International Year of Forests

The National Association of State Foresters (NASF), the USDA Forest Service, and the American Forest Foundation (AFF) partnered to establish a campaign designed to raise U.S. awareness of the value of forests through the International Year of Forests celebration.  With Forest Service support, NASF created and manages this website to serve all members of the U.S. forestry community.  The website provides free toolkit materials anyone can use to celebrate forests in their own community; it is also a central forum for sharing ideas and events. 

The American Forest Foundation (AFF), NASF, and the Forest Service are co-hosting a reception in Washington, DC on March 30 to launch the U.S. celebration.  Forest Exchange Boxes developed by AFF’s Project Learning Tree® will portray unique forestry values from each state.  Forest conservation leaders will share their work with key administration, Congressional, and media representatives.  The reception will follow a Congressional briefing hosted by AFF where Tree Farmers from across the country will share their challenges in providing public values from owning and managing private forests.  

As the year progresses look for more opportunities to celebrate forests.  Mark your calendars for a “National Walk in the Woods Day” on May 21!  From November 2-6, the 92nd National Convention of the Society of American Foresters (SAF) will serve as a finale to the year-long celebration as the nation’s largest gathering of forestry professionals convenes to discuss the Year of Forests, forestry challenges, and cutting-edge scientific solutions.  For more information on AFF, NASF, the Forest Service, SAF, and other organizations celebrating America’s forests please see the links on the External Resources pages.