The National Association of State Foresters joined over 60 other partner organizations in a letter recommending a funding level of no less than $32.2 million in program dollars for the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Program in FY25. The letter was sent to the Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies in both chambers of Congress. The letter also includes a request for $54.9 million for Salaries and Expenses for the FIA program.
State Forestry Agencies rely on the inventory, data, and analysis provided by the program, which make up the backbone of scientific knowledge on the current state of the nation’s forests. This critical information is needed to support sound policy and forest management decisions across all land ownerships. It is increasingly important for decisions regarding forest carbon, sustainability, forest health, and existing and expanding markets.