Abstract Historically, racial minority private forest landowners have been underserved in conservation programs. We review the literature to explore the factors that influence landowners of color (LOCs) decisions to participate (or not) in conservation programs and the challenges they face in accessing these programs. Our review is largely based on the experiences of African American forest landowners (generally referred to as “landowners” throughout the paper) in the southeastern United States, though implications likely extend to other historically underserved minority groups in different geographical areas. Our narrative review highlights several key challenges facing LOCs, including disparities in land ownership, historic disinvestment, and discriminatory policies that limit economic mobility. We also identify opportunities for improved engagement with LOCs, including leveraging cultural values and connections to land, improving understanding of landowner motivations to incentivize participation, providing customized outreach and education, enhancing interagency collaboration, and increasing the cultural competency of support staff. Collective findings underscore unique opportunities for engaging with LOCs by addressing historic barriers that have prevented them from participating in private lands conservation programs and sustainable land management practices.

Evaluating the cost of fuel treatment operations is an essential aspect for mitigating elevated wildfire risks across western US landscapes. The USDA Forest Service (Forest Service) currently uses a Transaction Evidence Appraisal (TEA) method to appraise stumpage, incorporating key factors such as stump-to-truck processing, slash disposal, transportation, timber markets, and bidder competition. This study aims to improve our understanding of the total costs involved and final advertised rates in fuel treatment operations in Forest Service Regions 2 and 3. Stump-to-truck processing and timber transportation to mills represented the greatest share of TEA costs, comprising 96% of sale estimates in Region 2 and 94% in Region 3. TEA costs are significantly influenced by factors such as volume per acre, skidding distance, and proximity to processing facilities. Additionally, regression analysis examining bids identified total sawtimber sale volumes and travel time as key factors influencing high bid amounts. Refining TEA cost estimation methods and strategically structuring future sales could enhance the effectiveness and scalability of mechanical thinning treatments on national forests.

The Douglas-fir region of the Pacific Northwest is one of the most productive forestry regions in the world, combining sustainable timber production with native species management, particularly Douglas-fir. This landscape also supports a network of old-growth and mature forests that sustain the biodiversity of these regional forests, including beneficial biota such as fungi and other microbes, insects and other invertebrates, vertebrates, and lichens and other plants. I believe it is in the interests of the timber industry to protect these remaining old-growth and older mature forests because they contain a reservoir of beneficial biota that aids in protection and health of managed plantations. Beneficial invertebrates include parasitoid wasps, predaceous insects and spiders, pollinators, and decomposers, while beneficial microbes include mycorrhizal fungi, decomposers, and biocontrol agents. Beneficial vertebrates, especially the insect gleaning birds and bats are also important, as well as many plants and lichens. These organisms enhance forest resilience by protecting younger trees from pests and pathogens and contributing to nutrient cycling and soil health. Although forest plantations necessarily simplify forest structure and composition, potentially excluding this biodiversity, older forests help maintain this critical beneficial biota. Contrary to a common belief that old-growth forests are a source of pests and pathogens, their above- and below-ground complexity often provides habitat for organisms that moderates the influence of pests and pathogens. Therefore, on balance, I believe that protecting old-growth and mature forests across the region is essential for maintaining forest health and supporting the long-term productivity of Douglas-fir plantations.