December 2019 - U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities, Inc.

Photo Credit: James Edward Mills

“America’s Forests With Chuck Leavell” Episode III to Air on PBS and Educational Channels Across the Country

Features the nationally recognized and award-winning Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention (SFLR) Program

U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, Greenville, SC

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 20, 2019)

Greenville, SC – The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (the Endowment) is pleased and proud to share that “America’s Forests with Chuck Leavell” Episode III, which features the nationally recognized and award-winning Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention (SFLR) Program will soon be showing across the country. Episode III features some of the voices and stories of the Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention (SFLR) Program, with a focus on South Carolina forest owners. It was funded by the Endowment and its partners USDA Forest Service (USFS) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

The Endowment hosted the Episode’s Premiere on December 10 at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. Among the attendees were Congressman James E. Clyburn, 6^th District, and Congressman William Timmons, 4^th District, both of South Carolina; Vicki Christiansen, Chief, USDA Forest Service (USFS); Jim Hubbard, Under Secretary for Natural Resources & Environment, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA); Kevin Norton, Associate Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS); and other dignitaries.

“America’s Forests,” hosted by Chuck Leavell, Tree Farmer and Keyboardist for the Rolling Stones, captures the breadth of our nation’s woodlands – both public and private. The program, produced by Choose Outdoors, features different stories that demonstrate how forests are integral to the well-being and economic health of communities across the country.

Launched in 2012, the SFLR Program is a collaborative and community-led effort to aid African American landowners in keeping their land in the family and increasing its economic value. The program connects local, state, and federal organizations to assist landowners in this process and works through grass-roots organizations in the Southeastern U.S. Among other services, the SFLR Program provides access to legal assistance and opportunities to adopt sustainable forestry practices. Program supporters include the Endowment, the NRCS, the USFS, The JPB Foundation, and the Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation. This past summer, the American Forest Foundation (AFF) became a key partner in the SFLR network and began a long-planned transition as the national coordinator for the work. AFF will work to help reach additional landowners and support policy efforts to curb African American land loss.

“The SFLR Program is, without a doubt, one of the most important programs I’ve been involved with during my career. The Endowment could not be prouder of the success we’ve seen throughout the South and the positive impact it has had on sustainable forestry and the livelihoods of African American landowners over the past seven years,” said Alicia Cramer, Senior Vice President at the Endowment. “Seeing this episode in its final form is so exciting, and I look forward to seeing what the next chapter in SFLR’s story holds.”

The SFLR Program has been recognized with multiple awards, including the USDA Forest Service Regional Forester’s (Region 8) Honor Award for Delivering State and Private Forestry Programs in 2019; the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships in 2018; and the USDA’s highest honor, the Abraham Lincoln Award for protecting natural resources in 2016.

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For more information contact: Alicia Cramer, Senior Vice President, (205) 792-8650, alicia@runslikeclock.work

The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (the Endowment) is a not-for-profit public charity working collaboratively with partners in the public and private sectors to advance systemic, transformative, and sustainable change for the health and vitality of the nation’s working forests and forest-reliant communities. www.usendowment.org

Released on November 12, 2019, the Aspen Institute’s report “Rural Development Hubs: Strengthening America’s Rural Innovation Infrastructure” summarizes findings and recommendations from interviews with 43 Rural Development Hubs from across the nation who are intermediaries leading the effort to do rural development differently. According to the report, “Intermediaries are place-based organizations that work to improve prosperity and well-being by harnessing local and outside resources to design and deliver services and products to people, firms and organizations in their region.” Read the full report by clicking the image below.

Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention Program Receives USDA Forest Service 2019 Regional Forester’s Honor Award

Program Recognized for the Delivering State & Private Forestry Programs Group Award

U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, Greenville, SC

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 13, 2019)

Greenville, SC – The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (Endowment) is pleased to announce that the Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention (SFLR) Program is a 2019 recipient of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service Regional Forester’s Honor Award for Delivering State and Private Forestry Programs. The award recognizes groups and individuals who demonstrate outstanding commitment to excellence and teamwork for the sake of U.S. forests. The awards ceremony was held on December 13, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia.

“This year’s theme ‘Shared Stewardship, Shared Excellence – Our Commitment to the Land and People’ could not be a more appropriate description of the SFLR network,” said Alicia Cramer, Senior Vice President at the Endowment, and one of seven who accepted the award. “Everyone involved in this amazing program – including landowners across seven states, government, philanthropic, and community organizations – has consistently demonstrated a passion and commitment to supporting, connecting, and empowering African American landowners in the Southern Region. Their tireless work has enabled landowners to keep forests in the family and make those forests productive for generations to come.”

The SFLR program was launched in 2012 as an effort to aid African American landowners in turning their forested properties into economic assets. The program capitalizes on innovative partnerships between local, state, and federal organizations to assist landowners in this process. SFLR provides a variety of support to these landowners, including access to legal assistance and opportunities for sustainable forestry. The program supports projects across seven states and more than 1,300 landowners. The participants own a combined 83,000 acres.

Joining Alicia on stage in accepting the award for SFLR were Amadou Diop, representing State and Private Forestry – Southern Region of the USDA Forest Service; Cheryl Peterson, Managing Director, McIntosh SEED (GA); Steve Patterson, Director of Forestry Services, and D. Hope Watson, Staff Attorney, both from the Center for Heirs’ Property Preservation (SC); and John Schelhas, Research Forester, and Cassandra Johnson Gaither, Research Social Scientist, both with the Forest Service’s Southern Research Station.

The SFLR program has been recognized with several national awards, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships in 2018 and USDA’s highest honor, the Abraham Lincoln Award for protecting natural resources in 2016. This past summer, the American Forest Foundation (AFF) became a key partner in the SFLR network and began a long-planned transition as the national coordinator for the work. AFF will work to help reach additional landowners and support policy efforts to curb African American land loss.

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For more information contact:
Carlton N. Owen, President & CEO, 864-233-7646, carlton@runslikeclock.work
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (the Endowment) is a not-for-profit public charity working collaboratively with partners in the public and private sectors to advance systemic, transformative, and sustainable change for the health and vitality of the nation’s working forests and forest-reliant communities.
www.usendowment.org

Photo Credit: James Edward Mills

Event to Premiere “America’s Forests with Chuck Leavell” Episode III featuring the Sustainable Forestry & African American Land Retention Program Draws Hundreds to Recognize Award-Winning Program

– Notable attendees included representatives from U.S. Congress, USDA Forest Service and the National Resources Conservation Service –

U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, Greenville, SC

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE (December 12, 2019)

Greenville, S.C. – The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (Endowment) hosted 350 attendees to view the premiere of “America’s Forests with Chuck Leavell” Episode III, which featured the nationally recognized and award-winning Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention (SFLR) program. The event was held last night at the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, DC. It was attended by Congressman James E. Clyburn, 6th District, State of South Carolina; Vicki Christiansen; Chief, USDA Forest Service (USFS); Jim Hubbard, Under Secretary for Natural Resources & Environment, US Department of Agriculture (USDA); and, Kevin Norton, Associate Chief, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS); among other dignitaries.

The SFLR program was launched in 2012 as an effort to aid African American landowners in turning their forested properties into economic assets. The program capitalizes on innovative partnerships between local, state, and federal organizations to assist landowners in this process. SFLR provides a variety of support services to these landowners, including access to legal assistance and opportunities to adopt sustainable forestry practices.

“America’s Forests,” hosted by Chuck Leavell, Tree Farmer and Keyboardist for the Rolling Stones, is a series aired on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and educational television stations across the country. It captures the breadth of our nation’s woodlands – both public and private. The program, produced by Choose Outdoors, features different stories that demonstrate how forests are integral to the well-being and economic health of communities across the country. Episode III features some of the faces, voices, and stories of the Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention (SFLR) program, with a focus on South Carolina forest owners.

“This SFLR episode, in particular, helped me to have a deeper understanding of the important work being done by the SFLR sites in the southeast,” said Leavell. “It is my belief through our series for public television that we will help millions of Americans understand the critical need to support all those who are working to ensure the future of sustainable forestry.”

Endowment President & CEO Carlton N. Owen welcomed attendees and recognized individuals and organizations that have had a significant impact on the success of the program. Special recognition was given to the USFS and the NRCS. Chief Christiansen and Associate Chief Norton each accepted awards from the Endowment for their organizations’ roles. Owen also recognized Tom Martin, President and CEO, and Mavis Gragg, Director – SFLR Program, of the American Forest Foundation (AFF). This past summer, AFF became a key partner in the SFLR network and began a long-planned transition as national coordinator for the work. AFF will work to help reach additional landowners and support policy efforts to curb African American land loss.

“SFLR is a true success story, and it gives me such pleasure to recognize it tonight in the company of so many folks who have contributed to its success,” said Owen. “This program is the result of the collaborative efforts of many partners and has achieved and surpassed our original vision. It has improved forest management and forest retention by connecting African American landowners to established networks of forestry support including federal and state government programs, businesses, and nonprofit conservation, legal, and community development organizations.”

The SFLR program has been recognized with several awards, including the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Secretary’s Award for Public-Philanthropic Partnerships in 2018 and the USDA’s highest honor, the Abraham Lincoln Award for protecting natural resources in 2016.

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