Policy & Advocacy
“Government policies must make it easier for landowners to continue to maintain their forests as forests.” -Secretary Tom Vilsack, American Great Outdoors Listening Session, Concord, NH 2010
If America's forest legacy is to continue, government policies must address the many challenges facing private forest owners who own most of America's forests. We owe a lot to America's family forest owners. Their stewardship helps provide all Americans with clean air, clean water, the wood products we use every day, places to hunt and fish, hike and find solace.
Family forest owners need tools to keep their forests healthy -- and government policies can help or hinder their ability to do right by their land. The American Forest Foundation advocates on behalf of Tree Farmers in the American Tree Farm System, who are managing nearly 26 million acres of forest land. AFF also works to ensure more woodland owners are engaged in stewardship activities.
Even if we protect our forests today, it will not mean much if we lose them tomorrow -- which is why the growing disconnect between children and nature so concerns us. And it's why AFF advocates for environmental education funding to ensure that the next generation is well prepared for the future they will inherit. If you care about America's forests and want to ensure environmental education for every child, please join us in our efforts.
Join the Family Forest Action Network:
Family forest advocates and Tree Farmers are committed to fighting for policies that ensure family forest owners have the tools they need to keep their forests healthy and productive and to protect America's forest heritage.
Join the Project Learning Tree Grassroots Action Network:
This thriving community of Project Learning Tree educators work together with elected officials to secure funding for environmental education in our schools. They work hard to help educators give students the tools they need to learn how to think, not what to think, about complex environmental issues.