The Year in Review: A Clearer Vision 2020

2020 Annual Report Highlights a Year of Success and a Glimpse into the Future

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (April 1, 2021)

Greenville, S.C. – The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (the Endowment) officially announced the release of its 2020 annual report today. The report, titled “A Clearer Vision 2020,” is a vivid illustration of what the Endowment has done over the past year and demonstrates a vibrant path forward.

“We are excited to issue this annual report,” said Endowment President and CEO Pete Madden. “The Endowment partners with amazing organizations and works on so many worthwhile projects each year. This is our chance to showcase the Endowment’s work to the world and provide a look at where we’re headed in the future.”

Some of the highlights from this year include the introduction of new programs, including the utilization of blockchain technology to combat illegal logging, while also giving an update on some of the Endowment’s most noteworthy programs, like the Sustainable Forestry and the African American Land Retention Program (SFLR) and the continued work of Restoration Fuels to turn low-value biomass into an environmentally-friendly, renewable alternative to coal.

This is the first annual report produced after the Endowment’s historic leadership transition from founding President and CEO Carlton Owen to current President and CEO Pete Madden.

“We are fortunate to be in the prime position that we are in,” said Madden. “Carlton’s stewardship of the Endowment since its founding is a testament to his leadership. We thank him for everything he has done to make the Endowment the success it is and look forward to the journey ahead.”

“This year has been filled with numerous challenges, many of which were brought to the forefront by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the Endowment was able to continue to find paths to success with its programs. In the end, the Endowment was able to not only maintain, but to thrive,” said Mark Emmerson, Endowment Chair and Chairman of California-based Sierra-Pacific Industries. “This annual report gives us an opportunity to reflect on the Endowment’s 2020 successes while also showing our clear vision for what’s next.”

To view the report, please click here.

For more information contact: Brandon Walters, Communications and Administrative Coordinator, 864.233.7646, brandon@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