The new state forester says dry conditions and too many people burning uncontrolled trash and brush fires in rural areas are some of the biggest threats to the forests in Missouri. But Lisa Allen says her agency is now getting assistance from rural fire departments to put out these fires. Allen says since more than 80 percent of the state’s forests are on private land, the State Conservation Department has to work hard on its relationships with those owners. Allen hopes that being the first woman State Forester is an inspiration to other women looking at the male-dominated forestry career field.
