Recent News
- Two Chiefs' Partnership Awards Nominations Open (December 2009)
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the U.S. Forest Service (FS) request nominations for their fourth annual Two Chiefs’ Partnership Award. The 2009 award is given in two categories, individual and group, to recognize exemplary partnership efforts promoting conservation and forest stewardship. Nominees must have worked jointly to achieve gains in forestry-related conservation with at least two of the following four organizations: conservation districts, NRCS, FS and State forestry agencies. Nominations should be submitted on our website via the online form by January 15, 2010.
- National Joint Forestry Team Re-chartered for an Additional Five Years (September 2009)
Executives from the National Association of State Foresters (NASF), USDA Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service and National Association of Conservation Districts signed a five year extension to the charter for the national Joint Forestry Team (pictured below). They signed the document formally extending the charter, following a panel discussion at the annual NASF meeting on September 21, 2009 in Albuquerque. Presentations from each of the executives urged members of the audience, all with forestry interests, to work together at all levels of their organizations to advance the cooperative forestry work being accomplished. Presently the work of the national Joint Forestry Team is being replicated both at the regional level like that of the Western Joint Forestry Team and at the state level such as in Montana where cooperators are preparing a memorandum of understanding.
For additional information on the re-charter signing, click here to view the article in the October edition of NACD's forestry publication, Forestry Notes.
- Montana Joint Forestry Team Outlines Goals (July 2009)
Montana's Joint Forestry Team came one step closer to formalizing the collaborative, interagency delivery of conservation forestry assistance to private landowners throughout the Treasure State. Members met recently to further define their vision of working together and outline their goals, roles and responsibilities. Those familiar with the national Joint Forestry Team effort will note that the Extension Service is not a signatory on the national memorandum of understanding (MOU). In Montana, the Montana State University Forestry Extension is an integral and critical partner in the delivery of forestry service to family forest landowners. To leave them out of this process would be a fatal flaw. Each state must evaluate their partners and processes and be sure that critical partners are at the table. Montana's MOU is being readied for signature by late August.
- Montana Forms Joint Forestry Team (May 2009)
The Montana Joint Forestry Team held their first meeting on May 21, 2009 to discuss a state level memorandum of understanding (MOU) on delivery of forestry assistance Montana’s 80,000 forest landowners. The group has made assignments for the drafting of the MOU, and hopes to have a document ready for signature later this year. Members of the new group include: Peggy Polichio, USFS-State and Private Forestry; Bob Harrington, MT Dept. of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) – Forestry; Peter Kolb, Montana State University Extension; Joyce Swartzendruber, NRCS; Jeff Tiberi, Executive Director, Montana Association of Conservation Districts (MACD); Steve Hedstrom, President, MACD; Ray Beck; Mary Sexton, DNRC Director; Rob Ethridge, DNRC – Forestry; and Bob Logar, NRCS.
- Joint Forestry Team Webinar (May 2009)
The Joint Forestry Team conducted a webinar for approximately 120 participants during the May 2009 meeting. The webinar presented recent Joint Forestry Team activities and events taking place at the state level. Click above to view a video version of the May 4, 2009 Joint Forestry Team webinar.
- Western Joint Forestry Team Teleconference Notes (January 2009)
Individuals representing NRCS, USFS, NACD, conservation districts, the Western Forestry Leadership Coalition and state forestry agencies from CA, CO, ID, MT, OR, UT and WA organized to implement actions defined in the national JFT MOU. This teleconference was a follow-up to the groups’ August 2008 meeting. New participants joined the group in this call.
- Joint Forestry Team Activities Update (October 2008)
- Western Joint Forestry Team Meeting Notes (August 2008)
Individuals representing NRCS, USFS, NACD, the Western Forestry Leadership Coalition and state forestry agencies from ID, MT, OR, UT and WA organized to implement actions defined in the national MOU. Representatives met in Lewiston, ID.
- Joint Forestry Team Activities Update (August 2008)
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