Disaster Aid to Help Rural Forest Owners Affected by Recent Hurricanes, Wildfires and other Natural Disasters

WASHINGTON, D.C. (June 4, 2019) – The American Forest Foundation (AFF), a leading conservation organization that helps America’s family forest owners care for their land, today 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.

“On behalf of the 20 million families and individuals who own and care for forests in the U.S., thank you Congress for supporting the forest owners affected by Hurricanes Michael and Florence, as well as those in the west affected by catastrophic wildfire,” said Tom Martin, President and CEO of AFF.

“Families own the largest portion of forests across America, more than one-third of the forested acres. These forests provide all Americans with important resources such as wildlife habitat, clean air and water, and wood for homes and products we use every day. 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. Given their contributions to our nation’s natural resources, family forest owners need to be supported if we want our forests to remain as forests. We applaud Congress for their work to support these individuals and their contributions.”

Specifically, this disaster aid bill will provide funds to help family forest owners with debris removal, reforestation, reduction of additional disaster risk such as from wildfires, and in some cases, recovery of some lost timber value.

“My wife and I are grateful for the support of Congress, especially from our Florida legislators, who worked to see this bill to the finish line,” said Tree Farmer and retired Air Force Brigadier General Jim Browne. “Since purchasing our Tree Farm, we have put countless hours and our own personal savings into caring for our land, improving the pond system, restoring the native longleaf pine habitat for wildlife and much more. The eye of Hurricane Michael passed directly over our home and Tree Farm, mowing through more than 200 acres of our pine and oak trees. This package we help us to remove the large debris piles and restore trees to our land.”

More than 17,000 family forest owners were affected, and 5 million acres of forestland damaged or destroyed due to hurricanes last year. Hurricane Michael alone caused an estimated economic loss from forest destruction of more than $2 billion.

In April, roughly 50 Tree Farmers from across the country, many from disaster-affected areas, came to Capitol Hill to meet with their representatives to share their experiences and underscore the important role they play in providing for Americans. Disaster aid was a topic in these meetings, stressing the need for support for rural Americans affected by last year’s events.

Contact: Elizabeth Greener, Director of Communications; 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 clean water and air, wildlife habitat and sustainable wood supplies.