Since 1999, Meridian Institute has convened and facilitated the Roundtable on Sustainable Forests (RSF), a multi-stakeholder dialogue focused on shared leadership and learning around the goal of sustainable forest management. The purpose of the RSF is to serve as a forum to share information and perspectives that will enable better decision-making in the United States regarding the sustainable management of our nation’s forests. RSF participants include representatives of conservation organizations, Native American tribes, and state and local governments, as well as private individuals and corporate and private landowners.

The Roundtable has concentrated much of its attention on identifying and evaluating the quality of data that can be used to assess the state of the nation’s forests, as well as providing input to the federal government on the production of two National Reports on Sustainable Forests (produced by the US Forest Service in 2003 and 2010). Through these activities, the Roundtable has stimulated a national discussion of sustainable forest management and has served as the catalyst for improved collaborative data management relationships among several federal agencies.

Meridian provides strategic and tactical guidance to the Roundtable’s Core Group and coordinates the activities of the Communications and Outreach Work Group. Meridian also facilitates meetings of these groups, as well as national RSF meetings and other smaller subgroup meetings. The project is funded by a grant from the US Forest Service.