This workshop of the Chairman's Initiative was hosted by Oregon Gov. Kate Brown on Jan. 23-24, 2017, in Bend, Ore. Governor Brown, in her keynote, said "we accomplish more working together.” U.S. Forest Service Deputy Chief Leslie Weldon also delivered a keynote. Roundtable discussions examined how to get the most out of collaboration and ways to support and diversify rural economies.
This workshop of the Chairman's Initiative was hosted by South Dakota Gov. Dennis Daugaard on Dec. 1-2, 2016, in Deadwood, S.D. The opening keynote delivered by Governor Daugaard noted that "proper land management is critical. It helps control fire danger and supports economic growth and tourism." Roundtable discussions examined prescribed fires as a management tool and active management and innovative markets. A case study was presented on strengthening collaboration and collaborative processes.
This workshop of the Chairman's Initiative was hosted by Idaho Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter on Oct. 20-21, 2016, in Boise, Idaho. Keynotes were delivered by Governor Otter and Jim Lyons, Interior Deputy Assistant Secretary of Land and Minerals Management. Roundtable discussions examined Good Neighbor Authority projects and habitat conservation. Case studies were presented on Idaho's Rangeland Fire Protection Associations and Farm Bill Authorities’ Utilization.
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock hosted the first Initiative workshop Sept. 20-21 in Missoula, Mont. Keynotes were delivered by U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell and Gov. Steve Bullock who urged attendees to "take a hard look at collaboration. What makes it succeed? Why does it fail? How do the federal land managers embrace it? It's a discussion that will set the stage and tone for more hard work to follow." Roundtable discussions examined wildfire funding reform and the use of Farm Bill tools.
Montana Gov. Steve Bullock launched the Western Governors’ National Forest and Rangeland Management Initiative on Aug. 15, 2016, at Pyramid Mountain Lumber in Seeley Lake, Montana. The governor was joined at the rollout event by a variety of state and local officials. “We have a responsibility to do everything we can," Gov. Bullock said in a keynote address, "to keep workers in our forests, put more logs on trucks, and protect the public land and clean air and water that keep our heritage and economies strong.”
