USDA agencies are crucial partners in active and locally relevant stewardship of public and private forests to maintain the many benefits nature provides, and in supporting thriving rural economies and resilient lands. Maintaining these essential benefits depends on a well-resourced, experienced, and locally rooted USDA. Any reorganization should strengthen – not weaken – these capacities.

Regional Forest Innovation proposal advances to semifinal round in NSF Regional Innovation Engines competition. Northern New England Precision Forest Management and Advanced Forest Bioproducts Engine (NNE-PROMISE) aims to advance forest technologies and grow the regional economy.

Legislative sessions have adjourned, marking the end of the road for many bills – some have been carried over to the next legislative session while others must be reintroduced during the next legislative session. Bills that have passed both the House and Senate must now be signed into law by each state's Governor.

All USFS programs focused on state, private, and tribal forestry; forest research; and wildfire management are slated for deep reductions or complete elimination in the president’s FY26 budget proposal. These cuts will severely impact the state forest agencies that assist private forest landowners responsible for managing millions of acres of forest.

The Northern Border Regional Commission, a highly effective entity, is slated for elimination in the President’s budget. Over the past 15 years, the Commission has delivered $335 million into 720 critical local economic development projects.

The Center calls on the Administration to reconsider its slashing of rural funding programs and the federal staff who deliver them, and on the members of the Congressional delegation serving this region to be vocal and active in defending these resources.

Across the region, policymakers are busy trying to move legislation through as states near the end of their legislative sessions. See what’s top of mind.

Instead of cutting into the deep knowledge and professional ranks of the Forest Service and compromising the public lands it stewards, now is the time to up our stewardship game and secure all the benefits the forest supplies – economic, environmental, and social.

Across the region, state legislatures are in session looking to amend or enact legislation that would bring state-wide changes for years or even decades down the road. See what’s top if mind.

The Northern Forest Center believes public forests in our region can be managed to remain healthy and productive carbon sinks and habitats, while also providing wood we need for our daily lives.