Tennessee Forestry Association Market Research Report

Background

The Tennessee Forestry Association (TFA), established over 50 years ago as "Keep Tennessee Green," serves as "The Voice of Forestry" in Tennessee. As a private, non-profit organization primarily funded through membership dues, TFA collaborates with state and national agencies to promote a better understanding and appreciation of Tennessee's forests. Its diverse membership includes landowners, loggers, sawmills, paper mills, professional foresters, equipment dealers, trucking companies, and supporting businesses such as banks and various suppliers.

Key Strategic Focus

TFA's strategic focus encompasses:

Education and Advocacy: Conducting educational programs, communications, government affairs, and public relations to promote sustainable forestry practices.

Best Management Practices (BMPs): Supporting the use of BMPs to maintain environmental safeguards in forest harvesting operations through the coordination of the Tennessee Master Logger Program in partnership with the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, Division of Forestry, and University of Tennessee Extension.

Legislative Monitoring: Monitoring potential legislation affecting forestry and the manufacture of wood products.

Financials and Funding

In the fiscal year ending December 2023, TFA reported:

Total Revenues: $1,465,753

Total Expenses: $1,510,823

Net Assets: $30,272

The organization is primarily funded through membership dues, with additional support from grants and contributions. Notable grants include $79,013 from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for forest restoration and $9,300 from the Sustainable Forestry Initiative for capacity building in environmental education.

Technological Platform and Innovation

TFA leverages several technological platforms and initiatives:

Tennessee Master Logger Program: A voluntary program for logging contractors, preparing loggers to correctly apply best management practices.

Project Learning Tree: An initiative aimed at fostering an understanding and appreciation for forests and forest-based industries in Tennessee.

Tree Farm Program: A program that works to ensure the future availability, use, and quality of Tennessee's forest resources.

Leadership Team

The leadership team at TFA includes:

Candace Dinwiddie: Executive Director

Oversees the organization's operations and strategic direction.

Ron Adcock: Director

Provides leadership and guidance on forestry initiatives.

Jake Almond: Director

Contributes to the development and implementation of forestry programs.

Industry and Competitor Profile

The forestry industry in Tennessee significantly contributes to the state's economy, with the forest and forest products industry accounting for 6.6% of the state's economy and generating more than $21.7 billion in output. Over 184,000 Tennesseans are employed by the forest industry, with close to 121,000 employed in the secondary forest products area.

Key organizations operating in Tennessee's forestry sector include:

Tennessee Division of Forestry: Established in 1914, this state agency focuses on wildfire control and reforestation, managing approximately 14 million acres of forested land, covering about 52% of the state.

Tennessee Urban Forestry Council (TUFC): Founded in 1991, TUFC is the state's oldest non-profit voice for trees, aiming to expand public awareness of the role trees and forests play in the urban environment.

Land Trust for Tennessee: A non-profit conservation organization working to protect Tennessee's natural, scenic, and historic landscapes and sites, having conserved more than 135,000 acres across 65-plus Tennessee counties since 1999.

Strategic Collaborations and Partnerships

TFA collaborates with various organizations to strengthen its initiatives:

Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI): TFA serves as the umbrella organization for the Tennessee Sustainable Forestry Initiative, promoting sustainable forestry practices.

Tennessee Tree Farm Program: TFA also serves as the umbrella organization for the Tennessee Tree Farm Program, working to ensure the future availability, use, and quality of Tennessee's forest resources.

Operational Insights

TFA's diverse membership, including landowners, loggers, sawmills, paper mills, professional foresters, equipment dealers, trucking companies, and supporting businesses, enables it to represent each segment of Tennessee's wood industry effectively. This diversity allows TFA to play a vital role in promoting sustainable forestry practices and advocating for the forestry industry in Tennessee.

Strategic Opportunities and Future Directions

TFA's strategic roadmap includes:

Expanding Educational Programs: Enhancing initiatives like Project Learning Tree and the Tree Farm Program to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of Tennessee's forests.

Strengthening Legislative Advocacy: Monitoring and influencing legislation affecting forestry and wood products manufacturing to support the industry's growth and sustainability.

Promoting Sustainable Forestry Practices: Continuing to support and implement Best Management Practices (BMPs) to maintain environmental safeguards in forest harvesting operations.