On Feb. 12, as Congress was still finalizing a budget deal for 2018, the Trump Administration released recommendations for 2019’s federal budget, including significant cuts to state and private forestry programs.

As proposed, the budget would reduce overall funding for the National Forest System by more than $170 million, eliminating key programs from the State and Private Cooperative Forestry division including Urban and Community Forestry, Forest Legacy, Community Forests and Open Space, and Landscape Scale Restoration.

The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) swiftly responded with a statement expressing disappointment in the proposal, calling it a “detriment to the American people.”

However, Colorado State Forest Service Director Mike Lester says he’s not worried just yet.

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