Field to Forest project opens enrollment for
privately-owned lands across state
WASHINGTON, April 18,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Forest Foundation (AFF), a conservation
organization that empowers landowners to create meaningful
conservation impact, announced that Field to Forest, a new
afforestation project, is now open for enrollment across
Georgia. Field to Forest pays
landowners to plant and grow pine trees on their open fields. The
project is now open to Georgia
landowners with 40 acres or more of eligible land.
The majority of Georgia's farms
and pasturelands – an overwhelming 87% – is owned by families and
individuals. Field to Forest unlocks access to the voluntary carbon
market for these landowners, providing the financial and technical
support needed to improve the health and value of their lands. The
project provides family landowners a new revenue source and
technical assistance to help sustainably manage their land for
future generations.
"Rural landowners want to do what's best for their lands, their
families, and their communities," said Rita Hite, president & CEO of the American
Forest Foundation. "But without
the right technical and financial support, they're often locked out
of accessing these opportunities. That's why the launch of Field to
Forest is so exciting; we're offering landowners new diversified
income opportunities and putting the power of conservation into the
hands of rural America."
The project enrolls privately owned land that has been
unforested for the past 10 years or more. Field to Forest experts
work with landowners to develop and implement a planting plan
tailored to their property at no expense. After the initial
planting, enrollees receive annual payments and a free forest
management plan to guide them through management of their new
trees.
"For landowners who are ready to retire or juggling many
responsibilities, keeping up with land management can be a lot."
said Natalie Omundson, Director
of Product Implementation at AFF. "Field to Forest offers them
a low-maintenance way to earn income while keeping their land
active and healthy."
The project was first piloted in Georgia in 2023 and planted 300,000 trees
across the state. With its official launch, Field to Forest aims to
enroll 5,000 acres and plant more than 3 million trees across
family-owned lands in Georgia.
Georgia landowners with 40
acres of privately owned "open land," including pasture or
cropland, are eligible to enroll in this project. To learn more
about the Field to Forest, please visit
familyforestcarbon.org/fieldtoforest.
The American Forest Foundation is
a national conservation organization that empowers family forest
owners to make meaningful conservation impact. The organization's
flagship program, the Family Forest Carbon Program, helps
landowners implement forest management practices to protect the
health of their woodlands and help the planet. To learn more about
the American Forest Foundation and
the Family Forest Carbon Program,
visit www.forestfoundation.org/carbon.
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SOURCE American Forest
Foundation