Building Political Support Mike Clutter, Dean Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources The University of Georgia March 3, 2009 New Orleans, La

I’m Depressed There was a time... Today I manage 60 faculty – each of whom are convinced they are the smartest person on the planet. Herding cats would be a joy - -I think. Anyway, I want to discuss some history (some ancient), about the development and support of the FIA Program

Some History I have had the honor in my career to watch, experience, and in some cases participate in changes in the FIA program as a user, reviewer, champion, stake holder, pin cushion, and, at times target for the program. For the most part, these experiences have been from the prospective of a industrial user of FIA data to address resource availability questions – still the primary use of FIA data in my part of the world. I have spent some time on hill visits, with state foresters on the annual system, and with users attempting to torture FIA data into submission

Rules of Monitoring Monitor what is changing the fastest. Use fixed resources in ways that account for this trend Measure attributes that are of the greatest use to the largest number of your clients Create a multiresource inventory system that can adapt to change as quickly as possible while maintaining that core set of important attributes Consistency is important – both spatially and temporally Remember, no monitoring system can address all needs of all clients. Do not sell the program as this

A FIA Top Ten Lists – actually 8 Do not mess with the design Share resources – share costs – share opportunities Measure what gets analyzed... Or analyze what gets measured? Do not mess with the design Use stimulus funds to build long-term infrastructure / institutional abilities Science and funding are interrelated Do not mess with the design Remember, sooner or later the bills have to be paid

A word on ownership We have seen unprecedented change in private ownership over the past 15 years with 40+ million acres changing hands The demise of the vertically integrated forest products industry as a forestland owner The rise of institutional owners of the asset Why – Changing corporate strategies, taxes, taxes, and taxes These trends are primary to the FIA mission Ownership defined management intensity – not as true today. Creates challenges for FIA staff and users to understand impacts

Where are we headed Increased pressure on public and private forests Greater emphasis on the public’s goods and services provided from forests Continued expectations on traditional uses of FIA data and the FIA program Increased scrutiny on various aspects of sustainability Emergence of new markets associated with forests

Questions ??