Posted: March 5, 2026 | Industry News
Forest landowners in Franklin, Washington, and Wilson counties now have access to a program designed to strengthen forest management, protect family land, and improve long-term financial outcomes. The Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Project (SFLRP) has officially expanded into these three counties, increasing its footprint across northeastern North Carolina.
For families who own woodland, especially those thinking about long-term stewardship and generational transfer, this expansion opens the door to technical guidance, estate planning support, and financial assistance opportunities that can make a lasting difference.
The Sustainable Forestry and Land Retention Project was created in 2013 to help woodland owners implement healthy forestry practices while increasing the asset value of their land. Since its launch, the program has assisted approximately 400 families managing about 41,000 acres of woodland across 13 counties.
Those counties include Bertie, Chowan, Edgecombe, Gates, Granville, Halifax, Hertford, Martin, Nash, Northampton, Perquimans, Vance, and Warren. With the addition of Franklin, Washington, and Wilson counties, the program now serves a 16-county region in North Carolina.
The initiative is led in partnership with Roanoke Cooperative and supported by a network of forestry, conservation, and academic partners.
One of the primary motivations behind SFLRP’s creation was to address the significant loss of forestland among African American landowners over the past century. Between 1910 and 1997, woodland ownership among African Americans in the United States declined from 15 million acres to approximately 2.4 million acres — an 84 percent decrease.
While the program continues to focus on outreach to African American woodland owners, it is open to all forest landowners within the participating counties. The goal is simple: help families retain ownership, strengthen management practices, and build long-term financial stability through forestry.
Sustainable forestry not only improves forest health and wildlife habitat but can also create stronger economic foundations for landowning families. Proper planning reduces risk and increases the value of timber and land assets over time.
SFLRP connects landowners with technical experts and planning professionals who can help them navigate complex forestry and estate planning decisions. The program works alongside state and federal agencies, timber industry professionals, and nonprofit organizations to provide a comprehensive support network.
Partners include:
Through these partnerships, landowners can access education workshops, forest management plan development, financial assistance programs, and peer networking opportunities.
The expansion into Franklin, Washington, and Wilson counties is the second major growth phase for the program. Originally, SFLRP served seven counties within Roanoke Cooperative’s service area. In 2022, six additional counties were added. Continued growth has been made possible through funding from foundations, the forest industry, the USDA Forest Service, and other federal sources.
To date in North Carolina, SFLRP has:
Programs modeled after North Carolina’s SFLRP have also been launched in Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas, and Texas under the Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention Network. Collectively, these eight organizations have engaged more than 1,500 landowners and supported the development of management plans covering 100,000 acres.
For woodland owners in these newly eligible counties, this expansion represents an opportunity to strengthen both forest health and family legacy. Sustainable management practices can improve timber growth, reduce risk from pests and storms, and position landowners to take advantage of cost-share and conservation programs.
Just as importantly, connecting with estate planning professionals can help families avoid common pitfalls that lead to land fragmentation or forced sales. Proactive planning keeps land intact and productive for future generations.
If you own forestland in one of the eligible counties and are interested in learning more about SFLRP or how sustainable forestry practices can benefit your property, we encourage you to explore your options. Programs like this can make a meaningful difference not only for individual families but for the long-term health of North Carolina’s forests.