AFA NEWSROOM - September 25, 2025

State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP)

2025–2035

Comments Due By Monday!

ACTION NEEDED BY MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 29, 2025 - Alabama’s draft State Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) 2025 - 2035 is open for public review. This plan will shape conservation priorities statewide and could directly affect landowners, foresters, loggers, and natural resource professionals. Please review the draft linked below, and submit your comments to Traci Wood, SWAP Coordinator (traci.wood@dcnr.alabama.gov) as soon as possible!

Help us amplify your voice: After you email Traci Woods at the email linked above, please also share a copy of your comments with us at sfi@alaforestry.org. We are compiling feedback from YOU, Alabama’s Forestry Community, into a master document to submit Monday as well.

Deadline: Comments due by noon Monday, Sept. 29, 2025.

Proposed Alabama Wildlife Action Plan (SWAP) 2025-2035

Tuberville, Hyde-Smith Work to Protect Landowners and Foresters

U.S. Senator Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) joined U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS) in reintroducing The Emergency Pine Beetle Response Act of 2025 that would help private landowners, timber cutting and hauling businesses, and local municipalities respond to forest-related disasters—including those related to the pine beetle that has destroyed thousands of acres of forestland in the south. Last year in Alabama, southern pine beetles damaged approximately 3.1 million trees, costing foresters over $87 million in economic losses throughout the state. This bill would strengthen existing federal programs, give the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) tools to combat the ongoing pine beetle infestation, and provide a mechanism for financial relief for producers.

Alabama Forestry Association endorses Garrett Dixon
and Cindy Myrex

The Alabama Forestry Association, AFA, announced Monday its endorsement of Garrett Dixon for Alabama House District 38 and Cindy Myrex for Alabama House District 12.

“AFA is proud to endorse both Garrett and Cindy in these upcoming special elections,” said Chris Isaacson, AFA President and CEO. “Both candidates have principles that that align with what we believe. Both know the importance of the forest industry in their counties and we look forward to their voices being heard in the State House.”

Meta Turning to Mass Timber to Build More Sustainable Data Centers

Meta - the parent company behind Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp - is adding mass timber to its lower-emissions construction strategy, part of its broader goal to reach net-zero emissions across its supply chain by 2030.

Applied Turkey Management Workshop - This Saturday!

Click link below to register!

Join Alabama Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources in Columbiana and let's talk turkey! If you're a casual wildlife-watcher, an avid turkey hunter, or anything in between, this workshop is for you!

Click here to REGISTER!

2025 Alabama Loggers Council
Annual Meeting - Save the Date

December 6, 2025

Registration Opens October 1st!

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.... 2024 Bundle (5 Hours) is still available. Click the link below to see all the classes available.

AFA Online Education