American Forest Foundation Statement Regarding the Appointment of James Hubbard to USDA Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment

WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 29, 2018) – The following statement can be attributed to Tom Martin, President and CEO of the American Forest Foundation (AFF), in regards to the Senate confirmation of James Hubbard to U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary of Natural Resources and Environment (USDA):

“The American Forest Foundation, on behalf of the 20 million family forest owners across the U.S., applauds the Senate’s confirmation of James Hubbard to Undersecretary for Natural Resources and Environment,” said Tom Martin, AFF President and CEO. "Jim is an innovator focused on how to keep our forests as forests, and ensure that these forests keep providing clean water, clean air, wildlife habitat and good-paying rural jobs."   “We are in the throes of another horrendous wildfire season, and many other of our forest challenges – insects, disease and the rising number of at-risk species – are growing. Given the patchwork pattern of forest ownerships across the U.S., we must take a shared stewardship approach to these issues, one that engages all types of owners in forest stewardship work. Hubbard embodies this sense of collaboration, having helped create cross-boundary, all-lands approach programs such as the Good Neighbor Authority program within the U.S. Forest Service. We look forward to working with him and Secretary Perdue to help tackle the issues at hand to ensure the health of our forests for the future. “

Contact: Elizabeth Greener, egreener@forestfoundation.org, 202-253-1096

About the American Forest Foundation

The American Forest Foundation (AFF), a forest conservation organization, works on the ground with families, partners and elected officials to promote stewardship and protect our nation’s forest heritage. A commitment to the next generation unites our nationwide network of forest owners working to keep our forests healthy and producing the clean water, wildlife habitat and sustainable wood supplies that all Americans count on from forests.