USDA Forest Service Eastern Region
The USDA Forest Service Eastern Region joined the NIACS partnership in 2008, including the National Forest System and the State, Private, and Tribal Forestry deputy areas. The Eastern Region is one of nine administrative regions within the Forest Service and covers 20 states across the Midwest and Northeast US. This vast landscape includes 17 National Forests and one National Tallgrass Prairie, several major metro areas,and the homelands of 89 federally recognized Tribal Nations.
Eastern Region Engagement in NIACS
- Two Eastern Region adaptation specialists are part of the NIACS team and support the partnership by coordinating climate change activities within the National Forest System and the State, Private, and Tribal Forestry deputy areas.
- NIACS provides and service to National Forests in the Eastern Region to provide climate change training and assist with incorporating climate change considerations into land management. For example, in 2024 NIACS helped provide a series of trainings and discussion sessions to help National Forests understand and communicate foundational concepts on ecosystem carbon management.
- Eastern Region staff collaborate with the NIACS team to incorporate climate change adaptation into projects and planning. For example, in 2024 NIACS developed and delivered a workshop with Regional Office staff to help National Forests include climate considerations into Watershed Restoration Action Plans.
- In 2023 and 2024, NIACS worked with State, Private, and Tribal Forestry staff and the MSU Forest Carbon and Climate Program to deliver a series of webinars to support state and tribal agencies working on forest carbon management.