Long-term Vision & Roadmap for Maine’s Forest Sector

Aaron Weiskittel1, Robert Wagner1, Patrick Strauch2, and Peter Triandafillou2

1 Center for Research on Sustainable Forests, University of Maine2 Maine Forest Products Council

Forest R&D Portfolio● Nanocellulose

● Biofuels, Biochemicals

● Engineered wood, wood composites

● Pulp, paper and related technologies

● Solid wood products

● Biomedical and Biotechnology

Emerging Issues● Changing resource

(increase in hardwoods)

● Emerging technologies

● Questions about sustainability of management practices

● Spruce budworm

● Uncertain and global markets

Roadmap & Vision● What it is?

○ Comprehensive project across the entire forest products sector

○ Focused project with short- and long-term deliverables

○ Strategic plan with goal of providing specific recommendations for moving forward

● What it is not?

○ Technology and investment roadmap

○ Strategic asset assessment

○ The silver bullet

Origin● Rapidly changing global forest products

markets (mill closures are symptom)

● Forest industry and government need new model for cooperative strategic planning (SBW Task Force a successful example)

● Competitor forest products regions have and are engaged in regional planning

● Proactive forest economy sector planning is needed for Maine to attract capital (no future without this!)

Sweden

Proposed Organization● Project administered and

coordinated by CRSF

● Three Focal Areas led by individual teams of researchers and consultants

● Integration Team formed from a variety of organizations (both private and non-private)

● Coordination Team will help with outreach and policy development

Project● Three primary focal areas

○ Subsector Analysis

○ Wood Supply Analysis

○ Market Analysis

● Each focal area has its own timeline, deliverables, and budget

● Integration Team will synthesize findings from each focal area and prepare final report that:

○ Summarizes key findings

○ Provides recommendations

Subsector Analysis (Focal Area #1)● Diverse multi-disciplinary team

○ Dr. Sandra Urioste-Stone (UMaine)

○ Dr. Jane Haskwell (UMaine)

○ Dr. Linda Silka (UMaine)

● Phase I: Identify and engage a broad cross section of each of Maine’s seven subsectors to identify the aspirations, key opportunities, and obstacles in its subsector.

● Phase II: Integrate sector vision, opportunities, challenges and obstacles with market and wood supply analyses to create an updated vision and strategic action plan for Maine’s forest-based economy.

Market Analysis (Focal Area #2)● Strong team of applied economists

○ Dr. Mindy Crandall (UMaine)

○ Dr. Lloyd Irland (Irland Group LLC)

○ Mr. Eric Kingsley (Innovative Natural Resources Solutions LLC)

● Phase I

○ Assess past (within 10 years), current, and future prospects for the forest products sector (Kingsley just completed for MN)

○ Evaluate the operating climate of Maine by benchmarking a wide range of metrics important to a forest products sector or business operating in Maine

● Phase II

○ Identify the current and emerging global forest products markets where Maine is likely to be most competitive.

○ Benchmarking Maine’s competitiveness regionally, nationally, and internationally

Wood Supply Analysis (Focal Area #3)

● Strong team of forest modellers and planners

○ Dr. Aaron Weiskittel (UMaine)

○ Dr. Erin Simons-Legaard (UMaine)

○ Mr. Ernest Bowling (Sewall)

○ Mr. Gary Mullaney (Sewall)

● Phase I

○ Complete statewide 25-year wood supply analysis under various demand scenarios

● Phase II

○ Complete spatially-explicit, regionwide 50-year wood supply analysis under various demand and forest disturbance scenarios and provide online tool

Integration (Focal Area #4)● Diverse team of experts and leaders across Maine’

s Forest Product Sector

● Phase I: Integrate and synthesize findings from the three previous stages into a comprehensive and achievable vision for Maine’s forest sector

● Phase II: Provide a comprehensive and actionable list of opportunities that must be captured, key challenges that must be met, and obstacles that must be overcome for each sub-sector and the entire sector to achieve the overall vision will be developed

● Primary deliverable is an integrated document will provide the overall Vision & Roadmap for Maine’s forest products sector

Benefits● Demonstrates that the forest products sector has a

clear and comprehensive vision and plan for the future.

● Provides a focus and context for attracting new capital investments in Maine’s forest sector.

● Provides a strategic context for evaluating any proposed legislative and policy changes that affect the forest sector.

● Provides state government with a blueprint and list of specific action items that must be achieved to advance the Maine’s forest-based economy.

● Provides a common vision and voice for Maine’s forest sector when educating new legislators.

● Provides guidance and direction for Maine’s rural communities in planning their future.

Activity 2016 2017 2018 2019

Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q1 Q2

Identify and apply for funding

Focal Area 1, Phase I

Focal Area 2, Phase I

Focal Area 3, Phase I

Focal Area 1, Phase II

Focal Area 2, Phase II

Focal Area 3, Phase II

Focal Area Reporting

Synthesis & Integration

Final Report & Presentation

Timeline

Funding● Total expected project

cost of $2.5-3.0 million○ ~$250k requested

from NBRC

● Pursue variety of existing opportunities

● Leverage significant in-kind contributions

Roadmap & Vision Partners

Summary● Integrative and comprehensive project working

across all forest product sectors

● Multi-phased project with both short- and long-term deliverables

● Strong team of experts with wide support

Questions/Comments?