State foresters declare National Prescribed Fire Act of 2021 a "win-win-win for forests, wildland fire management, and public health." WASHINGTON—The National Association of State Foresters has offered its full support for the National Prescribed Fire Act of 2021, a bill introduced Thursday in the Senate by Sens. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., Joe Manchin, D-W.V., Maria Cantwell, [read more]
At a hearing held by the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee today, Arkansas State Forester and NASF President Joe Fox testified on the merits of utilizing forests and forest products for addressing climate change. State forestry agencies are uniquely positioned to address climate change, promote forest carbon sequestration efforts, and ensure greater forest resilience. [read more]
WASHINGTON—The USDA Forest Service, the National Association of State Foresters and the Ad Council are reminding Americans everywhere of important wildfire prevention tips to keep in mind when spending time outdoors. The public service advertising (PSA) campaign emphasizes the role we each play in keeping our safe places safe when enjoying the outdoors this Memorial [read more]
In official comments sent to the USDA, the National Association of State Foresters responded to the Executive Order "Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad." America’s trees and forests are a strategic national resource with vast potential as solutions for climate change, public health, and economic challenges. Wildland fire is a national crisis – [read more]
In a letter to the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees on Interior, Environment and and Related Agencies, fifty organizations stated their support for increased fiscal year (FY) 2022 funding for the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program. We urge Congress to support FIA at no less than $93.5M in [read more]
In a Dear Colleague letter to the chair and ranking member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, members of the House asked that funding for the State Fire Assistance and Volunteer Fire Assistance programs be increased in fiscal year (FY) 2022 to help state and local agencies fight wildfires across the [read more]
In a letter to House members, a coalition of diverse organizations, businesses, professional societies, state fish and wildlife agencies, and tribal nations requested support for the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. The bipartisan bill was introduced today by Michigan Rep. Debbie Dingell and Nebraska Rep. Jeff Fortenberry. Read the support letter in full by clicking the [read more]
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]
