BLM MOU W6-200-2009-03 

### MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

between the UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

and THE SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTERS I. AUTHORITY This MASTER MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU) is hereby entered into by and between the SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTERS hereinafter referred to as the SAF, and the BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT, U.S. Department of the Interior, hereinafter referred to as the BLM, under the provisions of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (43 U.S.C. 1701-1782), as amended. II. PURPOSE: The purpose of this MOU is to establish a framework for cooperation between the BLM and the SAF to achieve mutual goals. The BLM and the SAF propose to work together to achieve common goals of: ensuring the health and use of forests and woodlands for present and future generations; advancing the science and practice of forestry; advancing forestry education and promoting professional excellence; educating practitioners and the public about forests and the profession of forestry. This cooperation is in the parties' mutual interest. III. STATEMENT OF MUTUAL BENEFIT AND INTERESTS: The BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT is responsible for managing approximately 258 million acres of public lands of which nearly 70 million acres are forests andwoodlands. These forests are very diverse, ranging from ecologically valuable PinyonJuniper woodlands of the Southwest to highly productive conifer forests in the Northwest. These resources are of substantial value to the Nation as a whole through recreational, commercial, subsistence, scientific, and cultural use. The proper management of these resources is of great importance for the prosperity and enjoyment of current and future generations. The BLM mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of these lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. An important component of the BLM's management strategy is promoting and sustaining partnerships focused on the prudent and proper management of forests and meeting the agencies stewardship responsibilities. The SOCIETY OF AMERICAN FORESTERS is the national professional, scientific, and educational organization representing the forestry profession in the United States. Founded in 1900 by Gifford Pinchot, it is the largest organization for professional foresters in the world. The mission of the Society of American Foresters is to advance the practice, science, education, and technology of forestry; to enhance the competencyBLM MOU WO-200-2009-03

of its members; to establish professional excellence; and to use the knowledge, skills, and conservation ethic of the profession to ensure the continued health and use of forest ecosystems for the present and future availability of forest resources to benefit society. The SAF is a nonprofit organization meeting the requirements of 501 (c) (3). The SAF members include natural resource professionals in public and private settings, researchers, CEOs, administrators, educators, and students. NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the above premises, the parties agree as follows: IV. THE SAF SHALL: 1. Share the scientific and technical expertise of its membership with the BLM. 2. Ensure that the Annual Conferences of the SAF address the continuing education and professional development needs of the BLM personnel. 3. Pursue ways to enhance the Office of Personnel Management's educational and experiential standards for entry-level professional and technical forester positions and for advancement. 4. Work with higher education institutions to improve the preparation of their students to work effectively within the BLM. 5. Encourage the SAF Sectional, State and Chapter Chairs to coordinate meetings with the BLM program leaders, to facilitate professional networking and technology transfer. 6. Apprise the BLM of the SAF projects, studies, and other initiatives which could be of common interest. 7. Provide the BLM prior to publication, any proposed releases to the general public that reference the BLM, this MOU or any employee of the BLM. V. THE BLM SHALL: l. Encourage the BLM employees to participate, at their supervisor's discretion, in activities considered mutually beneficial to both the BLM and the SAF such as: participation in Society sponsored events, attending the SAF conferences, publishing in its journals, and serving in leadership positions within the SAF to enhance their resource management capabilities and advance the state of knowledge of the forestry profession. 2. Encourage the BLM's national, state and local program leaders to coordinate the BLM program meetings with the SAF Sectional, State, and Chapter meetings to facilitate professional networking and technology transfer.

2BLM MOU WO-200-2009-03 3. Actively assist the SAF in providing guidance, training, and information pertaining to state-of-the-art forest science and technology. 4. Encourage the BLM foresters to participate in the SAF Certified Forester program, which promotes professional development, ethical conduct, and academic and experience standards. 5. Support the BLM foresters obtaining appropriate professional education, experience, ethical and development credentials. 6. Provide information to the SAF during its work with higher education institutions to better prepare students to work effectively within the BLM. 7. Apprise the SAF of the BLM projects, studies, and other initiatives which could be of common interest. 8. Provide the SAF prior to publication, any proposed releases to the general public that reference the SAF, this MOU, or any employee of the SAF. VI. THE SAF AND BLM MUTUALLY AGREE TO: 1. Work together to promote and enhance the stewardship of forest and woodland resources to meet existing needs and those of future generations based upon sound science and policies. 2. Support and promote the use of standards for resource inventories, monitoring and assessments as a basic requirement for the planning and management of forest and woodlands. 3. Cooperate in the development of technical workshops, continuing education courses, natural resource management conferences, and scientific publications that support the science and practice of forestry. Examples could include leadership training sessions and materials on technical aspects of forestry. 4. Cooperate in the development and implementation of projects that will increase public awareness and understanding of forest resources and forest management. 5. Provide forums, workshops, or other opportunities to encourage comprehensive forest planning by federal and state agencies as well as private and municipal landowners. 6. Cooperate to promote the highest standards of professional behavior and ethical conduct by the BLM employees and the SAF members.BLM MOU WO-200-2009-03 7. Explore ways to enhance leadership and management training and professional development for the BLM foresters to help them work more effectively with landowners and in collaborative partnerships. 8. Explore the need for conducting independent reviews of forestry-related programs of the BLM, to evaluate issues such as staffing needs, research priorities, partner interaction, fiscal accountability, achievement of forest management objectives, and success in achieving the Director's priorities, and to recommend ways to enhance programs in the future. 9. Facilitate regular interaction between the BLM, the SAF, and others in the forestry and conservation community to cultivate relationships and ensure open and effective communication on research priorities and policy development. 10.Meet annually or more frequently as needed to review the progress and opportunities for implementing the MOU. VII. IT IS MUTUALLY AGREED AND UNDERSTOOD BY THE SAID PARTIES THAT: 1. Any information furnished to the BLM under this instrument is subject to the Freedom of Information Act (5 U.S.C. 552). 2. Modifications within the scope of the instrument shall be made by mutual consent of the parties, by the issuance of a written modification, signed and dated by all parties, prior to any changes being performed. 3. This MOU in no way restricts the BLM or the SAF from participating with other public or private agencies, organizations, and individuals. 4. The BLM and the SAF will handle their own activities and utilize their own resources, including the expenditure of their own funds, in pursuing these objectives. Each party will carry out its separate activities in a coordinated and mutually beneficial manner. 5. The instrument is executed as of the date of the last signature and is effective through 5 years at which time it will expire, unless extended. 6. Any of the parties, may terminate the instrument in whole, or in part, by a 30 day written notice at any time before the date of expiration. 7. This instrument is neither a fiscal nor a funds obligation document. Any endeavor or transfer of anything of value involving reimbursement or contribution of funds between the parties to this instrument will be handled in accordance with applicable laws, regulations, and procedures including those

ElBLM MOU WO-200-2009-03 for Government procurement and printing. Such endeavors will be outlined in separate agreements that shall be made in writing by representatives of the parties and shall be independently authorized by appropriate statutory authority. This instrument does not provide such authority. Specifically, this instrument does not establish authority for noncompetitive award to the cooperator of any contract or other agreement. Any contract or agreement for training or other services must fully comply with all applicable requirements for competition. 8. This MOU is not intended to, and does not create, any right, benefit, or trust responsibility, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or equity, by a party against the United States, its agencies, its officers, or any person. VIII. ADMINISTRATION The MOU principal points of contact will be: For the BLM: Chief, Division of Forests and Woodlands For the SAF: Executive Vice President IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this MOU as of the last written date below. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

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