The National Association of State Foresters has submitted written testimony to the House Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies concerning FY 2022 USDA Forest Service Appropriations. State foresters deliver technical and financial assistance, along with forest health, water, and wildfire protection to more than two-thirds of the nation’s 751 million acres of forests. The [read more]
Fifty groups have signed on to a letter asking appropriators to fund the Forest Stewardship Program (FSP) at $30 million (including $22 million for program work under the new budget structure) for fiscal year 2022. FSP equips private forest landowners with the unbiased, science-based information they need to sustainably manage their forests now and into [read more]
Smokey Bear Awards are reserved for individuals, teams, and organizations that provide outstanding service with significant and sustained program impact in the wildfire prevention arena. WASHINGTON—The partners behind the wildfire prevention legend Smokey Bear and his public service advertisement campaign—the longest running in United States history—have announced the 2021 winners of the national Smokey Bear [read more]
WASHINGTON—Ahead of spring outdoor recreation season, the USDA Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters and the Ad Council today announced a new public service advertisement (PSA) from Smokey Bear's Wildfire Prevention campaign encouraging Americans to explore nature responsibly by taking steps to prevent wildfires. "Smokey Bear continues his mission in this campaign to [read more]
The four co-sponsors of the national Wildfire Mitigation Awards have named the individuals 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 the three individuals chosen to receive 2021 Wildfire Mitigation Awards. This year's recipients have earned the highest commendation [read more]
The National Association of State Foresters has submitted formal comments to the USDA Forest Service regarding its guidebook chapter on Good Neighbor Authority (GNA). States are an essential partner in realizing GNA accomplishments; and NASF continues to appreciate the efforts by the Forest Service to embrace coordinating with state forestry agencies on GNA policy and [read more]
Meaningful, landscape-scale forest restoration doesn’t happen without collaboration across ownership boundaries. It is spurred and strengthened by the support of a determined executive, and underpinned by federal financial support largely conveyed through the USDA Forest Service’s State and Private Forestry (S&PF) mission area. Investments in S&PF programs and a shared commitment to working across jurisdictions [read more]
The National Association of State Foresters has submitted official comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildfire Service (FWS) and the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) regarding its proposed revisions to consultation regulations under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The proposed rule addresses the precedent set by Cottonwood Environmental Law Center v. U.S. Forest Service, a [read more]
State foresters celebrate the completion of 10-year Forest Action Plan revisions with videos depicting their agencies at work in support of forest health, resiliency, and productivity. WASHINGTON—The National Association of State Foresters has announced the release of a four-part video series that introduces state forestry agencies and illustrates the many benefits of their work with [read more]
In a letter to the incoming Biden administration, NASF and other avid supporters of urban and community forestry have detailed their recommendations for improving American communities through the maintenance and expansion of urban and community forests. Our nation’s current and expanding 138 million acres of urban forests and trees are key to addressing priorities identified [read more]
