About:
The Center for First Americans Forestlands, a branch of the College of Menominee Nation (CMN) Sustainable Development Institute (SDI), is a sustainable forestry research, education and extension center. The USDA Forest Service and CMN SDI collaborate to promote sustainable forestry on public and private forests, sustainable utilization best practices, and sustainable rural development on native timberlands.
USFS Partnership History:
In the fall of 2003, College of Menominee Nation signed a memorandum of understanding that set CMN SDI on the path to create what is now the Center for First Americans Forestlands.
Expansion:
Plans are in the works to expand and strengthen the center by building a new facility to better accommodate research and education efforts. This is not a final plan of what the building will look like, but simply a representation of where the CFAF expansion is headed.
What the Center for First Americans Forestlands does:
The Center for First Americans Forestlands synthesizes the best practices of forest ecology, utilization, and Native American expertise and applies this knowledge to sustainable forestry practices and sustainable development.
The Center works with various stakeholders interested in sustainable forestry including, but not limited to:
- American Indian Tribal governments and communities
- American Indian forest and land managers
- American Indian allottees of forested lands
- Communities of interest in forest management, products, harvest, and utilization
- Tribal Colleges and Universities and other Educational Institutions
The Center works with its stakeholders using an integrated approach to develop sustainable forestry projects that benefit them and sustain the forest. Projects are developed around all aspects of sustainable forestry management including:
- Forest products utilization
- Technical advances to improve forest production while enhancing forest health and condition
- Value-added wood products and refinements in related manufacturing processes
- Improved utilization of mixed species
- Economic potential of non-timber forest products
- Materials Science study of ethno-botanical applications and wood species attributes
- Forest products Marketing and utilization
- Forest Management and Forest Ecology
- Educational program design and development
The Center for First Americans Forestlands is currently working with stakeholders to develop sustainable forestry projects. If you or your organization could benefit from our sustainable forestry and development expertise, please contact us.