Engaging African American Landowners in Sustainable Forest Management. Issue 1 (8th September 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Schelhas, John; Hitchner, Sarah; Johnson Gaither, Cassandra; Fraser, Rory; Jennings, Viniece; Diop, Amadou
• Is Part Of: Journal of forestry. Volume 115:Issue 1(2017)
• Page Start: 26
• Page End: 33
• Publication Date: 2016-09-08
• Subjects: minorities and forestry -- family forest owners -- heirs' property; Forests and forestry -- Periodicals; Forests and forestry -- Societies, etc; Forests and forestry -- Terminology; Forests and forestry; Forests and forestry -- Societies, etc; Periodicals; Terminology; 634.905
• DOI: 10.5849/jof.15-116
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-1201

Abstract

Abstract : The Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention Program is a comprehensive effort to address the long-standing problem of underparticipation of African Americans in forest management. We conducted rapid appraisal baseline research for pilot projects in this program in three Southern states using a carefully selected purposive sample to enhance our understanding of minority landownership and forest management. We found that whereas land represents an important family resource across generations, heirs' property status often results in insecure property ownership, and most families receive little or no economic return from their land. Forest stands tended to be naturally regenerated pine forests that require thinning, burning, or even complete harvest and replanting if owners are to benefit economically from forestry. Forestry can help families retain land and build assets, although most of the African American landowners included in our study noted that their previous engagement with forestry has been limited to opportunistic timber sales. Landowners expressed broad interest in future engagement in forestry activities and managing for wildlife. Our interview with landowners revealed that the community-based pilot projects were building links among landowners and foresters to encourage sustainable forest management and retention of African American family land. Management and Policy Implications: Improving forest management and resolving ownership issues for African American landowners can promote sustainable landscapes, ensure future timber supplies, and help redress past inequities. Limited experience with forestry in the African American community and a history of inequality and distrust create a challenging situation. Many forests have been unmanaged and require family landowners to both implement forestry practices that are unfamiliar and to engage forestry professionals for the first time. However, African Americans value land highly for its connections to earlier generations and are nearly unanimous in wanting future generations to retain their land. Sustainable forest management can facilitate land retention, but landowners often require time and assistance to engage family members, consider options, and resolve ownership issues. Outreach programs help create awareness of the value and practice of managing forests, and workshops can help build new relationships among landowners and forestry professionals. By becoming more aware of the complex situations faced by minority forest owners, forestry professionals can adjust their work and programs to increase minority participation. Comprehensive, long-term efforts like the Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention Program offer important lessons for forestry professionals trying to engage minority forest owners everywhere.