individual goals and needs.

Thank you for all the great work you've accomplished this past calendar year. Your contributions are what make this such an innovative and progressive region.