CONTACT: Stephanie Addison
(202) 547-6223; stephanie-addison[at]nacdnet.org

CONTACT: Sara Kangas
(202) 547-6223; sara-kangas[at]nacdnet.org

Oct. 11, 2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NACD STATEMENT ON USDA
FOREST SERVICE APPOINTMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Sonny Perdue swore in Vicki Christiansen as Chief of the agency’s Forest Service.

Christiansen has been a wildland fire fighter and fire manager for 36 years. Prior to joining the Forest Service, where she has been serving as Interim Chief since March, Christiansen was the Arizona State Forester and Director of the Arizona Division of Forestry. The National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD)President Brent Van Dyke released the following statement after Christiansen’s swearing-in ceremony:

“Chief Christiansen has the necessary tools in her toolkit to hit the ground running in this new role,” Van Dyke said. “During her time at the Forest Service, Christiansen has worked closely with conservation districts to improve the health of our nation’s forests. Due to her education and professional experience, she understands how failing to properly manage our nation’s forests leads to longer and more severe fire seasons. NACD commends Secretary Perdue’s appointment, and we look forward to expanding this productive relationship to continue making improvements to our nation’s public and private forest lands.”

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About the National Association of Conservation Districts:

The National Association of Conservation Districts is the non-profit organization that represents the nation’s 3,000 conservation districts, their state and territory associations, and the 17,000 men and women who serve on their governing boards. For more than 70 years, local conservation districts have worked with cooperating landowners and managers of private working lands to help them plan and apply effective conservation practices. For more information about NACD, visit: www.nacdnet.org.