Funds for sustainable urban and rural forest issues in Nevada
USFS NEWS RELEASE
OGDEN, Utah – More than $8 million in recently awarded federal funds have been distributed by the U.S. Forest Service in the Intermountain Region to help states sustain urban and rural forests, and to protect communities from wildfires, insects, diseases and invasive plants.
“State Foresters have begun distributing these funds to help keep communities safe while making forests more resilient from diseases, insects and invasive species,” stated Intermountain Regional Forester Harv Forsgren. “Many funds are targeted for firefighter training and equipment. The balance of the funds will be available to landowners and state resource managers to address forest health challenges. This annual funding is critical especially when so many of our private landowners and states are experiencing tough budgetary times.”
Within the Intermountain Region, the Nevada Division of Forestry received $3.9 million. The Forest Service’s State and Private Forestry program facilitates the funding process. Grant recipients typically use the federal funding for tree planting operations, fuel thinning, firefighting efforts and overall forest management issues. “Our relationship with the US Forest Service’s State & Private Forestry is very long and strong, and provides critical cost-share grants to Nevada’s state and private landowners in the areas of forest health, reducing the threat of wildfire and improving natural resources,” said Pete Anderson, Nevada State Forester.
State and private forested lands cover approximately 490 million acres across the country. These lands provide clean air and water, wildlife habitat, outdoor recreation, open space and about 70 percent of the nation’s wood supply. The State and Private Forestry program provides assistance to owners of these lands to better manage their land and to provide local public benefits. More information is available in the State and Private Forestry Annual Report.
The mission of the USDA Forest Service is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. The Agency manages 193 million acres of public land, provides assistance to State and private landowners, and maintains the largest forestry research organization in the world.
