Hayes D. Brown: Moderator

Starting Time: 00:00

Hayes D. Brown, attorney and forest owner, will moderate this news conference.
Hayes’ email address is hbrown@afoa.org.

We realize there is an issue with the speakers’ biographies on this program and past programs. We are working on correcting the issue.

Angry Elmore County Residents Organize and Defeat Tax Increases

Starting Time: 01:09

Scott Whetstone has long been active in his Elmore County community. When a recent property tax increase was proposed, it sparked local concern. Scott helped organize his neighbors to better understand the issue and make their voices heard. In doing so, the effort united residents across the county, fostering open dialogue and collective action around local decision-making. Scott joins us to share how his community came together to engage, inform, and advocate for the future they want to see.

Tariffs, Trade, and Timber: Understanding the Impact on U.S. Forest Landowners

Starting Time: 07:19

Lloyd Irland has served with the U.S. Forest Service, Maine state and local government, and the Bureau of Public Lands, as well as authored numerous books and articles. In The Forestry Source‘s October newsletter, he authored Tariffs, Trade, and Timber: Permanent Chaos for Decision Makers in the Industry, he examines the ongoing tariffs on Canadian lumber entering the United States and unpacks what this tangled trade relationship means for our domestic wood supply. Lloyd explores the challenges posed by America’s heavy reliance on Canadian imports and what it would take for U.S. producers to fill the gap if that flow were disrupted. He joins us to shed light on how these shifting trade dynamics impact forest landowners, the broader timber industry, and the future of wood markets across the country.

Tracing the Roots of Southern Hunting

Starting Time: 13:00

Julia Brock is Associate Professor of History at the University of Alabama and author of Closed Seasons: The Transformation of Hunting in the Modern South. Her research sheds light on the cultural, economic, and environmental forces that have shaped the way hunters interact with the land, from early subsistence practices to modern recreational traditions. She joins us to share her insights on the rich history of one of Alabama’s most enduring and cherished traditions, offering a deeper understanding of how the past continues to influence the state’s hunting heritage today.

Are Carbon Markets Shrinking? What Happened to NCX?

Starting Time: 18:23

Curtis L. VanderSchaaf is Regional Forestry Extension Specialist at Mississippi State University, where his work focuses on helping landowners navigate the ever-changing landscape of forest management and economics. His recent work examines the forest carbon market—how programs like the Natural Capital Exchange (NCX) opened new doors for smaller, private landowners to participate through short-term contracts, and why that model ultimately came to an end. With the NCX program no longer available, Curtis explores what today’s carbon opportunities look like, from longer-term commitments and permanence requirements to the factors that influence revenue potential. He joins us to share his insights on the future of forest carbon markets and how these programs continue to shape private landownership and environmental stewardship across the South.