The National Forest Foundation (NFF), a congressionally-chartered nonprofit, finalized a 20-year Master Stewardship Agreement (MSA) with the U.S. Forest Service, Tahoe National Forest (TNF), and Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU).

This is the first 20-year MSA between the NFF and the Forest Service, and it represents a mutual commitment to the long-term health of the forests and communities within the Lake Tahoe area. The length of this agreement enables the NFF to increase both the scale and pace of projects in the Tahoe area, allowing extended agreements with local contractors, vendors and buyers. The MSA will also provide more stability and consistency of restoration efforts and wood supply through the next 20 years. The work that will be accomplished in the Lake Tahoe area is vital to the health of the watershed and ecosystem that provide important social and economic resources to the community like water, timber, as well as recreational and agricultural opportunities.

“Over the past five years, the NFF has invested heavily in restoration, conservation, and recreation projects throughout the Tahoe area. This MSA allows us the flexibility to think bigger, take on extended projects, and strengthen our relationships with local vendors and contractors. We look forward to continuing to work on behalf of the community and the health of the forests in the area.”

Vice President of Field Programs at the NFF.

The NFF will begin its 20-year agreement by providing support and leadership for two key projects in the Tahoe area that are now ready for implementation; the Trapper Project, a large-scale forest restoration project that will reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire and improve ecosystem health of the North Yuba River Watershed. And the Michigan Bluff Project, which will thin hazardous fuels adjacent to small communities in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and adjacent to the TNF, improving forest health and resiliency on a long-term scale.

“This partnership between the NFF and the U.S. Forest Service in the Tahoe area has grown into a national model for success,” said Randy Moore, Pacific Southwest Regional Forester. “This builds upon the Forest Service’s commitment to Shared Stewardship and working with partners to get more good work done across the landscape.”