Gianforte, U.S. Forest Service Formalize Landmark Shared Stewardship Agreement for Montana’s Forests

Governor Greg Gianforte and U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz has signed a historic Shared Stewardship Agreement between the State of Montana and the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, launching an ambitious new partnership to accelerate forest restoration and wildfire risk reduction across the state.

The agreement establishes a long-term framework to dramatically increase the pace and scale of active forest management, improve forest health, reduce wildfire threats, and support sustainable timber production on 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 at a press conference south of Helena. “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.”

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins praised the agreement as a national model. “This is exactly the kind of forward-leaning, state-driven leadership that President Trump and USDA have championed since day one,” Rollins said. “By cutting unnecessary red tape and empowering Montana to lead, we’re showing how conservation and economic growth go hand in hand.”

The Shared Stewardship Agreement commits the Forest Service and the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) to jointly plan and execute landscape-scale forest management projects. Initial efforts will focus on a 200,000-acre landscape in northwest Montana, with future expansions anticipated.

The agreement leverages federal tools like the EXPLORE Act and Good Neighbor Authority to streamline project approvals, reduce regulatory delays, and expand cross-jurisdictional cooperation. It also includes ambitious timber harvest targets and requires public transparency through a dashboard tracking acres treated, board feet harvested, and community protection measures.

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

Under the 20-year agreement, DNRC and the Forest Service will dedicate staff to statewide implementation and coordination, prioritizing wildfire risk reduction and forest resilience near communities, infrastructure, and watersheds.

Since taking office in 2021, Gov. Gianforte has made expanding active forest management a top priority. Under the leadership of DNRC Director Amanda Kaster, the state has placed over 130,000 acres under management, including more than 72,000 acres during the last biennium.

Cross-boundary efforts involving federal, state, and private lands have also expanded, strengthening Montana’s capacity to address increasing wildfire threats and deteriorating forest conditions.

“This agreement builds on that progress,” Gianforte said. “It’s about delivering real results — healthier forests, safer communities, and stronger rural economies.”

By: DNU staff