Organizational Highlights

2024 CWSF/WFLC Fall Meeting


Registration is open for the 2024 Council of Western State Foresters (CWSF)/Western Forestry Leadership Coalition (WFLC) Fall Meeting. This year’s meeting is November 5-7, 2024, in Missoula, MT. There are only two days left to take advantage of the early bird discount of $100 off and to book your lodging at the per diem rate!


Visit our registration page for more details.


Please contact Patricia Payne with any questions.

2024-2025 CWSF Executive Committee and WFLC Executive Board

The transition of the CWSF Executive Committee and WFLC Executive Board occurs following the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) Annual Meeting in September.


Learn more about the new leadership roster. 

A Look Back at Smokey Bear's 80th Birthday

CWSF Communications Intern Autumn Oberhart took a look back at Smokey Bear’s 80th birthday and highlighted how Western states celebrated the iconic symbol of fire prevention. From Kansas to Guam, people of all ages engaged in events that centered on fire prevention, education, and of course… Smokey’s big day. 


Read the blog post.



 

Ponderosa Pine Symposium - Request for Information

CWSF’s Forest Products Committee is seeking information to help develop a Ponderosa Pine Symposium. The symposium's purpose is to enhance ponderosa pine utilization by sharing the latest research, success stories, information on emerging technologies, and resources to support the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of the ponderosa pine sector of the timber industry.  


The Request for Information (RFI) will help CWSF refine the symposium and develop an RFP to solicit planning and facilitation services. 
 

BIL and IRA State Forestry Stories

Using funds from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the Nevada Division of Forestry will distribute $2.3 million in USDA Forest Service grants to 16 organizations in Nevada. This funding will help to implement projects that enhance tree canopies, mitigate urban heat island effects, support workforce development, and create a more equitable canopy distribution across the state.

If you are interested in submitting a story, please contact Kelsey Delaney and Sara Goodwin.

Policy Update

September 2024 Policy Update


Read the latest policy update from Neil Simpson, CWSF/WFLC Director of Policy. This month’s policy update covers: 

Click the links above to jump to each individual topic or download a PDF in the CWSF publication library.

Meet a Forester

Valerie Hipkins


This month, we are pleased to feature Valerie Hipkins, Station Director for the USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest and Pacific Southwest Research Stations.

Committee Updates

Partners Celebrate Success of Wyoming Forest Legacy Project

On August 13, Wyoming State Forestry Division gathered partners in Wilson, Wyoming, to commemorate the Munger Mountain Phase III (MM3), also known as Chimney Draw, conservation easement.


This 259.5-acre conservation easement conserves wildlife corridors and working forests and provides habitat for species like the Great Grey Owl and the famous Grizzly bear “399.”  


Learn more in a guest blog post by Jonathan Sloan with the Wyoming State Forestry Division.

Photo Credit: Dave Stubbs

Competitive Grants Updates

Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) Program


The fiscal year (FY) 2023 CWDG award list has been announced. Learn more about the announcement and funded projects. The timeline for round 3 is being determined and will be announced once finalized.


If you have any CWDG questions, please contact Halie Miyazawa.

Landscape Scale Restoration (LSR) Competitive Grant Program


The FY 2025 LSR grant process is now open and will close on November 15, 2024. For more information, and to view a recording of the FY 2025 informational webinar, visit the WFLC LSR webpage.


If you have any LSR questions, please contact Leena Visnak. 

Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Grant Program


The FY 2025 WUI grant application period opened on September 13, 2024, and will close on December 20, 2024. Additional information is available on the CWSF WUI webpage.


If you have any WUI questions, please contact Leena Visnak. 

News and Notes from Our Members and Partners

Community Navigators Initiative Q&A

WFLC collaborated with Thérèse d’Auria Ryley from Coalitions and Collaboratives Inc. to develop a blog post that highlights the Community Navigators Initiative. This USDA Forest Service initiative is designed to ensure equitable access to BIL and IRA funding.


The blog post aims to clarify how the initiative operates, address common questions, and provide valuable resources to help readers better understand and engage with the initiative.


Read the blog post.

Job Opportunities

Looking for a job opportunity in forestry? Find your next position in western forestry on the CWSF job blog.


If you would like to submit a job posting, please contact Patricia Payne. 

Western Happenings

For a quick look at a few of the recent happenings in the western region, check out the features below: 


States/Pacific Islands:

USDA Forest Service:

If you have a press release or feature you would like to include in an upcoming newsletter, please email Sara Goodwin. 

Meetings Calendar

See the calendar of meetings and events hosted by CWSF/WFLC and partner organizations.

Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) Science Symposium

Learn more about the FIA Science Symposium, an opportunity for scientific and technical exchange. The Symposium brings together partners, practitioners, and scientists with regional, national, and international inventory and monitoring missions. 


The symposium is coordinated by the USDA Forest Service, Pacific Northwest Research Station, FIA Program, the National Council for Air and Stream Improvement, and the Society of American Foresters. 


Learn more.

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Council of Western State Foresters | 2255 Sheridan Blvd, Suite C-327 | Edgewater, CO 80214 US

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