The basic scientific knowledge needed to manage forests is far ahead of the capacity to convert the knowledge to useable technologies, to make the technologies accessible to rural areas, and to train people to use the technologies. There is an immediate need for a network and service system of trainers and users with a focup on access and communication between technologies and rural people. Solutions to problems created by salmon listings, for example, will require intensive training in managing riparian areas and use of forestry equipment in those areas, including specialized logging machinery, remote sensing devices, use of computer inventory tools, along with landscape management plans, financial analysis, planning packages and product marketing.

An investment can be made in rural communities by the public sector to expedite a "rural forest technology network and service system."An active infrastructure of experts, instructors, training facilities, computer hardware, software, equipment, and other components targeted for such a system could be established quickly. This investment would provide rural employment. It would help rural areas sustain higher incomes, while using the knowledge to provide more biologically diverse forests which in turn, protects endangered species, and # increases habitat diversity, high quality timber and other forest commodities, recreation opportunities and value added forest products.

Some of this infrastructure exists in skeletal form, but needs to be strengthened, integrated, and extended to meet immediate needs. The University of Washington College of Forest Resources (UWCFR), in conjunction # with Washington State University (WSU), could serve as the hub of such an infrastructure and would cooperate with many on-going efforts such as federal conservation programs, state stewardship programs, county assisted forestry programs, and cooperative extension programs.

1. Translation of science to technology: A team of scientists at the universities would be dedicated to creating the technical tools and certificate-bearing curricula to train field personnel. Tools can be provided to aid in regeneration, stand and landscape management, harvesting, riparian protection, timber processing, value added marketing, systems modeling, wildlife enhancement, fire protection, monitoring and adaptive management, and other needs. These dedicated scientists would work closely with other scientists doing basic research at the universities and other institutions.
2. Making technology accessible to rural areas: Technicians and scientists would build on the existing organizations through UWCFR and WSU Cooperative Extension to create and service a high technology information links among locations. (e.g., linking remote GIS facilities, computer laboratories, etc..)
3. Training and technical assistance: Combinations of experts at rural locations traveling to present short courses, computerized video-like teaching networks, assistance to local teachers, scholarships, technical assistance for local implementation would also enable the latest technologies to be applied rapidly in rural areas. These rural locations would have technical staff, equipment, and hardware to make the information and software useable to local people.
4. A Steering Group of rural constituents and technologists to set priorities, offer scholarships, and support the development of cooperative agreements with other experts and users.