State and federal forestry partners to develop Montana Joint Forestry Strategic Plan

Five forestry organizations in Montana are joining forces to make it easier for private landowners to tap into their expertise in forestry-related research and science, forest practices policy and in service, education and program delivery. The five partners --- the Montana Department of Natural Resource and Conservation, Forestry Division; the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; the USDA Forest Service, Northern Region; Montana State University Extension Service; and the Montana Association of Conservation Districts --- have agreed to write a Montana Joint Forestry Strategic Plan by May 2010.

“These agencies all provide services to family forest landowners in Montana,” said Montana State Forester Bob Harrington, “Those services are all a bit different in process and requirements and can be inefficient for landowners. This agreement provides a framework for coordinated and complimentary delivery of assistance to them, which will help them get the assistance they want, when they need it.”