Family Forest Blog
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
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 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 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.
March 6, 2019
AFF Statement on California’s Community Wildfire Prevention & Mitigation Report
The American Forest Foundation (AFF) a leading conservation organization that helps America’s family forest owners care for their land, today applauded the leadership of California and CAL FIRE in their efforts to protect vulnerable communities and homes by making our forests more resilient.
March 4, 2019
Giving Landowners the Right Resources and Tools to Manage their Forests
Landowners want to do right by their land, but often run into barriers. In the Southern Wildlife at Risk: Family Forest Owners Offer a Solution report - being unsure of what to do, finding the right professionals and programs to assist them, and cost can often stop family forest owners from taking action to improve their property.
January 15, 2019
AFF Helps Advance Forest Policy in 2018
2018 was a strong year for forest policy. With your help, AFF was able to successfully improve active forest management possibilities for millions of family forestland owners.
January 15, 2019
What will we see for forest owners thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill?
With the new 2018 Farm Bill, families will be able to do even more for conservation, thanks to positive changes made to the forestry policy and funding provisions.
December 20, 2018
Innovations to Engage More Landowners and Drive Certification Growth
AFF is focused on removing barriers—such as cost, awareness, landowner outreach challenges, forester capacity limitations, among others - that currently prevent more family forest owners from participating in active stewardship.
December 12, 2018
AFF Supports Farm Bill Conference Report that Recognizes Family Forest Owner Needs
The American Forest Foundation (AFF) a leading conservation organization that helps America’s family forest owners care for their land, today expressed strong support for the 2018 Farm Bill conference report, which includes new tools and support for stewardship of family forest lands.
December 5, 2018
American Forest Foundation and The Forest Trust Partner to Advance Sustainable Supply Chains
This partnership will enable brands to more seamlessly engage in on-the-ground work with private landowners to transform their supply chains and drive positive outcomes in the places they source wood. The work will also support markets that encourage family forest owners to take conservation action in their woods.