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SCB MEMBERS ENGAGE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE U.S. FOREST SERVICE

Straddling the snow-laden forests of the Rockies and the grasslands of the Great Plains, the Rocky Mountain Region of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) is a winter paradise. Bighorn sheep and White-tailed ptarmigan are at ease in the biting cold, whereas Mountain ladyslipper and Yellow widelip orchid will remain in hiding for several more months. The Rocky Mountain Region includes 24 National Forests and Grasslands and is home to more than 200 sensitive species of animals and plants.

During 2003, more than four dozen SCB members worked to improve agency management of the species in the Rocky Mountains through a partnership between USFS and SCB's global network of conservation experts. This relationship was fostered by one of the first systematic applications of SCB's Expertise Database. "It was a delight to find the world's experts on a particular species with a quick search in our database," said SCB's Executive Director Alan Thornhill. The database, initiated less than two years ago, has proven invaluable for identifying reviewers for species assessments produced by the U.S. Forest Service's Species Conservation Project (SCP).

The SCP reflects efforts by USFS to create new and comprehensive approaches to conservation at the national level. Designed to ensure standardized and thorough evaluation of species viability and ecosystem integrity at a range of temporal and spatial scales, one of the project's primary aims is to produce formal scientific assessments for more than 200 species of fishes, wildlife, and plants throughout the Rocky Mountain Region. Unlike traditional agency "white papers," regional and national scientific experts author SCP species assessments. The assessments thus serve as scientific products that assist managers in designing conservation programs for individual species. Adding an additional layer of credibility, each report receives two structured peer reviews--and SCB is helping to provide those reviewers.

SCB received glowing praise for its complete and timely reviews of 48 assessments for USFS in 2003. "We continue to be impressed by the quality and thoughtfulness of the reviews [SCB] has provided," noted Greg Hayward, Regional Wildlife Ecologist and one of the leaders of the Species Assessment Team for the SCP. Authors of the SCP reports also have been pleased with the reviews; many indicated that reviews received through the USFS / SCB collaboration provided some of the most helpful feedback they ever have received on technical manuscripts. In addition, the Species Assessment Team was impressed by the level of expertise of SCB peer reviewers.

2004 is the second year of collaboration between SCB and USFS, and other groups are taking notice. The Executive Office has received several inquiries from national agencies in the United States and international agencies suggesting future relationships in which SCB will facilitate direct participation of members in critical conservation activities. Thornhill noted, "The Forest Service partnership is a first step, and the membership has responded marvelously--there will be more opportunities!"

More information on the SCP, and the first set of assessments completed through SCB's partnership with USFS, are available at www.fs.fed.us/r2/projects/scp/. During 2004, SCB will help review assessements for at least ten species of plants, ten species of invertebrates, and 18-24 species of terrestrial vertebrates.

To update your information in SCB's Expertise Database, visit www.conbio.org/login/.

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