learning, sharing innovative ideas, and promoting communication across the National Forest System. By increasing the ability of the agency to share lessons learned and innovations used to overcome challenges, the organization can create more efficient processes and more effective forest plans. The process where only a few forests begin the revision process every year is ripe for engaging in a strategic approach to organizational learning. This meeting provided a chance to encourage documentation and support to export important innovations and tools being used by forest planners. Innovative approaches are being used by forests to create more efficient and effective forest plans. Some examples of emergent tools, all of which are discussed in more detail in the sections that follow, include:

- • the public early and often throughout plan revision including using local events • the public early and often throughout plan revision including using local events such as farmer’s markets and county fairs to educate the public and building mailing lists;
- • a pre-assessment phase to develop a public participation strategy, project • a pre-assessment phase to develop a public participation strategy, project management plan, and Species of Conservation Concern list;
- • executive summaries for assessment topics to make these documents more • executive summaries for assessment topics to make these documents more accessible and readable for the public;
- • interactive mapping tools for wilderness; • interactive mapping tools for wilderness;
- • ecosystem services through value-based questions such as use and benefits of • ecosystem services through value-based questions such as use and benefits of the forest to the public;
- • a science synthesis to provide the scientific base that will be utilized • a science synthesis to provide the scientific base that will be utilized throughout the planning process; and,
- • monitoring components early and throughout the process. • monitoring components early and throughout the process.

## 3. Workshop Topics Covered In-Depth

### 3.1 Public Engagement

On Day 1, attendees discussed public participation requirements under the 2012 planning rule. The final planning rule requires that land management plans provide for ecological, social, and economic sustainability while using public input and the best available scientific information to inform decisions. The rule requires the agency to engage the public early and throughout the revision process. According to the Directives, each forest is required to create a Public Participation Strategy prior to initiating the assessment. This document serves as a roadmap for how planning teams will inform and engage the public during each phase of plan revision. See 36 CFR §219.4 and Ch. 40 of the planning directives for specific requirements and guidance.

Topic leads discussed the spectrum of public engagement and explained how the spectrum may distinguish the different public involvement activities that the Forest Service can utilize. This discussion identified the following options:

- • Tell the public about the plan revision process and keep them updated; • Tell the public about the plan revision process and keep them updated;
- • Obtain feedback from the public and, in turn, provide them with explanation on • Obtain feedback from the public and, in turn, provide them with explanation on how their input informed decision-making processes;
- • Understand and incorporate public aspirations; • Understand and incorporate public aspirations;
- • Ask people to talk and work with each other (the Forest Service is not the • Ask people to talk and work with each other (the Forest Service is not the center of attention).