DENVER, CO – The Council of Western State Foresters (CWSF) welcomes the new USDA Forest Service leadership and reaffirms its commitment to working alongside partners to accomplish shared land management goals. Additionally, CWSF and its members support the key forestry priorities announced by the National Association of State Foresters (NASF).

Reflecting on the recent leadership change at the USDA Forest Service, CWSF extends its appreciation to former Chief Randy Moore and looks forward to collaborating with Chief Tom Schultz to achieve successful outcomes on state, private, and federal lands. 

"Western State Foresters are pleased to welcome Chief Schultz, and we look forward to his innovative ideas to support private landowners and enhance active management on federal lands," said John Erixson, State Forester for the Nebraska Forest Service and CWSF Executive Committee Chair. “His understanding of the diverse challenges and opportunities in the West will be a valuable asset."

State Foresters work across ownerships, relying on state and federal funding to protect forests from threats, including insects, disease, and catastrophic wildfires. They have a unique ability to act nimbly and efficiently in delivering programs that support local fire departments, rural landowners, forest markets, and wildfire management, among others.   

States alone cannot achieve this work; strong partnerships are essential. This is a pivotal time for CWSF, along with NASF, the Southern Group of State Foresters, and the Northeast-Midwest State Foresters Alliance, to strengthen the state-federal partnership with the USDA Forest Service. 

“State Foresters are committed to working alongside the Forest Service and other partners to improve outcomes across the forestry sector,” said Danielle Okst, Executive Director of CWSF. “CWSF is well positioned to facilitate cross-boundary collaboration throughout the West and explore opportunities for members to maximize benefits for forests and nearby communities.”

To learn more about CWSF, visit www.westernforesters.org. Explore the critical role of state forestry agencies by reading western success stories at www.westernforesters.org/state-forestry-success-stories.