SFLR boasts new board, branding, website and campaign to showcase the power of increasing African American land ownership
Greenville, SC – Aug. 1, 2024
The Sustainable Forestry and African American Land Retention Network (SFLR) is excited to announce a transformative new direction for the organization, marked by the establishment of its first official Board of Directors, and resource-filled campaign which features a fresh brand identity and the launch of a dynamic new website. This pivotal moment in SFLR’s journey is part of its strategic path to become a 501(c)(3) organization, further cementing its role as a leader in empowering African American landowners and promoting sustainable land management.
To guide its new direction, SFLR has appointed its first official Board of Directors, featuring leadership from each SFLR Network sites. This diverse and experienced board will provide strategic oversight and ensure the organization’s long-term success.
“We are thrilled to have such a dedicated and passionate group of leaders joining us on our journey,” said Wilkinson. “Their expertise and commitment will be invaluable as we work towards our vision of becoming a 501(c)(3) organization.”
The “Roots to Resilience: Empowering Land Legacies” campaign is a cornerstone of SFLR’s new direction. This initiative aims to amplify SFLR’s impact, engage with landowners, and highlight the crucial need for equity in the space of land ownership, forestry, and farming within African American communities. By promoting sustainable practices and economic empowerment, the campaign strives to build thriving, self-sufficient communities that can withstand and overcome challenges.
SFLR’s new branding is a powerful reflection of its mission to support and empower African American landowners. The redesigned logo and vibrant color palette symbolize strength, growth, and unity—core values that are at the heart of SFLR’s work. Coupled with the rollout of its new website, SFLR seeks to better serve landowners by providing them with the support they need with refreshing visuals and an easy-to-navigate resource center.
“Our new branding and website signifies our unwavering commitment to preserving and enriching the legacies of African American landowners,” said Bethaney Wilkinson, Executive Director of SFLR. “We aim to create a stronger, more recognizable identity that resonates with our community and stakeholders and provide more access to much-needed resources to our landowners.”
For generations, African American landowners have faced systemic barriers and challenges that have threatened their ability to retain and cultivate their land. SFLR sites like Roanoke Cooperative and the Black Family Land Trust (BFLT), have been integral in impacting change in this area and were recently recognized and awarded a $3 million sustainability grant from the Atlantic Coast Conservation Coalition. SFLR sites serve landowners across the Southern and Southeastern regions of the U.S. where land loss has significantly impacted African American landowners for generations.
As SFLR embarks on this exciting new chapter, it remains steadfast in its mission to empower African American landowners through sustainable practices, policy advocacy, and community engagement. The organization invites everyone to explore the new website, engage with the “Roots to Resilience” campaign, and join in building a future where African American landowners thrive and their legacies endure. Visit the new website at www.sflrnetwork.org.
About SFLR
SFLR was launched in 2012 with assistance from the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities, in partnership with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the USDA Forest Service. Their goal is to help rural Black landowners address heirs’ property and land retention issues and understand the value of responsibly managing forest land. Since then, additional supporters focused on redressing Black land loss have included the American Forest Foundation, Inc., JPB Foundation, Mary Reynolds Babcock Foundation, and Doris Duke Foundation.
SFLR comprises eight anchor organizations: The Black Family Land Trust; The Roanoke Center/Roanoke Cooperative; Center for Heirs Property Preservation; Limited Resource Landowner Education and Assistance Network (LRLEAN); MacIntosh Sustainable Environment and Economic Development (S.E.E.D.); Winston County Self-Help Cooperative; The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff; and Prairie View A&M University. For more information: www.sflrnetwork.org.
About the U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities
The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities is a not-for-profit public charity working collaboratively with partners in the public and private sectors to advance systemic, transformative, and sustainable change for the health and vitality of the nation’s working forests and forest-reliant communities. For more information: www.usendowment.org.