2012 Annual Report for EW12-026
Technical Service Provider Training to Improve Services for Family Forest Landowners
Summary
In the first quarter of our new SARE project, NNRG focused on increasing landowner awareness about cost-share opportunities that can assist them in implementing conservation practices such as pre?commercial thinning, stand release, culvert replacements for fish passage, management plan creation, wildlife habitat enhancement, and other practices important to improving and maintaining the health of natural resources.
Objectives/Performance Targets
NNRG will continue to focus efforts in the second quarter of this project on recruiting additional forest owners to sign up for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service’s (NRCS) Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) in advance of the 2013 deadline of mid-February. NNRG will also begin to address the barrier of a lack of Technical Service Providers (TSPs) by coordinating with NRCS staff in developing program materials for a web-based TSP course.
Accomplishments/Milestones
NNRG promoted EQIP through direct mailings, newsletters, and social media. To date, 26 landowners have applied for/are considering applying for 2013 EQIP.
Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes
Promoting EQIP in this first quarter of the project is an important step for removing barriers to sustainable rural economic development. These efforts engage forest owners in seeking conservation assistance in a program, that in turn, engages professional foresters to become TSPs. This nexus will result in landowners having the resources and services to conduct needed restoration and conservation activities from a broader network of TSPs with specific skills to respond to the demand for EQIP projects and the overall need for forest conservation assistance.
Collaborators:
Staff Forester
Northwest Natural Resource Group
1917 1st Ave, Level A
Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98101
Office Phone: 2069713709
Executive Director
Northwest Natural Resource Group
1917 1st Ave, Level A
Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98101
Office Phone: 2069713709
Director of Northwest Certified Forestry
Northwest Natural Resource Group
1917 1st Ave, Level A
Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98101
Office Phone: 3603169317