The Ashland Forest Lands Commission and City staff are seeking feedback on a proposed climate change adaptation plan for 1,100 acres of City and Ashland Parks and Recreation Commission forests in and around the community. A public open house will be held October 25 at 7 p.m. at The Grove, located at 1195 East Main St (just east of the Police Station and Council Chambers). The draft plan is linked below in the background section for review. You can join in person or via Zoom at: https://zoom.us/j/94738146782
BACKGROUND AND COMMENT INSTRUCTIONS
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! COMMENTS DUE NOVEMBER 13.
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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