Date
- ET
Location
Concord, NH
Description

This is a kick-off meeting for the broader NH Climate Resilient Forest Management project. 

Background:

The overarching goal of this project is to facilitate shared learning about best practices for climate-resilient forest/habitat management using the Climate Adaptation Workbook developed by the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science, and to being implementing adaptation actions following the resistance, resilience, and transition (R-R-T) framework in two NH landscapes (Green Hills and Southwest NH, see attached maps). This project is being funded by the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Forest and Rivers Fund and the Wildlife Conservation Societies Climate Adaptation Fund.

Partners involved in the project include the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science (NIACS), University of Vermont (UVM), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), NH Fish and Game (NHFG), Society for the Protection of NH Forests (SPNHF), NH Audubon, Harris Center for Conservation Education, Tin Mountain Conservation Center (TMCC), and UNH Cooperative Extension (UNH).   

Desired outcomes of the kick-off workshop:

  • A shared understanding of the project and timeline, including NIACS and the climate adaptation workbook
  • All have the information needed to begin preparing for the workshops
  • List of priority topics to incorporate into the workshops
  • A shared understanding of the general habitats, conditions, and climate-related concerns in the landscapes
  • A list of information/data and additional information needed to further develop our understanding of the habitat types and conditions the landscapes
  • Clear list of next steps   
Additional materials
Additional links
Co-hosts and collaborators

Partners involved in the project include the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science (NIACS), University of Vermont (UVM), The Nature Conservancy (TNC), NH Fish and Game (NHFG), Society for the Protection of NH Forests (SPNHF), NH Audubon, Harris Center for Conservation Education, Tin Mountain Conservation Center (TMCC), and UNH Cooperative Extension (UNH).   

Next steps
  1. Convene a series of facilitated workshops to develop forest management plans using the Climate Adaptation Workbook developed by the Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science (NIACS). The workshops will focus on each of the Southwest NH and Green Hills landscapes, and will seek to engage key landowners and land managers in these landscapes. The workshops will be led and facilitated by staff from NIACS, UVM, and TNC.    
  1. Implement forest management plans developed through the workshops to manage for climate resilient habitat and showcase approaches to climate-resilient forest management. It is anticipated that these plans will focus on addressing climate adaptation/resilience, regionally important wildlife habitat, adaptive silviculture, strategies for managing forest pests and pathogens, and carbon sequestration and storage.
  1. Monitor implementation of the selected adaptation practices to explore and increase understanding of key management issues related to climate change, including wildlife responses to adaptation implementation, opportunities for joint adaptation-mitigation practices, the effectiveness of practices like planting of future-adapted species, and evaluation of co-benefits and trade-offs in adaptation projects.