Family Forest Blog
June 11, 2019
AFF Coordinators are on Board to Support America’s Family Forest Owners
Family forest owners are passionate about their land, but many landowners face barriers – such as cost, awareness, technical expertise and more – that prevent them from actively managing their woodlands. To make sure that these landowners get the help they need, the American Forest Foundation (AFF) is investing in staff to support partners and landowners in creating healthy, more resilient forests.
June 4, 2019
AFF Thanks Congress for Passage of a Disaster Aid Package
AFF applauds Congress on the passage of the Additional Supplemental Appropriations for Disaster Relief Act (H.R. 2157), a package to help forest owners, farmers and other Americans recover from last year’s hurricanes, wildfires and natural disasters.
June 3, 2019
A Forester's Perspective on the Landscape Management Plan
The American Forest Foundation (AFF) introduced a new approach to forest management plans, the landscape management plan to streamline the onboarding and American Tree Farm System certification process for both foresters and landowners. Hear directly from Florida Forest Service forester Greg Marshall on this new tool and how it's helping foresters spend more time with landowners.
May 28, 2019
American Forest Foundation Brings WoodsCamp to California, Accelerating Wildfire Risk Reduction
To help more California landowners access the funding and technical assistance to reduce wildfire risk and make their forestland more resilient, the American Forest Foundation (AFF) today announced release of the WoodsCamp online tool in California. The online tool gives family forest owners critically important data, resources, and access to expert advice that can improve land health and reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire.
May 28, 2019
AFF Applauds the Introduction of the Forest Recovery Act in the Senate
AFF applauds Senators Cindy Hyde-Smith of Mississippi, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Tom Cotton of Arkansas and Marco Rubio of Florida for the introduction and support of the Forestry Recovery Act (S. 1687).
May 20, 2019
Past, Present, and Future in the American Tree Farm System
Recently the American Forest Foundation (AFF) welcomed Angela Wells as the new Western Regional Tree Farm Manager. Having grown up on a certified Tree Farm, Angela has developed a deep personal connection with the program. This connection with the program is exactly what made her the perfect addition to our team.
May 20, 2019
AFF Statement on Washington’s Shared Stewardship Agreement with Forest Service
The American Forest Foundation (AFF) applauds the recent signing of a Shared Stewardship Memorandum of Understanding, which formalizes a partnership with Washington Department of Natural Resources, Washington Fish and Wildlife and the United States Forest Service to support shared goals and existing plans to address forest health, which is a cornerstone of reducing wildfires and providing wildlife habitat and clean water.
May 13, 2019
Advocating for Healthy Forests
On April 30, 48 Tree Farmers from 20 states across the country traveled to Washington, D.C. to advocate on behalf of family forest owners around the nation. Participants received an in-depth briefing from staff on federal policy issues that impact family forests and were taught strategies for being an effective advocate and then went off to Capitol Hill to meet with their representatives.
April 20, 2019
Forest Owner Hardships After Hurricane Michael
After disasters strike, such as hurricanes and wildfires, family forest owners not only need to rebuild their homes and lives but their forests as well. However, the destruction caused by these events is often too extreme and the costs too high for many landowners to handle on their own. They need outside support and access to resources to help restore their forests. Take, for example, Alison and Jim Browne.
April 10, 2019
Tyler’s Tips for Tortoises
Gopher Tortoises are ecosystem engineers across the Southeastern United States. So much so that April 10th is dedicated to celebrating their importance! Tyler Sibley from the Alabama Forestry Association put together ten tips to make Gopher Tortoises feel at home in your forest.
April 1, 2019
FourTee Acres: Connecting the Generations
Tyrone Williams squinted into the sun as he looked toward the newly planted tract of loblolly pines on his 62-acre property in Enfield, North Carolina. The air was fragrant with the trees’ scent. He thought about his ancestors and how they surely stood in this very same spot.
March 26, 2019
Managing White Oaks During the Bourbon Boom
Bourbon’s popularity is on the rise around the United States. That means an equal rise in demand for white oak. Coopers use large, knot-free logs of this durable hardwood to make the barrels that give the spirit its rich flavors and amber hue.
March 26, 2019
Young Female Forester Awarded for Leadership to Forestry Community
The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS) is pleased to recognize Brittany VanderWall of Michigan with the 2019 National Leadership Award. The award recognizes the efforts of extraordinary volunteers for their leadership in motivating other volunteers, educating landowners and accomplishing his or her state committee’s forest conservation goals.
March 26, 2019
American Tree Farm System Honors Bill Chaney as 2019 National Outstanding Inspector of the Year
The American Tree Farm System® (ATFS) is pleased to recognize Bill Chaney of Arkansas as the 2019 National Outstanding Inspector of the Year. Chaney was selected from among more than 2,500 inspectors nationwide for his exceptional on-the-ground work with family forest owners and commitment to the American Tree Farm System.
March 13, 2019
Family Forest Owners Are Key to Conservation Impact
While our forests can feel like one vast expanse, forest ownership in the U.S. is actually a patchwork of lands, with public and private lands of all types and sizes interlocking to create a forested landscape. Regardless of ownership boundaries, forests and the important resources they provide—clean water, clean air, wildlife habitat, and sustainable wood supplies—thrive as an entire ecosystem or landscape.