NAUFRP Policy Committee – The National Association of University Forest Resources Programs

Representing member institutions on forestry policy and federal appropriations

The Policy Committee serves as the collective voice for NAUFRP’s 80-member institutions, representing their interests before governmental bodies and industry stakeholders to ensure university-led expertise remains foundational to national forestry discourse.

Because policy issues rarely exist in a vacuum, the committee coordinates an integrated strategy with other NAUFRP committees to ensure priorities are addressed holistically, including:

To maintain NAUFRP’s presence and influence in policy circles in Washington, D.C., and beyond, the committee:

Monitors Legislative Activity: Tracks federal forestry legislation and annual appropriations to safeguard funding for research and education.
Sets Advocacy Priorities: Identifies and ranks emerging policy issues to focus association resources effectively.
Develops Position Statements: Crafts formal, unified responses to federal policy shifts, ensuring member institutions speak with a singular, authoritative voice.

Strategic Partnerships & Coalitions

The Policy Committee Chair serves as a vital link between academia and national policy-making bodies. By representing NAUFRP within key coalitions, the committee ensures that science-based university expertise shapes federal debate. These include:

Forests in the Farm Bill Coalition

Influencing agricultural legislation that impacts forest management and private landowners. Learn more.

Forest Climate Working Group

Leading the forest sector’s unified approach to climate policy. Learn more.

Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance

Advancing evidence-based climate solutions across the broader land-use landscape. Learn more.

Through these strategic alliances, the committee ensures university-led research remains at the forefront of national discussions on forest carbon accounting, extension programming, and the future of forestry education.