A National Strategy to Increase the Efficacy of Timber Enforcement at U.S. Borders

Since 1900, the United States has relied on the Lacey Act to protect wildlife from unsustainable and illegal exploitation via the enforcement of tribal, state, and foreign laws. In 2008, Congress amended the Lacey Act to offer the same protection of plants including timber and wood products. Albeit, over a decade since enactment, on the ground enforcement of the Lacey Act Amendments is still in the early stages. This capstone explores leadership in wildlife conservation and proposes a plan to optimizes the enforcement of the Lacey Act Amendment at U.S. ports of entry. The final project is a national strategy that increases collaboration between border inspection agencies to close enforcement gaps and creates a workflow plan for timber inspections in an effort to combat timber trafficking. Using the resources provided in the strategy, border law enforcement officers can more effectively identify and inspect high-risk shipments.