NAASF Report

1. NAASF Report Andy Mason National Forester, NRCS Stowe, VT July 14, 2009

2. NRCS Forestry Futuring Team Report • Changes in NRCS Leadership • Farm Bill Update • Joint Forestry Team Update • Joint Forestry MOU – NA States are implementing…a few examples • Integrating Planning Tools, Processes, Databases • NRCS Forestry Futuring Team Report • Ideas for Partnering with NRCS

3. NRCS Leadership Changes • Dave White, Chief • Ginger Murphy, Associate Chief • Regional Conservationists: • Leonard Jordan – East Region (CT, DE, MA, MD, ME, NH, NY, OH, NJ, PA, RI, VT, WV ) • Tom Christensen– Central Region (IA, IL, IN, MI,MN, MO, WI ) • Bruce Wight, new National Forester

4. Farm Bill Update • All NRCS programs being implemented except Conservation Stewardship • EQIP – continuous applications • EQIP-funded Forest Management Conservation Activity Plans • NRCS piloting in 13 NA States – your State? PLEASE REVIEW & COMMENT by July 31: Draft“Guiding Principles for Delivery of Coordinated Planning Assistance to Private Forest Landowners”

5. Joint Forestry Team Update • Team is proposing a five year extension of its charter (2010 - 2014) • Team focus: national MOU implementation • May 4 “Jump Start” MOU webinar • New JFT task group – improve coordination between Plant Materials Centers, nurseries • Joint Forestry Team website launched:http://jointforestryteam.org/

6. Joint Forestry MOU – NA States are implementing! • MOUs/agreements: -Approved –OH, ME, others? -Near completion – MD, PA -Discussing possible MOU – CT, RI, MA, others? • EQIP forestry set-aside: IA, IL, NH, NY, others? • Keeping Forests in Forest: ME, NH, NY, VT • Upper Miss Forestry Partnership: IA, IL, IN, MN, MO, WI • Shared Forester Positions – OH, WV, MO • Forests in the Farm Bill Workshop – IN • EQIP Forest Mgmt Plan workshop for TSPs – MI, RI • Common Forest Mgmt Plan Template– MO

7. Integrating Planning Tools, Processes, Databases • Major focus of Joint Forestry Team • Updated Forest Stewardship Plans stds. & guides – FS and NRCS and coordinated on Appendix A (additional info need by NRCS for cost-share/EQIP) • FS and NRCS jointly will integrate FS’s WebDET planning tool/database and NRCS’s National Conservation Planning database. • Goal: Streamlined planning and expedited NRCS financial assistance to landowners to implement Forest Stewardship Plans, spatially track accomplishments.

8. NRCS Forestry Futuring Team Report • Purpose: Make recommendations regarding: What should NRCS’s future role and staffing be to efficiently deliver technical assistance in forestry and agroforestry? • Approved by Chief Dave White, March 2009; fully consistent with national MOU • 17 recommendations – At least four require cooperation with State forestry agencies, USFS, conservation districts, other partners atthe State and local level (rec. #s 1, 5, 9, and 10)

11. Ideas for Partnering with NRCS • Support development and implementation of Joint Forestry MOUs in every State. • Ensure NRCS is involved in the development and implementation of Statewide Assessments. • Ask NRCS about how to apply for Cooperative Conservation Partnership Initiative (CCPI) funds in 2010 to support implementation of your Statewide strategy. • Ask your State Conservationist how you can help implement the recommendations in the NRCS Forestry Futuring Team Report (Rec. #s 1, 5, 9 and 10). MANY MORE! – see handout

12. Andy’s parting thoughts as National Forester WORKING WITH NRCS REQUIRES: • Strong relationships – multiple levels, wide and deep!Doyou know NRCS people in your State/local office? • A common purpose – much more than just EQIP $$! Do you have a state-level joint forestry MOU? • Sharing information – programs, priorities, issues! Do you and NRCS share important information? • State Technical Committee participation – essential! Does your State have a forestry subcommittee?

13. Andy’s parting thoughts as National Forester NRCS is a vital partner in conservation! NOW IS THE TIMEto build & expand partnerships with NRCS – the stars are aligned! • 2008 Farm Bill • Joint Forestry MOU • NRCS Forestry Futuring Team Report • Joint Forestry Team • Many State- and multi-state level partnering examples/models!