CONTACT: Kris Voorhees, Senior Director of Communications, media@forestfoundation.org

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rita Hite, president and CEO of the American Forest Foundation, issued this statement following Committee consideration of budget reconciliation:

“America’s forests grow the raw materials to build our homes, fuel our energy, and supply essential products across the country. Today, the US House Agriculture Committee and Ways and Means Committees took the first steps in supporting the more than 21 million American family forest owners by protecting and growing voluntary conservation programs and maintaining important tax provisions.

Family lands fuel the industries that make America strong. They provide space for recreation markets like hunting, fishing, and wildlife. They clean our air and water and provide the wood products upon which all Americans rely. Federal support of these landowners, through tax provisions, conservation programs, and traditional and emerging market development, provides the support they need to strengthen local economies and rural livelihoods while improving our environment. Programs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) like voluntary conservation programs and the Forest Landowner Support program have been instrumental in supporting these lands that all Americans benefit from and incubating and unlocking access to new markets for these landowners.

We look forward to working with both chambers of Congress to ensure strong support for programs at USDA that provide the safety net and strong markets forest landowners need as the budget reconciliation process advances. We thank the Committees for their work to date and for ensuring ongoing investment in voluntary conservation programs.”

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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.