America's private forests: Challenges for conservation

Abstract

A survey of the literature and experts, including recently released government data, indicates that the long-term viability of privately owned forests in the United States is increasingly threatened by conversion, fragmentation, parcelization, and diminished ecological function. In the face of these threats, those concerned about the future of private forests need to join in a new initiative to more effectively conserve and steward America's private forests. A framework for this initiative is described, as well as key tools to expand forest conservation.