Strengthening the Nation's Forests, Communities, and Local Economies

This executive order directs federal agencies to inventory and conserve mature and old-growth forests on federal lands, develop reforestation targets for 2030, combat international deforestation through trade and foreign assistance reforms, and expand nature-based climate solutions across government. It emphasizes science-based forest management, indigenous knowledge, and sustainable economic development for timber communities.

Federal Register Open PDF 87 FR 24851

Impact dates

Dec 31, 2030
Global commitment to end natural forest loss and restore 200 million hectares
Date TBD
Agency-specific reforestation targets to be met
Date TBD
OMB guidance on ecosystem services valuation in regulatory decision-making
Date TBD
Report to National Climate Task Force on nature-based solutions opportunities
Apr 22, 2023
Inventory of old-growth and mature forests on federal lands completed and publicly available
Apr 22, 2023
Federal reforestation goal with agency-specific 2030 targets
Apr 22, 2023
Climate-informed plan for cone/seed collection and nursery capacity
Apr 22, 2023
Recommendations for community-led economic development in forest products and recreation
Apr 22, 2023
Report on whole-of-government approach to combating international deforestation
Apr 22, 2023
Report on incorporating deforestation risk into foreign assistance and trade

Key directives

Interior and Agriculture Secretaries shall within 1 year define, identify, and complete inventory of old-growth and mature forests on federal lands
Following inventory, develop policies with public comment to institutionalize climate-smart management
Within 1 year, develop federal goal charging agencies to meet agency-specific reforestation targets by 2030
Within 1 year, develop climate-informed plan for federal cone/seed collection and nursery capacity
Within 1 year, develop recommendations for community-led economic development in sustainable forest products and outdoor recreation
Within 1 year, Secretary of State shall submit report evaluating options for whole-of-government approach to combating international deforestation
Within 1 year, Secretary of State shall submit report on incorporating deforestation risk into foreign assistance, trade agreements, and international engagement
CEQ Chair, OSTP Director, and National Climate Advisor shall submit report to National Climate Task Force on nature-based solution opportunities
OMB Director shall issue guidance on valuation of ecosystem services in federal regulatory decision-making
USGCRP shall include assessment of condition of nature in report under Global Change Research Act

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Policy declaration on forest conservation
Direction to continue wildfire mitigation strategies

Near term (90d)

Interagency coordination on nature-based solutions report begins
Preliminary work on international deforestation analysis

Long term

Inventory of old-growth and mature forests due by April 22, 2023
Reforestation targets and seed capacity plan due by April 22, 2023
International deforestation reports due by April 22, 2023
2030 reforestation goal implementation
2030 global forest conservation commitments

Risks & tensions

Tension between 'conserve' and 'active, science-based forest management' including prescribed burns—text does not resolve priority conflicts
Vague 'consistent with applicable law' and 'subject to availability of appropriations' clauses may limit enforceability
2030 reforestation targets lack interim milestones or enforcement mechanisms
International deforestation provisions rely heavily on voluntary private-sector partnerships and 'where possible' trade agreement language
Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge integration lacks specific procedural requirements
No explicit enforcement mechanism for Lacey Act commitments beyond existing law
Nature-based solutions report deadline unspecified—implementation timeline uncertain