2025 Pacific Islands Forestry Committee Executive Committee Meeting
The 2025 Pacific Islands Forestry Committee (PIFC) Executive Committee Meeting was held on September 19–20, 2025, in Waimea, Hawai‘i.
The meeting brought together island foresters, USDA Forest Service representatives, and other partners from across the West to share program updates, identify training and capacity needs, and set priorities for the year ahead.
PIFC members in attendance included representatives from the Territory of American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Territory of Guam, the Republic of Palau, and Hawai‘i.
This meeting followed the National Association of State Foresters (NASF) Annual Meeting, also held in Waimea from September 15-18. PIFC Chair Christine Fejeran (Guam) was a featured speaker during NASF’s breakout session, “Lessons from the Islands.”
Highlighting Successes
The meeting opened with island updates, where each island representative shared recent successes and unexpected challenges.
This round robin offered insight into how forestry initiatives are addressing common issues across the Pacific Islands and set the stage for discussions on collaboration, training needs, and shared priorities.
Attendees also discussed training and capacity-building needs, reviewed survey results, and identified areas where additional support would be most valuable across island forestry programs. The group received a policy update from CWSF/WFLC Director of Policy Neil Simpson, along with program and partnership updates from the USDA Forest Service, CWSF/WFLC, and NASF.
Day one also featured presentations from speakers who have helped carry out projects supported by Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) investments in the Pacific. Representatives from Smart Trees Pacific, DACUM, and KUPU highlighted how IRA-funded projects are strengthening local forestry programs and building community resilience.
The day concluded with a discussion on Traditional Ecological Knowledge, a priority from PIFC’s 2025 Work Plan, which emphasizes the importance of cultural values and place-based information sharing.
Coordinating Efforts and Setting Priorities
Day two began with a presentation on Forest Inventory & Analysis (FIA) data and accomplishments, which informed discussions on program priorities and future needs.
The meeting concluded with the PIFC Business Meeting, during which members reviewed progress on the 2025 Work Plan and collaborated to begin drafting the 2026 PIFC Work Plan. The 2026 Work Plan will look to carry forward efforts in motion from 2025, as well as build on new initiatives to support work in the region.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 PIFC Executive Committee Meeting underscored the importance of collaboration among Pacific Island forestry programs and their partners.
As the committee enters the coming year, the continued exchange of ideas, training opportunities, and regionally aligned priorities will be crucial to advancing forestry across the islands.
To learn more about the PIFC, visit the Pacific Islands Forestry Committee’s webpage.