Last week, NASF submitted comments to the USDA regarding their efforts to adapt to a changing climate as laid out in its 2012 Strategic Sustainability Performance Plan. The comments advanced the concepts approved by NASF as part of the policy statement, NASF Adaptation and Mitigation: Concepts for Forest-Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Legislation and Administrative Policy.
NASF also urged the USDA to recognize the carbon storage and sequestration potential of the nation’s forests and forest products and called attention to programs such as the Cooperative National Forest Products Marketing Program that advance the role of durable wood products in national carbon sequestration strategies. Further, NASF commented on the need to increase the use of wood products in building construction and recommended the USDA take steps to better recognize wood products in the USDA's BioPreferred program.