The latest news related to the economic interests of private forest landowners and their unique natural resource assets.
Impact of COVID-19 on the U.S. Forestry and Forestry Products
FLA joined the group of 12 forestry stakeholders working with Congress to urge a message of solidarity and promote priority polices to ensure a rebound in wood markets. The message of the coalition to Congress is that “No one element of the forest...
Earth Day and Arbor Day 2020: More Than a Day
The Earth Needs More Trees? We Grow Trees! Fifty years after the first Earth Day, and 148 years after the start of Arbor Day – we all have come to see the importance of trees and forests for ensuring the health and well-being of the earth and ourselves. As...
FLA Engages USDA on Cogongrass Program
FLA submitted comments to USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) regarding Environmental Assessment for the Cogongrass Control Program in the Southeastern United States. Our comments were in support of the Southern Groups of State Foresters’ (SGSF)...
Progress Toward Regulatory Certainty
Recently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (the Service) announced decisions for two species that have been the subject of intense advocacy on the part of FLA for many years: the black pinesnake and the Louisiana pinesnake. Louisiana Pinesnake Final...
Your Government Affairs Update
In March, FLA held a Government Affairs Update webinar. Listen to learn more about: Casualty Loss Rules Forest Recovery Act Block Grants Carbon & Climate Legislation Species Update Waters of the United States (WOTUS)
Resources for Forest Landowners for COVID-19
During this challenging time, rest assured that the Forest Landowners Association‘s priority is the health and safety of our members and your economic stability. We also know it is important first and foremost to keep people safe and get resources to those most in...
Families First Coronavirus Response Act, what you need to know
Last week President Trump signed the “Families First Coronavirus Response Act” into law. The provisions of the bill will go into effect on April 2nd. This legislation is designed to protect families and workers hit by the spreading coronavirus. Included in the package...
Congressman Westerman Introduces Trillion Trees Act
On February 12, 2020, Congressman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) introduced the Trillion Trees Act as part of the Republicans’ approach to boost America’s sequestration of carbon and other greenhouse gases.
Success at the FLA Winter Board Meeting
Staying true to a guiding principle to advocate policy initiatives that address our members' economic challenges, ensure their property rights and promote the vitality of forest landownership, FLA’s volunteer board rolled up their sleeves and went to work from...
Northern Long-Eared Bat Status to be Revisited
The U.S District Court for the District of Columbia issued a significant decision in ongoing litigation challenging the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s (the Service) 2015 listing of the northern long-eared bat (“NLEB”) as “threatened” under the Endangered...
FLA Promoting Sustainability of U.S. Wood
To tell your story and ensure U.S. wood in the marketplace as mass timber and building construction are expected to soar in the next decade, FLA is traveling the country meeting with the design and build community. Wood Works Seminar Series Each month in 2020, FLA’s...
Welcome to the Family
FLA Membership of Family Forest Landowners Continues to Grow in All Sizes and Geographic Regions The fact that FLA’s mantra is focus on the economic viability and prosperity of family forest landowners resonates across the country as families and forest landowners of...
FLA Applauds Skipwith Confirmation for USFWS Director
Forest Landowners Association (FLA) applauds the confirmation of Aurelia Skipwith as Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. This is a crucial position for understanding how complex wildlife issues impact the public sector, and her placement comes with support...
No Claw Backs on Estate Gifting
IRS Confirms No “Claw Backs” on Estate Gifting After Current Policy Expires in 2025 The Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service issued final regulations confirming that individuals taking advantage of the increased gift and estate...
Timber Block Grants a Move in the Right Direction but Hurdles Remain
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that for the first time ever they will provide payments for loss of timber as a result of hurricanes in 2018. The recently announced Timber Block Grants have given rise to hope that in addition to...
FLA to USFWS: Finalize the LPS 4(d) Rule for Regulatory Certainty
FLA led a coalition of Louisiana landowners and associations representing 3 million acres of forestland in the state to send a letter urging the US Fish and Wildlife Service to finalize the long over-due 4(d) rule for the Louisiana pinesnake. In April...
WOTUS Repeal
EPA finalizes repeal of controversial Obama-era rule defining “Waters of the United States” Last week marked a major win for the rule of law, property rights, and the environment: the Trump administration finalized its repeal of President Barack Obama’s...
FLA applauds the re-nomination of Aurelia Skipwith for Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
On July 17, 2019, President Trump re-nominated Aurelia Skipwith to serve as the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The president first nominated her to the same position in October 2018, but the Senate failed to confirm her before the Congressional...
FLA holds Timber Talk and Forest Forum with USFWS to discuss red-cockaded woodpecker recovery
As the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service continues to work on its 5-year review of the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker, FLA has been working with the Service to ensure that the interests and impact of private forest landowners are fully understood. As a part of these...
Rollback on threatened and endangered species regulations provides relief for private landowners
The Trump administration has announced major changes in the way the Endangered Species Act (ESA) will be implemented, to reduce the system’s regulatory impact on private interests. On August 12, 2019, the Administration finalized three new rules governing the...