Climate Solutions University: Forest and Water Strategies

Application for 2011

July 15, 2010

The Model Forest Policy Program (MFPP) is now accepting applications for 2011 Climate Solutions University: Forest and Water Strategies (CSU). This program offers U.S. rural communities the opportunity to protect their natural resources and be part of the climate adaptation solutions urgently needed across the country. This educational opportunity is being conducted in partnership with the Cumberland River Compact. Our staff, partners, and consultants will provide communities with online educational programs, plus in-depth coaching and consulting services in order to help rural and underserved communities develop a Climate Action Planning process focused on forest and water resources.

We anticipate offering scholarships to up to ten (10) U.S. communities to participate in our 2011 program, subject to available funding. Each community scholarship consists of $10,000 in funding, plus educational and consulting services valued at approximately $50,000. In exchange for the money and assistance to be provided by MFPP, the selected communities must commit to the entire eleven (11) month project by dedicating at least a half-time position (1/2 FTE) to conduct the local project activities, and provide $10,000 in matching funds or equivalent additional staff time for support of the project.

We strongly encourage interested parties to contact us with any questions and apply as soon as possible to facilitate our decision making. Contact MFPP Community Coordinator, Will Paddock at (937) 974-6151.

Project Summary

Overview
Rural communities and forested watersheds play a vital role in solving our climate crisis. When communities maintain healthy forests, they conserve water resources, protect their citizens from floods, drought, and health hazards, sequester carbon, preserve their economy, and maintain species habitat. Forests can store one fifth of our CO2 emissions, preserve vital habitat, stabilize local micro-climates and hydrologic cycles, and protect two-thirds of all U.S. water sources. However, forest lands and water resources are at risk as few rural communities are directly addressing these issues by creating climate action plans.

The Model Forest Policy Program (MFPP) and its partner, the Cumberland River Compact, are fostering this leadership role for rural communities with an emphasis on underserved rural counties. Together these partners are offering the "Climate Solutions University: Forest and Water Strategies" to help communities develop sound local government land use management options and private land management solutions.

Project Goals and Process
The purpose of the Climate Solutions University (CSU) is to guide and empower local communities in resource rich areas to develop local forest and water climate action plans. The facilitated program is modeled on the four-step process used in two case studies conducted by MFPP and partners in Idaho and Tennessee. The four steps of the community process are: 1) Community decides to take leadership action; 2) Local conditions are assessed for resource vulnerabilities and action opportunities for forest, water and land use planning and practices; 3) Strategies and recommendations are developed; and 4) Actions are implemented, monitored and evaluated for impacts and benefits. This eleven month CSU project guides selected communities through the first three steps and prepares them for action implementation in 2012.

Application
In 2010, we will select ten new communities across the U.S. to participate, as a group, through an eleven month training and coaching process, February through December, 2011. The CSU partnership team and guest presenters will provide 11 webinar presentations, 11 monthly coaching conference calls and individual coaching on community specific issues. Each community group will engage fully in the process, be guided through a multi-step education and planning process, develop in-depth analysis of local forest water climate conditions; and create a customized strategy for local implementation.

For full scholarship details and to apply, please register below. You will receive a confirmation email with a link you must click to confirm your request. When you click that link to confirm, it opens a browser window with a link to download the Application and Instructions. Once you download the application, complete the form and email as an attachment to the email address provided.

Applications are due by 5:00 PM CST, September 15th, 2010.

Toby Thaler, JD, has over thirty years experience in forestry and related natural resource management issues in the Northwest. He has worked for a broad range of clients-Tribes, public interest groups, local governments-to promote sustainable resource management policies, including forest practices and forest land conservation, shoreline and water resource management.

William Paddock, MBA, is a sustainability expert who works with local government and business clients on the implementation of sustainable practices and strategies. William was the Cookeville, TN, Project Director helping that region create a forest water climate action plan. William holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alabama and a MBA in Sustainability from the Institute for Sustainable Practice at Lipscomb University.

Nancy Gilliam, PhD, has helped over 5,000 landowners implement sustainable forestry practices. She initiated the Virginia General Assembly's study of forest health. Nancy founded the Model Forest Policy Program in 2000 due to proliferation of chip mills in the south and lack of forest policy. She has worked with state and local government officials in VA, TN, ID, and WA guiding model forest policy development and education.

Todd Crossett, MA, has over fifteen years experience in government relations, strategic planning, facilitation, organizational development, project management and advocacy for sustainable practices. Todd served for two years as County Commissioner introducing groundbreaking water protective land use codes in conservative North Idaho.

Gwen Griffith, DVM, MS, serves as program director in sustainable building and low impact development with The Cumberland River Compact, bringing the watershed perspective to the work of climate change mitigation and adaptation. She takes the continuum of care approach from land use planning to smart growth to green building to low impact landscaping to efficient site management. She provides in-depth education on the energy, water, climate connection with an emphasis on water efficiency and source water protection.

Bonner County, Idaho now has over 2,000 miles of streams and shoreline protected with forested buffers and setbacks.

Cookeville, Tennessee has a comprehensive planning process with local climate data that enables leaders to make solid forest and water protection ordinances.

"The Model Forest Policy Program and Cumberland River Compact staffs were asked to review the city's current comprehensive plan and then make any recommendations concerning additions or changes that were needed in order to conform to the issues the city would be facing in the coming years. From my perspective as Planning Commission Chairman, their review and recommendations they furnished were simply superb. Their incisive and detailed examination which resulted in a comprehensive written report with appropriate recommendations for inclusion to the city's plan will enhance our overall effort to ensure the aesthetics of the natural beauty of this area.

"In conclusion, I would highly recommend any city or other agency which is seeking to pursue these issues engage these individuals for the assistance. They fully understand the complexities of problems associated with forest, water and climate and how the various policies can be implemented for governmental institutions to modify and change their existing directives and policies. From my perspective, it has been a pleasure working with them for the past year and I would be most happy to speak with anyone who would desire any additional comments concerning this memorandum."

James A. Stafne, Planning Commission Chairman
Cookeveille, TN

"I want to tell you how appreciative the Canyonlands Watershed Council is to be selected as a participant in your program called 'Climate Solutions University.' When I shared the news with the group they were ecstatic. The reason why is sometimes we feel like people from outside the community do not really care about small communities in arid regions like ours...But when it is demonstrated that people really do care and are willing to invest resources, it really does make a difference. The group is energized...and have expressed feelings of hope for more positive things to come their way."

John Weisheit, Conservation Chair
Moab, UT