Why Keeping Forests is Hosting the Symposium on Southern Forests: A Critical Step in the Champions and Leaders Strategy
Southern Forests are more than just trees—they are vital ecosystems that support biodiversity, drive rural economies, and provide essential ecosystem services like clean air and water. However, these forests face unprecedented pressures from urbanization, climate change, and shifting economic landscapes. Recognizing the urgent need for collaborative action, Keeping Forests is hosting the Symposium on Southern Forests on November 16, 2024, at the SCADshow Theatre in Atlanta. This symposium, which includes a special screening of the documentary Family Tree, an expert panel discussion, and a VIP mixer, is a key initiative of Keeping Forests’ Champions and Leaders Strategy. This event aims to elevate the conversation around the future of Southern working forests and engage leaders from various sectors to create actionable solutions.
Understanding the Importance of Southern Forests
Southern Forests span over 245 million acres and are some of the most productive working forests in the United States. These forests contribute to the region’s economic vitality through timber production, recreational activities, and ecosystem services like water filtration and carbon sequestration. They also serve as a haven for wildlife and are integral to the cultural heritage of the Southern U.S. However, with increasing population growth, forest land is being lost to urbanization, and climate change threatens to disrupt the health and productivity of these critical ecosystems.
The stakes are high. It is projected that by 2060, 11 to 23 million acres of Southern forestland will be converted to other uses, primarily due to urban sprawl. This loss not only diminishes the region’s natural beauty but also threatens industries and communities that depend on healthy forests. The symposium will address these pressing issues and bring together experts from diverse sectors to explore innovative solutions for the sustainable management of Southern Forests.
Family Tree: A Cinematic Glimpse into Southern Forests
A central component of the symposium is the screening of Family Tree, a documentary that captures the complex relationships between Southern landowners, their forests, and the economic and environmental challenges they face. Family Tree explores how family-owned forests are passed down through generations, highlighting the tensions between maintaining tradition and adapting to modern pressures like market fluctuations, regulatory changes, and climate impacts.
The documentary serves as a poignant reminder of the human dimension in forestry management. For many Southern families, their forests are more than just sources of income—they are a legacy. Family Tree portrays the importance of balancing economic interests with sustainable practices, showcasing how families, with the right tools and resources, can become champions for conservation. By featuring this film, Keeping Forests hopes to foster deeper emotional connections to the cause and inspire action among symposium attendees.
The Expert Panel: Fostering a Multi-Sector Approach to Forest Conservation
Following the screening, the symposium will host a panel discussion featuring leading voices from the forestry sector, academia, conservation organizations, and corporate sustainability departments. This expert panel will dive deeper into the themes presented in Family Tree, such as the tension between economic demands and environmental stewardship, and discuss actionable solutions for sustaining Southern Forests.
One of the unique aspects of this panel is the diverse range of perspectives it brings together. The panelists include forest landowners, corporate ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) leaders, non-profit advocates, and academic researchers, all of whom have a stake in the future of Southern Forests. This multi-sector collaboration is essential because forest conservation cannot happen in isolation. Private landowners, who manage over 86% of Southern forestland, need support from both public and private sectors to implement sustainable practices.
The panel will explore topics such as:
- Innovative market-driven solutions that can provide financial incentives for forest owners to keep their forests intact, such as payment for ecosystem services (PES) programs.
- The role of corporate sustainability programs in driving investment into sustainable forestry, ensuring that the private sector plays a crucial role in forest conservation efforts.
- Leadership strategies that promote education and advocacy, empowering local communities and landowners to become stewards of their forests while ensuring that these efforts align with broader environmental goals.
This expert discussion is a key part of Keeping Forests’ Champions and Leaders Strategy, which focuses on identifying and cultivating leadership in the economic, social, and political arenas to support Southern forest conservation.
VIP Mixer: Strengthening Partnerships for Southern Forests
The symposium will conclude with a VIP mixer, an exclusive gathering designed to facilitate deeper conversations between participants, panelists, and special guests. This networking event offers a unique opportunity for stakeholders to forge new partnerships, exchange ideas, and collaborate on future initiatives. For those interested in becoming more actively involved in the conservation of Southern Forests, this mixer provides a platform to connect with other like-minded individuals and organizations.
Partnerships are a cornerstone of Keeping Forests’ work. By bringing together diverse voices and perspectives, the organization aims to create a more unified, impactful movement for forest conservation. The VIP mixer will give corporate sponsors, non-profits, and academic leaders a chance to discuss potential collaborations that could enhance sustainable forest management, develop new market opportunities, and support landowners in their conservation efforts.
Why Hosting the Symposium Matters: A Call to Action
Keeping Forests’ decision to host the Symposium on Southern Forests is more than just an event—it is a strategic initiative aimed at driving meaningful action toward the conservation of Southern Forests. The symposium aligns with the organization’s broader Champions and Leaders Strategy, which seeks to elevate the voices of those most invested in the future of Southern Forests. Whether through market-driven solutions, corporate partnerships, or educational outreach, the goal is to ensure that Southern Forests remain a viable and thriving resource for generations to come.
In the face of growing environmental challenges, now is the time to act. Forest landowners, corporations, and the public must come together to develop innovative strategies that promote both economic growth and environmental stewardship. By hosting this symposium, Keeping Forests is taking a critical step toward creating the conditions necessary for the long-term conservation of Southern Forests.
Attendees will leave the event with a deeper understanding of the importance of Southern working forests, new ideas for sustainable management, and opportunities to collaborate with others who are passionate about protecting these vital ecosystems.
The Future of Southern Forests is in Our Hands
Southern Forests are at a critical juncture. With threats from urbanization, climate change, and market fluctuations, the future of these ecosystems—and the communities and industries they support—is uncertain. The Symposium on Southern Forests is an opportunity to bring together leaders from across sectors to explore solutions and strategies for conserving this invaluable resource.
By hosting this event, Keeping Forests is not only raising awareness of the challenges facing Southern Forests but also actively working to cultivate the next generation of champions and leaders who will ensure their long-term health and viability. With the combination of a thought-provoking documentary, expert panel discussions, and opportunities for collaboration, the symposium promises to be a landmark event in the effort to sustain Southern Forests.
Join us on November 16th, 2024, for this pivotal moment in the movement to protect Southern working forests. Together, we can create a future where Southern Forests continue to thrive and provide for generations to come.
