Speaking during the March 18 Plenary Session of the 74th North American Wildlife and Natural Resources Conference, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack touted a plan to create both mitigation and adaptation strategies to address the impacts of climate change. Vilsack stated that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) would work internally across agencies as well as with the Department of the Interior, state, local and tribal governments, and the conservation community to create a vision that would enhance activities for natural resource conservation. The Secretary announced that he would be appointing a special advisor in his office to coordinate that effort, reports the Wildlife Management Institute.

Thomas Vilsack was sworn in as the 30th Agriculture Secretary on January 21, 2009, after receiving unanimous support for his confirmation from the Senate. He was a leader on agriculture and rural development during his two terms as Governor of Iowa. He developed the Iowa Food Policy Council that worked to advance local food systems, enhance family farm profitability, and combat hunger and malnutrition. In addition, he promoted private land conservation within his state and through the National Governors Association's Committee on Natural Resources. Vilsack coordinated the 2001 Private Lands, Public Benefits Conference that focused on providing incentives to private landowners for conservation practices that improve air and water quality and enhanced wildlife habitat. He also created a comprehensive conservation program in Iowa to encourage and assist landowners with installing buffer strip and restoring wetlands, and to reward good conservation practices.

In his remarks, Vilsack cited climate change as one of the most critical issues facing the USDA and the nation. Whereas most discussion has been on the mitigation response, including efficiency and renewable energy, the Secretary noted that very little discussion has targeted adaptation. According to Vilsack, one of the most important questions for government and those concerned about conserving natural resources is how to adapt to what is likely to occur, regardless of mitigation efforts. He stated that the missing elements are a strategic vision and plan to incorporate all of the conservation programs and activities of USDA, the Department of the Interior, state and local governments, tribal entities and nonprofits that are promoting conservation.

Rather than task an undersecretary who has substantial responsibilities within his or her regular position, Vilsack announced that he would designate a special assistant within the Secretary's office who would be charged with the specific responsibility of creating the plan. This climate change advisor will be given the authority to work across all mission areas of USDA to assess existing programs to determine what may be missing, what needs to be emphasized more and where resources need to be allocated.

Vilsack emphasized that the process for developing this strategic climate plan will be integrated and collaborative, and it will recognize that one area of the country might be very different in terms of adaptation strategies from another area of the country. His advisor will be tasked to reach out to and work with conservation organizations and agencies at all possible levels of government to ensure that the vision and strategic plan make sense for all parts of the country. Vilsack stressed that the plan must be results oriented and specifically articulate what the USDA hopes to accomplish.

In closing, Secretary Vilsack spoke about the importance and power? of community, in particular the community that is dedicated to conserving natural resources. He observed: "In time of crisis, the natural reaction of most folks is to look inward, to hang on to what they have. The challenge for us is to recognize that the strength to get through a crisis like this is actually through community. If we have a strategic vision that creates and supports a sense of community, a connection between ordinary folks no matter where they live so that we all feel a connection to our natural resources, we will emerge from this crisis a much stronger nation?a better nation and a better people."

On April 16, Vilsack announced that his Senior Advisor for Environment and Climate would be Robert Bonnie, the Vice President for Land Conservation and Wildlife at the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF). Bonnie has 14 years of experience at EDF, working on conservation incentives. He is an expert on the use of markets as a means to reward stewardship on farms, ranches and forest lands, including carbon crediting and conservation banking for endangered species. Bonnie is a graduate of Harvard University and holds a master's degree in resource economics and forestry from Duke University's Nicholas School of the Environment. (jas)