Family Forest Blog
January 31, 2022
A Dedication to Conservation
Pam and Jim Porter’s Jasper County, South Carolina forestland fulfills a life-long dream for Jim and has become a life’s passion for Pam. Both have become tireless advocates for conservation, carbon sequestration and sustainable forestry.
January 26, 2022
The Future Is Now
This month, Rita Hite put her boots on the ground as president and CEO of the American Forest Foundation. She reflects on the optimism she’s feeling for the future of America’s family forest owners, AFF and our planet.
January 18, 2022
AFF Applauds the Forest Service for Launching Comprehensive Strategy
The American Forest Foundation today applauded the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) Wildfire Crisis Strategy.
January 10, 2022
Accomplished Executive Rita Hite Takes the Helm as First Woman President & Chief Executive Officer of American Forest Foundation
The American Forest Foundation today announced Rita Hite as its president and chief executive officer. Hite is the first woman in the organization’s more than 40-year history to hold its top position.
December 22, 2021
A Q&A With American Forest Foundation’s New SVP of Conservation, Valerie Craig
The American Forest Foundation is excited to announce Valerie Craig as the new Senior Vice President of Conservation. Valerie’s passion for conservation and expertise in the field will help further the organization’s mission of empowering family forest owners to make a meaningful conservation impact.
December 16, 2021
Tom Martin: Reflections on the Forestland
Tom Martin’s early childhood helped prepare him for a career - and a passion - for woodlands. As he prepares to retire from his role as President & CEO of AFF at the end of this year, we take a look back at how his influence and leadership will continue to resonate in the many programs and projects he has championed.
December 15, 2021
Mary LaHood and Bob Burns: 2021 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year
The American Tree Farm System (ATFS) has named Mary LaHood and Bob Burns the 2021 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year. Mary and Bob manage the 320-acre LaHood-Burns Family Forest with their children in the Black Hills of South Dakota.
December 15, 2021
Black Hills Family Named National Outstanding Tree Farmer of the Year
The American Forest Foundation and the American Tree Farm System are excited to announce the 2021 National Outstanding Tree Farmers of the Year, Mary LaHood and Bob Burns of South Dakota.
December 2, 2021
Determining a True Carbon Benefit Part 4: Permanence
An important step to ensuring that a carbon benefit is valid is if it stands the test of time. This is called permanence, which is defined as ‘the longevity of the carbon benefit of at least 100 years.’ The Family Forest Carbon Program is working to ensure the permanence of our carbon benefit.
December 2, 2021
Meet the Jacksons of Pennsylvania
When looking for resources to support the health of their forest, Laura and Mike discovered the Family Forest Carbon Program. They learned that the program offered a steady, long-term revenue stream to enable them to take on their forest projects and continue to improve their forest’s health.
November 24, 2021
You Can Support AFF This Giving Tuesday!
This Giving Tuesday, consider supporting the work being done to empower America’s family forest owners to create conservation impact.
November 24, 2021
Meet TyKeidra Young Who is Working to Advance Conservation Impact
Two years ago, TyKeidra Young started her internship at the AFF to support the work of the Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention Program. After her internship, her passion to support America’s family forest owners fueled her desire to continue her work with AFF.
November 22, 2021
Meet Tony and Debbie Wambaugh of Pennsylvania
When the time to retire came, Tony and Debbie Wambaugh were excited to be able to move to their family's land. Their main focus was on farming but they hadn't considered the potential of the 126 forested acres. An ad from the Family Forest Carbon Program changed all that.
November 22, 2021
American Forest Foundation Applauds U.S. House of Representatives Passage of Build Back Better Act, Including Historic Investments in Forests and Rural Communities
AFF celebrates the recognition that congressional leaders have placed on forests, especially family-owned forests, as a key piece of America’s climate mitigation roadmap.
November 16, 2021
American Forest Foundation Applauds President Biden, Congress for Bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act With Inclusion of Family Forest Owner Provisions
AFF applauds the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, passed by Congress and signed into law today by President Biden, which will support private and family landowners in creating more resilient forests for the future.