Welcome From President Shawn Thomas, MontanaWelcome to the National Association of State Trust Lands (NASTL) website. My name is Shawn Thomas and I am honored to serve as the President of the Association for the 2024-25 term. I am passionate about natural resource management and the work that NASTL does, and excited to further the goals of each of our members for the next year.
The National Association of State Trust Lands is a non-profit consortium of Administrators of State-owned Trust Lands totaling more than 500 million acres of trust lands, minerals, and waterways in 21 western states. NASTL's services and activities assist states in managing assets that help fund public education. Our mission is to create value for our beneficiaries through leadership, education and sound land management. What a great honor we have to implement this mission together. The combined holdings of the NASTL member states represent the second largest owner of land and minerals in the United States, second only to the federal government. We are proud that the vast resources entrusted to our care continue to provide billions of dollars each year in support of public education in America |
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.