SEVENTH AMERICAN FOREST CONGRESS

Central Minnesota Roundtable

Date of roundtable: 29 June 1995

Sponsoring Organization:

Minnesota Environmental Initiative
2420 Rand Tower
527 Marquette Avenue South
Minneapolis, MN 55402-1324

Number of participants: 60

Vision for America's forests in a generation or two:

American forests are managed with primary consideration given to long-term ecosystem integrity and sustainability and to sustain healthy economies and human communities. Management decisions are based on credible science and community values. The public understands and appreciates the forests and is involved in and supports forest management decision.

Principles to achieve this vision are:

1. ECOSYSTEM INTEGRITY: Recognize the diversity of forest-related biotic, abiotic and social structures. The natural processes of ecosystems should be maintained to ensure long-term forest resources sustainability.

2. ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY VIABILITY: Resource decisions based on sound, long-term visions can provide for economic viability and rural community stability. Efficient resource use should be promoted in the context of economic, community and natural resource sustainability. Owners and producers should be economically rewarded for promoting sustainable forests.

3. PRIVATE LANDS: Sound forestry practices should be encouraged on private lands. Incentives and advice by professionals to loggers and landowners may be necessary to encourage implementation. Landowner rights must be based on responsible stewardship. At the same time, society must exercise its interests with due respect for landowner rights.

4. COORDINATION: Stakeholders must coordinate planning and implementation of forest activities across all ownerships, at multiple scales, in order to achieve healthy ecosystems and societies.

5. GLOBAL CONTEXT: Healthy forests and forest management decisions should be viewed in a national and global context if the United States is to achieve environmental and economic vitality without centralized government control. Open and diversified markets and industries that lessen reliance on foreign markets and supplies should be encouraged.

6. PARTICIPATION IN DECISION-MAKING: The public expresses its will through the electoral and political processes. We should return to a more participatory decision-making process that strengthens the roles of local communities and rewards responsible actions while protecting individual rights.

7. EDUCATION: Natural resource education is imperative for sound forest management. This education should reach all segments of the population. Land managers also need effective continuing education to help them meet the challenges of their jobs.

8. NO NET LOSS: Policies and implementation work to ensure no net loss of forests.