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 (USFS) announcement of a sweeping restructuring plan is designed to sustain the agency responsible for the sustainability of America’s forests. The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) supports the transition to a state-based organizational model that continues to serve all lands. NASF also expresses support for the dedicated USFS professionals doing [read more]
State Foresters across the nation applaud the Senate Agriculture Committee’s bipartisan work this morning to advance the landmark “Fix Our Forests Act” out of committee today, and we look forward to its timely consideration and passage on the Senate Floor. “State forestry agencies play a lead role, not only with the 550 million+ acres of [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]
The National Association of State Foresters (NASF), along with 21 other organizations, signed a letter to Senate leadership expressing support of S. 1462, the Fix Our Forests Act. “Despite widespread recognition of the need to mitigate the threats posed by catastrophic wildfire and ecosystem degradation, our lands and communities are at risk now more than [read more]
In a letter to the President, NASF joined a coalition representing a broad set of interests, including companies, state forestry associations, private landowners, and forestry and conservation groups with concerns to a growing national security crisis that threatens the nation’s timber supply, rural economies, and long-term energy independence. The coalition recommended the following steps the [read more]
NASF submitted comments to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on its proposed changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). In the letter, NASF highlights opportunities for the treatment of woody biomass under the RFS and the missed opportunity for EPA to bolster crucial markets for forest management, including wildfire risk reduction. “We see an opportunity [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]
Over 20 organizations signed onto a letter drafted and delivered by the National Association of State Foresters to the leaders of the Senate and House Appropriations Subcommittees on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies to recommend funding the Forest Stewardship Program (FSP) for fiscal year 2026 at $22 million.
The National Association of State Foresters joined 11 other partner organizations in a letter to House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies advocating for increased FY26 appropriation levels for State Fire Assistance (SFA) and Volunteer Fire Assistance (VFA) programs. The letter requests $85 million for the SFA program and $25 [read more]
