State Governments
A Directory of Forestry Departments in the State Governments
A Directory of Forestry Departments in the State Governments
Alabama
Alabama Forestry Commission - Established as a state agency in 1924, the mission of the Alabama Forestry Commission is three-fold: to Protect the Forests from all harmful agents; to Service and Help Landowners to carry out responsible forest management on their property, using professional technical assistance so as to benefit themselves, their land and society; and to Educate the General Public about the value of our forests in insuring both a healthy economy and environment.
Alabama State Board of Registrations for Foresters - The Board is charged with administering a licensing and regulatory program for the practice of forestry in order to benefit and protect the citizens of Alabama
Alaska
Alaska Division of Forestry The mission of the Division of Forestry is to develop, conserve, and enhance Alaska's forests to provide a sustainable supply of forest resources for Alaskans.
Arizona
State Land Department - To manage State Trust lands and resources to enhance value and optimize economic return for the Trust beneficiaries, consistent with sound stewardship, conservation, and business management principles supporting socioeconomic goals for citizens here today and generations to come. To manage and provide support for resource conservation programs for the well-being of the public and the State's natural environment.
Arkansas
Arkansas Forestry Commission was established with the passage of Act 234 by the 1931 session of the Arkansas Legislature. The mission of the AFC is to protect Arkansas’s forests, and those who enjoy them, from wildland fire and natural hazards while promoting rural and urban forest health, stewardship, development and conservation for all generations of Arkansans.
California
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is dedicated to the fire protection and stewardship of over 31 million acres of California's privately-owned wildlands. In addition, the Department provides varied emergency services in 33 of the State's 58 counties via contracts with local governments.
Colorado
Colorado State Forest Service - Our Mission: Achieve stewardship of Colorado's environment through forestry outreach and service
Colorado Wood Utilization and Marketing Program (CoWood) strives to improve the quality of life for Colorado's forest products producers, consumers, and forest users by being Colorado's leading resource for forest products information, service, education and outreach.
Florida
Florida Forest Service has the responsibility of protecting and expanding forests through proper management, protection and public education. We provide fire protection for woodlands and firefighting assistance to municipal and volunteer fire departments. We assist and advise landowners in a wide variety of forestry matters and we currently manage over 1,000,000 acres of public lands.
Georgia
Georgia Forestry Commission Our Vision: Georgia's forest resources will be protected, well-managed, healthy, and sustainable. Our Mission: The GFC provides leadership, service, and education in protection, management, and wise use of Georgia's forest resources.
Hawaii
Division of Forestry and Wildlife - Responsible for the management of State-owned forests, natural areas, public hunting areas, and plant and wildlife sanctuaries. Program areas cover watershed protection; native resources protection, including unique ecosystems and endangered species of plants and wildlife; outdoor recreation; and commercial forestry. Issues hunting permits.
Idaho
Idaho Department of Lands - More than 225 dedicated natural resource specialists and support staff functioning in eight supervisory areas throughout the state now work to implement the management directives set down by the Idaho Constitution and the Board of Land Commissioners. Of the 3.65 million acres originally received, endowment lands currently total nearly 2.5 million acres, including 780,000 acres of commercial timberland and about 3 million acres of minerals. In addition, the Department of Lands, having been assigned additional duties over the years by the state legislature, now serves as host agency to the Idaho Board of Scaling Practices, the Clearwater-Potlatch Timber Protective Association, and the Southern Idaho Timber Protective Association.
The Idaho Forest Products Commission The Idaho Forest Products Commission (IFPC) was created in 1992 by an act of the Idaho Legislature. The purpose of the Commission is to "promote the economic and environmental welfare of the state by providing a means for the collection and dissemination of information regarding the management of the state's public and private forest lands and the forest products industry."
Illinois
Division of Forest Resources It is the mission of the Illinois Division of Forest Resources to protect, perpetuate, restore, conserve, and manage the forest and related resources of Illinois, both public and private, rural and urban; and to ensure for future generations the greatest economic, scientific, and social benefits that can only be provided through a forest ecological system.
Indiana
Division of Forestry - promotes and practices good stewardship of natural, recreational and cultural resources on Indiana's public and private forest lands. This stewardship produces continuing benefits, both tangible and intangible, for present and future generations.
Iowa
Department of Natural Resources - Forestry Caring for Iowa's Forests and Prairies The motto of the Iowa DNR's Bureau of Forests is, "Serve the People by Caring for Their Forest and Prairie Resources". To that end, the Bureau of Forests offers a variety of programs and services that assist public and private landowners, both rural and urban to manage and protect their forests trees and related resources.
Kansas
Kansas Forest Service - The Kansas Forest Service offers a range of services to the citizens of Kansas. These include technical assistance to rural landowners, community tree boards and departments, Federal Excess Property to Rural Fire Districts, and Conservation Tree Sales.
Kentucky
Division of Forestry - Kentucky has 11.9 million acres (47 percent the state) of forestland, and 89 percent is privately owned. This forestland provides multiple benefits to the citizens of the commonwealth, including timber production, wildlife habitat, recreational opportunities, quality water, and aesthetic beauty. Mission of the Division of Forestry - To protect and enhance the forest resources of the commonwealth through a public informed of the environmental and economic importance of these resources.
Louisiana
Forestry DivisionThe primary responsibilities of the office are to: suppress timberland wildfires; promote sound forest management practices; disseminate information; facilitate educational programs; produce reforestation seedlings; enforce timber-related laws; investigate timber theft; and assist community urban forestry programs.
Maine
Maine Forest Service The key to Maine's past, present, and future quality of life and economic prosperity for its citizens is permanently linked to the condition of the State's forest resources. The Maine Forest Service works to ensure that the trees and forest lands of Maine will continue to provide benefits for present and future generations of Maine people.
Maryland
Department of Natural Resources, Forest Service Conserve and enhance the quality, quantity, productivity and biological diversity of the forest and tree resources of Maryland. Provide leadership and technical and financial support to inform, involve and empower citizens, local governments and private organizations to take action necessary to accomplish these goals.
Massachusetts
The Bureau of Forest Fire Control and Forestry offers programs to promote, protect and enhance healthy and diverse wooded and urban forests throughout our Commonwealth including grant opportunities for urban forestry and volunteer fire assistance, staff assistance to municipalities for fire control, consulting forestry and forest stewardship for private lands, oversight of forest health issues including insect and disease control and storm related response, regulatory guidance on timber harvests as well as forest management and timber sales on state lands.
Michigan's Forests, Land and Water are indeed a vibrant part of the state. They team with plant and animal life, provide outdoor recreation opportunities, support 400,000 jobs and contribute over $13 billion to Michigan's economy each year.
Minnesota
Division of Forestry The Division of Forestry works with public and private entities to promote the conservation, protection, and enjoyment of Minnesota's forest resources through sustainable management, wildfire and pest protection, and technical forestry assistance.
Minnesota Forest Resources Council (MFRC) - was established in 1995 by Minnesota's Sustainable Forest Resources Act (SFRA). The MFRC serves two roles. First, it helps develop and implement SFRA initiatives. Additionally, the MFRC advises the governor and federal, state and local governments on sustainable forest resource policies and practices. The Council is made up of 16 Governor-appointed members, representing the following interests and organizations: commercial logging contractors, conservation organizations, county land departments, environmental interests, forest products industry, game species management, labor organizations, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, nonindustrial private forest landowners, research and higher education, resort and tourism industry, secondary wood products manufacturers, USDA Forest Service. In addition, we have a 17th member appointed by the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council.
Mississippi
Forestry Commission is a public service agency created by the Mississippi Legislature. In compliance with all applicable laws and regulations, our mission is to provide leadership in forest protection, forest management & information about the forest of Mississippi, through a fully informed, well-trained work force and support staff, reflecting the needs of the public and employees.
Missouri
Missouri Department of Conservation: Trees & Plants: - Our mission: To ensure the well-being of the forest resource and address what people need from that resource.
Montana
Forestry Division - The Forestry Division of the Department of Natural Resources, headquartered in Missoula, is responsible for planning and implementing forestry programs through a network of field offices located across the state. The Forestry Division has four major functions: fire & aviation management, forestry assistance, business management, and policy, planning & outreach.
Nebraska
Forest Service The Nebraska Forest Service is a part of the University of Nebraska - Lincoln and provides services to the people of Nebraska covering all aspects of planting, protection, care, and utilization of our forest and tree resources. In addition, the Fire Control Program, through its work with Volunteer Fire Districts, helps provide fire protection to all rural lands including rangeland and cropland.
Nevada
Division of Forestry The mission of the Nevada Division of Forestry is to coordinate and manage all forestry, nursery, threatened and endangered plant species and watershed resource activities on certain public and private lands.
New Hampshire
New York
Department of Environmental Conservation, Division of Lands and Forests manages public lands in New York State and provides leadership in forestry and forest management. The Division of Lands and Forests is responsible for: management and protection of these lands, recreational use and care of the people who use these lands and acquisition of additional lands to conserve unique and significant resources.
New Jersey
Forest Service - Our Mission is to practice and promote sound stewardship and conservation of public, private and community forest lands, to monitor and nurture forest health, to assist municipalities with the development of their tree resources and to achieve forest related ecomonic, environmental and social benefits for current and future generations.
New Mexico
New Mexico State Forestry is one of seven divisions within the Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Department. Click on the text above to visit the department web site. NMSF has statutory responsibility for wildfire suppression on all non-federal, non-municipal, non-tribal and non-pueblo lands.
North Carolina
North Carolina Forest Service - Our mission is to protect, manage and promote forest resources for the citizens of North Carolina.
Clemmons Educational State Forest is an 827 acre managed forest providing environmental education about natural resources to school children and the general public through Ranger conducted classes, unique trails such as a "Talking Trees" and "Talking Rocks". Located in the transition zone of the piedmont and coastal plain of North Carolina.
North Dakota
Forest Service administers forestry programs statewide. The agency operates a nursery at Towner specializing in the production of conifer (evergreen) tree stock. The nursery is the sole supplier of evergreen seedlings in North Dakota. Technical assistance relating to the management of private forest lands, state forest lands, urban and community forests, tree planting, and wildlife fire protection is provided by the agency. The North Dakota Forest Service also owns and manages approximately 13,278 acres of state forest lands.
Ohio
Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Forestry Our mission is to promote and apply management for the sustainable use of Ohio's private and public forest lands.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma Forestry Services Division - Created in 1925 by the Oklahoma Legislature, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture - Forestry Services (ODAFF-FS) serves the citizens of Oklahoma by providing professional forestry assistance in all 77 counties. Our mission is to enhance and protect Oklahoma's forests for all of its citizens.
Oregon
Oregon Department of Forestry The Oregon Department of Forestry mission is to serve the people of Oregon through the protection, management, and promotion of a healthy forest environment which will enhance Oregon's livability and economy for today and tomorrow.
Oregon Forest Resources Institute - The Oregon Legislature created the Oregon Forest Resources Institute (OFRI) in 1991 to improve public understanding of the state’s forest resources and to encourage environmentally sound forest management through training and other educational programs for forest landowners. OFRI is funded by a dedicated harvest tax on forest products producers.
Oregon Watershed Enhancement Board is a state agency led by a policy oversight board. Together, they promote and fund voluntary actions that strive to enhance Oregon's watersheds. The Board fosters the collaboration of citizens, agencies, and local interests. OWEB's programs support Oregon's efforts to restore salmon runs, improve water quality, and strengthen ecosystems that are critical to healthy watersheds and sustainable communities.
Pennsylvania
Bureau of Forestry - Learn more about our mission of conserving Pennsylvania's forests and wild plant communities.
Rhode Isalnd
Division of Forest Environment manages 40,000 acres of state-owned rural forestland. It coordinates a statewide forest fire protection plan, provides forest fire protection on state lands, assists rural volunteer fire departments, and develops forest and wildlife management plans for private landowners who choose to manage their property in ways that will protect these resources on their land.
South Carolina
Forestry Commission was established by law in 1927. At its inception, the agency had three charges - to protect the forest, to promote the benefits of forest management, and to monitor the forests' condition. At that time, our forest land had been heavily cut over and was eroding badly from poor farming practices. Today South Carolina’s forests provide the raw material for the state's forest products industry - the third largest manufacturing industry in South Carolina.
South Dakota
Resource Conservation & Forestry Services provided by the Division of Resource Conservation and Forestry can be subdivided into major program areas. Each of these program areas concentrates on a specific aspect of resource management. Conservation programs are primarily supported by the South Dakota Coordinated Soil & Water Conservation Fund. Forestry programs are primarily supported by federal funding through the United States Forest Service - State & Private Forestry. The Cooperative Forest Management Act provides the basis for these programs.
Tennessee
Division of Forestry protects this resource and promotes its sustainable use through science-based forest management. Sustainable management emphasizes different uses of the forest in different situations, but always avoids destructive exploitation or lost opportunities due to neglect or ignorance.
Texas
Texas A&M Forest Service provides statewide leadership to assure the state's trees, forests and related natural resources are protected and sustained for the benefit of all.
Utah
Utah Department of Natural Resources: Forestry, Fire, and State Lands
Vermont
Vermont Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR) is responsible for the conservation, and management of Vermont’s forest resources, the operation and maintenance of the state park system, and the promotion and support of outdoor recreation for Vermonters and our visitors. In addition, FPR is responsible for the acquisition, planning, coordination and administration of all Agency of Natural Resources lands.
Virginia
Virginia Department of Forestry - Protect and develop healthy, sustainable forest resources. The Virginia Department of Forestry is responsible for:
Washington
Department of Natural Resources (DNR)manages 2.1 million acres of working forest on state trust lands for habitat, clean water and sustainable revenue to support public school construction and other beneficiaries. As the state's largest nonfederal landowner, DNR plays a pivotal role in Washington state's timber economy and the future of its forest heritage..
West Virginia
Wisconsin
Division of Forestry Since nearly 70 percent of the forest land in Wisconsin is in private ownership, the DNR forestry program encourages sustainable, forest ecosystem development through a variety of partnership programs with other forest landowners. Through these partnership efforts, the DNR forestry program protects sensitive and unique ecosystems and encourages management of other areas for commercial forest crops, recognizing property owner’s rights as well as society’s needs for a variety of products from the forest.
Wyoming
Wyoming State Forestry Division is charged with the management, protection, and improvement of all forest interests and matters pertaining to forestry within the State of Wyoming. The Division is responsible for the management of 270,000 acres of forested state trust lands in the state, along with direct fire protection responsibilities for 3.6 million acres of state land.
