Care about Wildlife?
Threats to America’s wildlife are predominantly centered around loss of habitat. The recent report from the U.S. Forest Service, reinforces the need to address habitat loss – specifically on private forest land. That’ s because 60 percent of America’s at-risk wildlife depend on private forests for their habitat.
Tom Martin, President and CEO of the American Forest Foundation, said this about the report:
“The new Forest Service report should be a wake-up call to any American who cares about wildlife. Whether you’re a birder, a hunter, an angler, a photographer – if you care about America’s vibrant natural heritage - that means you need to care about America’s family forests.
“Most of America’s forests are owned by families like yours and mine – not by federal, state or local governments, and not by large land holdings. Ten million Americans own 465 million acres of forest – that’s 62 percent of all the forestland in the United States, an area about the size of New England, Texas and California combined. Nearly eight million of these forest owners have less than 50 acres each.
“And it’s on these lands that thousands of animals and plants are living on the edge, at risk of extinction if these vibrant woodlands are not sustainably managed.
“If we want to keep these forests as forests, we need to recognize that it is in the public interest to address the challenges on private forests. Particularly now because there’s a perfect storm brewing out there — 52 million acres of forest land are owned by someone who’s 75 years or older. And while the vast majority of forest owners don’t want to sell their land, too many are forced to sell to pay mounting health care bills, or because the development value of the land far surpasses the natural resource value.
That’s why the Forest Service, USDA, the American Forest Foundation and others need to continue working together to create new markets for private forest owners, and make sure public policy helps avert this perfect storm where families are forced to sell their woodlands.
“We also have to work together to give landowners the tools and support they need to do right by their land – and by the natural heritage we all share. Our work going forward to promote conservation incentive programs and adequate funding for forest programs in the Farm Bill is just one example of what the American Forest Foundation is doing to help family forest owners and America’s wildlife."
