The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is seeking data and input on the eastern diamondback rattlesnake to determine whether the species is warranted for listing as threatened or endangered. As part of the Species Status Assessment Committee for the snake, FLA is requesting data from our members. Layering private land data with the existing public…
WASHINGTON, DC — The Forest Landowners Association (FLA) applauds Congressman Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-AL) for their swift reintroduction of the bipartisan Disaster Reforestation Act (DRA). As Congress considers a comprehensive tax package, FLA urges lawmakers to prioritize including this critical legislation to support forest landowners nationwide. The Disaster Reforestation Act addresses…
Congress recently approved a disaster relief package allocating $29 billion for agriculture, including targeted support for private forest landowners. This significant measure represents a pivotal step toward recovery for communities and industries devastated by hurricanes, wildfires, floods, and other natural disasters over the past two years. Signed into law by President Biden, the package addresses…
The New Year is a time to pause and reflect—celebrating progress, milestones, and the journey itself. And let’s be honest, in today’s world of year-end recaps, that reflection often comes with data. From Spotify Wrapped to Goodreads’ Year in Books, everyone loves crunching the numbers to see the story behind their growth. In the spirit…
[Washington, D.C.] — The Forest Landowners Association (FLA) has been at the forefront of advocating for disaster recovery solutions for private forest landowners since 2018, emphasizing the unique challenges they face when natural disasters devastate their forests. Unlike other agricultural producers, private forest landowners lack access to essential recovery programs like crop insurance or direct…
Washington, D.C. – The Forest Landowners Association (FLA), along with other national organizations representing forestry and the forest products sector, have called on Congress to include robust disaster assistance for private forest landowners in upcoming relief legislation. In a coalition letter sent to Senate and House Appropriations Committee leaders, these organizations emphasized the critical need…
The Forest Landowners Association (FLA) applauds Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and the Senate Agriculture Committee for unveiling the Rural Prosperity and Food Security Act of 2024, commonly known as the Farm Bill. This landmark legislation provides essential support for rural economies, conservation initiatives, and disaster recovery, delivering critical tools for private forest landowners. FLA is…
The Forest Landowners Association (FLA), representing family forest landowners across 43 states, commends the recent bipartisan, bicameral efforts advocating for disaster relief following Hurricane Helene. These initiatives align with FLA’s ongoing work to develop a robust safety net for private forest landowners. Scott Jones, FLA’s CEO, emphasized the critical nature of these efforts: “Recent natural…
In a significant victory for forest management, H.R. 8790, the Fix Our Forests Act, passed the U.S. House of Representatives with strong bipartisan support on September 24, 2024. This landmark bill, co-sponsored by House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA), marks a crucial advancement in forest management policies that…
On September 10th, House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) and Western Caucus Chairman Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced the ESA Amendments Act of 2024 (H.R. 9533). This bill would provide much-needed reform to the Endangered Species Act to incentivize species recovery and promote collaborative species conservation on private and public lands. When it was…
On July 12th, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service released a final rule designating the Pearl River map turtle as threatened under the Endangered Species Act with a tailored 4(d) rule for take prohibitions. This rule goes into effect on August 12, 2024. Read the final rule here. This rule lists four other map turtle…