The nation’s largest professional forestry organization says
that
 President Bush’s signing of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act
(HR 1904) is a significant action in efforts to improve the health
of both public and private forestlands.
”
This bill is an important step in a long-term effort that is
needed to allow forest managers to begin to address the forest
health crisis on our nation’s forests,
”
says Michael T. Goergen Jr., executive vice-president and CEO of
the Society of American Foresters.
”
With more than 190 million acres of forests at risk of wildfire
and millions more threatened by insects, disease, and invasive
species, this legislation will allow us to begin work to address
the complex and difficult challenge ahead.
”
The nation’s largest professional forestry organization says that President Bush’s signing of the Healthy Forests Restoration Act (HR 1904) is a significant action in efforts to improve the health of both public and private forestlands.
“This bill is an important step in a long-term effort that is needed to allow forest managers to begin to address the forest health crisis on our nation’s forests,” says Michael T. Goergen Jr., executive vice-president and CEO of the Society of American Foresters. “With more than 190 million acres of forests at risk of wildfire and millions more threatened by insects, disease, and invasive species, this legislation will allow us to begin work to address the complex and difficult challenge ahead.”
 According to Goergen, foresters can improve forest conditions and reduce the risks of wildfire, insects, disease and invasive species through forest management.
The Healthy Forests Restoration Act gives professional forest managers additional tools to improve conditions on the national forests and private lands, while maintaining both environmental protections and public participation.
The Society of American Foresters is a nonprofit organization that represents more than 17,000 professional foresters and natural resource professionals. It is the scientific and educational association representing the profession of forestry in the United States. The Society’s primary objective is to advance the science, technology, education and practice of professional forestry for the benefit of society.
Jeff Ghannam,
Bethesda, Md.
