State Foresters Point Presidential Transition Team Toward Plight of US Forests

A few days ago, the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) released a white paper on the group's website (www.stateforesters.org) entitled, 'FOUR ACTIONS TO SUPPORT SUSTAINABLE FORESTS - 2009 Presidential Transition White Paper.'

A laudable effort to focus the attention of the incoming administration of President-Elect Obama on the precarious future of America's forests, NASF's appeal uses candor and good reputation to effectively make the salient point- "We are currently experiencing unsustainable losses of forestlands and the benefits they provide to Americans." While of little surprise to many resource managers and organizations who carefully track loss and change of forests and other natural systems over time, the statement carries significant weight when made by the State Foresters. The big question is - will we see any significant movement on this critical item, or will it be squashed by the economic crisis? The coming months should reveal whether the new administration intends to address the paper's major issues:

• Rapid loss of forestlands to development
• Insect and disease outbreaks
• Impacts of large-scale wildfires
• Loss of forest industry and working forestlands

Seeking an integrated federal response to thwart long-lasting effects of these critical problems, the State Foresters offer 'FOUR REQUESTED ACTIONS FOR THE ADMINISTRATION':

1. FRAMEWORK FOR SUSTAINABLE FORESTS
2. TARGETED FEDERAL FUNDING
3. FIRE SUPPRESSION FUNDING FIX
4. FOREST ENERGY AND CLIMATE INITIATIVES

Read the NASF White Paper here.