As the dominant ecosystem of eastern and midwestern parks, forests are an important resource for long-term monitoring. Eight Inventory and Monitoring Program networks and three prototype parks have joined forces to provide a framework for monitoring changes in forest communities. The initiative builds upon existing programs including the USDA Forest Service’s Forest Inventory Analysis program and the experience of the three prototype parks in monitoring forest vegetation for more than a decade. The project’s working group is currently developing protocols for monitoring and reporting results that will allow information collected at individual parks and networks to be easily shared and compared. Such an extensive network provides valuable information for natural resource management and encourages further research by collaborative partners.

Key words: forest, vegetation, health, monitoring, I&M, vital signs, invasive, exotic