By James Wright
Our next installment of successful state partnerships highlights the long-standing efforts between NRCS and the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF). Since 2012 both agencies have maintained cooperative agreements that enables ODF to provide technical forestry assistance on non-industrial private forestland (NIPF). This encompasses close to 3.7 million acres owned by more than 166,000 family owners.
The first agreement provided funding for a few foresters in Northeast Oregon, however, the partnership has expanded to support over 35 foresters and other natural resource professionals. The collaborative effort assists NIPF owners with implementing forest management activities that address NRCS Oregon’s Strategic Approach to Conservation and ODF State Forest Action Plan focus areas.
To date this partnership has addressed shared forest resource concerns by providing nearly $45 million in funding to NIPF owners from both the 2014 and 2018 USDA Farm Bills. Examples of successful projects can be found by clicking on the link below:
State Partnerships Work: Oregonians’ Real-World Success Stories
Contact James Wright (jwright@stateforesters.org), NASF Forestry Partnership Coordinator, to discuss state-level collaborative efforts in your area.