About the Continental Dialogue on Non-Native Forest Insects and Diseases

• Our Mission
• Our Vision
• Our Progress
• Our Steering Committee

Our Mission

The Continental Dialogue on Non-Native Forests Insects and Diseases cultivates and catalyzes collaborative action among diverse interests to abate the threat to North American forests from non-native insects and diseases.

Our Vision

Urban and rural forests cover one-fourth of North America, sustaining biological diversity and providing clean air and water to hundreds of millions of people. Forest products and related industries employ more than 1.6 million people and contribute $231.5 billion to our nation's economy. Forests also provide enjoyment to millions of hikers, campers, hunters, anglers, and other recreational users, in the process contributing tens of billions of dollars more economic activity. Perhaps most importantly, our forests – urban, suburban, rural, and wild – are part of the core foundation of our national heritage, providing beauty and shade to our homes, and are integral to the American spirit. The well-being of our forests is inextricably bound to the well-being of our citizens.

In spite of their vast importance, our forests are needlessly being lost to non-native forest insects and diseases introduced as a byproduct of international trade and travel. These invaders represent one of the greatest threats to our forests and shade trees. Without countering these threats, the American landscape will change drastically and, probably, irreversibly.

We envision a future when such threats sharply decline. Then, healthy forests will sustain and enrich biological diversity; provide not just clean air and clean water but also contribute to a stable climate; and supply other ecosystem services in abundance. Our forests will provide new and substantial economic, recreational, and inspirational opportunity for all Americans. The public will recognize that non-native insects and diseases pose a threat to US forests that must be addressed – and they will create a strong demand to do so. Stronger national policies will result, along with supportive actions by businesses, states, individuals, and many others.

We join together as non-profit organizations, for-profit corporations, government agencies, landowners, and academic scholars to improve our nation’s efforts to address this critical threat to our forests. Our Dialogue will create real and lasting change, by seeking out those areas where we have unique leverage, credibility, and opportunities. We will organize our efforts around programs to prevent non-native insects and diseases from arriving, surviving and thriving on the continent. We see the Continental Dialogue as an important way to move toward our larger vision. We look forward to a time when its formation will be seen as a pivotal moment in the history of conserving American forests.

Our Progress

An initial meeting for this effort was held in June of 2006 and attracted approximately 50 leaders representing this broad range of interests. The meeting provided the opportunity to share information on the status of the threat of non-native forest insects and diseases, to seek input on a common vision and goals for potential collaborative action, and to identify a list of action agenda to provide a menu of more specific ideas to as to what actions the Dialogue might take to address the threat of non-native insects and diseases to our forests. The development of the final draft of the Dialogue’s Vision and Goals was accomplished in this event.

A second meeting was held in Atlanta, Georgia in January 2007. Capitalizing upon the valuable insights from the last event, the participants identified opportunities for action and developed strategies in support of such actions. The following six working groups were established:

1. Prevent Introduction of New Pests and Diseases
2. Limit the Spread of Pests and Diseases in the US
3. Engage Private Groups in Forest Protection
4. Authorize New Federal Action
5. Increase USDA’s Funding for Federal and State Efforts
6. Communicate and Market Key Ideas about Protecting Forests

The Dialogue Steering Committee developed an Action Agenda Notes to clarify the objectives and value for each working group and to identify high priority steps in achieving the objectives.

The third meeting Dialogue meeting was held in December 2007 (Meeting Summary) in Washington, DC. The goal of the December 2007 Dialogue meeting was to advance collaboration around actions to address the threat of non-native forest insects and diseases. Participants learned about the progress over the prior nine months regarding the Dialogue goals; discuss where the six Workgroups were heading in 2008; and agreed on activities, individually and collectively, to take in the upcoming year.

Our Steering Committee

A list of the members of the Steering Committee for the Continental Dialogue on Non-Native Forest Insects and Diseases can be found here.