WASHINGTON, D.C.—The nation’s 59 state and territorial foresters welcome Chief Tom Schultz as the 21st Chief of the USDA Forest Service and look forward to working with him to strengthen state-federal partnerships that improve the health and sustainability of America’s forests on all lands. State forestry agencies manage over two-thirds of America’s forestlands by providing technical assistance to private landowners, wildfire protection on over 1.59 billion acres, and directly managing 76 million acres of state-owned forestland nationwide.
Today, the National Association of State Foresters is announcing key priorities to foster working lands for working people and support each state’s unique needs:
1. Support State-driven Solutions for our Forests and Communities: State-federal partnerships are crucial in streamlining federal policies to enhance active forest management on all lands and reduce wildfire risks. State forestry agencies are committed to bolstering historic state-federal partnerships through State, Private & Tribal Forestry (SPTF) Programs and shared stewardship agreements. With a deep understanding of local landscapes and communities, state forestry agencies are both innovative leaders and vital partners in delivering forestry initiatives across state, private and federal lands.
2. Champion Smart and Cost-effective Wildfire Policy Nationwide: Wildfires continue to threaten and devastate communities across the country. State Foresters support policies that substantially increase active forest management and fuel treatments across all landscapes and ownerships to reduce wildfire risk. State Foresters also advocate for policies that improve efficiency and continue to leverage support from state and federal agencies in rapid and effective wildfire management.
3. Grow and Diversify America’s Declining Forest Markets: Robust forest products markets are essential to supporting active forest management and creating opportunities for private forest landowners to keep their forests intact and healthy. State forestry agencies encourage federal investment and commonsense policy changes that protect domestic markets. By growing and diversifying forest markets, we can increase employment opportunities, support local economies, and incentivize forest management practices that contribute to resilient forests nationwide.
4. Create Efficiencies for our Forests and Communities: Over half of forested land in the United States is privately owned and nearly half of Americans live near forests. State Foresters support exploring opportunities to further federal land management and streamline the delivery of assistance to private landowners to maximize benefits to American communities. State Foresters are eager to address forest health and wildfire problems through a strengthened shared stewardship, all-lands management partnership.
“These priorities will be most effectively realized through state and regional coordination and continued collaboration with federal agencies. State forestry agencies are well-positioned to assist the Forest Service in implementing organizational changes as well as delivering outcomes that benefit all Americans,” said Patty Cormier, Maine State Forester and President of the National Association of State Foresters.
“We are eager to continue working closely with the Forest Service under the new leadership of Chief Tom Schultz,” said Jay Farrell, executive director of the National Association of State Foresters. “His experience working for state agencies in Montana and Idaho provides a fresh perspective to the complex issues facing the agency, and the links between forest markets, forest management, and partnerships. State foresters look forward to continuing productive working relationships with him.”
As Chief Schultz takes the helm, NASF would also like to express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to outgoing chief Randy Moore for his dedicated service to the agency. Moore rose through the ranks at the U.S. Department of Agriculture over a 45-year career and leaves a legacy of achievements to build on.
Looking ahead, State Foresters remain dedicated to improving outcomes for America’s forests and communities. The National Association of State Foresters will continue to collaborate closely with the three regional state forester organizations—the Northeast-Midwest State Foresters Alliance, the Southern Group of State Foresters, and the Council of Western State Foresters—on national issues of importance to State Foresters. Through our shared efforts, state forestry agencies will remain at the forefront of transforming how our nation’s forests and wildfires are managed.
Regional announcements from the Council of Western State Foresters, Northeast-Midwest State Foresters Alliance and Southern Group of State Foresters are available via the following links:
CWSF:
NMSFA:
SGSF:
For more information, please contact NASF Communications Director Sheridan Davis at sdavis@stateforesters.org.