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Eric Walberg

Senior Program Leader, Climate Services

Forests play a critically important role in limiting the extent of climate change and Manomet’s Climate Smart Land Network (CSLN) brings the intellect and expertise of the forestry sector to bear in addressing climate change.  At 14 members strong and growing, Manomet has enrolled 32.9 million acres of forestland nationwide in the CSLN, a voluntary program to respond to the challenges posed by climate change. The CSLN is an alliance of forest landowners and managers working together to bridge the gap between climate science and on-the-ground application.

Under the CLSN, Manomet brings timberland managers and landowners up to speed on climate science so they can put it to use in the management of their forests.  Manomet President John Hagan is thrilled that the network has reached this milestone in just four years. “Eric (Walberg, Senior Program Leader, Climate Services) and Jennifer (Hushaw, Applied Forest Scientist)  have proven that when you build relationships of trust and respect with the business sector, almost anything is possible.  The timber industry is now a leading force in climate adaptation in the U.S., in part due to the CSLN.”

“First, we build relationships with our project partners based on trust and mutual respect. The CSLN supports peer-to-peer learning to enhance industry-wide understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change,” added Walberg.  “We listen and we understand the interests, motivations, and limitations surrounding engagement on climate issues. The peer-to-peer engagement accelerates the formulation and deployment of management response.  This approach ensures that managed forests remain healthy and productive as the climate warms. We are proud that the CSLN creates a win/win for both the environment and industry.”