HI SR143

Urges the Department of Land and Natural Resources and other state agencies to partner with committed community groups in co-stewardship of community forests on public lands

Acknowledges Governor Josh Green's proclamation of 2025 as the Year of Our Community Forests

Recognizes that community forests provide significant health benefits including access to food and medicinal plants, stress reduction, and reduced cardiovascular and respiratory diseases

Notes that trees and community forests deliver environmental benefits such as clean air and water, native species habitats, carbon storage, and erosion reduction

Identifies economic benefits including increased property values, reduced air conditioning costs, increased business spending, support for forestry jobs, ecotourism, and forest product sales