Endowment Celebrates Nine Years of Sustaining Forests and Invigorating Communities

U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, Greenville, SCFor IMMEDIATE RELEASE (September 21, 2015)

This date in history marks the anniversary of two events that forever changed America: the kickoff of Monday Night Football in 1970 and the chartering of the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities (the Endowment) in 2006. Although more Americans may be familiar with Monday Night Football, theEndowment’s impact shouldn’t be underestimated.

“The Endowment is the largest public charity in the nation dedicated to conservation and sustainabledevelopment of working forests,” said Endowment President Carlton Owen. “In its brief history the Endowment has awarded more than $50 million, leveraging an equal amount in direct partner investment, for a total impact of over $186 Million to advance systemic, transformative, and sustainable change to improve the health of our nation’s working forests and forest-reliant communities.”

The Endowment celebrated the occasion by releasing a video endorsement of its work by the first Chief of the USDA Forest Service, Gifford Pinchot, as played by Forest Service retiree Gary Hines.

“Every day, every American benefits from the products and services provided by our public and privateforests,” Owen continued. “From building materials that save energy and sequester carbon, to paperproducts, to clean drinking water, and recreation areas where memories are made, forests bolster oureconomy and enhance our quality of life.”

Time and time again throughout history, forests and their products have built and expanded the U.S. economy. Despite recent economic downturns that slowed the industry, the future is bright for the forest economy. “Renewable wood-based energy, the promise of 21st Century products from nano cellulose, and the environmental benefits of wood building materials mean that forests will continue to be an integral part of our economy and culture. The Endowment’s role is to work with public and private partners to help make that vision a reality,” said Owen.

To learn more about all of the Endowment’s initiatives, view our website at www.usendowment.org

for a total impact of $186 million

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 andforest-reliant communities – www.usendowment.org