Family-owned forests, along with other private forests, farms and ranches are home to over two-thirds of listed endangered species.

These landowners bear the burden of conserving these species and often see little reward for providing this societal service. Surveys of family forest owners have shown that these families want to protect their forest legacies, and the habitat and other natural values that are part of their forest. Many are willing to take steps to do this, if they are given tools to help them along.

The Endangered Species Act (ESA), signed into law in 1973, mandates the conservation and protection of endangered and threatened species and their habitat. The Act prohibits the “taking” of an endangered or threatened species and prohibits damage to their habitat. Additionally, the Act provides for “safe harbor” protections to reduce the regulatory burden on private landowners that enter into habitat conservation agreements with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, to improve endangered or threatened species habitat.

Sustainable management and protection of family forests will help conserve habitat, clean water and the other public benefits forests provide. Regulatory burdens that are too cumbersome only serve to discourage family forest owners from conserving species.

To encourage endangered and threatened species conservation on family forests, public policies should:

• Modifying the Endangered Species Tax deduction, included in the 2008 Farm Bill to include family forests.
• Support and provide funding for incentive programs that encourage species conservation, including the Healthy Forest Reserve Program, and the Fish and Wildlife Service’s Private Stewardship and Stewardship Incentives Programs.
• Encourage certification of family forests, including certification through the American Tree Farm System®, as a means of protecting endangered species habitat.
• Maintain existing regulatory assurances for family forest owners who agree to conserve endangered species habitat.
  

The American Forest Foundation is a nonprofit conservation organization that strives to ensure the continuation of America’s family forests. Each year we train 30,000 educators and help 90,000 landowners to manage forests for wildlife, habitat, recreation and sustainable products.

Policy approved by American Forest Foundation Board, to expire December 31, 2009.

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