Washington, D.C. (February 13, 2020) – In response to the release of the Trillion Trees Act by Congressman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), the following can be contributed to Tom Martin, President and CEO of the American Forest Foundation:

“The American Forest Foundation, on behalf of our nation’s family forest owners, appreciates Representative Westerman’s leadership on the Trillion Trees Act, legislation designed to help the U.S. contribute to the global Trillion Trees Initiative. In introducing this legislation, Representative Westerman is highlighting the important role that forests and forest products play in mitigating climate change and other environmental challenges while supporting strong rural economies.

Currently our forests and forest products offset roughly 15% of annual U.S. carbon emissions and estimates show that we can double that by planting more trees, better managing forests that have been neglected, protecting forests from conversion, and using more forest products.

To make significant headway on this, it is vital our legislators engage our nation’s 21 million family forest owners. Family forest owners own the largest portion of U.S. forests – 36% - and are gatekeepers and land managers to a significant portion of the carbon potential.

AFF is particularly appreciative of the sections in the bill that promote climate mitigation activity on America’s family-owned forests.

We are excited to work with Representative Westerman, and a bipartisan group of House and Senate leaders, to continue to improve this and other policy solutions that are essential for unlocking the climate mitigation potential in family forests.”

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 keep our forests healthy. America’s family forests are vital for producing clean water and air, carbon sequestration, wildlife habitat and sustainable wood supplies. AFF’s signature program, the American Tree Farm System® is the country’s largest sustainable woodland program with a network of more than 70,000 family forest owners managing nearly 19 million acres of forestland.

www.forestfoundation.org