Vital Sign Indicators Program
The purpose of the Vital Sign Indicators (VSI) program is to evaluate the long-term health of scenic, natural, cultural, and recreation resources, and local economies, of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. Vital Sign Indicators are high-level measures that guide assessment of progress toward Management Plan goals.
Building on the original 2009 VSI effort, the Columbia River Gorge Commission and U.S. Forest Service are currently working with partners on a comprehensive indicator update. Integrating climate change impacts in the VSI framework is a key component of this update. For more information on the initial 2009 VSI effort, see the Vital Sign Indicators Project: State of the Gorge 2009 Report.
Staff Reports and Resources
December 12, 2023 - Recommended Vital Sign Indicators List
October 10, 2023 - Vital Sign Indicators Program Quarterly Progress Report
July 11, 2023 - Vital Sign Indicators Program Quarterly Progress Report
May 9, 2023 - VSI Cultural Resource Indicators Progress Report - Progress Report for Draft Cultural Resource Indicators
December 13, 1022 - VSI Draft Recreation Indicators Progress Report - Progress Report for Draft Recreation Indicators
October 11, 2022 - VSI Economic Vitality Indicators Progress Report - Progress Report for Draft Economic Vitality Indicators
April 12, 2022 - VSI Scenic Progress Report - Overview of the draft indicators developed for draft Scenic Vital Sign topics.
December 14, 2021 - VSI Natural Resource and Climate Change Indicators Progress Report - Overview of the draft indicators developed for draft Natural Resource and Climate Change Vital Signs.
August 10, 2021 - VSI Scenic & Recreation Resources Progress Report - Overview of the review process and rationale for draft Scenic and Recreation Vital Signs.
June 8, 2021 - VSI Natural Resource & Climate Change Indicators Progress Report - Overview of the review process and rationale for draft Natural Resource and Climate Change Vital Signs.
February 9, 2021 - VSI Assessment - Framework for updating and implementing the VSI program in 2021-22.
Contact
For more information, please contact Lisa Naas Cook, Vital Sign Indicators Planner, and check back here often for updates on other VSI topics as they become available.