THE YEAR IN REVIEW: WORKING FOR FORESTS AND FOREST-RICH COMMUNITIES
The Year in Review: Working for Forests and Forest-Rich Communities
2019 Annual Report Highlights a Year of Audacious Goals, Success, and Transitions
U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, Greenville, SC
For IMMEDIATE RELEASE (February 13, 2020)
Greenville, S.C. – The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (Endowment) today announced the release of its 2019 Annual Report titled “Bright Spots.” The report highlights a broad spectrum of work undertaken or furthered by the Endowment and its partners.
“Transparency and communication are core values at the Endowment,” said Endowment President & CEO Carlton Owen. “Every year, we provide a comprehensive and engaging report that shares our story with those who help fund our work, those who do the work on the ground, our peers, and other interested folks.”
Among the many “bright spots” or successes and points of pride highlighted in this year’s report is progress on Restoration Fuels, a 100,000-ton-per-year wood torrefaction facility in John Day, Oregon, designed to help strengthen sawmill viability while providing an economic outlet for low-value material fueling catastrophic wildfires in National Forests.
Additionally, the report notes the transition of the incredibly successful “Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention” (SFLR) program to long-term stewardship by the American Forest Foundation. The SFLR program has been recognized over the years with multiple awards.
The report also provides glimpses into support for tall wood buildings on university campuses across the U.S., the first-ever Forest Innovation Reviews (FIRz) forum for innovative solutions to challenging forest-related problems, and the ongoing and incredible work the Endowment funds around watershed health and restoration. Read more in the digital version, which offers links to a wealth of additional online content.
“It is not until we reflect on the year in hindsight that we truly grasp the breadth and depth of the Endowment’s work,” said Mark Emmerson, Endowment Chair and chairman of California-based Sierra-Pacific Industries. “I continue to be amazed at what this organization – small but mighty – can accomplish.” Emmerson assumed the role as Board Chair in late 2019, as Colin Moseley stepped down after having served two terms as Chair.
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For more information contact: Carlton N. Owen, President & CEO, 864-233-7646, carlton@usendowment.org
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (the Endowment) is a not-for-profit public charity working collaboratively with partners in the public and private sectors to advance systemic, transformative, and sustainable change for the health and vitality of the nation’s working forests and forest-reliant communities. www.usendowment.org
