Press Releases

WASHINGTON—The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) continues to closely follow Congressional negotiations that address wildland fire funding and forest management reforms. Jay Farrell, Executive Director of the National Association of State Foresters said today: “State Foresters, who direct the nation’s state forestry agencies, urge leaders in Congress to act now and support a fire [read more]

WASHINGTON—The National Wild Turkey Federation and the National Association of State Foresters recently announced a partnership to promote active forest management for the benefit of the nation’s forests and wildlife. “The agreement with NASF will further opportunities to collaborate on mutually beneficial forest management projects,” said NWTF Chief Conservation Officer Becky Humphries. “If we hope [read more]

WASHINGTON—The USDA Forest Service has begun the first of two transfer increments, to total up to $450 million, from other programs within the agency in order to fund wildfire suppression. National Association of State Foresters President and Florida State Forester Jim Karels said today: “As the United States continues to experience historic wildfire activity, state [read more]

WASHINGTON—As the western United States continues to experience significant wildland fire activity, state forestry agencies are working around-the-clock with their partners in fire suppression. State Foresters—the directors of state forestry agencies—allocate resources, ensure public information and safety, and provide technical expertise and personnel needed to fight fires safely and effectively. State and local resources are first [read more]

WASHINGTON—The National Association of State Foresters appreciates the steps taken by Rep. Bruce Westerman (AR-4) and his colleagues in the House of Representatives Thursday to pass Resilient Federal Forests Act of 2015 (H.R. 2647). Jim Karels, National Association of State Foresters president and Florida State Forester, said today: “State Foresters have a strong interest in [read more]

WASHINGTON—In recognition of Earth Day, the National Association for State Foresters has released a report on forestry best management practices (BMPs) for water quality in each state. State forestry agencies have been developing BMPs since the 1970s, building a reliable set of standards that help protect local water quality when undertaking silvicultural activities. “Best management practices are an [read more]

NASF President Jim Karels testifies about critical landowner, forest health, and fire protection assistance. WASHINGTON—Florida State Forester and National Association of State Foresters President Jim Karels today urged a House panel to support NASF recommendations for USDA Forest Service (USFS) program funding levels. Speaking to the House Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, Karels [read more]

Stakeholders welcome new USDA Forest Service Forest Inventory and Analysis strategic plan. WASHINGTON—A broad coalition of conservation, forest products, natural resources groups, and state agencies welcomes the Agriculture Department’s new strategic plan for the USDA Forest Service’s (USFS) Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program. The Agricultural Act of 2014, also known as the Farm Bill, [read more]

Wildfire Disaster Funding Act of 2015 would end transfers of cash from land management programs to fund wildfire suppression activities.  WASHINGTON—Senators Wyden (D-OR) and Crapo (R-ID) have introduced the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act of 2015 (S. 235) with support from a bi-partisan group of their Senate colleagues including Senators Risch (R-ID), Baldwin (D-WI), Gardner (R-CO), [read more]

Twenty-one individuals and organizations honored for superlative fire protection efforts in their communities. WASHINGTON—The Wildfire Mitigation Awards Committee is pleased to announce the 2015 Wildfire Mitigation Award winners. Established in 2014, in response to an overwhelming number of great wildfire mitigation program efforts across the nation, the Wildfire Mitigation Awards are the highest national honor [read more]