National Commission on Science for Sustainable Forestry

There is broad agreement within the sustainable forestry field that a number of significant barriers exist between the science of sustainable forestry and its practice. Because of this, forest managers have struggled to practice true sustainable forestry that protects biodiversity in the United States.

To help address some of these issues, the National Commission on Science for Sustainable Forestry (NCSSF) was convened to provide better information on the scientific underpinnings of sustainable forestry and biodiversity. The National Forest Foundation (NFF) partnered with NCSSF to help connect scientists and science to field practitioners. The practitioners helped to set the agenda for the Commission by identifying and defining the barriers facing the field. The barriers include gaps in scientific understanding, insufficient transformation of research results into usable information, insufficient tools to measure and evaluate project progress, and insufficient communication between forest managers and scientists.

The NCSSF-comprised of a diverse group of eminent scientists and leading forest management professionals from academic, government, industry and environmental organizations-has made immense advances in sustainable forestry for managed forest lands in the United States.

By conducting original research and information syntheses, developing practical tools, and enhancing communications and outreach over the past several years, NCSSF has helped to meet the information needs of those responsible for the planning and implementation of sustainable forestry in the United States. Through the partnership with NFF, the work of the Commission has been tested and vetted by our on-the-ground partners and other practitioners.

In addition to funding from the National Forest Foundation, NCSSF was supported by funds from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Surdna Foundation and the Packard Foundation.

Deliverables from the Commission may be accessed below.

• NCSSF Call-to-Action Statement
  NCSSF recommends developing and implementing a new basis for public policy for U.S. forests. This statement outlines key elements and a process to begin this pressing task to meet growing challenges such as climate change, water resources and deforestation. Although there are still significant gaps in scientific knowledge, the primary barrier to sustainable forest management in the U.S. is the ever-increasing inadequacy and inherent conflicts in existing forest policies. As we try to maintain forests under the current policy patchwork, an overwhelming array of simultaneous changes continues to reduce the ability of forests to sustain all the benefits they provide to society. The Commission presents this timely call to action as an independent, multi-stakeholder body spanning the range of forest-related expertise and interests. View the Report
• "Forests for Tomorrow" Conference Report
  NCSSF's conference "Forests for Tomorrow: Addressing U.S. Policy Challenges" engaged a diverse group of leading professional and stakeholders to share ideas and deepen thinking on the challenges facing U.S. forests. The participants developed ideas about the potential responses to those challenges and framed options to move policy forward. The Commission used the results of the conference to help refine their recommendations presented in the NCSSF Call to Action Statement (above). NCSSF hopes this meeting will serve as a catalyst to help people work together more collaboratively in addressing the growing challenges of managing our nation's forests sustainably. The conference report summaries the meeting and the ideas generated. View the Report
• Beyond Old Growth
  NCSSF's report "Beyond Old Growth – Older Forests in a Changing World" defines the characteristics, functions and strategies for protecting and perpetuating our older forests. The richly illustrated document synthesizes overarching commonalities and significant differences among five regional workshops held in the Northeast, the Great Lakes, the Southeast, the Pacific Northwest and the Southwest. View the Report
• Indicator Report for Sustainable Forestry
  NCSSF's project report, "Considerations in the Selection and Use of Indicators for Sustaining Forests," reflects the lessons gleaned from participants at a "Think Tank" workshop. The report by the Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences sheds light on a number of issues in choosing and applying indicators. This publication will help groups planning to develop forest sustainability indicators for their community, state, ownership, region or nation. View the Report
• Sustainable Forestry Guidebook
  "Conserving Biodiversity through Sustainable Forestry: A Guide to Applying NCSSF Research" highlights, in a useful form for practitioners and managers, the practical significance of the research on biodiversity and sustainable forestry the NCSSF has sponsored. The fully illustrated guidebook offers practical tools for applying science in the field and is accessible for anyone interested in forests and forest management practices. The goal of this publication is to help improve forest management by making biodiversity science easier to understand and illustrating on-the-ground applications. The guidebook is available in spiral-bound, waterproof version for field use. View the Report
• NCSSF Global Markets Forum Report
  Globalization of the world's forest industries has raised questions about the competitiveness of the U.S. timber industry in the face of lower production costs from overseas competition. NCSSF brought together a diverse group of leaders from conservation groups, industry, government and academia to examine the potential impacts of shifting markets on U.S. forest biodiversity. The results of these discussions are summarized in the "Global Markets Forum" report. View the Report
• NCSSF's Findings Report
  The NCSSF published an interim report on the results of the first half of projects completed in its seven-year program to advance the science and practice of biodiversity conservation and forest sustainability. This report presents the Commission's first findings based on NCSSF-funded projects and Commission deliberations on the significance of the research for practice, management and policy. View the Report