Press Releases

Positive aspects of proposed budget overshadowed by cuts to critical forestry programs. WASHINGTON—The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) responded today with a mixed reaction to the Senate Committee on Appropriations’ proposed budget for the USDA Forest Service. While State Foresters appreciate the proposal’s support for federal lands management and a wildfire funding fix, proposed [read more]

CHARLESTON, W.V.—The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) presented achievement awards to six individuals who have made outstanding contributions in wildland fire protection, forest management, partnership engagement, and overall forestry leadership. The awards were presented at the 2017 NASF annual meeting in Charleston, West Virginia. This year’s award winners are individuals who work to protect [read more]

WASHINGTON—Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue has named Tony Tooke the next Chief of the USDA Forest Service. The National Association of State Foresters congratulates Chief Tooke on his appointment and gives thanks to outgoing Chief Thomas Tidwell for his leadership and service. Chief Tidwell announced his retirement on August 18 and will retire September 1. “Tony [read more]

WASHINGTON—USDA Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell today announced his retirement after decades of public service as a natural resources management professional with the agency. “State Foresters want to thank Chief Thomas Tidwell for his service to the nation’s forests. Chief Tidwell is a tireless champion for active forest management in order to increase resilience in [read more]

Haga clic aquí para ver el comunicado de prensa en español. WASHINGTON—In honor of Smokey Bear’s 73rd birthday, the Ad Council, the U.S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters launched new digital-first videos and artwork inspired by beloved Smokey Bear posters to raise awareness of lesser known wildfire starts in an effort to decrease human-caused [read more]

WASHINGTON—As Congress begins writing the next iteration of the Farm Bill, the Forests in the Farm Bill (FIFB) Coalition today released a set of forest-related recommendations that would improve the bill’s ability to support private and family-owned forests and the benefits they provide. Private owners own half of the forests in the U.S. These forests play an [read more]

WASHINGTON—The National Association of State Foresters, composed of the directors of forestry agencies in the states, territories and the District of Columbia, has unveiled its Farm Bill policy priorities. The Farm Bill, on track to be reauthorized in 2018, will include important conservation provisions that help state forestry agencies carry out their missions to conserve, protect, [read more]

ARLINGTON, Va.—The Partner Caucus on Fire Suppression Funding Solutions, a broad, bipartisan coalition of conservation, timber, tribal, recreation, sportsmen and employer groups, praised Representatives Mike Simpson (R-Id.) and Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.) for introducing the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act of 2017 (WDFA). The bill would change how the federal government budgets for the suppression of large [read more]

WASHINGTON—The National Association of State Foresters reacted with disappointment today to President Donald Trump’s fiscal year (FY) 2018 budget recommendations. The proposed budget includes significant cuts in forestry programs, including a recommended 50 percent reduction of USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry program funding. Bill Crapser, Wyoming State Forester and president of the National Association of [read more]

Bipartisan bill to prioritize forest landscape-scale projects across both private and public land. WASHINGTON—This week Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the Empowering State Forestry to Improve Forest Health Act of 2017. This bipartisan legislation would direct funding toward the highest priority projects, resulting in measurable improvements to non-federal private forests and nearby [read more]