For Immediate Release
June 10, 2010

Washington, DC—On Thursday, June 3, the President and CEO of the American Forest Foundation, Tom Martin, will join officials from the U.S. Agriculture Department (USDA) at the National Summit of Rural America: A Dialogue for Renewing the Promise in Hillsboro, Missouri.

Martin will co-chair a panel on Forest Restoration, Rural Recreation and Private Land Conservation, which will focus on the enormous contribution private forests make to the economic, social and environmental well-being of people in Missouri and around the country. Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment, Harris Sherman and deputy undersecretary Ann Wright will also attend this session.

"Secretary Vilsack set out a vision for forest policy that focuses on an "all-lands" approach, including private forests. This Summit demonstrates his ongoing commitment to bring together diverse stakeholders to promote the conservation and restoration of America's forests and identify win-win solutions to revitalize rural economies," Martin said.

"Missouri has nearly 12 million acres of privately-owned forests, accounting for 85 percent of the states' forest cover. Missouri is a prime example of how small family forest owners can play a central role in rebuilding and revitalizing rural economies," Martin said. "From forest product jobs to recreation and tourism, forests are the lifeblood of rural economies," noted Martin. In Missouri, the forest product and supporting industries account for more than 67,000 jobs. The USDA Forest Service ranked Missouri third in the country, based on the economic impacts of forestry.

USDA's leadership in promoting forest conservation, rural recreation and private lands conservation comes at a time when private forest owners are facing significant challenges.
"Families want to hold on to their land but are struggling with a loss of markets, the burden of estate taxes and the threats of climate change and invasive species," noted Martin.

"Private forests provide a multitude of public benefits, such as clean air, clean water, recreation and carbon storage. Our session will focus on how we can work in partnership with USDA to develop programs and policies to help keep forestlands providing these public benefits," added Martin.

Mark E. Nussbaum, the 2009 Missouri State Tree Farmer of the Year provided a letter to Martin to give to Secretary Vilsack. Nussbaum operates a family Tree Farm that has been in his family for more than 70 years.

In his letter, Nussbaum noted that most of Missouri suffers from overstocked forests and that biomass-to-energy projects are an opportunity for forest owners.
 
"If we can produce electricity with sustainably grown wood while thinning our forests to a healthy condition, we can win both ways," Nussbaum wrote.
       
"My Tree Farm is a business, but it's more than that. There are few businesses in this country that provide wildlife habitat, clean water and scenic views." But Nussbaum worries about inter-generational taxes preventing his children from holding on to the land. "Our society emphasizes sustainability. But if we have government policies that require our children to sell our farm to developers in order to pay taxes, is that sustainable?" asked Nussbaum.

David Watson, a private forestland owner and financial advisor in Missouri also provided a letter to the Secretary, noting that "the inter-generational transfers" of family forestland is a significant threat to the well-being of families, the forest products industry and our nation." USDA can play a role, Watson suggested, in "advocating for reduced transfer costs (i.e. estate taxes), and in promoting sound succession planning practices."

Among other questions to be explored during the session that Martin is co-chairing with David Nomsen, of Pheasants Forever, are ideas on how recreation, private land conservation and forest restoration can strengthen rural economies. How can we secure recreational opportunities on private land that encourages conservation and creates jobs? How can forest products from private lands become more competitive and help stimulate jobs? What opportunities are available for USDA to help conserve private forests?

"With a long list of challenges for rural landowners, our session will be about identifying some solutions," added Martin.

The American Forest Foundation (AFF) is a nonprofit conservation organization that works to stem the loss of America's woodlands by helping family forest landowners manage their land for clean water, wildlife habitat, recreation, and wood products. AFF works to ensure decision makers and educators understand the value of America's woodlands through environmental education and outreach efforts that bring outdoor learning to children and adults across the country. We enhance the quality of America's woodlands through our 50-state network of partners and volunteers who lead initiatives on 24.3 million acres of family woodlands and engage youth and communities in conservation efforts.

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