Saturday, May 21, 2011 is National Walk in the Woods Day™

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.

Designated by the United Nations General Assembly, 2011 International Year of Forests is designed to raise awareness of sustainable forest management and forest conservation.

AFF is playing a lead role in developing and facilitating a variety of U.S. celebrations throughout the year.

How can you celebrate National Walk in the Woods Day™ ?

• Discover a forest! No matter where you live, you don’t have to go far. Whether it's a city or state park, a private woodland, or a national park, take a walk in the woods – or better yet – take a child by the hand and explore together the wonders waiting for you in America’s forests. For some fun and informal educational activities, check out Project Learning Tree’s “Connecting Kids to Nature” activity series.
• If you are a family forest landowner, we invite you to help others learn about the importance of forests for people by participating in, or leading, a National Walk in the Woods Day™activity.  Here are some ideas. 
  • Invite your family, neighbors, elected officials, or other members of your community to join you for a walk on your Tree Farm.
  • Take your children, grandchildren, or neighbors’ children out exploring on your Tree Farm.  Use Project Learning Tree’s “Connecting Kids to Nature” activities.
  • Invite a local youth or after-school club to visit your Tree Farm.
  • Visit www.treefarmsystem.org/walkinthewoods for some resources and a tool kit to help plan your "walk in the woods."
• Help a school improve its grounds by planting trees with students and their teacher.
• Go camping, or just step outside and enjoy trees and all that they give us!

Whatever outdoor activity you plan for Saturday, May 21, National Walk in the Woods Day™, let us know about it so we can show just how many Americans care about their woods!