NASF representatives joined hundreds of participants at a "listening and learning session" last week in Annapolis, MD, and Charleston, SC, as part of President Obama's "America's Great Outdoors" initiative, which aims to reconnect people to the environment and bring science-based techniques to restoring land and water.

The secretaries of agriculture and the interior, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the chair of the Council on Environmental Quality are attending meetings around the country to solicit input. A report will be submitted to the president by November 15. For more information about upcoming listening sessions, visit http://www.doi.gov/americasgreatoutdoors.

The fifty-nine members of the National Association of State Foresters have completed the first-ever comprehensive suite of Statewide Forest Resource Assessments and Strategies as part of a national effort towards protecting and sustaining healthy forests. The assessments provide an analysis of forest conditions and trends in the state and identify priority rural and urban forest areas and issues. The strategies provide long-term plans for addressing needs identified in the assessments through state agency initiatives, partner engagement and federal investments. Individually and as a whole, the Statewide Forest Resource Assessments and Strategies represent an invaluable asset to the nation for forest conservation decision making.

For more on the assessments and strategies, visit http://www.stateforesters.org/issues_and_policy/forests_in_the_farm_bill. 

The Montreal Process Working Group on Criteria and Indicators for the Conservation and Sustainable Management of Temperate and Boreal Forests met in Hilo, HI, earlier this month. Countries shared their progress and achievements including development and release of the country reports, incorporation of MP criteria and indicator information into national policies, and utilization of MP criteria and indicators at regional and sub-regional levels.

The USDA has released the final rule for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) that contains a number of new changes. The sign-up period for CSP has been extended to June 25, 2010.

A recent report from the Harvard Forest warns that all six New England states are experiencing a decline in forest cover. Forested areas have come under increasing pressure from a new wave of commercial development, industrial use and invasive species.

The NASF Foundation, with the assistance of the USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry, has selected Missouri State Forester Lisa Allen and Ohio State Forester David Lytle as fellowship recipients for the Program for Senior Executives in State and Local Government at the John F. Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. Traditionally, the Foundation only awards one fellowship a year, however the NASFF Board of Directors decided to fund an additional fellowship this year.

The fellowship supports a three-week session focused on exercising leadership and uses a case study approach in designing solutions to real life problems. Participants gain expertise in strategy and political management, creating public value, negotiation, crisis management, financial stewardship and internal capacity and performance management.