Forest collaborative meeting announced

A meeting of the Panhandle Forest Collaborative will be held Wednesday, Nov. 9, 2016, from 12-3:30 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Bonner County Administration Building, first floor, 1500 Highway 2, in Sandpoint.

The Panhandle Forest Collaborative is a collaborative group that actively seeks to involve representatives from diverse perspectives, needs, and expertise, including federal and state agencies, community nonprofit organizations, county commissioners, economic development, contractors, forest industry representatives, environmental and conservation groups, elected officials, concerned community members, landowners, tribes, recreation interests (motorized and non-motorized), and local businesses.

The Panhandle Forest Collaborative focuses on issues on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest, primarily within the Sandpoint, Priest Lake and portions of the Coeur d’Alene ranger districts, with the goals of reducing litigation, promoting sustainable operations, enhancing travel and recreation opportunities, maintaining infrastructure for timber, ranching and recreation, and conserving native ecosystems.

Information: Liz Johnson-Gebhardt, Panhandle Forest Collaborative Chair, email, lizjg35@hotmail.com, or 208-448-0210; or online at sites.google.com/site/panhandleforestcollaborative/home