Role of Southern Forestry 

 Associations in the Future 



Southern forestry associations have 

 always been in the forefront of the 

 region's forestry and conservation 

 activities. When someone sets out to 

 do something about issues involving 

 forestry and conservation, the 

 associations have provided the focal 

 point around which concerned citizens 

 and organizations could rally. 



As the South and the Nation move 

 into the 21st century, it is logical to 

 assume that associations will continue 

 in this role. The challenges will be 

 different, often requiring more 

 sophisticated actions, and calling for 

 greater coordination of effort among 

 groups sharing common concerns. 



The State associations will almost 

 certainly become stronger and more 

 active as the timber economy 

 continues to expand in the South. 

 Furthermore, forestry issues will 

 increasingly be State issues. The 

 Federal cooperative role seems 

 destined to diminish, particularly in 

 such areas as forest protection, 

 forestry incentives programs, and 

 landowner assistance, thrusting 

 greater responsibility on State 

 agencies and State forestry 

 associations. This trend has already 

 started, and the States have indicated 

 that they can respond to the 

 challenge, given adequate time. 



retention of a reasonable level of 

 Federal cooperative participation in 

 forest protection, and much-needed 

 input on Clean Water and Air 

 legislation and regulations. Currently, 

 no vehicle exists to present a true. 

 Southwide consensus on such 

 important national issues, except the 

 Forest Farmers Association and the 

 Southern Pine Association. 



Attempts have been made to create a 

 Southern Forest Council to serve as 

 such a vehicle, but a suitable 

 approach remains to be discovered. 

 The South is such a vital timber- 

 producing area that acceptable means 

 must be found to make its unified 

 voice heard more clearly in 

 Washington. This is one of the 

 principal challenges to the southern 

 associations and one they should be 

 capable of meeting. They have served 

 the region well in the past, and there 

 is every reason to believe they will 

 continue to do so. even more 

 effectively, in the future. 



On national issues, several attempts 

 have been made to provide more 

 effective means for the Southern State 

 associations to coordinate their efforts 

 where they share a common interest. 

 This could include such matters as 

 capital gains treatment for timber. 



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