Welcome to the National Association of State Trust Lands (NASTL) website.
It was great to see so many of our members and sponsors in Denver in mid-July for our annual meeting. We covered a ton of material over the course of our two days together and I heard that the field trip to Lowry Ranch was a highlight. We also had a bit o’ fun along the way culminating in celebrating Lisa Schneider’s service to the organization with a night out at the ballpark where the Rockies actually pulled off an impressive victory over the Cardinals. I’d like to again thank the Colorado State Land Board host team for all their efforts and making our meeting so meaningful. I am looking forward to serving as the NASTL President for this coming year and hope to engage with many of you on our larger virtual meetings. Over the coming months, I and our Board will be checking in on how we are doing as an organization in implementing our strategic priorities. While we have made progress in many areas, there is more work to do to leverage our collective voice. If members have items they feel the Association should weigh in on, please elevate them to a board member or our Executive Director for evaluation and possible action. |
NASTL Objectives:
- to maximize the earnings and preserve the assets of the member states' educational trusts and encourage prudent administration of those trusts;
- to acquire and evaluate information regarding public land, water and resource management policies;
- to develop prudent public land and water management policies; and
- to provide information, education, and assistance concerning the foregoing to the member states and interested parties.
In November 1931, Western state land administrators from eight states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming) gathered in Salt Lake City, UT to discuss their common interests. Not dissimilar to current day agendas, topics of this first meeting covered trust fund investments, conservation, Federal land withdrawals, grazing administration and the School Lands Act of 1927.
In 1949, Nevada, Oregon and Washington joined the group, and the Western States Land Commissioners Association was officially chartered.
With the addition of Oklahoma, South Dakota, North Dakota, Texas, Nebraska, Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Arkansas and Mississippi, the Association grew to 23 states members.
In 2014, the Association's first strategic plan was approved by the membership and bylaws were amended to provide a mechanism by which non-government organizations could be invited to join the Association as Affiliate members. In 2020 the Association reorganized to change its name to the National Association of State Trust Lands in an effort to encourage participation of like-minded organizations outside the "Western States" area.
The Association hosts an annual conference, typically in July. From time to time, limited scope events are organized by Association Committees and Subcommittees in specific locales or via virtual meeting platforms for the purpose of sharing best practices, gaining technical training, and pursuing continuing education credits.
In 1949, Nevada, Oregon and Washington joined the group, and the Western States Land Commissioners Association was officially chartered.
With the addition of Oklahoma, South Dakota, North Dakota, Texas, Nebraska, Alaska, Hawaii, Louisiana, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Arkansas and Mississippi, the Association grew to 23 states members.
In 2014, the Association's first strategic plan was approved by the membership and bylaws were amended to provide a mechanism by which non-government organizations could be invited to join the Association as Affiliate members. In 2020 the Association reorganized to change its name to the National Association of State Trust Lands in an effort to encourage participation of like-minded organizations outside the "Western States" area.
The Association hosts an annual conference, typically in July. From time to time, limited scope events are organized by Association Committees and Subcommittees in specific locales or via virtual meeting platforms for the purpose of sharing best practices, gaining technical training, and pursuing continuing education credits.