Issues
In support of the NWOA Affiliates and individual members, the Board of Directors deliberates, crafts and adopts position statements that relate to significant policies and conditions that impact private forestland owners. Our position statements are released through National Woodlands magazine. Below is a list of the current position statements which are subject to revision at any time. Click on the title to read the full position statement.
Carbon Sequestration and Markets (2022)
NWOA seeks to advance the resiliency of America’s forests through accessible carbon trading mechanisms that equitably share resources across the supply chain.
To this end, NWOA advocates for and supports Federal and State policies which advance our position while favoring long-term storage in solid and manufactured wood products that can mitigate existing emissions.
Wildfire Fire Management (2018)
Wildfire knows no boundaries! Each year, fires that start in America’s wildland devastate lives and livelihoods – destroying natural resources, impacting watersheds, producing greenhouse gases (GHSs), destroying homes and communities, as well as creating health hazards to millions of Americans. In 2017 alone, 71,499 wildfires burned 10,016,086 acres with fire suppression cost exceeding $2.9 billion; the most expensive on record. Damage to natural resources and infrastructure as well as other economic impacts can be 2 to 30 times the cost of suppression.
Timber Markets, Biomass and Fair Trade (2023)
NWOA believes strongly that healthy local timber markets are essential for the private woodland owners of America to be able to own and manage their forestland for multiple uses over the long term. Ideally, markets should be available to Americas woodland owners for a wide variety of commercial forest products including veneer logs, quality hardwood logs, softwood lumber logs, peeler logs, pallet and cross tie logs, pulpwood, OSB wood and bio-mass. Only through the availability of a wide range of markets can a woodland owner economically manage his woodland for the multiple uses of timber production, abundant wildlife, clean water and recreation. Because of this, NWOA supports whatever political actions are necessary to help maintain, support and insure that these markets remain available for the American woodland owner.
Tax Policy (2015)
The National Woodland Owners Association (NWOA) feels strongly that private woodland owners have earned preferential income, estate and property tax treatment. The general public at large does not realize the huge economic and environmental contribution that privately owned woodlands, free of charge, contribute to our quality of life, environmental sustainability and positive economic impacts that managed private forests make to local, state, regional and national economies and ecosystems.
Forestry Extension and Service Forestry (2018)
The value of forestry Extension and service forestry is appreciated by landowners, especially those with a hands-on attitude toward managing their land. Through personal visits, workshops, field day presentations, and the development of educational materials such as fact sheets, videos and online resources, these front-line forestry professionals have averaged a $9 return for every $1 invested (2018 RREA Fact Sheet). Since its founding in 1983, the National Woodlands Owner Association (NWOA) has been an active and outspoken advocate of forestry Extension with the byline: “Forestry Education Beats Forest Regulation”.