Regional Collaboration

Nearly 140 practitioners from the public, private and non-profit sectors and all 4 states came together to advance the implementation of the recommendations of the Sustainable Economy Initiative.

See summaries below.

Regional Investment
Working Group

"This is radically different and important work. It's the first time I have seen foundations, intermediary lending organizations and community leaders around the same table working together to increase capital investments across a region and across state lines."

 

Peter Berliner,
Managing Director of PRI Makers Network

Higher Education Working Group

Group priorities are to further develop the Northern Forest Studies program, create a technical assistance program for hospitality and tourism, and improve communication among higher education institutions and off-campus partners.

 

Read more below.

Making New Connections

Vermonters met Mainers. Tourism supporters networked with ecosystem scientists. Staff from private foundations exchanged ideas with their counterparts in banking and public lending. Public policy discussions brought together forestry, economic, community and business interests. And so much more!

 

Read more about the Summit below.

Community Forests
Working Group

Community volunteers, non-profit organizations, public agency staff and private funders shared successes and explored ways to support the growing interest in Community Forests, which provide multiple benefits to communities.

 

Learn more below.

Summary of Results and Next Steps for Working Groups

Nearly 140 people came together in May for the 2nd Summit for the Northern Forest to advance collaboration on several topics important to implementing the recommendations of the Sustainable Economy Initiative for the Northern Forest.

The 2nd Summit for the Northern Forest was convened by the Northern Forest Center, Northern Forest Canoe Trail, Conservation Collaboratives, Hubbard Brook Research Foundation, Community Forest Collaborative, Plymouth State University and Coastal Enterprises, Inc. 

Practitioners from the public, private and non-profit sectors and all fours states to advance collaboration to implement the recommendations of the Northern Forest Sustainable Economy Initiative.

Practitioners from the public, private and non-profit sectors and all fours states gathered at the Mountain View Grand in Whitefield, N.H. to further their work in:

  • Community Forests
  • Higher Education
  • Regional Tourism
  • Ecosystem Services
  • Regional Investment
  • Public Policy

The energy at the Summit was palpable. “This is the only event of its kind in which I see these people and am able to engage across these diverse areas,” said one attendee.

Read the Summit keynote address: "The Northern Forest Sustainable Economy Initiative: Where are we now? What is needed from us now?"

Each group worked on its own agenda, while also looking for opportunities to assist or gain support from the other working groups. See the tabs below for summaries from each working group or download the complete summary document. Each includes contact information and suggestions for how people who didn’t attend the Summit can get engaged in the ongoing work of each group.

Public Policy 2011 Summit Summary

Purpose Statement:  To frame a coordinated state and federal public policy agenda for the Northern Forest region for the 2011-2012 legislative sessions, with particular emphasis on reauthorization of the federal Farm Bill in 2012.

Working Group Lead: Joe Short, Policy & Program Director, Northern Forest Center.

Status of Working Group: The working group convened at the first Summit for the Northern Forest in 2008 to follow up on the policy recommendations of the Sustainable Economy Initiative. Between Summits, participants collaborated on several coordinated policy initiatives and will continue to do so.

Importance of Public Policy to the Northern Forest

In the federal policy arena, coordinated policy development and advocacy across state lines has served the Northern Forest region well. Regionally coordinated efforts have led to the creation and funding of the Northern Forest Lands Council, Forest Legacy Program, Northeast States Research Cooperative, and the Northern Border Regional Commission. In the 2008 Farm Bill, advocates and Congressional leaders from the Northern Forest states were instrumental in the creation of the Community Wood Energy program and the Community Forest & Open Space program. In a time of shrinking budgets, speaking with a coordinated regional voice is crucial to ensuring that programs and policies important to this region are maintained and strengthened.

The Summit Public Policy working group focused on identifying priorities for a 2011-2012 Northern Forest policy agenda, with particular emphasis on reauthorization of the federal Farm Bill. The session goals were to:

  • Connect Northern Forest policy interests and advocates with each other and with other networks working to advance rural economic development and conservation priorities in the Farm Bill;
  • Outline draft priorities and a preliminary work plan to develop a Northern Forest Farm Bill platform; and
  • Identify additional priorities for coordinated regional policy advocacy in the coming year.

Group accomplishments at Summit

  • Connected Northern Forest policy interests and advocates with each other and with other networks working to advance rural economic development and conservation priorities in the Farm Bill;
  • Outlined draft priorities and a preliminary work plan to develop a Northern Forest Farm Bill platform; and
  • Identified additional priorities for coordinated regional policy advocacy in the coming year.

Top priorities for follow-up after Summit

  • ‘Refresh’ the messaging of the Northern Forest Sustainable Economy Initiative (SEI) recommendations as a basis for engaging state and federal elected officials to advance policies that support regionally-identified priorities.
  • RefineNorthern Forestpriorities for regional advocacy in the coming year. The group will solicit input and share draft priorities with other Summit participants and other regional networks, and develop an outreach strategy for key officials to engage with the ideas.
  • Conduct a regional sign-on campaign to convey continued community, business, and landowner support for the SEI strategy
  • Engage the region’s governors and congressional leaders to advance identified policy priorities for federal FY12, the Farm Bill, and other legislation.

Needs & Opportunities for cross-sector collaboration

  • Work with the Summit investment group to explore possibilities and potential vehicles to leverage public investment with private investment.
  • Work with all Summit working groups to understand important public policy levers for advancing their work and incorporate those as appropriate in to regional advocacy efforts

Opportunities for new participants to engage in network and or specific projects