From the Directors...

As chance would have it, the Eastern Forest and Western Wildland Environmental Threat Assessment Centers were created the same year (2005) that the Forest Service celebrated its centennial anniversary as an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The historic birth of the Forest Service provides a nice backdrop to view our own more modest beginnings. Both events were motivated by a desire to protect and sustain the health of our Nation’s treasured natural resources. Both also occurred during times of increasing concern about environmental threats. When Gifford Pinchot first championed the Forest Service, unfettered exploitation of public lands and the absence of scientific information to support land management decisions were primary issues. The controversies have changed, but not entirely. Today’s headlines ring with concerns over wildland fire, climate change, invasive species, the loss of open space, and a perceived decline in amenities that forests and wildlands provide. Pinchot likely could recognize similarities with his own times. What remains utterly unchanged is the fundamental need for sound science and tools to support management.

In this report, we highlight some of the accomplishments of the Centers in our brief history. We also touch on some of our more promising ongoing efforts. Our scientific teams are addressing a variety of complex forest threats issues that require cross disciplinary integration, collaboration, and creativity. As we build on a wealth of existing information, we hope to complement efforts inside and outside of the Forest Service. We are also synthesizing this information, integrating our own research, and providing it in an easily accessible and user-friendly manner. We are committed to sharing our knowledge and tools, making forest science research relevant to everyday issues.

These highlights provide a snapshot of our many projects and collaborations throughout the U.S. Please visit our Web sites at www.forestthreats.org and www.fs.fed.us/pnw/wwetac, or contact us, for additional information.




DANNY C. LEE
Eastern Center Director

JEROME S. BEATTY
Western Center Director





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