The National Association of State Foresters is kicking off its 2019 Annual Meeting in Asheville, North Carolina, next week. Follow the meeting’s happenings with #NASF2019.
WASHINGTON—Shared stewardship, state Forest Action Plans, and the many societal benefits of healthy, productive, and resilient forests and trees will be in the spotlight next week at the National Association of State Foresters’ 2019 Annual Meeting in Asheville, North Carolina.
“We have put together a terrific program for this year’s annual meeting, complete with engaging speakers and dynamic panel discussions,” said Lisa Allen, NASF president and Missouri state forester. “With this line-up, we’ll not only be celebrating 100 years of shared stewardship, but actively building capacity among the dedicated professionals who will lead us into the next 100 years of collaborative forest management.”
This year’s state foresters’ meeting will be held in coordination with the North Carolina Forest Service.
“Every year, this meeting provides a venue for the kind of collaboration in forestry that is essential to the health, productivity, and resilience of our nation’s forests,” said Scott Bissette, assistant commissioner for the North Carolina Forest Service. “We are honored to host this year’s NASF Annual Meeting, where we, as a collective, will work to advance our shared interest in boosting forest health and reducing wildfire risk in our respective states and across America.”
On Monday and Tuesday, state foresters will be getting down to business, reviewing and approving budgets, orienting new members, and setting policy priorities that will guide and enhance the work of state forestry agencies nationwide.
On Wednesday, more than 200 attendees will kick off the morning with keynotes from the North Carolina Commissioner of Agriculture Steve Troxler and USDA Natural Resources and Environment Undersecretary Jim Hubbard. At lunch, nearly a dozen men and women will be recognized for their contributions to state and private forestry, and three general sessions focused on shared stewardship—the concept, the initiative, and where state foresters will take it—will round out the day’s programming.
Thursday’s agenda will take state foresters and their guests outdoors for a technical tour of the Cradle of Forestry, a historic, all-American treasure where forests, silviculture, and the unique beauty of the Southern Appalachians are celebrated. There, visitors will have the chance to traverse a series of trails, learn from area experts, and enjoy spectacular views along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The top sponsors of the 2019 NASF Annual Meeting include: the USDA Forest Service, Dauntless Air, BlazeTamer380, G.R. Manufacturing, ESRI, and the American Forest Foundation.
Media Contact: Whitney Forman-Cook at wforman-cook@stateforesters.org or 202-624-5417