There will be two field trips to illustrate the complex and changing conditions on City owned forests on October 2nd and October 6th, both from 9AM to 1PM. The field trips will start at the Ashland Parks Office in upper Lithia Park, located at 340 S. Pioneer Street, just above the upper duck pond.
Please be ready to hike so wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather of the day, and bring water and a snack as needed. We will drive between two locations close together, walking from each spot to nearby forests. See below to read the proposed plan and how to comment on it.
BACKGROUND
The Ashland Forest Lands Commission, City staff, and consultant Marty Main of Small Woodland Services, Inc drafted a climate change adaptation strategy to help
our municipal forest lands adapt to quickly changing conditions that are causing increases in tree mortality, species shifts, and increased fire danger. Over 1,100 acres of City and Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission lands are governed by the 2016 Ashland Forest Plan, which this climate plan seeks to amend.
Though the 2016 Forest Plan acknowledged climate change as a driving factor in our forests, it fell short of outlining strategies and adaptations. City staff felt that conditions were going beyond what was recognized in 2016, and that the appropriate responses weren't in the scope of the current plan. An addendum to the Ashland Forest Plan was needed.
Over the past year the Forest Lands Commission, staff, and our consultant researched and wrote the draft Ashland Forest Plan Addendum that is now ready for public review and comment. We want your input on this draft plan to make it better and help us answer questions from the community.
HOW TO COMMENT
Click to view and download the Climate Change Adaptation Draft document. Provide comments in any form you like, but please reference the page number and paragraph on the page so we can track comments, please!
Email comments to: chris.chambers@ashland.or.us. If you have questions about the document or the process you can call Chris at 541-552-2066.
Original source can be found here.
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