Become an Advocacy Leader
While you may not realize it, as a Tree Farmer, you may be using one or several federal policies or programs to help you care for your land. For example, did you know:
- The federal tax code provides tax breaks for forest management and reforestation practices that are good for sustainable forestry
- The Forest Stewardship Program, a program of the U.S. Forest Service works in partnership with your state to provide family landowners with the information and tools they need to manage their forests and woodlands via state foresters.
- The Farm Bill, a large bill renewed every four years, provides cost-share programs, such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, to help landowners afford good management practices and conservation.
In order to make these programs and policies possible, the American Forest Foundation, the governing body of ATFS, operates a strong Advocacy Leaders Program to help to make sure family forest owners have a voice in Washington, D.C. By developing relationships with elected officials and becoming an expert on policy issues, Advocacy Leaders can help advance policies that impact forest stewardship.
What do Forest Advocacy Leaders do?
- Build support for American Forest Foundation policy initiatives with their Members of Congress.
- Meet with Members of Congress when they are home in the states, such as during August Recess.
- Meet with their Members of Congress in Washington, D.C. during a fly-in or for a special meeting on a particular issue when needed.
- Regularly communicate updates on policy issues with Member of Congress or congressional staff.
- Write an article for your local paper or help in your community to push a particular issue.
- Thank your Members of Congress when they act in support of your issue.
Join AFF's Advocacy Leaders Program
To be an effective advocate, you need a firm understanding of the issues, and to build an ongoing relationship with your Members of Congress and their staffs. AFF's Advocacy Leaders Program helps advocates stay-in-the-know and act quickly—and effectively—to do just that.
The AFF Advocacy Leaders Program provides:
- Weekly email updates on policy issues.
- Requests or action alerts for when outreach to your Members of Congress is needed, along with tools and resources to do it easily.
- Monthly First Fridays calls with more in-depth updates on issues and tips for advocating.
- Ongoing guidance from AFF's public affairs staff.
