“The State and Future of U.S. Forestry and the Forest Industry” Report Released

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

For IMMEDIATE RELEASE (9.13.2013)

While raging wildfires in the western U.S. dominate the evening news and disrupt the daily routines of tens of thousands of Americans, a new report points to the need for more and better markets for low- value, dead, and dying wood as one of the only practical options for improving the health—and fire resiliency—of these forests. This issue and many others are explored in a report released today by the USDA Forest Service (USFS) and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (Endowment).

The report – The State and Future of U.S. Forestry and the Forest Industry – is the result of a May 2013 convening that assembled leaders from federal and state natural resources agencies, the forest products industry, academia, forest landowners, and conservation organizations. This group of more than 100 explored the current state of issues and strategies needed to ensure a brighter future for the forest industry, and consequently, the health of America’s forests.

“Developing the next generation of wood-based, environmentally-friendly products is essential,” says Jim Hubbard, USFS Deputy Chief for State & Private Forestry. “If we do this, we’ll add thousands of new jobsand enhance the health of our forests.” This report contains more than four dozen very specific recommendations and actions. If implemented, they will help ensure that the people who live in the one- third of the U.S. that is blanketed by forests, the two-thirds who obtain their drinking water from forests, those who earn their living in the forest products industry, and all who benefit from forests and their bounty – that’s everyone — will enjoy a more promising future.

The report contains recommendations in five areas: markets; land tenure and ownership; supply chain; ecological health of federal lands; and forest policy. Among the specific recommendations are: increased use of “check-off” or USDA commodity research and promotion programs; new public/private partnerships to produce new environmentally-friendly products; retooled approaches to supportAmerica’s 11 million family forest owners; strengthening the timber harvesting system; expanded work in biotechnology to address burgeoning forest health issues; and, a focus on the importance of wood in green building initiatives.

“The traditional forest products industry – timber harvesting and wood and paper products – directly employs nearly 900,000 Americans,” notes Endowment President Carlton Owen. These family-supporting jobs generate almost a quarter of a billion dollars in annual sales. “Forestry and forest products were foundational to our country’s growth and current prosperity. With the advent of green building and bio- based products, forests are now a growing and important part of our nation’s future,” he said.

“Like most Americans, I care about forests because I care about clean air and water, a prosperous economy, vibrant rural communities, and having fun outdoors,” says Evan Smith, Vice President of Conservation Ventures, The Conservation Fund. “This report targets recommendations we can collectively support. From certification programs that assure sound forest management to new technology for green products, it highlights a potentially bright future for forests and the forest industry—IF we can bring the public attention and resources to support this progress.”

Workshop sponsors intended for the convening participants to develop a consensus set of recommendations to ensure that forests and the range of economic and ecological benefits that they yieldare on the nation’s agenda. “We can have our cake and eat it, too,” said Owen. “Active, sustainablemanagement of America’s forests will improve forest health, create jobs, revive rural economies, and savetaxpayer money,” says Owen. “This can only be accomplished by taking cross-sector collaboration to new levels.”

Owen notes that the Endowment will identify a portion of the recommendations for which it plans to takethe initiative and the intent is that other organizations will take similar actions. “If we pull together to advance this agenda no one will be able to pull us down,” he said.

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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 andforest-reliant communities – www.usendowment.org