Press Releases

New USDA Forest Service report documents environmental benefits of wood. WASHINGTON—The National Association of State Foresters applauded a new report from the USDA Forest Service showing that wood is superior to other construction materials in terms of environmental benefits. The report, "Science Supporting the Economic and Environmental Benefits of Using Wood and Wood Products in [read more]

WASHINGTON—The National Association of State Foresters elected a new slate of officers to its governing Executive Committee and agreed on several national policy positions at the association's 89th Annual Meeting last week in Baltimore, Maryland. Policy positions passed by resolution include goals for enhancing the U.S. share of global wood production, enhancing collaborative landscape-scale forest [read more]

Group of western senators sends letter Senate appropriators with an ask to maintain support for programs. WASHINGTON—A group of nine western senators is ringing the alarm about a 2012 proposal to cut support from two wildland fire prevention programs, the Hazardous Fuels and State Fire Assistance programs. These critical programs provide funding for work that [read more]

WASHINGTON—In response to the release of the 2010 National Report on Sustainable Forests by the USDA Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters has called for action ensuring the sustainability of the nation's forests. Central among its recommendations are implementing the strategies and programs in every state and territory's Forest Action Plan, which are proactive, reflect [read more]

New PSAs and Smokey Bear’s first mobile app launch in time for the holiday weekend. WASHINGTON—The Ad Council, along with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), launched a new series of public service advertisements (PSAs) featuring Smokey Bear designed to provide critical information to Americans about wildfire prevention. The [read more]

Forest Action Plans measure conservation needs and results at the state-level. WASHINGTON—One year after finalizing their Forest Action Plans, the members of the National Association of State Foresters launched a new website—www.forestactionplans.org—in order to provide access to every state's plan as well as national- and regional-level insight into the primary trends and challenges facing America's [read more]

NASF poll shows broad support for protecting and maintaining America's forests. WASHINGTON—In a poll commissioned by the National Association of State Foresters and released today in support of Arbor Day, voters across the country were found to strongly value forests as sources of clear air and water as well as providers of good-paying jobs and [read more]

WASHINGTON—The National Association of State Foresters applauded a new strategy from U.S. Department of Agriculture that will promote the use of wood as a green building material. Announcement of the new pro-wood policy came from USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack at an event launching the U.S. celebration of the International Year of Forests March 30 in [read more]

WASHINGTON—A new roadmap for interagency wildland fire management across the country has been released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior (DOI). Representatives from the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) played a key role in the crafting of the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy (Cohesive Strategy). "State [read more]

"Celebrate Forests, Celebrate Life" campaign highlights how American forests contribute to health and livelihoods. WASHINGTON—Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, key members of Congress including Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.), and a consortium of top officials from America's leading forest and conservation organizations, will join together to highlight the importance [read more]