Historic Step Forward for Old-Growth Forests at the 9th American Forest Congress
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 23, 2025
Historic Step Forward for Old-Growth Forests at the 9th American Forest Congress
Washington, D.C. — In a long-awaited moment for forest conservation, the 9th American Forest Congress recently held in Washington, D.C. passed a landmark resolution calling for enhanced protection and expansion of old-growth forests across public and private forest ownerships in the United States.
The Congress brought together a broad and influential coalition of forest stakeholders, including national conservation groups, forestry professionals, Indigenous leaders, research institutions, forest products industry representatives, and landowners. These rare gatherings (only nine have been held in the past 150 years) serve as a forum to discuss contemporary forest issues and set national priorities for forest policy and stewardship through shared principles and formal resolutions.
Among the many debated and discussed resolutions in the Congress was one introduced by Sarah Adloo, Executive Director of the Old-Growth Forest Network, which called for no further loss of old-growth forests and the intentional recruitment of future old-growth across all types of forest lands through investment in policies, incentives and conservation programs while prioritizing the many non-timber values of these forests and respecting Indigenous traditions, uses, and rights.
In response, Sarah Adloo released the following statement:
“It is our duty to respond to the vast loss of old-growth forests within the past 150 years and decide this is the moment where any further loss ends. The passage of this resolution shows that the immense ecological, social, and climate benefits of old-growth forests are values shared by the many people who work in, rely on, research, and steward forests. Now we have the responsibility to guide a future for these forests to return for generations to come.”
The adoption of this resolution comes at a critical time. With the withdrawal of the proposed National Old-Growth Amendment earlier this year, the American Forest Congress action represents renewed momentum and a rare consensus across sectors in support of old-growth protection.
“We cannot wait on the federal government to act as the leaders they should be in protecting our national natural heritage. This commitment from the Forest Congress shows that there are many others who see the necessity of dedicated action to conserve these precious places.”
In addition to old-growth forests, the Congress also passed principles and resolutions highlighting trees as natural climate solutions, improving federal forest management, and promoting best practices for promoting biodiversity and restoring native landscapes. The full set of resolutions and guiding principles from the 9th American Forest Congress will be published in the Journal of Forestry later this year.
About the Old-Growth Forest Network
The Old-Growth Forest Network (OGFN) is creating a national network of protected old-growth forests where people of all generations can experience biodiversity and the beauty of nature. Learn more at www.oldgrowthforest.net.
Contacts:
Old-Growth Forest Network
info@oldgrowthforest.net
www.oldgrowthforest.net
