Southern Forests
Click on the map to learn more about the 13 states and Puerto Rico where we currently work. Clicking a state provides information about each state's forestry sector and we've also denoted key projects that you can learn and read more about by clicking their respective locations.
You can also learn about some of the stories of Southern Forests by finding them on the map denoted by a color coded circle to align with Keeping Forests' three strategies - Champions & Leaders, Southern Forest Product Markets, and Emerging Markets.
Alabama
Alabama is home to 23 million acres of forestland, covering nearly 70% of the state. Forestry is a key industry, contributing over $23 billion annually. Pine plantations dominate, providing timber for paper, lumber, and other wood products, while forests support biodiversity and offer recreational opportunities.
Georgia
With 24.2 million acres of forestland, Georgia is the largest timber-producing state in the South. Forestry contributes $36 billion to the economy and supports 140,000 jobs. The state’s diverse forests, dominated by pine, are vital for timber, pulp, and paper production.
South Carolina
South Carolina boasts 13 million acres of forestland, covering 67% of the state. Forestry contributes $21 billion annually to the economy. Southern yellow pine is a major species, supporting the lumber and paper industries, while forests provide critical habitats and recreational spaces.
Florida
Florida’s 17 million acres of forests cover nearly half the state, playing a key role in water regulation and carbon sequestration. Forestry generates $25 billion annually. Pine plantations dominate the landscape, producing timber and pulp for the paper industry, while forests offer critical wildlife habitats.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico’s forests cover around 640,000 acres, contributing to biodiversity and tourism. The forestry sector is focused on conservation and restoration efforts, with forests playing a key role in protecting watersheds and supporting ecotourism. Reforestation projects are ongoing to restore native species.
Texas
Texas has 62 million acres of forestland, with the eastern region being a major timber-producing area. Forestry contributes $41 billion annually to the economy. Pine and hardwood species support the lumber and paper industries, while forests provide recreational opportunities and critical ecosystem services.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma has 12.6 million acres of forestland, mostly concentrated in the eastern part of the state. Forestry contributes $5 billion annually to the economy. Pine and hardwood species support the timber and paper industries, while forests provide critical habitats for wildlife.
Arkansas
Arkansas’ forests cover 19 million acres, or 56% of the state. The forestry sector supports 60,000 jobs and contributes $12 billion annually. Pine and hardwoods are the dominant species, supplying timber for construction, furniture, and paper products, while providing wildlife habitats.
Louisiana
Louisiana’s 14 million acres of forestland cover nearly half the state. Forestry generates $11 billion annually. The state is a top producer of southern yellow pine, used for construction and paper, while forests also play a vital role in wildlife conservation and water quality.
Mississippi
Mississippi’s forests cover 19.5 million acres, or 65% of the state. The forestry industry contributes $13 billion annually. Pine is the dominant species, supporting the timber and paper industries, while forests also play a crucial role in biodiversity and water conservation.
Tennessee
Louisiana’s 14 million acres of forestland cover nearly half the state. Forestry generates $11 billion annually. The state is a top producer of southern yellow pine, used for construction and paper, while forests also play a vital role in wildlife conservation and water quality.
Kentucky
Kentucky’s 12 million acres of forestland, mostly hardwoods, cover nearly half the state. Forestry contributes $13 billion annually, with oak being a key species for bourbon barrels, furniture, and flooring. The state’s forests also provide wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities.
North Carolina
North Carolina’s forests span over 18 million acres, nearly 60% of the state. The forestry sector is crucial, supporting 150,000 jobs and producing $32 billion annually. The state is known for its diverse hardwoods and softwoods, which are vital for construction, furniture-making, and paper industries.
Virginia
Virginia’s forests cover 16 million acres, accounting for 62% of the state. The forestry industry generates $21 billion annually. Pine and hardwood forests supply timber for construction, furniture, and paper, while also offering recreational spaces and important ecological services.
Champions & Leaders: Family Tree
Family Tree, a documentary set in North Carolina, explores the history and future of African American land ownership in the South. The film highlights the challenges faced by Black families in retaining land passed through generations, shedding light on the intersection of culture, history, and conservation. Read about our Sustaining Land + Legacy: Symposium on Southern Forests here coming up November 16, 2024.
Champions & Leaders: Colin McDonald
Mobile, AL - Forest champions are not always who we picture them to be. These individuals can be considered “outsiders” to the traditional forestry industry, but have significant impact on people who make decisions that impact the entire sector. Colin McDonald, Senior Policy Analyst for the Texas Water Foundation, is a forest champion.
Laura Calandrella is the Executive Director of Keeping Forests. She began working with the partnership in 2016 to lead strategy development and coalition building efforts. In 2022, she was named Executive Director. Under her leadership, Keeping Forests has strengthened partner relationships and ignited innovative market-driven approaches to southern forest conservation.
She brings more than 20 years of experience in conservation and partnership development to this role. She has dedicated her career to fostering collaborative efforts that drive meaningful change at scale. Her book, Our Next Evolution: Transforming Collaborative Leadership to Shape Our Planet’s Future, outlines the leadership required to deliver transformative solutions to our environmental challenges.
Laura lives in Atlanta, GA, but you will often find her in different corners of the South and the world enjoying time in nature on her bike.
Partners
Stories from
The South
Most mornings, you can find EJ Williams, Vice President of the Southeast Region for the American Bird Conservancy (ABC), in the forest. Williams has been a proud advocate for working forests and the role they play in providing bird habitat across the U.S. South.
For many in our urbanized world, we spend most of our lives inside. In fact, the EPA reports that Americans, on average, spend 90% of their time indoors. According to polls, Americans have never been as anxious as they feel now. Anxiety and increased levels of stress can be attributed to a number of environmental factors; however, evidence suggests that time spent in forests can be a natural solution. Forests provide a suite of benefits including cleaning our air and water, providing wildlife habitat, and all the forest products we rely on. However, there are other key benefits that impact […]
On November 15th, Keeping Forests recognizes the importance of America Recycles Day America Recycles Day was started by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to highlight the impact of recycling. Four of the five most recycled products are forest products
It’s needed to grow the food we eat, to produce industrial products, and to maintain human hygiene - from taking showers to flushing toilets. In Texas, 2.3 billion gallons of water are used by Texans for domestic consumption, EVERY DAY. As the need for water increases, so does the cost to clean it. This is where forests can help.
