CONTACT: Nicole Goodman, Director of Communications, media@forestfoundation.org  

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the American Forest Foundation (AFF) launched a new data visualization map that highlights the many conservation benefits of America’s family-owned forests, and the need to protect these forests from the risks of conversion and fragmentation. The map compiles several previously disparate data sources into one centralized map, showing users a more comprehensive picture of the multifaceted benefits of privately-owned forests.  

“Family-owned forests offer countless solutions to our biggest conservation challenges, but these forests need our support to ensure they thrive for generations to come,” said Nathan Truitt, Executive Vice President of Climate Funding at AFF. “This tool shows how AFF’s Family Forest Carbon Program, alongside communities, companies, and policymakers, can protect the health of family-owned forests and unlock their vast environmental, social, and economic potential.” 

American families and individuals own 39% of the nation’s forests, making them important stewards of this natural resource, but these landowners often struggle with the high cost of land management and lack essential resources like forest management plans. By unlocking access to the voluntary carbon market, the Family Forest Carbon Program (FFCP) provides critical financial and technical support to these landowners.  

AFF’s new map, hosted by technology provider TransparenC, allows users to explore the forests of Central Appalachia, FFCP’s first and most highly enrolled region, across several impact areas. FFCP first launched in Central Appalachia in 2020 before expanding to 20 states across the country. The region was chosen due to the heavy frequency of high grading, putting many of the region’s forests at risk of conversion.  

The map shows several notable benefits and potential threats to the region’s family forests. 

Notable Benefits: 

Potential Threats: 

Alongside the map, a corresponding dashboard offers easy access to key due diligence and program overview documents and features the stories of landowners who have enrolled and benefited from the program. AFF plans to add more features and data sources to the map in future updates. Users can explore the map and dashboard here. 

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About The American Forest Foundation  

The American Forest Foundation is a national organization that empowers family forest owners to deliver meaningful conservation impact. The organization’s programs, the Family Forest Carbon Program and the American Tree Farm System, help landowners implement forest management practices to care for the health and productivity of their woodlands. To learn more about the American Forest Foundation and the Family Forest Carbon Program, visit www.forestfoundation.org.