Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Study Quantifies Impact for Landowners
Clearing Land Title Generates the Greatest Economic
U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, Greenville, SC
For IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 4, 2020)
Greenville, S.C. – In late 2019, the U.S. Endowment
for Forestry and Communities (“Endowment”) and the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) commissioned a study to help quantify
benefits derived from landowners participating in the Sustainable
Forestry and African American Land Retention (SFLR) program. The study
was designed to identify monetary benefits that could potentially be
recognized by SFLR participants. The undertaking considered hurdles such
as heirs’ property impact, access to professional forestry and legal
services, availability to timber and fiber markets and corresponding
networks, and access to government cost-share and other financial
assistance. “Land lift” or added value per acre that a landowner might
expect was designated as the desired metric.
The study, which was conducted by the forest sector research firm Forest2Market, identified the benefits of the program and denoted a per acre lift in the following categories:
1. Value of unencumbered property title
2. Access to agricultural cost-share programs related to forestry
3. Improved forest stand management
4. Access to professional forestry services and broader forest product markets
The
study confirmed that clearing title not only yields the greatest per
acre value— up to $1,000 — but it is also foundational to unlocking
other financial gains.
The complete study can be found here. Alicia Cramer, Senior Vice President at the Endowment and the project lead noted, “It’s essential to all stakeholders, especially landowners and funders, to quantify the impact of their investments (time, effort and dollars) in support of African American forestland owners. The land lift identified in this report validates the need for continued efforts to address heirs’ property issues and afford landowners the ability to create wealth and sustainably manage their lands for future generations.”
“The proof is in the pudding; this program works,” stated Carlton Owen, President and CEO of the Endowment. “SFLR has not only provided African American landowners with access to resources, sustainable forest management instruction, legal assistance, and other forms of support, but it has also added measurable value to those families’ bottom line. It’s my expectation that this program will continue to grow and thrive well into the next decade.” that this program will continue to grow and thrive well into the next decade.”
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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. 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.
Forest2Market: Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Forest2Market provides market pricing data, cost and performance benchmarks and analytics, as well as supply chain expertise and consulting to customers in the global forest, wood products, pulp and paper, lumber, bioenergy, biofuels and biochemicals industries. www.forest2market.com
For more information contact: Alicia Cramer, Senior Vice President, 205-792-8650, Alicia@usendowment.org
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
The Year in Review: Working for Forests and Forest-Rich Communities
2019 Annual Report Highlights a Year of Audacious Goals, Success, and Transitions
U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, Greenville, SC
For IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 13, 2020)
Greenville, S.C. – The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (Endowment) today announced the release of its 2019 Annual Report titled “Bright Spots.” The report highlights a broad spectrum of work undertaken or furthered by the Endowment and its partners.
“Transparency and communication are core values at the Endowment,” said Endowment President & CEO Carlton Owen. “Every year, we provide a comprehensive and engaging report that shares our story with those who help fund our work, those who do the work on the ground, our peers, and other interested folks.”
Among the many “bright spots” or successes and points of pride highlighted in this year’s report is progress on Restoration Fuels, a 100,000-ton-per-year wood torrefaction facility in John Day, Oregon, designed to help strengthen sawmill viability while providing an economic outlet for low-value material fueling catastrophic wildfires in National Forests.
Additionally, the report notes the transition of the incredibly successful “Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention” (SFLR) program to long-term stewardship by the American Forest Foundation. The SFLR program has been recognized over the years with multiple awards.
The report also provides glimpses into support for tall wood buildings on university campuses across the U.S., the first-ever Forest Innovation Reviews (FIRz) forum for innovative solutions to challenging forest-related problems, and the ongoing and incredible work the Endowment funds around watershed health and restoration. Read more in the digital version, which offers links to a wealth of additional online content.
“It is not until we reflect on the year in hindsight that we truly grasp the breadth and depth of the Endowment’s work,” said Mark Emmerson, Endowment Chair and chairman of California-based Sierra-Pacific Industries. “I continue to be amazed at what this organization – small but mighty – can accomplish.” Emmerson assumed the role as Board Chair in late 2019, as Colin Moseley stepped down after having served two terms as Chair.
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For more information contact: Carlton N. Owen, President & CEO, 864-233-7646, carlton@usendowment.org
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
Endowment Welcomes Pete Madden as President
Role brings deep forest sector expertise and experience; begins long-planned leadership transition
U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, Greenville, SC
For IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 3, 2020)
Greenville, S.C. – The U.S. Endowment for Forestry
and Communities (Endowment) today announced that Pete Madden will join
the staff as President effective February 17.
“Our Board and
Staff are excited to share with our partners and collaborators that Pete
will be coming aboard,” said Endowment President and CEO Carlton Owen.
“This decision is the culmination of more than two years of thoughtful
and deliberate succession planning to ensure that the Endowment
continues to advance its dual mission of keeping working forests as
forests and advancing family-wage jobs in forest-rich, rural
communities.”
Madden joins the Endowment with more than 30
years’ experience in the forest sector. He has held roles in land
management, procurement, supply chain and logistics, and renewable
energy within well-known and respected industry players including
Westvaco, Georgia-Pacific, and Plum Creek. Most recently, he led Drax
Biomass, Inc. as President and CEO. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree
from Marlboro College in Vermont and both a Master of Science in
Forestry and an MBA from the University of New Hampshire.
Endowment Board Chairman Mark Emmerson (Chairman of California-based Sierra Pacific Industries)
noted, “We are fortunate to have had consistent, stable, and visionary
leadership since the Endowment’s creation in 2006 and are happy to
report that Carlton Owen will continue as CEO for an extended period. In
concert with the Board, Carlton has been the perfect leader for our
formative years, having built a stellar staff and positioned the
Endowment as the forest sector’s risk capital. He is not only fully
aligned with, but also is a prime mover in this decision to ensure a
bright future for the Endowment by continuing to recruit 5-star players
to the team. We all – Board and Staff – agree that Pete has the
experience and leadership skills to help advance our important mission.”
“I
have watched the Endowment emerge as one of the most progressive and
impactful players in the greater forest sector bridging academia,
conservation, government at all levels, and industry,” said Madden. “I
am excited to pursue the next chapter in my career with a lean
organization that has accomplished such amazing results and to have the
opportunity to join the outstanding Board and Staff in doing so.”
Madden will work out of the Endowment’s headquarters and plans to relocate his family to Greenville, South Carolina.
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For more information contact:
Carlton N. Owen, President & CEO, 864-233-7646, carlton@usendowment.org
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
