Western State Foresters Reaffirm the Importance of Partnership Under New USDA Forest Service Leadership

On March 18, the Council of Western State Foresters (CWSF) issued a press release to welcome the new USDA Forest Service leadership, reaffirm its commitment to working alongside partners to accomplish shared land management goals, and support the key forestry priorities announced by the National Association of State Foresters (NASF).

2025 Spring Meeting Registration

The CWSF and Western Forestry Leadership Coalition (WFLC) Spring Meeting will take place May 13-15, 2025, in Salt Lake City, Utah. The meeting agenda and registration details are available on our CWSF and WFLC websites. 

Please reach out to Patricia Payne with any questions.

Become a CWSF/WFLC Spring Meeting Sponsor

Spring Meeting sponsorship opportunities are now available! Contact Patricia Payne to learn about the options for sponsoring or exhibiting.

Communications Internship

CWSF is currently accepting applications for a Communications Intern. The application window closes on April 18. Thanks to the NASF Foundation for providing funding for this opportunity. 

March 2025 Policy Update

Read the latest policy update from Neil Simpson, Director of Policy for CWSF and WFLC.

This month’s policy update covers: 

• Trump Administration Appeals Reinstatement of Fired Probationary Employees
• Firefighter Pay Increase and Other 2025 Continuing Resolution Details
• Wildfire Response and Preparedness (WRAP) Act Introduced
• Senate Subcommittee holds hearing on Fix Our Forests Act 
• USDA Announces New Leadership at the Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Executive Orders Related to Forestry, Wildfire, and Federal Lands

Click the links above to jump to each individual topic or download a PDF on our website.

Ponderosa Pine Symposium RFP

The CWSF Forest Products Committee is seeking a company and/or contractor interested in planning and executing a Ponderosa Pine Symposium (Symposium) in November 2025 and crafting a report to follow the Symposium. 

• Chris French accepted the position of Acting Associate Chief of the USDA Forest Service. 
• Jacqueline Emanuel accepted the position of Acting Deputy Chief for the National Forest System. 
• Kristin Bail will serve as Acting Regional Forester for the USDA Forest Service Northern Region, effective March 31, 2025. Bail will temporarily succeed Regional Forester Leanne Marten as she reaches her long-planned retirement date after 34 years of service.  

To view a list of current CWSF and WFLC members, visit our member directory. If you are a member and wish to update this information, please contact Sara Goodwin. 

Western State Foresters and CWSF Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) Committee representatives were recently highlighted in a Stateline article discussing the vital role states play in implementing GNA.

View the story.

The four cosponsors of the national Wildfire Mitigation Awards have named the individuals and organizations chosen to receive honors this year in recognition of their exemplary commitment to community wildfire risk reduction.

View the press release.