National Association of Conservation Districts Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL February 2, 2010 The Next Generation of The Next Generation of Conservation Steven W. Koehn, MD State Forester President, NASF

Investing in America’s Forests All-lands Policy approach State Forest Resource Assessments and Strategies Leadership via the Joint Forestry Team

NASF All Lands Policy Platform USDA Secretary Vilsack’s vision of an “All-lands approach” to managing the nation’s forests Forests are a strategic national resource "The conservation of natural resources is the basis, and the only permanent basis, of national success. There are other conditions, but this one lies at the foundation." Gifford Pinchot, 1911

Federal Agency Leadership & Collaboration Stand up the Forest Resource Coordinating Committee Continue supporting the Joint Forestry Team Ensure inter-agency collaboration with federal agencies

Priority Landscapes & Forest Resource Needs State Assessments and Strategies State Forestry Agencies Will Need Help Forest Inventory and Analysis National Wildland Fire Framework and Cohesive Strategy

Targeted Funding for Essential Infrastructure Increase Boots-On- The-Ground Capacity Next Generation of Federal Funding Support Meaningful Increases in Federal Funding for Forestry Programs in the 2008 Farm Bill

Market Contributions to Forest Health & Restoration No markets, no management; no cash flow, no conservation USDA Office of Ecosystem Services New Comprehensive Forest Markets Program (similar to the Economic Action Program)

Climate Change, Renewable Energy, & Water Connect Forests to High-Profile National Priorities 2011 International Year of Forests

Legislation & Policies that Sustain Trees & Forests 2008 Farm Bill / 2009 FLAME Act 2010 Climate, Biomass and Renewable Energy, and Water Quality National Framework for Sustainable Forests Eliminating Process Gridlock & Barriers to Forest Management Revise U.S. tax policies

Proof of Concept Demonstrations on Priority Landscapes High-profile Projects from Across the Nation Wildland Urban Interface Fire Assessment (Hazard, Risk, Sensitivity)

Focus on national issues and sustaining diverse public benefits. Prioritize using the best available information to assess conditions & identify opportunities. Outcomes are achieved through collaboration, partnerships and working at appropriate scales. Redesign of State & Private Forestry

State Assessments/Strategies

National Themes Sustainable Forestry Tree Production Community Forestry Conserve Working Forest Landscapes Informa tion and Educatio n Conserve Working Forest Landscapes Enhance Benefits From Trees and Forests Protect Forests from Harm

Moving Forward “We must be more than careful stewards of the land; we must be constant catalysts for positive change.” - Gifford Pinchot

Steven W. Koehn, MD State Forester (410) Jay Farrell, NASF Executive Director (202) Thank You