A Workshop at Lubrecht Experimental Forest, Montana, November 7-10, 2011
The University of Montana and the USDA Forest Service convened a workshop in November 2011 to address social and community vulnerability in the face of climate change. The Forest Service Climate Change Performance Scorecard asks National Forest System units to develop information about the vulnerability of key resources, including ecosystems and social systems, to climate change. While we are beginning to see broad-scale assessments of ecological vulnerability to climate change, we have yet to see a truly integrated social and ecological vulnerability assessment. To further develop the knowledge and tools to advance such integrated assessments, the workshop convened 29 Forest Service, USGS, and university social and natural scientists along with National Forest Systems and State and Private Forestry staff (see full list of participants below). Workshop goals included identifying key knowledge gaps and methodological approaches, describing mechanisms to integrate social vulnerability into the Forest Service Climate Change Scorecard, and building a network of scientists and managers around this topic. The group identified three priorities: conduct a social vulnerability assessment case study for one national forest to serve as a template for other forests; develop a multi-scale research project to improve basic knowledge about community vulnerability and assessment methods; and develop a communication and outreach plan.Hannah Brenkert-Smith, University of Colorado
Patricia Butler, Northern Institute of Applied Climate Science
Matt Carroll, Washington State University
Susan Charnley, Pacific Northwest Research Station
Emily Jane Davis, University of Oregon
Paige Fischer, Forest Service Western Threats Center
Sarah Hitchner, University of Georgia
Pam Jakes, Northern Research Station
Cassandra Johnson, Southern Research Station
Jason Kreitler, United States Geologic Survey
Linda Kruger, Pacific Northwest Research Station
Steve McNulty, Southern Research Station
Miranda Mockrin, Rocky Mountain Research Station
Jess Montag, United States Geologic Survey
Ann Moote, Consultant
Jim Morrison, Forest Service Northern Region
Dan Murphy, University of Montana
Don Nelson, University of Georgia
Kimiko Nygaard, University of Montana
Travis Paveglio, University of Montana
Neelam Poudyal, University of Georgia
Elizabeth Reinhardt, Forest Service Climate Change Advisor's Office
Susan Stewart, Northern Research Station
Cindy Swanson, Rocky Mountain Research Station
Barb Tormoehlen, Northeast Area State and Private Forestry
Johanna Wandel, University of Waterloo
Dan Williams, Rocky Mountain Research Station
Peter Williams, Forest Service Ecosystem Management Coordinator
Laurie Yung, University of Montana