The U.S. Endowment for Forestry and Communities released the Markets Matter Action Plan, coordinated framework to address one of the most urgent structural challenges facing America’s forests — rebuilding and expanding viable markets for small-diameter and residual wood fiber. The plan serves as a guide for organizations, policymakers, companies, investors and individuals working to strengthen forest health and rural economic vitality. Every year, more than 56 million bone-dry tons of wood fiber generated by America’s forests and mills — including small-diameter material, low-value wood and residual wood fiber — go unused due to a lack of viable markets. Additionally, addressing the backlog of necessary forest thinning across more than 130 million acres would generate even more material for lasting forest product markets. When markets for forest products weaken, sustainable forest management declines, mills close, loggers and haulers lose work, rural communities lose employers, and tax revenue and forest health deteriorate.