UW School of Forest Resources Visiting Committee
11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 15, 2010
Forest Club Room, Anderson Hall
Introductions and Thanks to Outgoing Members : Bettina Von Hagen, Brian Boyle and
Tom Hanson
Introduction of new members : Ara Erickson, Della Balick, Alina Niklison (not present), and Phil Rigdon
Announcement of Incoming Chair : Court Stanley
Director’s Comments – Current Issues: Tom Hinckley
 Budget and a potential 10% cut: Overall, the cuts are deep and rushed. In response, we are engaged in extensive internal conversations, and externally with our partners (legislators and other stakeholders) regarding the impacts of current and future budget cuts. A reexamination of our service and outreach roles is underway; these receive the least recognition by the state and campus reward system. There are many ways SFR serves the state, but the UW has no way to overtly protect them.
Also, improved incentives for retirement are needed for both the unit and the individual.
 College of the Environment: College of the Environment engagement is progressing.
The Dean has received approval from the Provost to form a search committee for a permanent Director of SFR.
 Graduate and undergraduate programs status: Student enrollment numbers continue to increase, as has student diversity.
Presentations:

Environmental Health and Human Health Interactions: Josh Lawler, SFR Associate
Professor, is a conservation biologist and landscape ecologist. He presented on the
Human Health and the Environment Project , cosponsored by the College of the
Environment and the Department of Global Health. This project is focused on the mitigation of and adaptation to climate change effects on human health and the environment, and involves an interdisciplinary group of eleven faculty fellows, including two from SFR (see attached handout).
 Center for Sustainable Forestry at Pack Forest: Greg Ettl, SFR Associate Professor and Director of Center for Sustainable Forestry at Pack Forest spoke on managing the
Center in a tough economic environment. The Center has shifted its operating mode from staff to student-run as much as possible, with a resultant increase in student training opportunities. Proposed new sources of revenue include an environmental education center, called the Mt. Rainier Institute, which would bring traditionally

underrepresented groups into the woods; and, an ECOSEL auction of ecosystem services tied to forest management (see attached handout).
 UW Institute for Forest Research : Bruce Bare, SFR Dean Emeritus and Professor, described his work with the state legislature on a proposal to revise RCW 76.44, which established the UW Institute of Forest Resources in 1947. This revision, which would cost the state no money, would enable improved recognition and coordination of the diverse applied and basic research and outreach activities accomplished by SFR. If enacted, these changes to the RCW will help the SFR Director in setting research priorities, securing funding, and advancing research findings through new legislation, etc. (see attached handout).
 Northwest Environmental Forum October 2010 Findings – Brian Boyle reported on the 2010 Forum, the recommendations regarding Ecosystem Services Markets and a combination strategy for conservation easements and development rights trading. The
Forum expects to be engaged with Washington DNR in its efforts to present a report to the Legislature on Ecosystem Services markets by December 2011. www.nwenvironmentalforum.org
Committee Members Present:
Della Balick
Brian Boyle
Mark Doumit
Gene Duvernoy
Ara Erickson
Maureen Frisch
Tom Hinckley
John Johnston
Philip Rigdon
Richard Stroble
Bettina Von Hagen (by telephone)
Janet Wainwright
Tom Wolford
Guests:
Bruce Bare
Greg Ettl
Josh Lawler
Attachments:

List of Human Health and the Environment Faculty Fellows and Leadership Team

SFR Pack Forest Reorganization Briefing

Institute of Forest Resources Proposed Legislation

Visiting Committee Roster 2011