Hi all, I lead a project that is focused on conserving, restoring, and improving wetland forests for healthy human and natural communities. By our coalition's definition, wetland forests include: coastal forested wetlands, floodplain forests, cypress swamps, vernal pools / isolated wetlands, and other unique wetland / forest features in the US South.
We need your help to make this project a reality. Our goal is to get 150 or more signatures by the end of 2018, to show that people around the country are behind our goal of making lasting change in wetland forests. We're currently around 50, so every scientist voice counts! There's an option to select "Scientist/Leader" as your identification, and we will list you as an individual (e.g., John Smith, Ph.D. at Clemson University). Signing the platform does not involve frequent emails or any emails, if you so desire. If, however, you work in wetland forests or want to be involved, just select the checkbox and I'll follow up with you in a few weeks. We do have a few academics involved already, and the more the merrier! Our platform is short and sweet, and you can endorse it here: https://wetlandforests.org/endorse-the-platform . If your email has blocked or screened URLs, you can visit wetlandforests dot org and click on "Endorse The Platform" in the top menu. You can also endorse directly by responding to me (sam at dogwoodalliance dot org) with your name, highest degree, and institutional affiliation. Thanks all! Sam Here's the text of the platform: As the Wetland Forest Initiative, our mission is to conserve, restore, and improve Southern wetland forests to strengthen our communities through: 1. Elevating wetland forests as a national conservation priority 2. Identifying opportunities for restoration and conservation 3. Working with landowners and others to implement sound management practices on working lands 4. Supporting increased incentives and funding to expand the range of wetland forests 5. Working with local communities, to increase resilience, diversify economic opportunities and enhance quality of life 6. Recognizing and engaging with historically underrepresented citizens and communities 7. Engaging and educating citizens about the benefits of wetland forests in their communities 8. Collaborating with communities, landowners, resource managers, scientists, government agencies, and industries
