National Association of Forest Service Retirees
Panorama of Mt Massive and Mt Elbert across Turquoise Lake outside of Leadville, CO, Pike-San Isabel NF
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Caring for the people who serve the land


Voluntary Separation Incentive Payments (VSIP) Facts March 19, 2025

RIF Fact Sheet March 11, 2025

Voluntary Early Retirement Authority March 7, 2025

"A Moment of Reflection" by Chief Randy Moore, February 26, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers developed in response to the mass termination of probationary employees. February 25, 2025

Federal cuts to Missouri and Illinois national forests have unclear impact

Links and Information from Oregon Federation of NARFE, February 23, 2025

"The Last Word: Power vs. Pride" by Tom L. Thompson, former Deputy Chief of the Forest Service, February 20, 2025

NAFSR Statement of Support and Resource Guide for current employees, February 16, 2025

NAFSR Provided
Congressional Testimony, March 6

NAFSR was invited to provide testimony at the Thursday, March 6, hearing of the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry of the U.S. Senate.

Board member Frank Beum represented NAFSR at the hearing of the Subcommittee on Conservation, Forestry, Natural Resources and Biotechnology.

The hearing was entitled “Legislative Hearing to Review H.R. 471, the Fix Our Forests Act, and Options to Reduce Catastrophic Wildfires.”

A copy of the written testimony is posted in the Advocacy list below.

CLICK HERE for the Frank Beum's testimony.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins has announced Tom Schultz will serve as the 21st chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service.

Chief Tom SchultzSchultz previously served as vice president of resources and government affairs at Idaho Forest Group, where he led timber procurement operations and managed relationships with government officials at all levels. A former U.S. Air Force officer, Schultz also served as director of the Idaho Department of Lands, overseeing the management of several million surface acres of endowment lands and minerals. He held leadership roles in Montana’s Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, managing the Trust Lands and Water Resources Divisions.

Schultz holds a bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Virginia, a master’s degree in political science from the University of Wyoming, and a master’s degree in forestry from the University of Montana.

"A Moment of Reflection"

 

by

Chief Randy Moore

February 26, 2025

THANK YOU RANDY

  • Join NAFSR Now – Membership Application
  • 2024 Accomplishment Report – See what we worked on last year.
  • NAFSR Beliefs and Values – A concise one-pager on what is important to us.
  • Join NAFSR Today! Click To Join

    2025 NAFSR BOD Meeting

    February 11-12, 2025

    The meeting was held in Denver, Colorado and well attended. CLICK HERE for the MEETING NOTES.

    Click on the photo to see an expanded and annotated version.

    • 2025 NAFSR BOD
    • 2025 NAFSR BOD
      NAFSR Board of Directors – February 11, 2025
      Standing – Ralph Crawford (Research), Bill Avey (National), Bill Timko (National), Doug Crandall (Congressional Liaison), Jerry Perez (R-3), Tim DeCoster (National), Frank Beum (R-2), Gene Blakenbaker (National), Johnny Hodges (Secretary), Rich Guldin (Research), Jeanne Wade Evans (National), Steve Ellis (Chair), Tom Thompson (former Board member), Mike Dudley (National).
      Sitting - Marisue Hilliard (R-8), Teresa Benson (R-5), Don Howlett (R-9), Cheryl Probert (R-1), Becki Heath (Vice Chair), Ed Shepard (PLF Liaison), Susan Skalski (National), Debbie Hollen (R-6), Earl Stewart (R-10), Nora Rasure (National).

     

    NAFSR 2024

    Accomplishment Report

    CLICK HERE

    NAFSR 2024-2025
    Program of Work

    CLICK HERE for the Program of Work Document


    Summary Report of the
    Mature and Old Growth Science Summit

    CLICK HERE - Mature and Old Growth Science Summit ReportThe Mature and Old Growth Science Summit was held from March 4-6, 2024, in Washington, DC.

    Organized and hosted by the Society of American Foresters (SAF) with support from the USDA Forest Service, the event brought together leading thinkers to present, discuss, and exchange ideas on the future of our forests in a changing climate with emphasis on mature and old-growth forests.

    CLICK HERE to read the report. It is a 40 page PDF.


    Prescribed Fire

    The U.S. Forest Service plans to increase its use of prescribed fire—deliberate burning in specific areas under managed conditions—to mitigate wildfire risk. The agency reviewed its prescribed fire program in 2022 and recommended reforms to enhance the program's safety. Since then, the agency has implemented some of the reforms and taken steps to address others.


    You can review the summary report (1 page) or full report (56 pages).


    Confronting the Wildfire Crisis

    In January 2022, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service launched a 10-year strategy called “Confronting the Wildfire Crisis: A Strategy for Protecting Communities and Improving Resilience in America’s Forests." CLICK HERE


    Rx-Fire-Strategy 2023 
June 17, 2023

     

     

    Rx-Fire-Strategy 2023
    June 17, 2023

     


    National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy
Addendum UpdateNational Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy
    Addendum Update

    CLICK HERE for the May 1, 2023 Addendum Update, to spotlight wildland fire critical emphasis areas and challenges


    Wildfire Resilience RoadmapWildfire Resilience Roadmap

    In March, 2023 the Nature Conservancy and Aspen Institute completed their report "Roadmap for Wildfire Resiliency".  CLICK HERE to review the document.




    NAFSR Op Eds

    Oregon Firefighter Arrest, February 14, 2024

    Firefighter Pay, February 14, 2024

    The Science is Clear, Catastrophic Wildfire Requires Forest Management


    2025 usfs retiree reunion logo and link

    The 2025 USFS Retiree Reunion will be held in Missoula, Montana. Plan ahead and join in on the fun. CLICK HERE to stay in the loop as this opportunity develops!

    Message from Chair Steve Ellis

    As you are no doubt aware, the past several days of the new administration have seen quite a sundry of executive orders and implementation actions, some of which impact the Forest Service, its dedicated career workforce, and the public they serve.

    This includes the proposal last Tuesday offering career employees an inducement to resign, and a spending freeze which is currently in legal battle. Much of this has been done in a way that is not typical of any administration changes I have experienced.

    Our career Forest Service colleagues, like us during our careers, are professionals who have been in their positions often for many years, or even decades. They have developed a real expertise, and that’s a great resource for the government and the American people.

    Our letter to the USDA transition team (posted on the NAFSR website), among other things, emphasizes the value of career Forest Service employees. Our position on this is steadfast and has not changed.

    As an organization, we think it’s best to resist being pulled into reacting to everything. There is certainly an abundance of direction coming out. We will continue paying attention to the new directions and mandates, stay focused on the critical issues, and engage where the Board feels we can be the most effective with our advocacy efforts.

    Thank you all for your many contributions to the sound management of our nation’s National Forests and Grasslands during your career, and for your NAFSR membership.

    Steve Ellis, Chair
    Becki Heath, Vice Chair
    January 30, 2025

     

    NAFSR Committees Portal

    Climate

    Fire

    Recreation

    Restoration


    Reports and Position Papers

    Forest Carbon Position Statement February 6, 2024

    Forest Carbon Science Statement February 6, 2024

    Climate Change Position Statement February 14, 2023

    Climate Change Science Statement February 14, 2023

    "Managing Wildland Fire" February 24, 2022

    "Forest Thinning and Prescribed Fire" December 12, 2021

    "America’s Forest Management Crisis" April 16, 2021

    FS Workforce Capacity Study July 26, 2019

    Sustaining the Forest Service September 12, 2018


     

    Click the cartoon for large display.

    • 2025 Forest Service Retiree Reunion

     

    NAFSR Body

     

    EXTRA...EXTRA...EXTRA

    National Conservation Legacy Center Ground breaking - CLICK and go to the museum site.

     

     - CLICK and go to the museum site.National Conservation Legacy Center Artist Rendering

    READ ALL ABOUT IT

     

    As Tom Thompson walked to the front of the crowd gathered on the grounds of the National Museum of Forest Service History on Friday afternoon (September 6, 2024), he was finding it hard to believe that the day had finally come.

    Within a few minutes, he and other museum board members and partners would hoist the 12 golden shovels waiting behind him to break ground on the new National Conservation Legacy Center. As more than 200 supporters braved the afternoon heat, Thompson thanked them for the seven years of support.

    CLICK HERE
    to read the whole story.

     

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