USDA
Under Secretary of Agriculture James Hubbard and Alabama Governor Kay Ivey
signed a Shared Stewardship agreement at a virtual signing event Tuesday
afternoon. The agreement is between USDA's Forest
Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service, along with, the Alabama
Department of Conservation & Natural Resources and the Alabama Forestry
Commission.
Shared
Stewardship agreements establish a framework for federal and state agencies to
collaborate better, focus on accomplishing mutual goals, further common
interests, and effectively respond to the increasing ecological challenges and
natural resource concerns.
“Shared
stewardship provides an incredible opportunity to work with the state of
Alabama to set stewardship priorities together,” said Hubbard. “We will combine
our mutual skills and assets to achieve cross-boundary outcomes desired by
all.”
This
new agreement centers on USDA’s commitment to work with states and other partners
to use the best available science to identify high-priority forests that need
treatment and to ensure the long-term sustainability of public and private
lands.
“From
our rolling mountains to our sparkling coast, the world can understand why they
call it ‘Alabama the Beautiful.’ I am pleased that we can build on the
conservation efforts already happening through these strong federal and state
partnerships,” Gov. Ivey said. “I look forward to our state continually working
for the good of the people as well as our natural resources and to preserve our
beautiful state for generations to come.”
“The
Alabama Forestry Commission is excited to formalize our working arrangement
with those federal partners who help us accomplish our mission,” said State
Forester Rick Oates. “This Shared Stewardship agreement will provide the
framework for us at the state level to work with the Forest Service and NRCS as
we strive to implement good forestry practices across Alabama.”
Alabama
becomes the 7th state in the South and 23rd in the Nation to sign
such an agreement to strengthen partnerships within the state to increase the
scope and scale of critical forest treatments that support communities and
improve forest conditions.
The
agreement can be found at https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/shared-stewardship.