Policy

In the policy education program, the Ecosystem Workforce Program works closely with forest communities and workers to advocate for change that will create ecological health, economic well-being, and democratic processes in the management of our nations forests and watersheds. We use the information from our applied research program to support the efforts of rural forest communities and workers to realign the political institutions and policies that affect their lives. We work pursue our work collaboratively in a number of policy venues.

Green Jobs

Climate Change

Legislative Testimony:

• Testimony before the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Public Lands, and Forests an Oversight Hearing on creating rural jobs on America's public lands through strategies for conservation-oriented economic development by Cassandra Moseley, July 15, 2010.
• Testimony before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Public Lands and Forests about state and federal coordination to foster restoration and high quality restoration jobs, by Cassandra Moseley, October 29, 2009.
• Testimony before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources about the role of public lands restoration in the economic stimulus package.
  Testimony presented by Cassandra Moseley, EWP Director. December 10, 2009.
• The Piñeros: Reviewing the Welfare of Workers on Federal Lands held by the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands of the Committee on Natural Resources. (pdf, 176 kb)
  Testimony presented by Cassandra Moseley, EWP Director. September 16, 2008.
• Remarks Before the Oregon House Workforce and Economic Development Committee. (pdf, 156 kb)
  Testimony presented by Cassandra Moseley, EWP Director. Jan 19, 2007.
• Congressional Testimony to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on issues related to forest workers on public lands. (pdf, 464 kb)
  Testimony presented by Cassandra Moseley, EWP Director. March 1, 2006.

Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition

The Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition is comprised of western rural and local, regional, and national organizations that have joined together to promote balanced conservation-based approaches to the ecological and economic problems facing the West. We are committed to finding and promoting solutions through collaborative, place-based work that recognizes the inextricable link between the long-term health of the land and the well-being of rural communities. We come from California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, New Mexico, Montana and Arizona...

The Ecosystem Workforce Program is a member of the core team and co-chairs the Workforce, Labor, and Contracting Working Group. The EWP also co-sponsors the Community-Based Forestry Annual Policy Meeting.

RVCC issue papers that EWP has signed on to:

• Rural Green Jobs: The Foundation of a Rural Green Economy (2009)
• Climate Change, Rural Communities and Landscapes (2009)
• Thermal Energy Uses of Woody Biomass (2009)
• Appropriations (2009)
• Private Lands (2009)
• Stewardship End-Result Contracting (2009)
• Economic Stimulus Proposal: The First Steps Toward Building a Rural Green Economy (2009)
• Appropriations (2008)
• Wildland Fire Suppression Budget Reform (2008)
• Stewardship Contracting (2008)
• Workforce & Labor (2008)
• Best Value Contracting (2007)
• Building Community Capacity (2007)
• Collaboration (2007)
• Community-Based Forestry Perspectives on Woody Biomass (2007)
• Performance Measures (2007)
• Community-Based Perspectives Supporting Traditional & Multiparty Monitoring (2005)