Issues
Briefing paper: State Forestry Agency Perspectives Regarding 2009 Federal Wildfire Policy Implementation (July 2010)
Posted on Monday, July 12, 2010
In 2009, federal agencies clarified existing agency fire policy, leading to changes in terminology and how some wildfires were managed. To proactively address these issues within the construct of resource-benefit wildfire management strategies, NASF has endeavored to capture lessons learned from the 2009 fire season and provide recommendations as to how they can be incorporated in future wildfire incidents. The intent is to improve the level of cooperation and understanding by all parties engaged in or affected by wildfires that are managed for multiple objectives.State Forestry Agencies Identify Priority Lands and Issues Across America
Posted on Monday, June 21, 2010The fifty-nine members of the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) have completed the first-ever comprehensive suite of Statewide Forest Resource Assessments and Strategies as part of a national effort towards protecting and sustaining healthy forests. The assessments provide an analysis of forest conditions and trends in the state and identify priority rural and urban forest areas and issues. The strategies provide long-term plans for addressing needs identified in the assessments through state agency initiatives, partner engagement and federal investments. Individually and as a whole, the Statewide Forest Resource Assessments and Strategies represent an invaluable asset to the nation for forest conservation decision making.
Briefing paper: State Forestry and Type 3 All-Hazard Incident Management Teams (June 2010)
Posted on Friday, June 4, 2010
This NASF briefing paper prepared by the NASF Forest Fire Protection Committee dicusses improving state forestry agency collaboration with All-Hazard Type 3 IMTs for wildland fire support and all-hazard response, as well as an NWCG Pilot Program to be utilized for national deployment in support of wildland fire IMTs. FY2009 State and Private Forestry Annual Report: All Lands, All Hands (March 2010)
Posted on Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Achieving an "all lands" vision of the nation's forests requires "all hands," and the FY2009 S&PF Annual Report provides a look at the wide variety of projects, programs, and people that help accomplish the three national forestry priorities -- Conserve Working Forest Landscapes, Protect Forests From Threats and Enhance Public Benefits from Trees and Forests. The report also offers state perspectives on how their agencies approached the development of the soon-to-be-released Statewide Forest Resource Assessments and Strategies.
NASF Letter: Comments on Forest Service Planning Rule Notice of Intent (Feb. 16, 2010)
Posted on Tuesday, February 16, 2010NASF appreciates the opportunity to comment on the Notice of Intent (NOI) for a new National Forest System (NFS) land management planning rule. The new planning rule must contribute to a national forest conservation vision for all lands by facilitating on-the-ground forest management, protection, and restoration activities on National Forests and grasslands.
Creating Jobs in the Forestry Sector
Posted on Tuesday, February 9, 2010
NASF urges Congress to help restore jobs and create new ones by reinvesting in our nation's public and private forests through "shovel-ready" activities on non-federal lands.
NASF Letter: Lincoln/Chambliss - support for Harris Sherman's nomination for USDA Under Secretary for NRE (October 5, 2009)
Posted on Monday, October 5, 2009We write today providing our unqualified endorsement of Mr. Harris Sherman's nomination for Under Secretary for Natural Resources and the Environment (NRE) at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
NASF Letter: EPA - Proposed Changes to the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) Program (Sept. 25, 2009)
Posted on Friday, September 25, 2009The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) appreciates the opportunity to provide comments in response to EPA's Proposed Rule on the Regulation of Fuels and Fuel Additives: Changes to Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) Program.
NASF Resolution No. 2009-6: Forest Inventory & Analysis (FIA) Program Funding and Priorities
Posted on Wednesday, September 23, 2009A current and accurate forest inventory is a threshold requirement if we are to conserve and restore all of America's forests. The inventory must address the rapidly emerging issues of climate change, carbon, biomass, and land use change. But portions of the nation's forests are not being inventoried, funding is inadequate to implement FIA as currently designed, and FIA needs to be enhanced to provide data relevant to current and emerging issues.
State Foresters Applaud USDA Secretary Vilsack's ‘All-lands' Approach to Nation's Forests
Posted on Tuesday, August 25, 2009In a recent letter to U.S Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, NASF applauded the new vision he shared for America's forests during an August 14 address in Seattle. State Foresters have a long history of working cooperatively with the Forest Service and were pleased to see the secretary recognize that the agency's responsibilities extend well beyond national forests and urge more visible support for the agency's state and private role.
