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• 1. [Article] Packaging Usable Climate Change Information for Sagebrush Country

  One of the largest ecosystems in the United States, sagebrush-steppe communities are currently in peril and threaten to impact at least 150 species of vertebrates (Hagen 2011). The decline of sagebrush ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Packaging Usable Climate Change Information for Sagebrush Country Author: Brown, Melanie One of the largest ecosystems in the United States, sagebrush-steppe communities are currently in peril and threaten to impact at least 150 species of vertebrates (Hagen 2011). The decline of sagebrush habitat is exacerbated through an interaction of threats and feedbacks, including fire and invasive species, making the management of sagebrush ecosystems a challenge (Connelly et al. 2004). Optimizing sagebrush management to reduce sagebrush decline includes understanding the role of climate (Dalgleish et al. 2011; Schrag et al. 2010; Compagnoni 2013). Current climate tools may be too coarse or may not include the specific variables useful for land management. Further complications may include communication barriers between land managers and climate scientists that can impede efficient information exchange, leaving climate scientists without necessary questions and land managers without necessary answers. There is a need for managers and climate scientist to work together to make current and future climate information more applicable to land management needs (Kocher et al. 2012). This research seeks to understand: Can collaboration between climate scientists and land managers lead to more useful and useable climate tools for land management? The main objectives of this project include the following: ➢ Understand current threats and their sensitivity to climate within Oregon and Idaho sagebrush habitat. ➢ Identify climate information that is needed by land managers to make sagebrush management decisions. ➢ Identify climate tools that would be most useful to land managers. ➢ Compile information to be used within a climate tool that is both useful and useable by land managers. ➢ Gather feedback from managers about the collaboration process and the climate tool created ➢ Assess the collaboration process and whether it was beneficial in adapting climate tools for land managers. ➢ Complete thesis and/or presentation on topic. Title: Packaging Usable Climate Change Information for Sagebrush Country Author: Brown, Melanie One of the largest ecosystems in the United States, sagebrush-steppe communities are currently in peril and threaten to impact at least 150 species of vertebrates (Hagen 2011). The decline of sagebrush habitat is exacerbated through an interaction of threats and feedbacks, including fire and invasive species, making the management of sagebrush ecosystems a challenge (Connelly et al. 2004). Optimizing sagebrush management to reduce sagebrush decline includes understanding the role of climate (Dalgleish et al. 2011; Schrag et al. 2010; Compagnoni 2013). Current climate tools may be too coarse or may not include the specific variables useful for land management. Further complications may include communication barriers between land managers and climate scientists that can impede efficient information exchange, leaving climate scientists without necessary questions and land managers without necessary answers. There is a need for managers and climate scientist to work together to make current and future climate information more applicable to land management needs (Kocher et al. 2012). This research seeks to understand: Can collaboration between climate scientists and land managers lead to more useful and useable climate tools for land management? The main objectives of this project include the following: ➢ Understand current threats and their sensitivity to climate within Oregon and Idaho sagebrush habitat. ➢ Identify climate information that is needed by land managers to make sagebrush management decisions. ➢ Identify climate tools that would be most useful to land managers. ➢ Compile information to be used within a climate tool that is both useful and useable by land managers. ➢ Gather feedback from managers about the collaboration process and the climate tool created ➢ Assess the collaboration process and whether it was beneficial in adapting climate tools for land managers. ➢ Complete thesis and/or presentation on topic. Close

• 2. [Article] Creating Useful and Usable Climate Tools for Sagebrush Land Management Through Scientist and Manager Collaboration

  The sagebrush ecosystem, home to numerous plant and animal species including big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and the endemic greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), has endured fragmentation ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Creating Useful and Usable Climate Tools for Sagebrush Land Management Through Scientist and Manager Collaboration Author: Brown, Melanie The sagebrush ecosystem, home to numerous plant and animal species including big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and the endemic greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), has endured fragmentation and degradation of both quantity and quality due to the cumulative and synergistic relationships between an abundance of individual disturbances including grazing, invasive annuals and fire. Climate change may now be an additional threat that poses the greatest risk to these imperiled habitats. Natural resource agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) seek to conserve sagelands through land management activities that ensure the survival of sage-grouse and continuity of the sagebrush biome. Web-based climate tools can help convey climate information that may be necessary for long-term land management, but these tools may not agree with the needs of land managers, may be too complex, or may be misinterpreted. To overcome barriers of user compatibility, the participation of both climate scientists and land managers is necessary during tool development. With the collaboration of Oregon and Idaho BLM sagebrush land managers and climate scientists, this study sought to assess land manager needs and define the criteria for useful and useable climate tools. Using an initial online survey, individual phone interviews with land managers, and a follow-up online survey, a series of land management activities and related climate variables were identified, and several web-based climate tools were assessed. Most managers perform vegetation management through a variety of means including seeding and herbicide application. Such activities are affected by the magnitude and timing of precipitation and temperature, as well as other variables, on seasonal and annual timeframes. For planning purposes land managers also need information on long-term 10-20 year climate trends. The act of listening to the needs of land managers uncovered communication barriers, and provided feedback on existing climate tools emphasizing accessibility, dependability and consistency, clear explanation of terminology, effective visualizations, and relevant spatial and temporal scales to the scope of management activities. We also identified a need for basic information and education on the location of existing climate tools and climate impacts, and a need for near-term forecasting tools that could bridge the gap between weather (≤ 6 months) and climate (≥ 30 years) projections. Title: Creating Useful and Usable Climate Tools for Sagebrush Land Management Through Scientist and Manager Collaboration Author: Brown, Melanie The sagebrush ecosystem, home to numerous plant and animal species including big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) and the endemic greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus), has endured fragmentation and degradation of both quantity and quality due to the cumulative and synergistic relationships between an abundance of individual disturbances including grazing, invasive annuals and fire. Climate change may now be an additional threat that poses the greatest risk to these imperiled habitats. Natural resource agencies such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) seek to conserve sagelands through land management activities that ensure the survival of sage-grouse and continuity of the sagebrush biome. Web-based climate tools can help convey climate information that may be necessary for long-term land management, but these tools may not agree with the needs of land managers, may be too complex, or may be misinterpreted. To overcome barriers of user compatibility, the participation of both climate scientists and land managers is necessary during tool development. With the collaboration of Oregon and Idaho BLM sagebrush land managers and climate scientists, this study sought to assess land manager needs and define the criteria for useful and useable climate tools. Using an initial online survey, individual phone interviews with land managers, and a follow-up online survey, a series of land management activities and related climate variables were identified, and several web-based climate tools were assessed. Most managers perform vegetation management through a variety of means including seeding and herbicide application. Such activities are affected by the magnitude and timing of precipitation and temperature, as well as other variables, on seasonal and annual timeframes. For planning purposes land managers also need information on long-term 10-20 year climate trends. The act of listening to the needs of land managers uncovered communication barriers, and provided feedback on existing climate tools emphasizing accessibility, dependability and consistency, clear explanation of terminology, effective visualizations, and relevant spatial and temporal scales to the scope of management activities. We also identified a need for basic information and education on the location of existing climate tools and climate impacts, and a need for near-term forecasting tools that could bridge the gap between weather (≤ 6 months) and climate (≥ 30 years) projections. Close

• 3. [Article] Estuary management in the Pacific Northwest

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Estuary management in the Pacific Northwest Title: Estuary management in the Pacific Northwest Close

• 4. [Article] Trask River watershed analysis : final report, August 2003

  Recommendations are provided in this watershed analysis to identify actions and management decisions on the part of BLM that might improve watershed health in the Trask River watershed.

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Trask River watershed analysis : final report, August 2003 Author: E&S Environmental Chemistry, Inc., Sullivan, Timothy J., Snyder, Kai U., Oregon. Dept. of Forestry, Raymond, Richard B., Gilbert, Erin H., United States. Bureau of Land Management, Moore, Deian L. Recommendations are provided in this watershed analysis to identify actions and management decisions on the part of BLM that might improve watershed health in the Trask River watershed. Title: Trask River watershed analysis : final report, August 2003 Author: E&S Environmental Chemistry, Inc., Sullivan, Timothy J., Snyder, Kai U., Oregon. Dept. of Forestry, Raymond, Richard B., Gilbert, Erin H., United States. Bureau of Land Management, Moore, Deian L. Recommendations are provided in this watershed analysis to identify actions and management decisions on the part of BLM that might improve watershed health in the Trask River watershed. Close

• 5. [Article] Managing for climate change on federal lands of the western United States: perceived usefulness of climate science, effectiveness of adaptation strategies, and barriers to implementation

  This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by Resilience Alliance. The published article can be found at: http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Managing for climate change on federal lands of the western United States: perceived usefulness of climate science, effectiveness of adaptation strategies, and barriers to implementation Author: Klos, P. Zion, Blades, Jarod J., Hall, Troy E., et al., Kemp, Kerry B. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by Resilience Alliance. The published article can be found at: http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/ Title: Managing for climate change on federal lands of the western United States: perceived usefulness of climate science, effectiveness of adaptation strategies, and barriers to implementation Author: Klos, P. Zion, Blades, Jarod J., Hall, Troy E., et al., Kemp, Kerry B. This is the publisher’s final pdf. The published article is copyrighted by the author(s) and published by Resilience Alliance. The published article can be found at: http://www.ecologyandsociety.org/ Close

• 6. [Article] Fire prevention working group

  Using the existing ODF program as a guide, this report will stress the importance of cooperation and collaboration between agencies, landowners, industry, and citizens to create more successful public ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Fire prevention working group Author: Oregon Department of Forestry, Institute for Natural Resources Using the existing ODF program as a guide, this report will stress the importance of cooperation and collaboration between agencies, landowners, industry, and citizens to create more successful public awareness and education programs. In this report we discuss improved Department emphasis on prevention, better training for those who need to implement fire prevention outreach, small changes in State statutes, and more focused education efforts to increase citizen understanding of their responsibility in wildfire prevention. This report will also show the need to shift gears and help the public recognize that human-caused wildfires are largely the result of landowner activities on their own lands. Additionally, we will describe the need for a formal training program – cooperatively financed and managed by federal, state, and private agencies – for fire prevention professionals who serve in pubic education and outreach roles. Finally this report will emphasize that while it is essential to increase public awareness of the wildfire problem through contacts at fairs, home shows, and other public events, it is through targeted public education that behaviors can best be modified or changed. Title: Fire prevention working group Author: Oregon Department of Forestry, Institute for Natural Resources Using the existing ODF program as a guide, this report will stress the importance of cooperation and collaboration between agencies, landowners, industry, and citizens to create more successful public awareness and education programs. In this report we discuss improved Department emphasis on prevention, better training for those who need to implement fire prevention outreach, small changes in State statutes, and more focused education efforts to increase citizen understanding of their responsibility in wildfire prevention. This report will also show the need to shift gears and help the public recognize that human-caused wildfires are largely the result of landowner activities on their own lands. Additionally, we will describe the need for a formal training program – cooperatively financed and managed by federal, state, and private agencies – for fire prevention professionals who serve in pubic education and outreach roles. Finally this report will emphasize that while it is essential to increase public awareness of the wildfire problem through contacts at fairs, home shows, and other public events, it is through targeted public education that behaviors can best be modified or changed. Close

• 7. [Article] Analysis of boater pass data on the Deschutes River

  A number of different systems have been used to estimate boater use over the 1990-2001 period, making it difficult to trace the source of discrepancies in the final estimates. For example, the boater passes ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Analysis of boater pass data on the Deschutes River Author: Johnson, Rebecca L., 1955-, Cappaert, Marlys, Institute for Natural Resources, Steigerwald, Denise A number of different systems have been used to estimate boater use over the 1990-2001 period, making it difficult to trace the source of discrepancies in the final estimates. For example, the boater passes have changed over the years. From 1990-92, boaters would simply check off the river segments they were intending to boat. After 1992, they were asked for their launch and take-out locations, and after 1997, the check boxes were taken off the boater pass form. There have also been differences in how incomplete or inaccurate boater passes have been handled. Finally, there are differences in the computer programs that transform the boater pass data into segment and overall use estimates. Without agreement and confidence in the boater use estimates, management decisions become difficult. The interested parties were unable to come to an agreement about the reasons for the boater use level discrepancies, and asked the Institute for Natural Resources (INR) to research the issue. Title: Analysis of boater pass data on the Deschutes River Author: Johnson, Rebecca L., 1955-, Cappaert, Marlys, Institute for Natural Resources, Steigerwald, Denise A number of different systems have been used to estimate boater use over the 1990-2001 period, making it difficult to trace the source of discrepancies in the final estimates. For example, the boater passes have changed over the years. From 1990-92, boaters would simply check off the river segments they were intending to boat. After 1992, they were asked for their launch and take-out locations, and after 1997, the check boxes were taken off the boater pass form. There have also been differences in how incomplete or inaccurate boater passes have been handled. Finally, there are differences in the computer programs that transform the boater pass data into segment and overall use estimates. Without agreement and confidence in the boater use estimates, management decisions become difficult. The interested parties were unable to come to an agreement about the reasons for the boater use level discrepancies, and asked the Institute for Natural Resources (INR) to research the issue. Close

• 8. [Article] Protection from fire program review: implementation plan

  This document describes strategies and specific actions that will be undertaken to implement recommendations that emerged from a comprehensive review of the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Protection ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Protection from fire program review: implementation plan Author: Oregon Department of Forestry, Institute for Natural Resources This document describes strategies and specific actions that will be undertaken to implement recommendations that emerged from a comprehensive review of the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Protection from Fire Program. The fire funding/budgeting review was conducted by ODF in 2004 as directed by the 2003 Oregon Legislature. State Forester Marvin Brown expanded the review to include six topical workgroups involving a diverse group of stakeholders. Each workgroup met several times in 2004 and developed a report detailing their strategies and recommendations for revising, refining and updating program components. Recommendations from each report were collated into a master document, clarified and integrated by the Steering Committee, and further refined based on stakeholder input. ODF proposes to implement Fire Program Review recommendations using a two-pronged approach of rapidly implementing relatively straightforward action items while at the same time identifying and initiating the sustained efforts that will be needed to accomplish the more difficult and complex high priority tasks. Title: Protection from fire program review: implementation plan Author: Oregon Department of Forestry, Institute for Natural Resources This document describes strategies and specific actions that will be undertaken to implement recommendations that emerged from a comprehensive review of the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) Protection from Fire Program. The fire funding/budgeting review was conducted by ODF in 2004 as directed by the 2003 Oregon Legislature. State Forester Marvin Brown expanded the review to include six topical workgroups involving a diverse group of stakeholders. Each workgroup met several times in 2004 and developed a report detailing their strategies and recommendations for revising, refining and updating program components. Recommendations from each report were collated into a master document, clarified and integrated by the Steering Committee, and further refined based on stakeholder input. ODF proposes to implement Fire Program Review recommendations using a two-pronged approach of rapidly implementing relatively straightforward action items while at the same time identifying and initiating the sustained efforts that will be needed to accomplish the more difficult and complex high priority tasks. Close

• 9. [Article] Report of the forest fuels and hazard mitigation committee to the Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon Fire Program Review

  Many Oregon communities face serious and growing risks from wildfires. These fires are increasingly large and severe after many decades of fire suppression and land use changes, flammable fuel buildups ...

  Citation × Citation Citation Abstract Copy Title: Report of the forest fuels and hazard mitigation committee to the Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon Fire Program Review Author: Institute for Natural Resources, Behan, Jeff, Lynn, Kathy Many Oregon communities face serious and growing risks from wildfires. These fires are increasingly large and severe after many decades of fire suppression and land use changes, flammable fuel buildups and interactions with climate. The wildland-urban interface (WUI) continues to expand as people relocate to rural areas where they often expect structural fire protection similar to what they experienced in cities. But conditions are different in rural communities located in fire-prone forests. The risk of severe wildfire is greater and limited resources are available to deal with severe fires when they break out. Fire prevention and suppression without vegetation management to reduce accumulated fuels has and will result in a continuation of uncharacteristically severe, stand-replacing wildfires, particularly in eastern and southwestern Oregon. These fires are difficult and expensive to control. They also place firefighters at high risk. Federal, state and rural fire protection agencies are struggling to cope as wildfire threats, costs, and the scope of protection responsibilities continue to increase. Federal agencies have initiated efforts to reduce hazardous fuels and increase community wildfire readiness as directed by the 2000 National Fire Plan (NFP) and 2003 Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA). These mandates are now being implemented at multiple levels with every effort to coordinate for greater efficiency. As part of the 2004 Oregon Fire Program Review, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) formed the Forest Fuels and Hazard Mitigation (FFHM) Committee to assess hazardous fuel loading issues, and recommend ways to reduce risk, and improve and strengthen the multiple hazard mitigation strategies in Oregon. Title: Report of the forest fuels and hazard mitigation committee to the Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon Fire Program Review Author: Institute for Natural Resources, Behan, Jeff, Lynn, Kathy Many Oregon communities face serious and growing risks from wildfires. These fires are increasingly large and severe after many decades of fire suppression and land use changes, flammable fuel buildups and interactions with climate. The wildland-urban interface (WUI) continues to expand as people relocate to rural areas where they often expect structural fire protection similar to what they experienced in cities. But conditions are different in rural communities located in fire-prone forests. The risk of severe wildfire is greater and limited resources are available to deal with severe fires when they break out. Fire prevention and suppression without vegetation management to reduce accumulated fuels has and will result in a continuation of uncharacteristically severe, stand-replacing wildfires, particularly in eastern and southwestern Oregon. These fires are difficult and expensive to control. They also place firefighters at high risk. Federal, state and rural fire protection agencies are struggling to cope as wildfire threats, costs, and the scope of protection responsibilities continue to increase. Federal agencies have initiated efforts to reduce hazardous fuels and increase community wildfire readiness as directed by the 2000 National Fire Plan (NFP) and 2003 Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HFRA). These mandates are now being implemented at multiple levels with every effort to coordinate for greater efficiency. As part of the 2004 Oregon Fire Program Review, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) formed the Forest Fuels and Hazard Mitigation (FFHM) Committee to assess hazardous fuel loading issues, and recommend ways to reduce risk, and improve and strengthen the multiple hazard mitigation strategies in Oregon. Close