Joint Forestry Team sets priorities for 2018

Last month, the Joint Forestry Team (JFT) held its 2018 in-person meeting in Nashville, Tenn., as part of NACD’s 72nd Annual Meeting.

The JFT consists of the U.S. Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), National Association of State Foresters (NASF) and NACD. Its mission is to make recommendations that result in coordinated interagency delivery of forestry and conservation assistance for working forests, farms and ranches. Team participants seek to improve the sustainability of the nation’s forests in order to provide optimum levels of public benefits and ecosystem services.

NACD’s representatives include Tom Crowe of Indiana, Steve Hedstrom of Montana and John McAlpine of Arkansas. All three also serve on NACD’s Forestry Resource Policy Group.

Crowe has served on the JFT since 2012 and is confident in the mission of this team. “The Joint Forestry Team is a great vehicle to explore some of the common forestry issues our groups face and find ways we can work together to solve those issues,” Crowe said.

In Nashville, the JFT reviewed its current five-year work plan and selected three priorities for 2018. Read more>>>


Forestry highlights from Nashville - 2018 NACD Annual Meeting

Last month, the Forestry Resource Policy Group (RPG) met in Nashville to finalize its annual list of priorities and note 2017 accomplishments from their three-year strategic plan.

The group welcomed new National Conservation District Employees Association (NCDEA) Representative Garrett Stephens of Colorado’s Jefferson Conservation District. The group also discussed initial planning for the summer forestry meeting to be held in conjunction with the NACD Summer Board Meeting in Williamsburg, Va.

The Forestry RPG engaged in discussion throughout the week with several partners representing the U.S. Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), National Association of State Foresters, National Agroforestry Center, National Wild Turkey Federation, Ground Water Protection Council and the Keeping Forests as Forests collaboration.

“We had a good meeting, with great attendance,” Forestry RPG Pacific Region Representative Doug Rushton said. “I’m always impressed by the dedication and thoughtfulness of our RPG members who contribute year after year. We’re grateful to our partners for joining the discussion and sharing updates about the forestry programs and opportunities relevant to our districts.”

The Forestry RPG also heard details about two new tools planned for 2018 including a “Forestry Notes” YouTube channel and a LinkedIn group catered to the interests of conservation district forestry professionals.

NACD also continues to add to its national forestry network. Currently the Forestry RPG has identified state forestry contacts in 29 states. Ideal contacts are engaged in conservation district forestry activity and are willing to help their Forestry RPG region representative distribute forestry program information to conservation district professionals throughout their state.

Conservation districts are encouraged to email videos to NACD Forestry Specialist Mike Beacom (mike-beacom@nacdnet.org) to share on the channel. The LinkedIn group is expected to launch later this year.


Forestry Notes Q&A: Will Novy-Hildesley
Executive Director, North American Forest Partnership

Will Novy-Hildesley has extensive experience with the forest sector, developing new initiatives, and leading multi-stakeholder brand initiatives that bridge for-profit/non-profit and government. He joined the North American Forest Partnership (NAFP) recognizing a tremendous opportunity to bring together many diverse interests with a fresh and compelling story to help shape the future of forests. Recently he shared some time with NACD to discuss NAFP’s mission and its national conference last fall. Read more>>>


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