U.S. Rep. Glenn Thompson welcomed the U.S. Forest Service’s new Chief, Vicki Christiansen, to the Allegheny National Forest –– the only national forest in Pennsylvania — at the ANF Headquarters on Friday.

At the conference, which happened to be Christiansen’s first stop as the new USFS chief, both she and Thompson highlighted the importance of conservation through various ways, including protecting indigenous species against invasive species and making sure the forest is left in good hands for future generations.

Thompson made it a point to acknowledge the spotted lanternfly and the emerald ash borer as invasive species that “could have a big impact on the timber industry,” but noted that they are mostly in southeast Pennsylvania as of recently.

Thompson said to forest workers in attendance that he is “very appreciative of the work (they) do.”

“You have an incredibly important mission, and it hasn’t always been easy,” Thompson said, commending forest workers for their commitment.

Christiansen talked about the importance of funding for the forest, echoing comments from earlier in the conference where Thompson decried the excessive transferring of funds from the ANF to forests in the Western U.S. when forest fires occur.

“I am thankful for our partners and work we have accomplished together on the Allegheny National Forest,” Christiansen said. “I look forward to strengthening those relationships and building upon past success for the economic benefit of our rural communities and the sustainability of our national forest.”

Christiansen is the 19th Chief of the U.S. Forest Service. She served as the interim chief at the US. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service in Washington D.C. Christiansen was sworn in as chief on Oct. 11.

Thompson said Friday’s meetings would include conversations with subsurface mineral rights owners on the national forest.