Family Forest Blog

Rural Forest Markets Act Puts Power in Rural America’s Hands

Katie Taylor, Communications Manager

August 29, 2023

Tractor and Forest

WASHINGTON, D.C. (August 29, 2023) - Rita Hite, President and CEO of the American Forest Foundation, issued the following statement in response to the introduction of the Rural Forest Markets Act (RFMA) in the House by Representatives Chellie Pingree (D-ME) and William Timmons (R-SC):

“The Rural Forest Markets Act is a bipartisan effort that unlocks the door to new revenue streams for rural landowners to keep their land in the family and ensure the long-term health and value of their forests are protected. The House must pass this bill to protect rural communities and America’s forests.”

Family forest owners constitute 39% of all U.S. forests – the largest portion of America’s woodlands, surpassing the federal government. The funding the RFMA opens enables landowners to activate the conservation potential of the 290 million acres of family-owned forestland, improving the biodiversity and value of America’s woodlands.

If passed, the RFMA would enable the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue guarantees for loans and bonds that help create carbon markets for small landowners; incentivize family landowners to adopt climate-friendly forest practices that increase the value of market commodities like carbon, water, and timber; and allow the U.S. to achieve the necessary scale of climate impact by bringing the power of private finance from large corporations to America.

##

Media Contact: Katie Taylor, Communications Manager, media@forestfoundation.org

About The American Forest Foundation

The American Forest Foundation is a national conservation organization that works with a broad coalition of partners to empower family forest owners to make a meaningful conservation impact around carbon sequestration, wildfire reduction, wildlife habitat, clean water, sustainable wood supplies and support for rural communities.  To learn more about the Family Forest Carbon Program, visit www.familyforestcarbon.org

Katie Taylor, Communications Manager

August 29, 2023

Related Articles

September 14, 2023

Connecting the Dots: Climate Week and Family Forest Owners

AFF staffers hit the pavement of Manhattan to attend the annual NY Climate Week; we carry the concerns of family forest owners on the ground, fighting climate change across the nation.

Read More

September 13, 2023

New Report: Innovative Finance Tools Key to Activating Nature Based Climate Solutions

Our latest report outlines the underutilized yet critical role of family forests in climate change mitigation and calls for investment in the voluntary carbon market.

Read More

August 22, 2023

IRA Funding Paves Way for Underserved Landowners to Conserve American Forests

On Tuesday, the USDA's Forest Service announced a funding opportunity for $150 million through the Landscape Scale Restoration (LSR) Program.

Read More