In a letter sent to USDA Forest Service Chief Randy Moore today, four organizations asked that the $160 million included in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) for Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) restoration projects be implemented with input from the agency's partners in each of its regions. Our organizations represent essential partnerships in realizing GNA accomplishments [read more]

The Sustainable Urban Forests Coalition, of which NASF is a member, wrote to the USDA Forest Service today regarding funding for the national Urban and Community Forestry (U&CF) program. The coalition provided recommendations to the agency for implementing the $1.5 billion allocated to the program through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Read the letter in [read more]

Today, the National Association of State Foresters signed onto a coalition letter  sent to House and Senate majority leadership in support of bold investments for urban and community forestry through the Inflation Reduction Act. From combating climate change and creating more equitable communities to improving infrastructure and expanding green jobs, our nation’s current and expanding [read more]

Today, NASF delivered a letter to Senators Stabenow, Schumer, Manchin, and Wyden and USDA Secretary Vilsack in support of a policy proposed for inclusion in a revised reconciliation package. The proposed policy, which would give Bioenergy with Carbon Capture and Storage (BECCS) technology the same level of support in the 45Q tax credit as other [read more]

Today, the National Association of State Foresters sent a letter to USDA and Department of Interior Secretaries Vilsack and Haaland regarding a proposed COVID-19 testing policy for wildland firefighters. The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) would like to thank the USDA Forest Service and Department of Interior for their partnership and the opportunity to [read more]

The National Association of State Foresters was among more than 50 signatories on a letter sent to Congress today in support of the federal Forest Stewardship Program. Over 50% of U.S. forestland is owned and managed by more than 10 million private owners, most of which are families and individuals. These landowners represent a diverse [read more]

The National Association of State Foresters was among more than 80 organizations that have penned a letter to Congress in support of the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program. We urge Congress to support FIA with no less than $32.4 million in program dollars and no less than $52.9 million in salary and expenses in [read more]

In a letter sent today, the National Association of State Foresters wrote to USDA Natural Resources and Environment (NRE) Undersecretary Homer Wilkes regarding the newly established Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission. We understand addressing wildfire management is among your top priorities. NASF and the nation’s state foresters stand ready to work shoulder-to-shoulder with USDA [read more]

In a letter sent today, the National Association of State Foresters—along with the Congressional Fire Services Institute, International Association of Fire Chiefs, and the National Volunteer Fire Council—explained why the Conference Committee should adopt the Senate's method of funding State and Private Forestry (S&PF) Community Project Funding and Congressionally Directed Spending Proposals. We would appreciate your [read more]

January 27, 2022 The undersigned forestry associations urge you to cosponsor the “Returning Worker Exception Act” (H.R. 3897). H.R. 3897 provides critical H-2B visa cap relief for seasonal businesses that include employers of H-2B forestry workers. In addition to raising the visa cap, the bill has program integrity measures, including increasing enforcement and penalties to [read more]