The Joint Forestry Team (JFT) held its annual leadership meeting virtually on Dec. 9 to recap 2020 projects and explore opportunities for the JFT to work on in the coming year.
JFT members heard from NRCS Acting Chief Kevin Norton, Forest Service Associate Deputy Chief for State and Private Forestry John Crockett, NACD President-Elect Michael Crowder and NASF Executive Director Jay Farrell.
The meeting also included a Collaboration Showcase led by JFT Chair Susan Stein of the Forest Service. Presentations demonstrated efforts across the country where a multitude of partners are engaged in collaborative forestry efforts. This year’s presentations included:
- Sentinel Landscapes Program – Kristin Thomasgard of the Department of Defense discusses how the program helps strengthen military readiness through conservation efforts that also bolster agricultural and forestry productivity. CLICK HERE TO WATCH
- Great Plains Initiative – Adam Smith of the Nebraska Forest Service discusses research findings and future forest restoration efforts. CLICK HERE TO WATCH
- Ohio Interagency Forestry Team – Jerel Bartig of the Forest Service discusses how partners in Ohio are getting more done through a coordinated effort. CLICK HERE TO WATCH
The JFT will hold its annual meeting in February 2021 (virtual).
The Joint Forestry Team consists of the U.S. Forest Service, Natural Resources Conservation Service, National Association of State Foresters and National Association of Conservation Districts. Its mission is to make recommendations that result in coordinated interagency delivery of forestry and conservation assistance for working forests, farms, and ranches. Team participants seek to improve the sustainability of the nation’s forests in order to provide optimum levels of public benefits and ecosystem services.