WASHINGTON—The National Association of State Foresters, composed of the directors of forestry agencies in the states, territories and the District of Columbia, has unveiled its Farm Bill policy priorities. The Farm Bill, on track to be reauthorized in 2018, will include important conservation provisions that help state forestry agencies carry out their missions to conserve, protect, [read more]
The Communities at Risk Report helps provide a national snapshot of wildland fire risk, preparedness and capacity in fiscal year 2016. The data show progress to identify communities at risk of wildfire and those that are moving toward reducing risk, as well as increased capacity through the development of Community Wildfire Protection Plans and other [read more]
ARLINGTON, Va.—The Partner Caucus on Fire Suppression Funding Solutions, a broad, bipartisan coalition of conservation, timber, tribal, recreation, sportsmen and employer groups, praised Representatives Mike Simpson (R-Id.) and Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.) for introducing the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act of 2017 (WDFA). The bill would change how the federal government budgets for the suppression of large [read more]
WASHINGTON—The National Association of State Foresters reacted with disappointment today to President Donald Trump’s fiscal year (FY) 2018 budget recommendations. The proposed budget includes significant cuts in forestry programs, including a recommended 50 percent reduction of USDA Forest Service State and Private Forestry program funding. Bill Crapser, Wyoming State Forester and president of the National Association of [read more]
Bipartisan bill to prioritize forest landscape-scale projects across both private and public land. WASHINGTON—This week Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the Empowering State Forestry to Improve Forest Health Act of 2017. This bipartisan legislation would direct funding toward the highest priority projects, resulting in measurable improvements to non-federal private forests and nearby [read more]
WASHINGTON—With the announcement that Sonny Perdue has been confirmed as Secretary of Agriculture, the National Association of State Foresters issued the following statement: “The National Association of State Foresters looks forward to working with our new Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue. Through strong partnerships with the Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, both agencies under [read more]
WASHINGTON—Citing the need to continue to support rural communities, rural jobs, private forest owners, and the economic and environmental benefits forests provide, 42 organization's participating in the Forests in the Farm Bill Coalition today released a letter outlining initial priorities for the 2018 Farm Bill. From our nation’s forests, we manufacture over $200 billion in products annually, [read more]
State forestry agencies develop and implement forestry best management practices (BMPs) that are designed to protect water quality and maintain water quantity. State forestry BMP programs are highly diverse to reflect the wide range of forested landscapes and unique state characteristics found throughout the country.
WASHINGTON—Following the announcement of president-elect Donald J. Trump’s nomination of former Georgia Gov. Sonny Perdue for the Secretary of Agriculture, the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) issued the following statement: “The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) looks forward to working with Sonny Perdue as Agriculture Secretary. In conjunction with the State and Private [read more]
Individuals, organizations honored for exemplary commitment to community wildland fire protection. WASHINGTON—The Wildfire Mitigation Awards committee has announced the 2017 Wildfire Mitigation Award winners. Established in 2014, the awards are the highest commendation for innovation and leadership displayed by individuals and organizations committed to wildfire mitigation. The Wildfire Mitigation Awards are sponsored by the National [read more]
