Organizational Highlights

We are Hiring!


The Council of Western State Foresters (CWSF) is currently accepting applications for a Director of Wildland Fire. The application window closes on February 7, 2025.


We encourage you to share this opportunity with anyone who may be interested.

2024 CWSF/WFLC Fall Meeting Recap

In case you missed it, our November newsletter was a special edition highlighting the 2024 CWSF and Western Forestry Leadership Coalition (WFLC) Fall Meeting.


Explore the newsletter to learn about information and resources shared during the meeting.


Save the Date for the 2025 CWSF/WFLC Spring Meeting, May 13-15 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and for the 2025 CWSF/WFLC Fall Meeting, November 4-6 in Arizona. 

BIL and IRA State Forestry Stories


Through the Good Neighbor Authority (GNA) and funded in part by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) is partnering with the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest to carry out fuels reduction work in the municipal watershed for Butte, Montana.

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

Photo: Gary Ellingson

Policy Update

December 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 on our website.

Committee Updates

U&CF Publication

The WFLC Western Urban and Community Forestry Committee recently developed a publication, Collective Progress: Enhancing Urban & Community Forestry Across the West, featuring U&CF stories from 10 western states centered on the impact of increased state and federal funding.  

GNA Synthesis & StoryMap

The CWSF GNA Committee developed a western synthesis of GNA activities and accomplishments across 13 state forestry agencies from the time each state began implementing GNA through the end of state fiscal year (FY) 2024. 


View the 2024 Synthesis and StoryMap of GNA stories from across the western region.

Photo: Will Bedient, SCNF

GNA Spotlight - Idaho

A GNA project between the Idaho Department of Lands and the Salmon-Challis National Forest is piloting the use of state-of-the-art technology to address a backlog of regeneration surveys to determine reforestation needs.

Highlights from the 2024 PIFC Executive Committee Meeting

The Pacific Islands Forestry Committee (PIFC) Executive Committee convened for its 2024 meeting from October 21 to 23 in Majuro, Marshall Islands.


During the meeting, the PIFC Executive Committee participated in the 2024 World Food Day & Bob Festival Revival, completed an in-depth review of its charter, revised its strategic plan, and elected a new leadership team.

Meet a Forester


Randon Jack


This month, we are pleased to feature Randon Jōbro Jack, Chief of Forestry/State Forester for the Republic of the Marshall Islands Ministry of Natural Resources and Commerce.

Competitive Grants Updates

CWDG Program


Round 3 opened for applications on November 21 and will close at midnight (Eastern) on February 28, 2025. If you are interested in applying, please contact your state point of contact, which is listed in the Notice of Funding Opportunities on grants.gov. For more information, visit the Forest Service CWDG webpage and the CWSF CWDG webpage.


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

LSR Competitive Grant Program


The FY 2025 LSR grant application process closed on December 2, 2024. The scoring period opened on December 13, 2024, and will close on February 7, 2025. For more information, visit the WFLC LSR webpage.


If you have any LSR questions, please contact Leena Visnak

WUI Grant Program


The FY 2025 WUI grant application period opened on September 13, 2024, and will close on December 20, 2024. The Calibration Training took place December 10-11 in Omaha, Nebraska. Scoring will open on January 3 and close on February 14, 2025. 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

Member and Partner Transitions

Idaho: Julia Lauch has been named State Forester and Division Administrator for Forestry and Fire with the Idaho Department of Lands.  


USDA Forest Service Southern Research Station: Rick Cooksey accepted the position of Acting Director for the Southern Research Station effective November 19. 


USDA Forest Service Washington Office: Anne Buckelew accepted the role of Acting Director for Forest Health Protection within the State, Private, and Tribal Forestry Deputy Area in the Washington Office, effective November 19. 


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

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.

2025 Smokey Bear Awards

Nominations are open for the 2025 Smokey Bear Awards! The Smokey Bear Awards are the highest national honor one can receive for outstanding work and significant program impact in wildfire prevention.


Learn more about the criteria and submit a nomination. Nominations must be submitted by December 31, 2024.

Questions, comments, feedback? Please contact us!

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