WESTERN Wyo. – Bridger-Teton National Forest invites the public to their Forest Plan Symposium on Tuesday, Jan.16 from 5-8 p.m. In partnership with Friends of the Bridger-Teton, BTNF is hosting the free hybrid event at four venues around western Wyoming – the Center for the Arts in Jackson, the Civic Center in Afton, the Sublette County Library in Pinedale and the South Lincoln Training & Event Center in Kemmerer.
This informational symposium will allow leading experts to explore what forest planning is, why it matters, how the process works, and how to make a difference. The evening will begin at 5:00 p.m. with an opportunity for the public to informally visit with Forest staff and other attendees.
The program, moderated by Dr. Melanie Armstrong, director of the University of Wyoming Ruckelshaus Institute, will begin promptly at 6:00 pm with introductory remarks. The panel features Dr. Martin Nie, director of the Bolle Center for People and Forests at the University of Montana, James Magagna, executive vice president of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association, Adam Cramer, CEO of the Outdoor Alliance, Ms. Randy’L Teton, an enrolled member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, Forest Service Public Affairs/Tribal Relations Specialist from the Washington DC Office of Communications and Clancy Jandreau, who was involved in the Custer- Gallatin forest planning effort as a student in Montana and now works as a water steward for the Blackfoot Challenge.
Following the panelists’ remarks, audience members will have the opportunity to ask the panelists questions. Attendees are encouraged to bring their phones, as an on-line platform (Sli.do) will be used to facilitate the Q&A section. Questions not pertaining to the forest planning process will be redirected to USFS staff & will not be addressed during this conversation. The purpose of this event is to educate the public on how they can participate in the process and have their voice heard, not to begin that process. Forest staff will be available after the program for those who wish to reflect on what they heard. Light refreshments will be served.
Chad Hudson, forest supervisor for BTNF, acknowledged that forest planning can seem abstract since it addresses the future, not current issues, and is purposely designed to provide strategic direction for the entire 3.4 million-acre Forest:
“Forest planning is complex as involves integrating ecological, social, and economic interests to sustain the future of diverse land, wildlife, water, and people that depend or are enriched by the Forest. This program offers a unique and exciting opportunity for all of us to learn from those who have worked through many other forest plans and can offer insights and lessons that will help us be better prepared for the work ahead in the Bridger-Teton. In addition, the opportunity to hear directly from Ms. Randy’L Teton about the special role tribes have in exercising their treaty rights on national forests will be illuminating.”
Chad Hudson, BTNF Forest Supervisor
The program will be live-streamed to these four venues to be available for those that cannot attend in person. The link to the event will be posted on Jan. 16 on the Center for the Arts events page.
