Family Forest Research Articles

Knowledge and attitudes about genetically advanced loblolly pine seedlings among foresters and family forest landowners in Georgia, United States

This study aims to estimate the adoption rate of genetically advanced loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) seedlings and better understand the factors influencing seedling choice among family forest landowners and consulting foresters in Georgia, a major forestry state in the Southern United States. We conducted two online surveys, one for landowners and one for registered foresters in Georgia. Our findings reveal that the adoption rate, self-reported knowledge, and positive perceptions of genetically advanced loblolly pine seedlings were high among respondents of both surveys. The adoption rate was 13.5% of all managed forestlands by foresters (29.3% for managed loblolly pine stands) and 18.0% of all the forestlands (37.4% of managed loblolly pine stands) owned by family forest landowners. Reasons for adopting among both groups included fast growth and favorable financial outcomes. However, barriers to adoption include cost, beliefs that other factors are equally or more important than the genetics of seedlings, and the need for more evidence. Furthermore, a high proportion of each group expressed an interest in adopting genetically advanced seedlings for increasing carbon revenue over time. Our findings suggest that more research about the related benefits is needed to increase the adoption of genetically advanced loblolly pine seedlings. We also found that communicating these benefits using trusted sources is also necessary. Our study will feed into the growing movement for using better genetics to improve forest productivity and reduce forest health issues in Georgia and beyond, especially on family forestlands, as they supply the majority of roundwood and other forest-based ecosystem services.

Are Prevailing Policy Tools Effective in Conserving Ecosystem Services Under Individual Private Tenure? Challenges and Policy Gaps in a Rapidly Urbanizing Region

Forestlands worldwide provide vital ecosystem services (ES) essential for human well-being yet are facing rising threats from land-use/land-cover change. Land ownership patterns and property rights significantly influence land management practices and the protection of ES. Family forest owners (FFOs) are the targets of numerous conservation policies and programs, many of which are built around economic incentives and market-based instruments. This study combines a mail-administered survey with land use-land cover change modeling results to better understand whether FFOs plan to convert their properties, what motivates FFOs to adopt prevailing policies, and what other conservation policy models might be attractive. Our research focuses on FFOs whose parcels are identified as having high conservation values in a rapidly urbanizing watershed. Survey results show strong motivations among FFOs to protect biodiversity, wildlife habitat, and ES while expressing concerns about property taxes, regulations, and land-use threats. Our analysis indicates a relationship between anticipated land transfers or residential development and predicting factors including parcel size, government regulations, and tax concerns. Results reveal a gap between the design of existing conservation programs and FFOs’ interest in adoption. Limited interest in conservation easements and carbon markets underscores the need for more flexible conservation tools aligned with landowner preferences. Moreover, FFOs’ considerable awareness of existing conservation programs, alongside ongoing forest loss in the study region, underscores enrollment obstacles such as minimum-size eligibility requirements, thereby highlighting inadequacy of current frameworks in incentivizing long-term conservation outcomes. The findings from the studied watershed may have broader relevance for regions with similar land ownership patterns, land use dynamics, and political contexts worldwide.

West Virginia forest landowners’ preferences for forest carbon offset programs

Several carbon offset programs allow West Virginia (WV) forest landowners to manage their forests to mitigate climate change and promote forest sustainability while providing an opportunity to earn extra income through carbon offset credits. While this market has grown rapidly, accessibility issues for small family forest owners remain. This study examines WV forest landowners’ insights and understanding of forest carbon offset programs and program preferences through an online survey of WV's Managed Timberland Program participants. Results showed that 97 % of respondents find it important to keep their land forested and 41 % think that carbon offset programs will help keep their land forested. However, the majority have no knowledge of carbon offset programs (55 %) nor an understanding the credit generation process (60 %). An econometric model was estimated to examine the influence of program attributes to landowners’ decision to enroll in a carbon offset program. Survey results suggest that landowners will more likely participate in carbon offset programs that require shorter time commitment (1–5 years), pay higher revenues, allow harvest or limited harvest restrictions, and do not charge an early withdrawal penalty. For example, a $1 increase in revenue payment raises the probability of enrolling in a carbon offset program by 1.2 %. However, extending the time commitment from 1 to 5 years to 40 years or 100 years decreases the probability of enrollment by 10.3 % and 17.4 %, respectively. Additionally, prohibiting harvest and imposing an early withdrawal penalty decrease the probability of enrollment by 18.1 % and 9.5 %, respectively. Landowners expressed greater willingness to enroll if they believe it is important to keep their land forested, they have familiarity and knowledge of the carbon offset market, and they believe carbon offset programs will help keep their land forested. Age, educational level, and length of ownership were also found to be significant factors in influencing landowner participation in forest carbon offset programs. Lastly, a welfare estimate, or landowners’ willingness-to-accept (WTA), was estimated for each of the program attributes. Surveyed landowners’ WTA payment for a carbon program was $22/ha/year or $37/ha/year greater if program duration increased from 1 to 5 years to 40 years or 100 years, respectively. In addition, landowners’ WTA payment was $39/ha/year greater if a “no harvest” requirement is implemented and $19/ha/year more if a penalty for early withdrawal is imposed. This study shows how factors like duration, payment, harvest restrictions, and withdrawal penalties influence landowner enrollment in carbon offset programs. By examining the preferences and decision-making processes of forest owners, this research fills a critical gap in the literature by providing insights into the drivers of program participation. The findings contribute to a better understanding of how to design more effective carbon programs that align with landowner motivations, ultimately supporting climate mitigation goals and sustainable forest management practices.

Open conversations: Finding ways to improve communication between family forest landowners and consulting foresters

Alabama is comprised of 23 million acres of forestland, of which family forest landowners (FFLs) own 56 % of that acreage. Therefore, FFLs are vital to maintaining the quality and diversity of Alabama's forests. However, FFLs possess varying attitudes towards management, value their land for different reasons, and have differing management objectives. In addition, FFLs are comprised of diverse backgrounds, own vastly different acreages, and fall within differing income brackets, all of which have been shown to affect management usage. This research aims to assess consulting foresters and FFLs in Alabama to learn why FFLs are hesitant to use consulting foresters for land management. It also aims to educate FFLs and consulting foresters in Alabama on better communicating their needs, services, and benefits. To study these two groups, a set of interviews and two surveys were used to collect perceptions, experiences, and needs. While consulting foresters are willing to work with smaller acreage, there are still constraints preventing management, and cost was mentioned by both groups. Still, FFLs are interested in consulting foresters' services, but many do not actively market FFLs. As a result, FFLs are unaware of the different types of forestry professionals, causing competition for consulting foresters who must be registered. Both consulting foresters and FFLs need to become more active in organizations, and consulting foresters need to adopt newer marketing techniques, while FFLs should seek more educational opportunities and opportunities to interact with consulting foresters directly.

Comparison of Carbon Sequestration in Family Forest using Tree Height Measurement by UAV and Field Surveys

Comparison of Carbon Sequestration in Family Forest using Tree Height Measurement by UAV and Field Surveys

Factors Affecting Activeness and Sustainability on Forestry in the Family Forests in Japan—From the Comparison between Aso in Japan and Styria in Austria

Forestry in Japan and Austria share many similarities in their natural and social conditions. However, the Family Forest Owners (FFOs) in Japan seem not to be active and sustainable. To understand the factors affecting activeness and sustainability in family-owned forests in Japan, in 2021 and 2022, questionnaire surveys were done with members of Forest Owners’ Cooperatives (FOCs) in Aso, Japan, and Styria, Austria. Survey responses were comparatively analyzed via correlation analysis and binary logistic regression. Timber production was found to be more active in FOC Styria than in FOC Aso. One reason for this was the high-income dependence on forestry in Styria. Higher income was realized by self-harvest and the larger size of forest holdings and forest stands. The younger age of the members in FOC Styria, strongly affected by the pension system, leads to a higher self-harvest ratio. The culture of a sole child inheriting the family forest maintains the general size and scale of owned forests and stands in Styria. High distribution costs in FOC Aso reduced forestry income. As a result, sustainability was reduced in Aso because the availability of successors was low, and elderly forest owners who were once motivated by forestry tended to quit forestry.

Using the tripartite model of place attachment to understand bequest intentions among family forest landowners in Georgia, United States

ABSTRACT Family forest landowners own 54% of forestland in Georgia. However, most forest landowners are older than 65 years, and it is unclear what will happen to these forests when they can no longer care for their land. We apply the tripartite model of place attachment to assess the roles of person, place, and process dimensions concerning forest landowners’ future bequest intentions. Using data from 1,143 family forest landowners in Georgia, we find that the person dimension is the strongest predictor for wanting to keep the forestland in the family. Being involved in the process of forestland management is also a significant but weaker predictor, while the role of the place itself seems less important. Place attachment dimensions are more robust predictors for bequest intentions than any other control variable. These findings shed new light on bequest intentions and could inform future developments of family forest landownership.

What family forest owners talk about when they talk about trees: Bioenergy and forest landscapes in the U.S. South

Family forest owners in the southern United States have complex relationships with trees and forests rooted in a long history of forest-based rural economies and land use change. As the South is the primary wood-producing region in the U.S., economic and utilitarian valuations of forests are stronger here than in other parts of the country. However, forests are also deeply valued for aesthetics, recreation, wildlife (game and non-game), family history, and community heritage. Social and cultural values of forests are intertwined with economic values and biophysical conditions, but family forest owner decision-making is still not well-understood. The development of bioenergy in the South provides an opportunity to examine the social and cultural aspects of trees and forests and their role in decision-making. We analyze the ways that family forest owners and foresters talk about trees and forests in interviews and field notes from ethnographic fieldwork on wood-based bioenergy in two communities in Georgia and one in Mississippi to understand the multiple, complex, and sometimes competing values ascribed to southern forests, forest landscapes, and particular tree species. Bioenergy development serves as both a driver of new markets for wood products and as a lens through which to examine how owners make decisions about how to best manage their forests for multiple objectives.

Factors shaping consulting foresters' services to family forest landowners

Consulting foresters provide a wide range of services to forest landowners. These services play a crucial role in meeting the many goals of forest landowners and maintaining sustainable, healthy forests. There is limited information about the extent to which foresters engage in consulting work to fulfill the forest management objectives of family forest landowners (FFLs). Using the online survey tool Qualtrics, we sent survey questions to registered foresters from West Gulf Coastal Plain regions of the United States (Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas). In this study, we described registered foresters' employment level of practicing consulting work (full-time vs part-time) and used a dichotomous logistic regression model to quantify the practice of consulting forestry by foresters (full-time vs. part-time), impacts of foresters' socio-demographic characteristics (e.g., age and income), landowners' forestland characteristics (e.g., forest types- pine and mixed), and services requested by landowners (e.g., site preparation, planting, thinning, and timber sale) on the choice of practicing consulting foresters. Results indicate about two-thirds (63 %) of the respondents were practicing as full-time consultants, and the remaining were considered part-time. Full-time foresters had a higher number of clients and clients with larger pine forestland (p < 0.05). In addition, consultant income was negatively significant with the level of employment (p < 0.05). Designing and developing outreach programs that facilitate awareness of and use of the benefits of technical services provided by consulting foresters could improve forest management returns among FFLs.

Using the Transtheoretical Model of Behavior Change to Explore Forest Landowner Perspectives on Water Quality

Family forest owners (FFOs) are critical stakeholders in ensuring many conservation outcomes, including improved water quality. In the highly forested Lake Champlain basin of Vermont, FFOs likely play a particularly important role in addressing water quality impairment. This study focused on FFOs’ thinking and decision-making around management practices on their land. Based on a dataset of 28 interviews collected using a semi-structured interview approach, the interviews were qualitatively coded and analyzed using the Transtheoretical Model of behavior change (TTM) framework. Our findings suggest that interviewed landowners were concerned about basin water quality but generally not aware of the connection between watershed health and actions taken on their particular forest parcel. We further describe how three TTM Processes of Change (helping relationships, consciousness raising, and environmental re-evaluation) may influence landowners’ decisions to manage their forests with water quality in mind. Our results suggest pathways for the design and targeting of behavioral change interventions based on the TTM that should inform landowner outreach as well as further research.

Do male and female family forest landowners have different training needs? A case study from Georgia, United States

In the southern United States, female forest landowners (FeFLs) are an important stakeholder group as they make up 27% (about 450,000) of family forest landowners and hold 21% (about 30 million acres) of the total forestlands. Despite FeFLs' increasing role in forestry, they are less actively involved in forest management than male forest landowners. This could be attributed to a general lack of understanding about gender-based training needs in sustainable forest management. In this context, we surveyed 246 forest landowners in Georgia, a major forestry state in the United States, to gauge the levels of perceived knowledge and interest in learning about 12 forest management topics. We determined the competency gaps in forest management using the Borich's Needs Assessment Model. Our results indicate that the priority topics of training needs were consistent regardless of the landowners' forest management objective. Gender-based disparities highlighted that FeFLs had a significantly lower perceived knowledge level across 11 out of 12 topics than their male counterparts. Further, FeFLs required training in all 12 topics of forest management. The top five priority topics, in order, were tree disease management, forest insect pest management, timber taxes, nuisance wildlife management, and environmental education. To bolster the competency and capacity of FeFLs in sustainable forest management, we suggest implementing targeted training, encouraging peer-to-peer learning, and elevating female forestry professionals in Georgia and other states in the region.

Qualifying gaps between scientific prescriptions and social perceptions about the role of forest management practices for increasing carbon stocks on family forestlands in the US South

Aligning scientific and public views on forest management is crucial for increasing the participation of family forest landowners in voluntary forest carbon programs. We compared the results from a systematic literature review of forty research articles in the US South with the perceptions of the stakeholder groups. We quantified perceptions of stakeholder groups regarding the potential of different forest management practices to enhance the carbon stocks in family forestlands by undertaking surveys in a total of two workshops conducted in the South and North Carolinas. We found a clear divergence regarding the carbon potential of the use of genetically advanced species for enhancing carbon. The workshop attendees did not rank this option high, although it is highly prioritized in the scientific literature. Convergence in using improved forest management to increase carbon stocks was observed. Although extended rotation was favored as the second-to-last option for enhancing carbon (before better genetics) by workshop respondents, non-landowners ranked it a higher priority than landowners. All workshop attendees ranked afforestation overall highest, corroborating the systematic review studies in the US South. The workshop attendees suggested conservation-based forest carbon management as a potential option to enhance the carbon stocks in family forestlands; however, we did not find much scientific literature on this option. This study is beneficial to both forest landowners and managers of forest carbon programs as well as to the scientific community at large. It brings all stakeholder groups together to craft new carbon programs for broader participation and carbon stock enhancement in the US South (and beyond).

Self-efficacy toward prescribed burning among female and male family forest landowners in Georgia, US

Around 9.6 million family forest landowners (FFLs) collectively own 36% of the forestland in the United States (US), playing a vital role in managing and shaping the forests across the country. There is an array of forest management practices that these families can pursue on their forestlands, including prescribed burning, which, although controversial, is a tool with many social and environmental benefits, such as hazardous fuels and wildfire reduction. Drawing on mail survey data of FFLs in Georgia, US, this study examines, through partial-least squares structural equation modeling and significance testing, how gendered self-efficacy (i.e., beliefs about gender roles in forestry, confidence in forest management skills, and knowledge about prescribed burning), predict prescribed burning intentions among female and male forest landowners. Our results show that male respondents believe in masculine gender roles in forestry, have more confidence in their forest management skills, and more confidence in their self-reported knowledge about prescribed fire, compared to their female counterparts. Exhibiting high self-efficacy in terms of confidence in own's forest management skills and prescribed burning knowledge increases the likelihood of prescribed burning intentions among FFLs. On the other hand, low self-efficacy among female FFLs is a negative predictor for their prescribed burning intentions in the next five years. We conclude that boosting female forest landowners' self-efficacy through same-gender peer learning groups would potentially increase their prescribed burning intentions, benefiting their forestlands, the southern forested landscape, and society.

Do female and male family forest landowners think alike? A qualitative analysis from Georgia, United States

Family forest landowners own approximately 55 % of the state of Georgia's forestlands (24.6 million acres). Female forest ownership has grown in recent years and is expected to increase even further. Literature on forest landowners’ viewpoints about forestry in Georgia, in general, and about female forest landowners, in particular, is very limited. To address this research gap, we aim to investigate the viewpoints of family forest landowners regarding forestry in Georgia with a gender lens, i.e., the differences and similarities in how male and female family forest landowners view forestry-related issues in Georgia. Content analysis of responses to an open-ended question, which was in turn part of a mail survey, revealed six prominent themes, i.e., foresters/outreach, timber market, programs/resources/taxes, needs/suggestions, concerns, and desire to learn more. In general, a lower number of female responses fell under the foresters/outreach, programs/resources/taxes, needs/suggestions, and concerns themes, compared to their male counterparts. No female responses fell under the timber market theme, whereas the majority of male responses did. The desire to learn more theme received nearly equal number of responses from females and males. Our key findings indicate that 1) women require more assistance from foresters and need outreach opportunities to learn more about forest management, including topics such as timber markets, programs/resources/taxes; 2) males reported the timber market value is low and should increase; 3) males expressed more resources and programs are required for forest landowners to manage their forestlands (including tax incentives); 4) males and females suggested more public education about logging, expanded use of technology, and youth involvement in forest management; 5) women are concerned about invasive species and men about land development. These results are important to inform policymaking for supporting family forest landowners in Georgia, especially female forest landowners who are a rising segment of forest landownership in the state.

Economic comparison of loblolly pine and solar power in South Georgia, United States

In the face of deforestation from urbanization and population growth, there is a potential for an additional loss of forests from solar power generation as forest landowners may look to alternative sources of income. We compare the profitability of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda) plantations and solar power generation in South Georgia. The analysis was completed at two different scales, one acre (0.405 ha) and five acres (2.02 ha), based on the large number of small acreage forest landowners in the state. The Land Expectation Values (LEVs over 25 years project cycle) for a 350 kW (occupying one acre or 0.405 ha) and a 1 MW (occupying five acres or 2.02 ha) solar power systems are -$30,183 and $29,607 at an 8 % interest rate, respectively. In comparison, LEVs for one acre (0.405 ha) and five acre (2.02 ha) loblolly pine stands (at the site index 80 ft/24.4 m) for the same rotation cycle are $1,380 and $6,900 at a 6 % interest rate and $611 and $3,055 at an 8 % interest rate, respectively. The potential profitability of solar power systems varies, depending on whether the solar generation and pricing are high enough to overcome the significant installation, upkeep, and recycling costs. Since the potential profitability of the larger-scale solar power systems is significantly higher than loblolly pine stands at around five acres, there is a chance that small family forest landowners could convert their forestlands into solar farms, especially if their forestlands are close to a high-capacity power transmission line. This information could feed into ongoing policy deliberations on promoting conservation and renewable energy generation at the state level and beyond.

Using mental model approach for ascertaining socio-cultural perceptions of forest-based ecosystem services among female forest landowners in Georgia, United States

ABSTRACT In the southern United States (US), female forest landowners (FeFLs) constitute 27% of family forest landowners, owning approximately 12.1 million ha of forestland. With changing demographic trends, FeFLs will likely own more forestlands in the foreseeable future. Understanding FeFLs’ perceptions of ecosystem services (ESs) is vital as their management decisions will impact the flow of forest-based ESs. Our study used a mental model approach to comprehensively understand FeFLs’ socio-cultural perceptions of ESs. Interviews with 39 FeFLs in Georgia, US, highlighted diverse perceptions of forest-based ESs encompassing cultural, provisioning, regulating, and supporting services. The FeFLs’ mental model revealed five thematic areas on ESs perceptions: economics, personal enjoyment, family and heritage, forestland as a place for social activity, and environmental benefits. The economics theme emerged distinctly regardless of their ownership type or forestland proximity, whereas personal enjoyment, family and heritage, and forestland as a place for social activity demonstrated place attachment. Co-owners linked forest management more closely to economics than sole-owners. Residential FeFLs valued social benefits, while non-residential landowners emphasized biodiversity significance. Our findings provide crucial insights for shaping inclusive strategies and policies, enhancing forest management among FeFLs, fostering a sense of community, and ensuring the sustainability of forestlands in the region.

A Century of Change in a Mature Urban Forest: the Thain Family Forest of the New York Botanical Garden, Bronx, New York

Abstract Urban forests have long been understudied, resulting in a scarcity of long-term data to guide future management. The New York Botanical Garden in New York City has been stewarding the 20 ha Thain Family Forest since 1895. Using inventory data between 1937 and 2021, we document how structure, diversity, and composition of the forest have changed over the past century. Our results show an increase in the proportion and diversity of hardwood species, including oaks, hickories, red maple, black cherry, and American beech, following the loss of a dominant species, eastern hemlock. Despite changes in composition, we find no significant differences in the mean basal area, density, and tree diameter of canopy trees (diameter at breast height [DBH] ≥ 15 cm) from 1937 to 2021. Assessments of small diameter stems (DBH ≥ 2.54 cm) show increasing density, decreasing diameter, and increasing richness from 1985 to 2021, suggesting a period of understory recruitment/regeneration. During this time, native species have been dominant in both overstory and understory strata. These observations mirror trends recorded in hemlock–hardwood and oak–hickory forests region-wide, indicating that, with continued conservation and active management, urban and rural forests may develop in similar patterns and encouraging regional approaches to forest management. Study Implications: Urban forests have long been understudied, resulting in a scarcity of long-term data to guide future management. Over the past century, the 20 ha Thain Family Forest in New York City has experienced a significant change in species composition, with an increase in the proportion and diversity of hardwood species following the loss of eastern hemlock. Despite these changes, forest canopy structure has remained stable. These observations mirror those observed in hemlock–hardwood and oak–hickory forests regionwide, suggesting that with continued conservation and active management, urban and rural forests may develop in similar patterns. The results of this study support continued investment in the research and management of urban forests as a comprehensive part of regional forest management efforts.

Floristic composition of the local family forest in Panarung Village, a subdistrict of Bentian Besar, West Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Ulin (Eusideroxylon zwageri T et B.) is a unique tree species in Kalimantan because its most durable wood and only grows in mixed lowland dipterocarp forest habitat. The purpose of this study is to examine the floristic composition, variety, and structure of the mixed ulin forest in Penarung village, subdistrict of Bentian Besar, West Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan. Each sample plot was rectangular and was 125 m by 20 m in size. For the tree stage, each sample plot was divided into subplots that measured 25 m by 20 m. Each subplot measured 2 m by 2 m for seedlings, thickets, and herbs and 5 m by 5 m for saplings The Result showed the species richness was 196 species, which consisted of 147 tree species, 16 species of lianas, 13 species of herbs, 12 species of shrubs, 5 species of ferns, 2 species of rattan and 1 species of palm. The tree stage consisted of 97 species, 70 genera, and 36 families. Species diversity (H’), showed that tree and sapling stages were high 3.82 for tree and 3.92 for sapling stages, while seedlings in moderate, with H’= 2.49. Evenness (E) in the tree stage was 0.83, while sapling and seedling were 0.87 and 0.55 respectively. This forest contained 28 species of endemic, 2 species of critically endangered (CR), 2 species endangered (EN), and 10 species of vulnerable (Vu).

By the Book: Examining California’s Private Forest Regulations from the Perspectives of Family Forest Landowners

Private forest land policies in the U.S. differ by state and range from regulatory to non-regulatory. The state of California has a highly regulatory policy system to ensure sustainable forest management, and the state’s family forest landowners, who hold 20% of the state’s forests, navigate this regulatory system to achieve their management objectives. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 33 family forest landowners to better understand their perceptions of state forest policies, including the policies’ efficacy and how they impact landowner behavior. We found that participants voiced general acceptance of California’s forest policies, though they described significant concerns because of financial burdens and regulatory uncertainty. They had nuanced views regarding how the policies protect public trust resources and private property rights, suggesting that landowners’ public responsibilities and private rights are not always at odds.

Wildfire and Family Forest Owners: Concern, Advice, and Wildfire Reduction Behaviors from the United States National Woodland Owner Survey

Abstract Extreme wildfire is an increasing threat to lives, property, and ecosystems across the United States and many parts of the world. Family forest owners (FFOs) own a large percentage of forestland in the United States, and actions and behaviors on their forestland have a large impact on wildfire prevention and mitigation across the landscape. Using data from the USDA Forest Service’s 2018 National Woodland Owner Survey, we investigated national and regional FFO wildfire attitudes and behaviors. We see that concern for wildfire is relatively high across the United States; however, this concern does not always lead to wildfire reduction activities on the landscape. There is some variation among regions, with concern about wildfire and past wildfire reduction activities highest in the western US (76% and 37%, respectively), followed by the South (63% and 11%, respectively), and lowest in the northern region (50% and 8%, respectively). Understanding these aspects of wildfire and FFOs on a national level provides a broader context for the more focused studies across the country and acts as a launch point for more in-depth research in the future. Study Implications: This study assesses family forest owner (FFO) wildfire concern, information needs, and action, both past and intended, at national and regional levels across the United States. As wildfire is predicted to increase in frequency and severity into the future due to climate change, this research provides a reference line and a launch point for future studies. Understanding current concern levels and landowner characteristics can inform programs and policies aimed at mitigating severe wildfires. For example, the disconnect between concerns and actions can be used as an entry point for motivating additional owners to take steps towards active management. Concentrating efforts in fire-prone areas is important, but seeing that wildfire is a concern of family forest owners across much of the country suggests that this can be an important issue for starting conversations with many owners and possibly increasing their engagement with conservation efforts.