SOUTH DAKOTA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release: April 7, 2016

Contact Information: Sara Goodwin, Communications Director

Council of Western State Foresters

303.893.0359 or sgoodwin@westernforesters.org

***Editors note: SDDA is sending this release on behalf of the Council of Western State Foresters.***

SD State Forester Joins Council of Western State Foresters’ Executive Committee

DENVER, CO –  Greg Josten, South Dakota state forester, has been selected to serve on the Council of Western State Foresters’ (CWSF) executive committee. Josten will serve as the treasurer.

“Greg brings a wealth of forestry and natural resources experience from his long career at the South Dakota Department of Agriculture,” said Caitlyn Pollihan, CWSF executive director. “Greg’s participation will add a valuable perspective to our executive committee.”

Josten replaces previous CWSF executive committee treasurer and former New Mexico state forester Tony Delfin.

“It is my pleasure to serve on the CWSF executive committee and help to represent the broader membership of Western state foresters,” said Josten. “I look forward to contributing to the continued success of the CWSF executive committee and staff.”

Josten has worked for the South Dakota Department of Agriculture since 1983 as fire management forester, forest stewardship program coordinator and supervisor of the service forestry and forest health programs. In 2014, Josten was appointed to his role as South Dakota state forester.

The CWSF executive committee is comprised of Chief Ken Pimlott (Chair), Director of CAL FIRE and California state forester; Mike Lester (Incoming Chair) Colorado state forester; Doug Decker (Past Chair) Oregon state forester; and Greg Josten (Treasurer) South Dakota state forester.

The CWSF executive committee participates in regularly scheduled meetings and helps to guide the organizational and programmatic work of the staff. Members of the CWSF executive committee are also voting members of the Western Forestry Leadership Coalition executive board.

To learn more about the Council of Western State Foresters, please visit www.westernforesters.org.

Agriculture is a major contributor to South Dakota’s economy, generating $25.6 billion in annual economic activity and employing over 115,000 South Dakotans. The South Dakota Department of Agriculture's mission is to promote, protect, preserve and improve this industry for today and tomorrow. Visit us online at http://sdda.sd.gov or find us on Facebook and Twitter.

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