AFA NEWSROOM - February 18, 2026

AFA Connect

February 19th at 11:00

Join us Thursday, February 19th, at 11 a.m.

Hillary Bryan, Gulf State Park Naturalist

Exploring Gulf State Park’s Habitats, Gopher Tortoise Conservation, and the Habitat Hustle 5K

This presentation highlights Gulf State Park’s ongoing research, habitat management of its scrub and pine savannah ecosystems, gopher tortoise conservation efforts, local school engagement, and the April 11, 2026, inaugural Habitat Hustle 5K.

Builders’ Top Challenges for 2026

The most significant challenge builders faced in 2025 was high interest rates, as reported by 84% of builders in the latest NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index survey. A smaller, albeit still significant share of 65% expect interest rates to remain a problem in 2026. The next four most serious issues builders faced in 2025 were buyers expecting prices/interest rates to decline (81%), concern about employment/economic situation (65%), the cost/availability of developed lots (63%), and negative media reports making buyers cautious (62%). Builders expect these challenges to persist with limited improvement in 2026.

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Birmingham Area - Join AFF For a Walk in the Woods -

February 19th

AFA is Getting Ready to Kick Off Our Series of Regional Receptions Across the State! Auburn Area - You're FIRST!

March 10th - Auburn Oaks Farm

Join AFA on March 10, 2026, at Auburn Oaks Farm in Notasulga for the 2026 Auburn Area AFA Regional Reception. Come enjoy an evening of good food, great company, and conversations with forestry professionals, landowners, loggers, and partners from across the region. It’s a chance to catch up, make new connections, and stay plugged into what’s happening in Alabama forestry.

Schedule at a glance:

• 5:00 p.m. – Alabama Loggers Council Capital District Meeting (1 hour PLM CE) - Upstairs in the Loft

• 6:00 p.m. – AFA Regional Reception

We hope you’ll make plans to join us! Advance registration is requested. Click the link below to reserve your spot!

Click to Register!

Interested in being a SPONSOR? We would love to have you partner with us! Sign up by using the same registration link below or call 334-481-2135 for more information.

Housing Supply Headlines: What a Step-Up in Starts Could Mean for Lumber, Logs, and Residuals

Any credible push to expand US homebuilding has immediate implications across the building materials complex. Recent headlines suggesting that major homebuilders are exploring large-scale affordability-driven housing programs have reinvigorated market discussion around incremental housing starts and what they could mean for lumber, logs, and wood fiber markets.

While the details remain unclear, even the prospect of a meaningful step-up in construction activity forces investors and operators to revisit the fundamental supply chain dynamics that drive pricing and profitability across the forest products value chain.

Amazing Aquatic Diversity - Fun Facts about Alabama Waterways

Alabama is home to more than 132,000

miles of rivers and streams, a distance that could circle the Earth five times. The state has a surface water supply of 33.5 trillion gallons annually that flows through 14 river basins and coastal drainage areas.

Link to Fact Sheet

Dothan Area AFA Regional Reception Returns to the Wiregrass

Make plans to join AFA on March 17, 2026, at Landmark Park’s Stokes Barn for the Dothan Area AFA Regional Reception. We’ll gather with landowners, loggers, forestry professionals, and friends from across the Wiregrass for an evening of good food, fellowship, and updates from Alabama’s forestry community.

Loggers are invited to attend the Alabama Loggers Council Wiregrass District Meeting at 5:00 p.m. (1 hour PLM CE), followed by the AFA Regional Reception at 6:00 p.m.

Advance registration is requested - please RSVP using the link below.

Interested in being a SPONSOR? Find out more by clicking the link below or calling 334-481-2135

RSVP HERE!

AFF & Partners are Hosting Upcoming Events Across the State

Curious about how Prescribed Fire can enhance the health of your woodlands? The Alabama Forestry Foundation and its partners invite you to register for upcoming Learn & Burn events. Keep checking back - we will be adding more events across the state!

🔥 Hands-on learning

🌿 Expert insights

📍 Multiple locations – more counties coming soon!

Visit our events page to learn more about that county's upcoming Learn & Burn and secure your spot today!

Events Calendar

Online CE Available For PLM & CFE

Still need CFE hours? Check out AFA's online CE Classes available for CFE & PLM credit.... 2025 Bundle (5 Hours) is still available. Click the link below to see all the classes available.

AFA Online Education