American Forest Foundation Applauds Senators Stabenow and Braun on the Introduction of the Rural Forests Markets Act

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (August 5, 2020) - In response to the introduction of Rural Forests Markets Act by U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, and Mike Braun (R-Ind.), also a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, the following can be contributed to Tom Martin, President and CEO of the American Forest Foundation (AFF), a national conservation organization that specializes in helping family-owned forests produce a wide array of benefits such as wildlife habitat, clean water, sustainable wood supplies and carbon storage:

 “Across the U.S., families and private individuals own the largest portion – 36% - of our forests, making them a critical component to tackling climate change and ensuring the vitality of our rural forests and communities. Yet these owners face significant barriers when it comes to being able to care for their forests, most notably cost. Markets, such as carbon markets, can help defray the cost of forest stewardship that might otherwise not be affordable to landowners, ultimately making a meaningful impact on the climate. The American Forest Foundation applauds Senator Stabenow and Senator Braun in helping open new markets for forest owners with the introduction of the Rural Forest Markets Act.”

The Rural Forests Markets Act is designed to open carbon and other markets to small landowners that are currently unavailable to them. By allowing the USDA to provide guarantees for upfront capital investment the financial burdens landowners face to enter carbon markets are reduced, allowing them to access revenue from carbon markets to finance stewardship activities that have a carbon sequestration benefit, among other co-benefits.

The bill is supported by American Forest Foundation, The Nature Conservancy, American Forests, National Woodland Owners Association, National Association of State Foresters, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Northland Forest Products, Hardwood Federation, National Wild Turkey Federation, American Wood Council, Idaho Forest Group, Port Blakely, Domtar, Westrock, Ruffed Grouse Society, American Woodcock Society, American Forest and Paper Association, and International Paper.

Learn more about AFF's climate and carbon policy recommendations.

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

About the American Forest Foundation The American Forest Foundation (AFF) is a national non-profit conservation organization that protects and measurably increases the clean water, wildlife habitat, and sustainable wood supplies that come from family-owned forests. AFF works with partners, leading businesses, policymakers, and landowners directly, to address key issues such as conserving biodiversity, reducing risk of catastrophic wildfire, and addressing the threat of climate change. To learn more about the American Forest Foundation, visit www.forestfoundation.org.