Sustainable Ecosystems Institute
Science Review of NSO Draft Recovery Plan
SEI, at the request of the USFWS is convening a panel of expert scientists to evaluate what constitutes the best available science concerning the ecology of the threatened Northern Spotted Owl. Using the SEI Process, the Institute will focus on several issues raised during the review of the Northern Spotted Owl Recovery Plan released in April 2007. These include competition from barred owls, fire impacts, and habitat relationships. The goal of this effort is to provide a strong, understandable, and impartial scientific foundation for decision makers and stakeholders. A hallmark of SEI's process is an open and transparent discussion of the science. SEI will convene a science forum in early January 2008 where scientific materials will be presented and discussed. This meeting is open to members of the public who want to observe and listen to the scientific process.
In 2004, SEI completed a critical review and synthesis of recent scientific information on the status of the Northern Spotted Owl (Scientific Evaluation of the Status of the Northern Spotted Owl). This effort which used the SEI process, also produced a final report (available here) and a peer reviewed scientific paper.
UPDATE- The report "Scientific Review of the Draft Northern Spotted Owl Recovery and Reviewer Comments" is now available here.
