SAF Sends Letters to Secretaries Perdue and Zinke

April 26, 2017 

Following this week’s confirmation of Sonny Perdue as the next US Secretary of Agriculture, SAF sent welcome letters to both Secretary Perdue and the Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. Both letters tout SAF’s unique blend or history, scientific understanding, and practical experience, and encourage the new appointees to view SAF and its members across the country as a resource and asset to their teams.

“Selecting your leadership team and agency directors will be a critical next step. We encourage you to choose professionals who recognize the value of forested lands for all the benefits they provide. Generating these returns requires staff who understand the importance of close collaboration with local citizens, counties, states, tribes, and the American public. As your team comes together, we challenge you to embrace new opportunities to manage forests for the good of all Americans, and to increase the role of active forest management as a tool to deliver clean and abundant water, wildlife habitat, recreation opportunities, and strong rural communities.”

In addition, both letters urge the secretaries to work together to find a bipartisan approach to wildfire funding reform. 

SAF will also be seeking meetings with the secretaries and their teams to discuss our priorities, including support for their employees to actively participate in professional societies. 

To read the full letters, see below.