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| Conservation Incentives |
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Post-Hurricane Assistance for Family Forest Owners With estimates of the amount of damaged timber resulting from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita ranging from between 15 to 19 billion board feet, family forest owners in the affected areas of Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas have suffered not only economic loss but also face many potential challenges as they work to restore their properties. In particular, large volumes of downed timber set the stage for a new wave of environmental catastrophes – wildfire, beetle infestations, and the spread of economically damaging non-native invasive species. Communities that have long benefited and thrived along with family forests will be at risk unless the conditions left by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita are addressed on family forestlands. This process of recovery and planning for future risks presents challenges and opportunities for forest owners wanting to manage their land for timber and wildlife. The American Forest Foundation (AFF) believes that raising awareness of opportunities and strategies related to hurricane recovery will increase the long-term sustainable management of family forests in the region. Through a grant from the Home Depot Foundation, and with support from numerous state organizations, Forested Flyways organized a series of forest landowner field days to present information on effective hurricane preparedness and recovery strategies to help reduce the loss of income-producing timber that can occur during these natural disasters. This information can help reduce the perceived risk of owning forest property, encouraging conservation and sustainable management of forestlands. Field days were hosted at landowner properties impacted by Katrina or Rita. Participants toured the sites and learned how landowners have adapted their management practices following the hurricanes. Expert speakers covered urgent post-hurricane issues including the spread of harmful invasive species, pine bark beetle, and unplanned fires. In addition, sustainable forest recovery strategies that conserve habitat for species like bobwhite quail or the gopher tortoise were also discussed. Current information on cost-share programs and other forms of assistance that are available to landowners to help recover from hurricane damage was provided at each of the field days as well at through a direct mailing effort. The mailing, sent out in late July, will provide close to 7,000 family forest owners with cost-share information. Summary of Available Federal Cost-Share Assistance: Emergency Watershed Program (EWP)- Administered by NRCS Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forestry Conservation Reserve Program (EFCRP) - Administered by FSA |
When natural disasters like Hurricanes Katrina and Rita strike, the sustainability of family forests is shaken. Owners are unsure of what they can do, what they should do, and what they will do. Decades of patience waiting for trees to mature into valuable timber are suddenly irrelevant as whole forests lie in ruin.
