Governor Gianforte, USFS Chief Schultz Sign Historic Forest Management Agreement

Finalize 200,000-acre management agreement in northwest Montana

• June 30 2025

HELENA, Mont. – Governor Greg Gianforte and U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Chief Tom Schultz today formalized a landmark Shared Stewardship Agreement between the State of Montana and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

This historic agreement establishes a new framework to dramatically increase the pace and scale of forest restoration, wildfire risk reduction, and sustainable timber production across Montana’s national forests and adjacent lands.

“Today marks historic and continued progress for Montana’s forests and the communities that depend on them,” Gov. Gianforte said. “Thanks to a renewed interest in collaborating with states from the Trump administration, this agreement will empower our state to take the lead in active forest management, reduce wildfire risk, support local jobs, and ensure our forests remain healthy for generations to come. We are proud to partner with Secretary Rollins and Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz to deliver real results for Montana.”

Gov. Gianforte speaking alongside DNRC Director Amanda Kaster and Chief Schultz before signing a historic Shared Stewardship Agreement in Helena

“This agreement is exactly the kind of forward-leaning, state-driven leadership that President Trump and USDA have championed since day one,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins. “By cutting burdensome, unnecessary red tape and empowering Montana to lead, we’re proving that through real partnership, conservation and economic growth can go hand-in-hand. This partnership is just another example of our shared commitment to protect lives, livelihoods, and our forest resources -- while creating opportunities for hardworking Americans.” 

During a visit to USFS land south of Helena, the governor, Forest Service Chief Schultz, and Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) Director Amanda Kaster held a press conference to share more about the impact of the agreement.

The Shared Stewardship Agreement leverages federal authorities, including the EXPLORE Act and Good Neighbor Authority, to streamline project delivery and reduce regulatory delays. It commits both agencies to jointly identify and implement large-scale forest management projects, with an initial focus on a landscape of at least 200,000 acres in northwest Montana.

“This partnership between the Forest Service and Montana is a model for collaborative, landscape-scale forest management,” said Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz. “By working together, we can better protect communities, support rural communities, and restore the health of our nation’s forests. This agreement is a win for Montana and a win for the country.”

Under the new agreement, DNRC and the Forest Service will work together to accomplish landscape-scale restoration projects at an increased pace and scale. Projects will prioritize active forest management to safeguard Montana communities and infrastructure and improve the health of our forests. The agreement also establishes aggressive timber harvest targets and requires regular public reporting on progress. Progress will be measured through a public-facing dashboard tracking acres treated, board feet harvested, and community safety improvements.

The agreement is effective for 20 years and may be renewed or extended. Both agencies will assign dedicated staff to statewide coordination and implementation.

Increasing pace and scale of forest management in Montana to create healthier forests and reduce wildfire risks has been a top priority for Gov. Gianforte. Since the governor took office in 2021, and under the leadership of Director Amanda Kaster, DNRC has shown a steady increase in the pace and scale of forest management. In the last biennium, DNRC placed over 72,000 acres under management and over 130,000 acres since Gov. Gianforte took office.

Cross-boundary projects and agreements on federal, state, and private land have increased the state’s active forest management practices to protect Montana communities and natural resources from an increased risk of wildfire and forest health issues.

To view the Shared Stewardship Agreement between the State of Montana and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, see here.

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