With the Chattahoochee National Forest a huge part of the undertaking, Georgia and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) signed a memorandum of understanding Monday. According to the forest service (USFS), the agreement reaffirms a joint commitment to “coordinated, cross-boundary forest management across priority landscapes in the state.”
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The Forest Service (USFS) is working hand-in-hand with state and local governments to manage the nation’s forests more effectively. Agreements such as this one help create more responsive local decision-making, stronger partnerships, and better results for Georgia’s communities. The agreement also formalizes the strong collaboration that already existed between Georgia and the Forest Service and supports implementation of Executive Order 14225 Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production.
In Georgia, the shared stewardship framework supports cooperative efforts related to wildfire mitigation, prescribed fire, hazardous fuels reduction, forest restoration, forest products utilization, recreation and long-term resilience of forested landscapes.
“Georgia’s forestry industry, the largest in the nation, has shown great resilience in the face of extraordinary challenges,” said Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. ”This agreement will help strengthen the existing relationships between state and federal industry leaders, ensuring we continue to steward our bountiful natural resources while supporting the hardworking Georgians who depend on them for their livelihoods.”
The agreement aligns Forest Service priorities to expand state, tribal and local partnerships; accelerate active forest management; and strengthen coordinated wildfire risk reduction efforts nationwide.
“This agreement strengthens forest management across ownership boundaries and benefits everyone involved,” said Georgia Forestry Commission Director and State Forester Johnny Sabo. “By improving the health and resilience of national forest lands, we also reduce wildfire risk, lessen forest health threats like southern pine beetle, and support more productive forests for neighboring private landowners and communities.”
This agreement follows similar agreements with Montana, Idaho, and Utah. For more information on the agreement, visit: https://www.fs.usda.gov/working-with-us/shared-stewardship