Southern Forestry: A Model for the Nation
The South’s forests are a national asset. Their future depends on shared responsibility.
With nearly 90% of the South’s forestland under private ownership, southern forests are the economic engine of American forestry—and they thrive through smart partnerships.
Across the South, state forestry agencies work hand-in-hand with the USDA Forest Service and other key partners to deliver locally led, cost-effective programs that support private landowners, protect communities and power rural economies. These collaborative efforts ensure our region remains the world’s leading supplier of sustainable wood products while conserving the forestlands that safeguard water, wildlife and livelihoods.
A Model of Stewardship and Efficiency
State forestry agencies bring deep local knowledge, decades of experience and strong on-the-ground networks to the table.
Southern state forestry agencies are among the Forest Service’s most reliable and effective partners. They operate efficiently, are deeply rooted in local communities and have decades of experience turning federal investment into measurable results.
Whether addressing wildfire risk, supporting rural economies or providing sustainable timber to global markets, these agencies deliver.
Built on a Foundation of Cooperative Federalism
The Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act (CFAA) of 1978 established a framework that respects local control while recognizing that forests don’t follow jurisdictional boundaries.
The CFAA outlines the shared responsibility between federal and non-federal entities, especially when it comes to assisting private landowners. Congress recognized that:
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The nation depends on non-federal forests for timber, water and habitat.
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Wildfire, pests and disease impact forests across ownership boundaries.
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Federal and state coordination is essential to protect and manage these lands effectively.
The CFAA directs the USDA Forest Service to provide technical and financial support to state foresters, who then deliver it to local landowners and communities. In the South, where most forests are privately held, this partnership is essential. Without it, the intent of the CFAA cannot be fulfilled.
Shared Investment. Shared Responsibility.
State & Private Forestry funds account for just over 3% of the Forest Service’s discretionary budget, but make national-scale outcomes possible.
Southern states are efficient and effective leaders in forest management, but the system was never designed for states to carry the full financial burden. The CFAA recognized that managing America’s forests, most of which lie outside federal ownership, requires federal-state collaboration. States leverage this modest support to deliver programs cost-effectively and efficiently to local communities.
If federal support disappears, states are not positioned to shoulder the full cost of forestry assistance on U.S. private lands. Removing one side of the partnership would weaken the structure Congress designed to serve taxpayers and stakeholders across all ownerships.
Working Together. Delivering More.
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Prescribed Fire Leadership: The South leads the nation in prescribed fire, reducing wildfire risk and protecting communities.
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Economic Powerhouse: Southern forests generate over 50% of the nation’s timber supply and more than $250 billion in economic impact annually.
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Disaster Response: State forestry crews respond not just to wildfires, but to all hazards and emergencies, including hurricanes and storms—clearing roads, restoring access and aiding recovery.
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Innovation & Exports: Southern states support new markets like mass timber and fuel robust export infrastructure for wood products.
The Southern Model Proves that Collaboration Works
Continued federal investment ensures that states can carry out essential forestry programs, support private landowners, and deliver the national outcomes all Americans depend on.
Thanks to modest federal investment, state agencies are:
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Helping private American landowners prevent wildfire and restore fire-adapted landscapes.
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Supporting forest health, reducing storm damage and improving watershed resilience.
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Strengthening rural economies by supporting timber markets and forest industry jobs.
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Responding quickly to natural disasters and assisting with recovery and access.
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The Woodbasket of the World
- Southern forests produce more than half of the nation’s timber supply with an economic impact of over $251 billion.
- Despite accounting for less than one-third of the nation’s land area, forestry in the Southern Region consistently punches about 30% above its weight economically.
- Southern forests account for over 90% of U.S. timber output.
- Each year, southern state-led efforts account for 40% of the 1 million jobs and $53 billion in wages generated nationally from the forestry sector.
- Across the South, states have partnered with landowners to restore high-value forest types like longleaf pine, supporting mill infrastructure, improving wildlife habitat, enhancing recreational access and boosting rural economies through sustainable timber production.
- Why it matters: Sustained investment ensures these economic engines continue running smoothly. Without it, communities lose not just forest jobs, but the broader infrastructure those jobs support.
Maximizing Federal Investments
- State forestry agencies leverage federal investment with local partnerships and private dollars.
- State forestry agencies deliver high-efficiency, low-overhead and fast, measurable outcomes. This is thanks to decades of field-tested delivery systems, strong local networks and a deep understanding of Southern forestry needs.
- States across the South treat millions of acres annually with prescribed fire, reducing wildfire risk and saving federal suppression costs.
- Why it matters: Modest investments now help avoid costly emergencies later. Without that support, the financial burden shifts toward higher-cost, reactive spending.
Conservative Conservation at Its Best
- Almost 90% of Southern forests are privately owned.
- States support landowners via voluntary, locally tailored solutions; not top-down mandates.
- Forestry agencies in every Southern state work directly with landowners through workshops, cost-share programs and peer networks to promote stewardship and active management.
- Southern forestry programs demonstrate that stewardship doesn’t require mandates, working at their best via collaborative partnerships and incentives.
- Longleaf pine restoration, wildlife habitat conservation and other initiatives across the South have thrived through non-regulatory programs led by state forestry agencies.
- Water Quality Best Management Practices (BMPs) implemented across the region routinely achieve over 90% compliance without regulation. These BMPs protect drinking water, reduce erosion and support fisheries while allowing active timber harvest and economic gain.
- Why it matters: Reducing support for these efforts would disrupt one of the most successful models of non-regulatory conservation in the country. Continued support enables landowners to remain strong stewards of their land. Without it, we risk diminished forest health, impacts to timber supply and rising wildfire vulnerability.
Proactive Fire Management That Pays Off
- In the South, state forestry agencies have long delivered proactive, proven and community-focused wildfire strategies based on decades of on-the-ground experience. This is done in partnership with federal, other state and local agencies, as well as NGOs and other community groups.
- Southern states experience more wildfires each year than any other region in the country yet consistently keep average fire size well below the national average through early detection, rapid response and strong coordination with local partners.
- The South leads the nation in prescribed burning. In 2024, the Southeast treated 7.6 million acres with prescribed fire, a key tool in reducing wildfire risk in fire-adapted landscapes.
- State forestry agencies work closely with thousands of local fire departments in the South to train tens of thousands of first responders and ensure strong suppression capacity in every corner of the region.
- Southern state forestry agencies support one of the nation’s largest networks of Prescribed Burn Associations (PBAs). With 90% of southern forests under private ownership, PBAs demonstrate the high level of coordination and partnership required to manage wildfire risk at scale.
These proven southern approaches can serve as models nationally, offering efficient, community-centered solutions in the fight against catastrophic wildfire.
- Why it matters: The long-term cost savings of wildfire prevention and mitigation efforts are significant. Reducing investment now compromises public safety and increases future liabilities.
Protecting America’s Infrastructure
- Actively managed forests help prevent erosion, safeguard water supply and protect critical public infrastructure.
- Southern state agencies work with private landowners and partners to manage forestlands for the protection of municipal watersheds, maintenance of stream buffers and reduction of post-storm runoff. This is especially important in the hurricane-prone South.
- Why it matters: These forests provide ecosystem services that would be far more costly to replicate through engineered solutions.
Meeting Global Demand for Timber
- Southern forests drive U.S. exports of pellets, pulpwood and construction lumber.
- With the support of state forest management programs, the region supplies high-value wood products to both domestic and international markets through robust port infrastructure.
- Why it matters: Investment ensures we maintain and/or advance the nation’s competitive edge globally. Retreating now could weaken U.S. leadership in sustainable wood markets.
- The South’s fast-growing, well-managed forests are uniquely positioned to serve the rising demand for certified wood products.
- State agencies are supporting innovations like mass timber and other emerging forest product markets by working with manufacturers and landowners to ensure consistent, sustainable supply chains.
- Why it matters: Supporting these programs reinforces America’s role in supplying high-quality, responsibly produced wood products to the world
Rapid Response When It Matters Most
- State forestry crews often arrive first after hurricanes, wildfires and storms to clear roads and restore access.
- Following natural disasters of all kinds, state forestry agencies throughout the South mobilize quickly and efficiently to restore infrastructure and assist local governments.
- Why it matters: This capacity is irreplaceable. Without it, disaster response slows and costs rise.
