Key Outcomes of the Endowment’s May 2008 Board Meeting

The U.S. Endowment’s Board of Directors convened in Denver for its first in-person meeting of 2008. Among key agenda items were updates from principals leading work on two Endowment-sponsored projects — the state of community-based forestry in America and the potential for agricultural check-offs to grow softwood lumber markets. Additionally, the Board heard reports on pending work in assessing the state of North American woody biomass use and since-released work on conservation easements. Among key actions the board accepted the 2007 audit (see related story); reviewed the draft 2007 IRS Form 990; adopted an external complaints policy (see related story); adopted a revised programmatic spending policy (see related story); approved an initiative to assess biotechnology as a potential tool to address looming forest health challenges (more details as available); and approved a small Phase II component of the check-off project.