The future of Southern U.S. forests depends in large part on decisions made today by family forest owners, who account for 62 percent of privately owned forestland in the region. To help promote responsible forestry among this crucial group, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) has awarded a grant to the American Forest Foundation (AFF) to conduct highly targeted outreach to promote sustainable forestry among family forestland owners in North Carolina.
This partnership will use several coordinated targeting methods to reach landowners in one or more of the significant landscapes for longleaf pine as identified by the America’s Longleaf Conservation Plan. SFI’s grant will allow AFF to specifically target and engage landowners in the area most likely to help promote responsible forestry and protect the benefits that come from forests—clean water, clean air, outdoor recreation, wood products, and good paying rural jobs. This project will specifically restore longleaf pine and the important wildlife habitats it supports.
“SFI is proud to support this critically important project in one of the most ecologically significant areas in North Carolina,” said Kathy Abusow, SFI President and CEO. “It is another way SFI continues its long-standing support of the American Forest Foundation’s work with family and individual forest owners.”
“The American Forest Foundation is grateful for this support from SFI. By precisely targeting landowners in ecologically important areas who will be most responsive to outreach we will maximize the opportunity to advance sustainable forestry in North Carolina’s forests,” said Bettina Ring, Senior Vice President of Family Forests with the American Forest Foundation. “This project engages landowners on a pathway to sustainable forest management by deepening their involvement in current responsible forestry practices, encouraging them to join local and state efforts and promoting access to My Land Plan, the AFF online resource for woodland owners.”
From The Sacramento Bee: https://www.sacbee.com/2013/12/12/5995192/sfi-aff-announce-innovative-project.html