Evolving the policy framework: Budget strategies, legislative authorities, and management strategies to facilitate federal forest adaptation and collaborative partnerships

Some of the greatest challenges to the management of federal forests in the Unites States result from inadequate public and private investment in proactive forest restoration projects. This situation has been exacerbated by the growing fiscal and logistical demands of wildfire suppression activities, which currently consume at least 40 percent of the U.S. Forest Service’s total budget. This paper presents some near-term policy, funding and collaborative management options that would enhance the ability of citizens and agencies to increase the pace and scale of beneficial forest treatments, resulting in healthier, more resilient forests and communities.