Smokey Bear Celebrates His 65th Birthday and Returns to Remind Americans... "Only You Can Prevent Wildfires"
Posted on Tuesday, June 30, 2009
The Advertising Council joined today with the U.S. Forest Service and NASF to launch a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) designed to celebrate Smokey Bear's 65th birthday and provide critical information to Americans about wildfire prevention. The television, radio, print and online PSAs are being distributed prior to the July 4th holiday, a time when many people go camping, have outdoor BBQs and light fireworks.House passes climate, energy bill with positive forestry provisions
Posted on Monday, June 29, 2009The U.S. House of Representatives passed the "American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009" (HR 2998) by a slim margin (219-212) on Friday. The bill contains a number of provisions important for state and private forestry.
State Foresters congratulate new Forest Service chief Tom Tidwell
Posted on Wednesday, June 17, 2009NASF praised the appointment of Tom Tidwell as Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, announced today by U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "State Foresters look forward to working with Chief Tidwell on the pressing challenges facing all the nation's forests," said NASF President and Kentucky State Forester Leah W. MacSwords. "We are enthusiastic about new leadership in the Forest Service to further our joint efforts in tackling issues such as renewable biomass, insect and disease outbreaks, and the impacts of climate change."
State Foresters Support Increased Federal Funding for Sustainable Forestry, Wildfire Protection
Posted on Monday, May 18, 2009State Foresters were pleased with federal support for the nation's forests as demonstrated in President Obama's proposed FY2010 budget released earlier this month. The budget included $306 million for the U.S. Forest Service's State and Private Forestry program, a $40 million increase over the 2009 omnibus. While this show of support is appreciated during austere budget conditions, NASF cautions that some critical program areas such as Forest Stewardship and Urban & Community Forestry continue to be underfunded.
State and Private Forestry Efforts Conserve, Protect and Enhance Forests Across the U.S.
Posted on Friday, March 27, 2009
A new publication jointly published by NASF and the Forest Service - the Redesign Report Card - provides a summary of the first wave of projects in a new multi-stage process that effectively and proactively invests federal, state, local and private resources in a way that makes a meaningful impact on the ground. Guided by the principle "Focus + Priority = Outcome," Redesign leveraged nearly $23 million in matching funding from state agencies and partner organizations in 2008 to augment $19.5 million in federal funding.
House passes FLAME Act
Posted on Thursday, March 26, 2009H.R. 1404, the Federal Land Assistance, Management and Enhancement Act, or FLAME Act, passed 412 to 3 in the House of Representatives Thursday. The legislation sets up a partitioned account for funding emergency wildfire suppression activities and aims to relieve much of the strain these catastrophic fires have had on the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of the Interior's constrained budgets. NASF commends Congress for its demonstration of support and commitment to this critical issue.
