We also need to face political realities. Many 
soils are excellent commercial timber sites, but the 
land is owned by a private owner whose land-use 
goals lie elsewhere. That owner may favor wildlife, or 
wilderness, or recreation, or may simply want to 
leave the land alone. Despites the urges of foresters 
who want to see that land placed under intensive 
timber management, this isn't going to happen. Po- 
litical reality dictates that it will be the desires of the 
landowner, not those of the government or any par- 
ticular technical discipline or agency, that will deter- 
mine what actually happens. 
Recognizing these limits should not discourage 
us. It should strengthen our commitment to create 
the best possible forest within the limits we face. 
Meeting tomorrow's needs, and staying within real- 
istic limits, means we need the best possible man- 
agement of the available resources. This will 
demand a significant contribution from several sec- 
tors. 
The governors are key. These political leaders 
can make people aware of the vital role forests play 
in each State. They can tie research agencies, uni- 
versities, economic development programs, State 
resource agencies, private industry, and State in- 
frastructure programs such as highways together in 
ways that no other leader--at any level of 
government--can do. And the governors can do the 
most critical job of all. They can develop a vision of 
the future and convince citizens that their vision is 
not only desirable but attainable. This is the highest 
art of politics, and the ultimate challenge for a polliti- 
cal leader. 
State and Federal agencies must work togeth- 
er. There is no room for bureaucratic turf wars; each 
agency can find more than enough to do. And agen- 
cies must lose their fear of working with the private 
sector, for there is much that can be done through 
public-private partnerships. 
By the same token, the private sector must be 
willing to work with public agencies. Much needs to 
be done; it does more good to dig in and help do the 
work than to criticize government for failing to meet 
all expectations. And the private sector needs to 
look beyond the bottom line profit for 1 year (or one 
quarter). They need to lead the way in investing in 
the future, with new plants and equipment, with re- 
forestation and timber-stand improvement, with re- 
search and development. 
The facts just reviewed leave no doubt that the 
people of the South can build the future they want, 
and that the South's fourth forest can be a major 
142 
part of that future. Building the future we want is 
within our grasp-- 
e If we believe... 
... Inthe economic and political system that we have 
crafted in the United States, and carry out our efforts 
so that we maximize the best parts of that system; 
... In the land, and in its enormous capacity to heal, 
to renew, and to produce when we give it proper 
treatment and care; 
... In ourselves, and the amazing variety and depth 
of intellectual resources we can bring to bear on a 
problem if we will cooperate to achieve a commonly- 
expressed goal. 
@ If we invest... 
... The capital that is required to build, to repair and 
restore, to replant, and to manage. 
... The skills that are needed to understand the land, 
to assemble capital and manpower, to manage and 
protect the investments we have made. 
... The energy, both of people and of institutions. 
@ If we persevere... 
... By establishing our efforts, and our expectations, 
in line with the cycles that affect forests and civiliza- 
tions, rather than those that affect individuals and 
their daily lives. Political terms last only a few years, 
economic and business cycles seldom last a 
decade, and climatic extremes such as droughts 
come and go. But trees take decades to live a life 
cycle; good societies last for centuries; and the land 
will be there forever. These are the time lines we 
must place on our work because the emergence of 
a strong fourth forest in the South is not just a politi- 
cal victory for one leader or a business opportunity 
for some companies. It is a vital part of a strong 
society and a productive landscape in this region, 
not for years or decades, but for all time. 
| realize foresters are the wrong audience for 
this message--you are trained to think in terms of 
the long-term future. But you must get this message 
to all Americans today because without it, this coun- 
try could squander a major part of its resource in- 
heritance and sell off its future through short- 
sighted forest management. If that happens, it will 
