Signatories meet to renew the Alabama Shared Stewardship Agreement at the Alabama State Capitol in Montgomery, Alabama. Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey is seated. Back row, from left: Ben Malone, state conservationist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Michelle Samuel-Foo, deputy regional forester, U.S. Forest Service; Kennon White, assistant chief South Region, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service; Tom Schultz, chief, U.S. Forest Service; Rick Oates, state forester, Alabama Forestry Commission; Ben Stimpson Jr., commissioner, Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; and Linwood Butler, forest supervisor, National Forests in Alabama. (Forest Service photo by Dawn Suiter)

MONTGOMERY– Alabama and two federal agencies have renewed a forest stewardship agreement aimed at healthier forests, lower wildfire risk, and improved recreation.

The U.S. Forest Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service announced the renewed partnership with the state in an October 20 release.

The agreement also builds on a 2021 memorandum of understanding. It sets priorities for timber management, habitat restoration, and outdoor access across public and private lands over the next five years.

North Alabama Connections

The partnership has regional relevance through Bankhead National Forest and the northeastern districts of Talladega National Forest.

Bankhead National Forest lies in Lawrence, Winston, and Franklin counties. The agency also identifies Talladega’s Shoal Creek and Talladega districts in Cherokee, Calhoun, Cleburne, Talladega, and Clay counties.

For residents who use these forests, the statewide priorities include reducing wildfire risk and improving trails, roads, and recreation access.

However, the announcement does not identify specific projects, funding amounts, or construction schedules for those counties. Expanded prescribed burning and forest-health work are goals of the agreement, rather than announcements of particular local operations.

Timber, Wildlife, and Outdoor Access

State and federal partners also plan to support sustainable timber production and markets for forest products. In addition, the agreement calls for expanded prescribed fire projects and other work to reduce wildfire risk.

Partners also intend to restore longleaf pine ecosystems and strengthen wildlife and aquatic habitat conservation. Recreation priorities also include improvements to trails, roads, boat ramps, and public access.

The agreement also calls for coordinating responses to forest-health threats and planning restoration across larger landscapes.

Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz said the partnership delivered 11 timber sales over the past five years. Those sales produced more than 18 million board feet of timber, according to the release.

They also generated more than $1.5 million in stumpage, the value of standing timber sold for harvest.

Schultz also highlighted cooperation across six wildlife management areas covering more than 253,000 acres. He said Good Neighbor Authority will help partners expand active forest management and restoration work.

Support for Private Landowners

Meanwhile, the agreement includes support for private forest landowners as well as public-land management.

NRCS Chief Colton L. Buckley said partnerships allow the agency to offer conservation assistance that helps working forests remain healthy and productive.

The Alabama Forestry Commission and Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources are among the state partners. Other participants include local, Tribal, and private-sector partners.

Gov. Kay Ivey said the renewed partnership will help Alabama protect its natural resources and support timber management.

Alabama’s four national forests are Bankhead, Conecuh, Talladega, and Tuskegee. Together, they span more than 673,000 acres across 17 counties, according to the Forest Service release.

Private forest landowners can contact their local NRCS office to ask about conservation planning and available assistance.

STATE NEWS