The 2023 Council of Western State Foresters (CWSF)/Western Forestry Leadership Coalition (WFLC) Fall Meeting is just around the corner! This year’s meeting is November 28-30, 2023, in Waikoloa, Hawai‘i. Visit our event page for more details. 

Please contact Patricia Payne with any questions.

This month’s policy update highlights ON FIRE: The Report of the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission, the newly released Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for Wood Innovations, Community Wood, and Wood Products Infrastructure Assistance Grants, and updates from Washington D.C.

GNA Spotlight from New Mexico

A Good Neighbor Authority project in New Mexico aims to reduce hazardous fuels and improve wildlife habitat on over 1,500 acres in Grant County.

PIFC Executive Committee Meeting and Workshop

The Pacific Islands Forestry Committee (PIFC) is currently planning the PIFC Executive Committee Meeting to be held on Friday, December 1, and Saturday, December 2, in Waikoloa, Hawaiʻi, immediately following the 2023 CWSF/WFLC Fall Meeting. Meeting attendees include Pacific Island Foresters and USDA Forest Service partners. 

In addition, the PIFC is hosting a Technical Training Workshop in Hilo, Hawaiʻi, December 4 - 8, 2023. This workshop is designed for Pacific Island forestry agency staff and invited partners to receive technical forestry training on a variety of topics, including monitoring, data management, outreach, invasive species, program management, and grants.

For more information on the PIFC Executive Committee Meeting or PIFC Technical Training Workshop, please contact Sara Goodwin. 

Last week, the Western State Fire Business Managers Subcommittee (WSBM) met in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, for their annual meeting. The meeting had representation from 13 of the member states, USDA Forest Service, and Western State Fire Managers (WSFM) representatives in-person and virtually. The topics discussed were productive and started great conversations for states and partners.  

Taking a look at the previous year and fire season, WSBM reflected on the successes and challenges that were encountered for their states and regions. The Fire Business Managers also provided helpful advice, resources, and support to assist one another in the challenges that they have been facing.

Looking into the future, WSBM are working on putting together a white paper to benefit the states and regions. As well as collaborating more with the WSFM Committee to stay connected and to tackle challenges together as one group.

Photo: Halie Miyazawa

Community Wildfire Defense Grant (CWDG) Program

The fiscal year (FY) 2023 CWDG program opened for applications on July 31, 2023, and will close on October 31, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Applications are not eligible if they are received after the October 31, 2023 deadline. If interested in applying for this grant, please reach out to your point of contact that is listed in the NOFO. For more information and to view the recordings from the applicant webinars, visit the CWSF CWDG webpage or the USDA Forest Service CWDG webpage. 

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

Landscape Scale Restoration (LSR) Competitive Grant Program

The FY 2024 LSR Competitive Grant process opened for applications on August 21, 2023, and will close on November 17, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. Mountain Time. A recording of the applicant webinar can be found on our WFLC LSR webpage.

For more information about the FY 2024 LSR Grant Process, check out our WFLC blog post. 

If you have any LSR questions, please contact Leena Visnak. 

Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) Grant Program

The FY 2024 application process opened on October 12, 2023, and will close on January 18, 2024. The FY 2023 recommendation letter is available to view on our website. For more information, visit the CWSF WUI webpage.

If you have any WUI questions, please contact Leena Visnak. 

Liz Berger

This month, we are pleased to feature Liz Berger, Acting Regional Forester for the USDA Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region. 

We invite you to meet Liz!

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. 

See the calendar of meetings and events hosted by CWSF/WFLC and partner organizations.