Press Releases

August 17, 2026 Dear NASF Friends and Partners, It is with mixed emotions that the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) announces the planned retirement of our Executive Director, Jay Farrell, effective September 30, 2026. For nineteen years, Jay has provided steady leadership and thoughtful guidance that have elevated the association’s visibility and influence. As [read more]

WASHINGTON—The partners behind the wildfire prevention legend Smokey Bear and his public service advertisement campaign—the longest running in United States history—are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Smokey Bear Award.    In the world of wildfire prevention, there is no greater honor than receiving a Smokey Bear Award. The National Association of State Foresters [read more]

The USDA Forest Service has announced a $200 million investment in 58 projects across 22 states and two Tribes, supporting efforts to develop or update their community wildfire protection plans and carry out projects "to remove hazardous or overgrown vegetation that can fuel fires that threaten lives, livelihoods and resources." Funded by the Infrastructure Investment and [read more]

WASHINGTON, D.C. – As a member of the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), the nation’s nucleus for wildland fire response since 1965, the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) took note of yesterday’s Executive Order – Empowering Commonsense Wildfire Prevention and Response – which explicitly directs NIFC leadership collaboration with the Secretaries of Interior and Agriculture in pursuit of “encouraging [read more]

WASHINGTON, May 6, 2025—The partners behind the wildfire prevention legend Smokey Bear and his public service advertisement campaign—the longest running in United States history—are pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025 Smokey Bear Award. The Smokey Bear Awards are reserved for individuals, teams, and organizations that provide outstanding service with significant and sustained program [read more]

WASHINGTON, DC.– Recent reports suggesting that certain critical programs –specifically regarding private land ownership and wildland fire management– may be shifted outside of the Forest Service have been a particular source of alarm for State Foresters. Forests are a vastly complex and unique resource that require a dedicated federal agency with the technical expertise currently [read more]

Washington, D.C. – The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) welcomes Aubrey Bettencourt in her new role as Chief of the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). In this role, Bettencourt leads NRCS staff and conservation programs that provide critical technical and financial assistance to farmers and other private landowners to help them conserve, [read more]

The four cosponsors of the national Wildfire Mitigation Awards have named the individuals and organizations chosen to receive honors this year in recognition of their exemplary commitment to community wildfire risk reduction. WASHINGTON—The Wildfire Mitigation Awards committee has named five recipients chosen to receive 2025 Wildfire Mitigation Awards (WMAs). This year’s WMA recipients come from [read more]

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 [read more]

WASHINGTON, D.C.–The National Association of State Foresters welcomes the well-qualified leadership materializing at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). To maximize public benefits from forests and reduce catastrophic wildfire threats, State Foresters need experienced federal agency leaders who understand the complexities of the issues, the value of strong state-federal partnerships, and the urgency of needed [read more]