Sustainable Forestry

Investing in sustainable forestry in the Central Appalachian region is an important part of a just economic transition. Regional forests are some of the most ecologically diverse in the world and the markets are developing for certified sustainably harvested forest products as well as for ecosystem services provided by healthy forests including carbon storage and clean water. To promote the growth of a sustainable forest sector in Central Appalachia, investment in business development and workforce training as well as regional forestland management and planning are needed. 

Stories

• Turns Out, Money Does Grow on Trees — Seven forest landowners in Kentucky recently received a total of $65,000 for the carbon dioxide their trees absorbed from the air.

• Foresters Help Build New Forest Economy in Kentucky — Central Appalachia is blessed with an abundance of natural resources, including its lush and diverse forests. Healthy forests can meet local needs for food and fiber, create jobs, provide recreation, and protect the air, soil and water that we all rely on.

Websites and Organizations

• American Chestnut Foundation
• AppalFor: Appalachian Sustainable Forestry
• Appalachian Carbon Partnership
• Appalachian Hardwood Center at West Virginia University
• Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Inc.
• Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative
• Appalachian Sustainable Development Sustainable Woods
• Appalachian Voices Forest Health and Restoration Program
• Blue Ridge Forest Landowner Cooperative
• Encyclopedia of Southern Appalachian Forest Ecosystems
• Heartwood
• Kentucky Natural Lands Trust
• MACED Forest Opportunities Initiative
• National Network of Forest Practitioners
• Rural Action Sustainable Forestry Program
• Southern Appalachian Forest Coalition
• Southern Forests Network
• University of Kentucky Forestry Extension

Reports and Resources

• Appalachian Regional Reforestation Initiative, “Green Forest Works for Appalachia” (2009): http://www.arri.osmre.gov/Partnerships/green_forest_works/gfw.htm
• Appalachian Voices, “Managing Your Woodlands:” http://www.democracyinaction.org/dia/organizationsORG/appvoices/signUp.jsp?
  key=1806&t=AVLandownerHandbook.dwt
• Buehlmann, Urs “Assessing the Impacts of Global Competition on the Appalachian Hardwood Industry” (March 2007): http://nrs.fs.fed.us/pubs/jrnl/2007/nrs_2007_buehlmann_001.pdf
• MACED, “The Forest and Wood Products Sector in Appalachian Kentucky” (February 2009): http://www.maced.org/files/Forests_and_Wood_Products_Report.pdf
• MACED, “The Kentucky Forest Landowner’s Handbook” (August 2004): http://www.maced.org/forestry/Handbook/landowners-handbook.pdf

To suggest a resource or link: info@appalachiantransition.net