Trenton – Senator Bob Smith, the chairman of the Senate Environment and Energy Committee, received the report from the Forest Stewardship Task Force that was formed at his direction to study and identify the best ways for New Jersey to manage its forests. (Attached.)

Co-chaired by representatives of the NJ Audubon Society, the NJ Forestry Association, the NJ Conservation Foundation, and the NJ Sierra Club, the special task force devoted a year to evaluating policies and practices governing the management of forests. More than 600 people participated in the process.

The report, which includes “consensus” and “non-consensus” recommendations, will be used as a “foundational” document to guide the development of policy proposals and legislation, Senator Smith said.

“Forests are critical to the environmental welfare of our state,” said Senator Smith (D-Middlesex/Somerset). “They play a major role in mitigating global climate change, provide habitats for wildlife, help clean and protect drinking water sources, and stabilize soils. Proper management of forests is also necessary for preventing wildfires, which are becoming more frequent and intense. This report will help to identify the most effective and responsible ways to manage and preserve our forest land.”