Forest Restoration Program Panelist
United States Forest Service
Southwestern US

The Southwestern Region of the Forest Service is seeking independent scientists experienced in forest ecosystem restoration for the Collaborative Forest Restoration Program Technical Advisory Panel. This 12 to15 member panel will evaluate proposals for federal grant funding to conduct forest restoration treatments on public land and utilize small diameter trees.

The Technical Advisory Panel will review project proposals for: wildfire threat reduction; ecosystem restoration, including non-native tree species reduction; reestablishment of historic fire regimes; reforestation; small diameter tree use; and the creation of forest-related local employment. The grant proposals must include a broad and diverse group of stakeholders and may occur on federal, tribal, state, county, or municipal forest land.

Meetings will be held one to two times per year in Albuquerque, NM. Selected panel members will not receive compensation, however, they may be reimbursed for travel and per diem costs. Panel selection procedures and meetings will be conducted under the Federal Advisory Committee Act.

Equal opportunity practices, in line with USDA policies, shall be followed in all membership appointments to the Panel. To ensure that the recommendations of the Panel have taken into account the needs of the diverse groups served by the Department, membership shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.

Panel applications are due to the Forest Service by November 7, 2012. Application materials and other information on the Collaborative Forest Restoration Program can be found on the program website at http://www.fs.usda.gov/goto/r3/tap-nominations.