WHILE THE ELECTION results have brought uncertainty to many sectors, being good stewards of our nation’s forests and trees is a uniquely bipartisan issue. For 150 years, American Forests has proudly worked across the aisle to highlight and harness the power of trees across all landscapes and ecosystems, and to optimize their benefits for all people.

Our forests need an all-hands and all-lands approach, and American Forests is dedicated to working with the Trump Administration, Congress, states, Tribes and partners to advance science- and data-informed practices that embrace the full potential of forests and trees. Together, we can reimagine the potential of our neighborhoods and landscapes with bold investments in reforestation and resilience — seeing every tree and every forest as critical infrastructure for community health and prosperity.

In 2025, American Forests will focus its efforts on four main priorities:

• Accelerating reforestation on national forests to address post-wildfire restoration and mitigate future risks.

• Promoting “cool corridor” strategies to combat the dramatic rise in life-threatening extreme heat in our communities by planting trees where they will have the most health and access benefits along transportation routes.

• Unlocking opportunities for private landowners and Tribes to conserve forests and implement management activities that improve health and resilience.

• Spotlighting forest products as a critical component to our nation’s conservation, restoration and sustainability goals.

Underlying these priorities is a strong connection to workforce development, economic growth, healthy communities and rural revitalization — all key issues for the incoming administration and the Republican-led U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. This alignment will greatly increase the impact and effectiveness of our work in 2025 and beyond.

Stay up to date on the latest opportunities for engagement through American Forests’ Action Center at americanforests.org/take-action.

American Forests to host ninth American Forest Congress

This summer in the nation’s capital, American Forests will bring together diverse perspectives including environmental experts; policy- and changemakers; state, local and Tribal governments; industry leaders and others — to collectively respond to the threats facing our forests and develop a path for measurable impact within the forestry sector and beyond.

The American Forest Congress is a proud tradition that has influenced the direction of forest conservation and management in America for more than a century. Since the first American Forest Congress in 1882 to the most recent in 2022, these seminal events have led directly to major outcomes in the forestry sector, including the creation of the U.S. Forest Service, the establishment of the eastern national forests, new community-based and collaborative approaches to forestry, and efforts to ensure women and allies lead the way in diversifying leadership within the forest community.

The theme of Healthy Forests and Thriving Communities highlights the Congress’ commitment to an agenda that grows economic opportunities for forested communities while advancing practical forest management and stewardship in the face of climate change and other stresses. By engaging diverse partners, the Congress will invite new perspectives, broaden cross-sector collaboration, and tackle persistent barriers to our capacity, workforce,
investment and stewardship goals.

The Congress is not the endpoint of the work — rather, it is a launchpad. Success will ultimately be measured by our ability to elevate our shared vision and mobilize and grow the forest community to accelerate on-the-ground progress.

To learn more, visit forestcongress.org.