State Foresters Assn. Release Key Priorities
The National Assn. of State Foresters has outlined its main priorities to promote working lands for communities and address the unique needs of each state. State forestry agencies manage over two-thirds of the U.S.’s forestlands by providing technical assistance to private landowners, wildfire protection on over 1.59 billion acres, and directly managing 76 million acres of state-owned forestland nationwide.
“These priorities will be most effectively realized through state and regional coordination and continued collaboration with federal agencies. State forestry agencies are well-positioned to assist the Forest Service in implementing organizational changes as well as delivering outcomes that benefit all Americans,” says Patty Cormier, Maine State Forester and President of the National Assn. of State Foresters.
Firstly, the group seeks to support state-driven solutions for forests and communities: State-federal partnerships are crucial in streamlining federal policies to enhance active forest management on all lands and reduce wildfire risks. State forestry agencies are committed to bolstering historic state-federal partnerships through State, Private & Tribal Forestry (SPTF) Programs and shared stewardship agreements. With a deep understanding of local landscapes and communities, state forestry agencies are both innovative leaders and vital partners in delivering forestry initiatives across state, private and federal lands.
The association is a champion for smart and cost-effective wildfire policy nationwide. State Foresters support policies that substantially increase active forest management and fuel treatments across all landscapes and ownerships to reduce wildfire risk. State Foresters also advocate for policies that improve efficiency and continue to leverage support from state and federal agencies in rapid and effective wildfire management.
Thirdly, the group intends to grow and diversify America’s declining forest markets: Robust forest products markets are essential to supporting active forest management and creating opportunities for private forest landowners to keep their forests intact and healthy. State forestry agencies encourage federal investment and commonsense policy changes that protect domestic markets. By growing and diversifying forest markets, we can increase employment opportunities, support local economies, and incentivize forest management practices that contribute to resilient forests nationwide.
And, finally, the association seeks to create efficiencies for our forests and communities: Over half of forested land in the U.S. is privately owned and nearly half of Americans live near forests. State Foresters support exploring opportunities to further federal land management and streamline the delivery of assistance to private landowners to maximize benefits to American communities. State Foresters are eager to address forest health and wildfire problems through a strengthened shared stewardship, all-lands management partnership.
“We are eager to continue working closely with the Forest Service under the new leadership of Chief Tom Schultz,” says Jay Farrell, executive director of the National Assn. of State Foresters. “His experience working for state agencies in Montana and Idaho provides a fresh perspective to the complex issues facing the agency, and the links between forest markets, forest management, and partnerships. State foresters look forward to continuing productive working relationships with him.”
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