News Releases

"Today’s announcement sends a strong market signal that being green, means using wood. In fact, wood is the green building material," commented Martin.

"Celebrate Forests, Celebrate Life" campaign highlights how American forests contribute to health and livelihoods.

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack,  key members of Congress including Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.), and a consortium of top officials from America’s leading forest and conservation organizations, will join together to highlight the importance of America’s forests during a special celebration and reception here in Washington, D.C.

Two significant steps were taken to improve forest conservation on private lands. On Tuesday, a partnership agreement was sealed by Tom Martin, American Forest Foundation (AFF) president and CEO, and Dave White, chief of the Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS), which will make it easier for America’s family forest owners to access federal financial assistance programs administered by NRCS under the Farm Bill. Financial assistance helps landowners and managers improve forest management on the ground.

Five educators who use environmental education to spur students’ enthusiasm to learn were named the 2011 National Outstanding Educators by Project Learning Tree® (PLT), the environmental education program of AFF.

AFF has proclaimed Saturday, May 21 as National Walk in the Woods Day™ as an event to celebrate the year-long 2011 International Year of Forests.

A decline in the numbers and health of pollinators such as bees, birds, and butterflies poses a threat to biodiversity, global food webs and human health. Project Learning Tree® (PLT), the environmental education program of AFF, and the U.S. Forest Service have engaged students across the country to help stem the decline.

President Barack Obama delivered remarks today about the America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) report, a first step in the administration’s vision for 21st century conservation and recreation. Most forests in the United States are owned by families, not by the federal government or large companies, so conserving America’s great outdoors requires strong partnerships and the right incentives for millions of family forest owners.

The American Forest Foundation, the U. S. Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters announce the U.S. celebration of the official United Nations International Year of Forests 2011. The theme of the U.S. campaign is "Celebrate Forests. Celebrate Life."

The United Nations General Assembly has declared 2011 as International Year of Forests to promote broader understanding of the importance of forests and to bolster global efforts to promote sustainable forest management and conservation. With support from the U.S. Forest Service, the American Forest Foundation has partnered with the National Association of State Foresters to develop, guide, and facilitate plans for the U.S. celebration.

Thanks to students across the country, people are taking a walk through the woods at the United Nations in New York City. Students are sharing their state’s unique forest heritage on the world stage today, as a “forest exchange box” created and decorated by students from Florida, Hawaii, Indiana, Montana, New Hampshire, and New Mexico went on display at the US Mission to the United Nations in New York. These six boxes were selected for display by the American Forest Foundation out of dozens submitted nationwide.