Forest Landowners Association

07/23/2026

The Forest Landowners Association applauds Senator Jeff Merkley, Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith, Congressman Cliff Bentz, and Congressman Bennie G. Thompson for introducing the bipartisan, bicameral Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act of 2026 (H.R. 9827 / S. 5087).

Healthy forests depend on healthy markets. This legislation helps create new opportunities for low-value wood products, manufacturing residuals, and woody biomass, making active forest management more economically viable while strengthening rural communities and reducing catastrophic wildfire risk.

As FLA CEO Scott Jones said:

"Family forestry businesses need an all-of-the-above approach to expanding market opportunities, and low-value wood products, manufacturing residuals, and woody biomass should be part of that conversation."

Read more:

🔗 Senator Hyde-Smith's announcement:
https://www.hydesmith.senate.gov/hyde-smith-merkley-bill-will-improve-forest-health-expand-market-forestry-biomass-byproducts

🔗 Congressman Bentz's announcement:
https://bentz.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-bentz-thompson-merkley-hyde-smith-introduce-wildfire-reduction-market-expansion-act-of-2026

Wednesday, July 22, 2026 HYDE-SMITH, MERKLEY BILL WILL IMPROVE FOREST HEALTH, EXPAND MARKET FOR FORESTRY BIOMASS BYPRODUCTS ‘Wildfire Reduction Market Expansion Act’ Would Broaden Renewable Fuel Standard Definition of Eligible Renewable Biomass WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith ...

07/15/2026

📣 A Historic Victory for Family Forestry Businesses and Private Landowners!

The Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act (S.629), a years-long policy priority of the Forest Landowners Association, has officially become law.

This is a landmark achievement for FLA and marks the first standalone federal legislation in our Association's history.

The law strengthens disaster recovery for private forest landowners by modernizing the Emergency Forest Restoration Program, helping family forestry businesses recover more quickly after hurricanes, wildfires, tornadoes, floods, and other natural disasters.

Thank you to Senator Deb Fischer, Congresswoman Julia Letlow, and the bill's bipartisan cosponsors for championing this legislation and seeing it through Congress.

Most importantly, thank you to FLA members. Your continued advocacy, engagement, and support helped make this victory possible.

This historic achievement demonstrates that when FLA identifies a priority, builds bipartisan support, and remains engaged, meaningful policy change can happen.

Help us continue advancing landowner-centric solutions by supporting the FLA PAC: https://forestlandowners.com/fla-pac

05/29/2026

Thank you to our conference sponsors for the 2026 National Conference of Private Forest Landowners. This event simply wouldn’t be possible without their support.

Our sponsors contribute far beyond the conference—they help sustain the work we do every day on behalf of private forest landowners. We appreciate their commitment and partnership.

There’s still time to register at forestlandowners.com/conference.

ArborGen, Funga PBC American Forest Management, Inc. Chestnut Carbon, The Conservation Fund, American Forest Foundation, Georgia-Pacific, LandYield, Enviva, Forest History Society, Forest Resource Consultants, F&W Forestry Services - LaFayette, Alabama, The Land Report,

05/28/2026

Small‑diameter wood and residuals are becoming one of the biggest questions facing private forest landowners — and this year’s National Conference is taking it head‑on.

Our panel, “New Markets for Small-Diameter Wood and Residuals: Challenges and Opportunities,” brings together experts from SunGas Renewables, the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, the US Biochar Coalition, and Drax Group US. They’ll talk about what’s changing, what’s possible, and how landowners can help shape these new markets.

Join us June 24–25 at the Ritz‑Carlton New Orleans for two days of insight, connection, and practical strategies.

Still need to register? www.forestlandowners.com/conference

05/22/2026

🚨 Early bird registration closes TODAY for the 2026 National Conference of Private Forest Landowners! 🚨

If you’ve been thinking about joining us in New Orleans this June — now is the time to lock in your savings!

📍 Where: The Ritz-Carlton, New Orleans (French Quarter)
📅 When: June 24–25, 2026

This is THE gathering for private forest landowners, foresters, and industry leaders. Over two packed days you’ll hear from experts on:
✔️ New markets for timber and wood residuals
✔️ Passing the land on to the next generation
✔️ The latest from Washington on forest policy
✔️ Stories and strategies from fellow landowners across the country

Plus a President’s Reception, an Awards Luncheon, and an unforgettable evening reception in the heart of the French Quarter!

Early bird pricing ends tonight — don’t wait!

👉 Register now at www.forestlandowners.com/conference

05/20/2026

🎉Big news for the 2026 National Conference of Private Forest Landowners. U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz will kick off this year’s event in New Orleans on June 24–25.

Chief Schultz brings decades of experience in land management, forest markets, wildfire resilience, and public lands leadership. His opening remarks will launch two days of important conversations for private forest landowners, partners, and forestry leaders nationwide.

Registration is open now. Save your spot today.
🔗 www.forestlandowners.com/conference

05/15/2026

Forests are a long-term investment, and family forestry businesses need tax policies that support long-term stewardship. 🌲

That’s why tax certainty is a top priority for the Forest Landowners Association.

FLA is advocating for policies that help private forest owners manage their land, recover from disasters, and continue investing in healthy forests for future generations, including:

🌲 Estate and death tax relief
🌲 Capital gains treatment
🌲 Bonus depreciation
🌲 Section 179 equipment expensing
🌲 Casualty loss deductions for timber losses
🌲 Enhancing and modernizing the reforestation deduction

FLA is also actively advocating for the Disaster Reforestation Act (DRA) and the Save America’s Family Forests Act (SAFFA), tax legislation designed to help landowners recover and reforest after natural disasters.

FLA endorsed the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), which included several forestry tax wins we advocated for, including permanent estate/death tax relief and the continuation of important capital gains and bonus depreciation provisions.

05/15/2026

⏳ Early‑bird ends May 22.
Lock in the lowest rate for the 2026 National Conference of Private Forest Landowners.

Join leaders & landowners shaping the future of private forestry.
Register now: www.forestlandowners.com/conference

05/14/2026

Healthy forests depend on healthy markets.

FLA is advocating to expand market opportunities for family forestry businesses and timber producers by supporting fair trade policy, strong domestic wood markets, and new opportunities for forest products.

We’re addressing trade barriers like the EUDR, which make it harder for sustainably sourced U.S. wood to reach global markets, while strengthening both traditional markets (pulp, paper, lumber) and emerging ones like sustainable aviation fuel, mass timber, and other innovative wood products.

One major effort underway: fixing the Renewable Fuel Standard so sustainably sourced woody biomass is recognized as an eligible feedstock for advanced biofuels and sustainable aviation fuel.

Why it matters:
🌲 Creates markets for low‑value wood
🌲 Supports active forest management
🌲 Reduces wildfire fuel loads
🌲 Strengthens rural economies
🌲 Keeps forests as forests

Strong markets sustain private forests — and FLA is leading that work in Washington.

05/13/2026

When disaster strikes, family forest landowners need policies that help them recover, reforest, and keep working forests productive.

That’s why disaster recovery is a top advocacy priority for the Forest Landowners Association.

FLA is advancing reforms like:
🌲 Disaster Reforestation Act (DRA)
🌲 Save America’s Family Forests Act (SAFFA)
🌲 Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act (ECPIA)

These efforts would modernize recovery tools, strengthen reforestation support, and improve access to disaster assistance for landowners recovering from hurricanes, wildfire, tornadoes, ice storms, and other catastrophic events.

Learn more about FLA’s policy priorities: FLA Policy Priorities