In 2002, the Northern Forest Center hosted the first Northern Forest Community Leadership Exchange, which brought together more than 100 diverse regional leaders to think together about how to secure a prosperous and sustainable future for the Northern Forest.

The Exchange was a work session designed to build cross-boundary partnerships and leverage resources around an emerging vision for the Northern Forest as a place that supports healthy forest ecosystems, vibrant cultures, caring effective communities, and diversified, sustainable economies. It was organized by the Northern Forest Center in partnership with Genesis Consulting and a broad-based steering committee.

Exchange participants included economic development professionals, landowners, foresters, mill-workers, educators, business owners, environmentalists, human service providers, cultural specialists, and others. By working in teams and as a group, participants articulated the core elements of the strategic framework presented here—a framework that continues to guide our response to the economic, environmental, and social changes sweeping the Northern Forest region.

Download a PDF of the 2003 Draft Strategic Framework. [1.1 MB - PDF]

We believe that by building new partnerships, and leveraging our collective energies, people and organizations can attract the resources, build the capacity, and take the actions needed to establish the Northern Forest as a model for people seeking to live sustainably and prosperously in a forested place.