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Treasured Landscapes,
Unforgettable Experiences
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With 418 million visits each year,
America’s National Forest
System gives us:
155 National Forests & 22 National
Grasslands | 95 Wild & Scenic Rivers
| 133,000 miles of trails | Fresh water
supply for 66 million people in 3,400
communities | Habitat for one-third of all
federally listed threatened or endangered
species | 4,300 campgrounds | 80 percent of
the elk, mountain goat and bighorn sheep
habitat in the lower 48 | 136 Scenic Byways |
35 million acres of designated Wilderness
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Treasured Landscapes, Unforgettable Experiences
The National Forest Foundation’s
Campaign to Revitalize Our Forests &
Strengthen Our Connection to Nature
President Theodore Roosevelt and first Forest Service Chief Gifford Pinchot
| Natio n a l Fo re st Foundation |
Resources to Live, Places to Love
Values Run Deep in
Our National Forests Forests & Grasslands
In the beginning, National Forests and Grasslands
served to protect resources for a young, grow-
They are the Daniel Boone in Kentucky, the Gila ing country. But soon our nation’s growth placed
in New Mexico, the Tongass in Alaska, and the demand on these resources that reframed the way
Chequamegon in Wisconsin. They are hardwoods the nation viewed our public lands. For decades,
and conifers, rocky peaks and river gorges. You’ve the value of our forests and grasslands was mea-
probably driven through one, sipped drinking sured in board feet and productivity. Today, we’ve
water that filtered down their mountains, or hiked come full circle, as we realize that the economics of
the meandering trails. healthy forest ecosystems permeate our lives much
Covering eight percent of the United States, deeper than the products they generate. Forests
America’s National Forest System ranges across function as ecological life-support systems—pro-
193 million acres with their roots in the late 19th viding a complement of goods and services vital to
century. Under the Forest Reserve Act of 1891, our own health and well-being. From foresters to
U.S. presidents could set aside tree-covered pub- recreationists to scientists, we now recognize these
lic domain land to manage and perpetuate forests, many natural assets impacting our quality of life as
water, wildlife and other natural resources. A corps “ecosystem services.”
of early champions—led by President Theodore Healthy trees offer irreplaceable benefits for
Roosevelt—significantly expanded the forest re- communities. Biodiversity conservation, flood con-
serve system into the millions of acres of public trol and watershed health, carbon storage and scenic
lands they are today. landscapes make up the traditionally undervalued
Since then, National Forests have seen a varied, benefits of vibrant forests and grasslands. Forests
sometimes tumultuous history—but they have re- and open space improve quality of life, particularly
mained the mainstay of America’s natural identity. in more developed areas, enhancing human health
Our relationship with these landscapes has drifted and emotional well-being. Lacking a formal market,
from exploration of the wild frontier to the business all of these critical natural values can be overlooked
of resource extraction to destinations for outdoor in public, corporate and individual decision-mak-
adventure. Today, following a century of population ing. As a result, wild places and the resources they
growth and development, National Forests are more provide grow increasingly susceptible to misuse, de-
important to us than ever. These are the people’s velopment and conversion.
lands—scattered across our stunningly diverse na- The Forest Service has begun exploring ways to
tion amidst communities large and small. No matter encourage a broader view of the values harbored
where you live or what you love to do—National within our forests. Promoting the many social and
Forests add irreplaceable value to your life. economic values of healthy, natural landscapes can
help prompt a new era of market-based conserva-
tion and stewardship.
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| Natio n a l Fo re st Foundation |
species that depend upon National Forest habitat
and the stewardship of these lands.
America’s biodiversity is not only essential to eco-
system function; it ultimately affects the well-being
of us all. The diversity of life within National Forests
harbors many unexplored options for our future,
carrying with it an array of values. The challenges to
maintaining this biodiversity are many—most nota-
bly habitat fragmentation, invasive species, and cli-
mate change. Approximately one-third of U.S. wild-
life species are at risk of extinction. As the number
of federally protected endangered and threatened
species continues to increase, public lands hold the
key to restoring and perpetuating the many interde-
pendent elements of forest biodiversity.
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aturated
is overs
color
a n’s
firem in
-up fire
lose w/ nd
c face krou
bac
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The Human Challenge—Who Will Care for Our Forests?
As daunting as today’s forest stewardship Helping youth discover the wonders of nature
challenges seem, just as disconcerting is the declin- enhances their lives in many ways, including:
ing constituency to care for these lands in the future. • Reduced stress and improved physical health.
In years past, Americans drew their affinity for con- • Higher test scores and improved attention span.
land. Yet today, fewer and fewer children grow up • Better self-confidence and initiative.
with nature in their lives. Between 1997 and 2003, • Environmental knowledge and appreciation.
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enjoy and ours to steward wisely. The National Forest
ed forest lands and restore the human connection that
es for generations to come.
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Collaboration, Community, Commitment
The Campaign for
Our National Forests
With millions of acres in need of restoration and Partnerships, grass-roots collaboration, lever-
millions of people unaware of how National Forests aged funding, science—and of course the strength
enrich their lives, the NFF faces a big job ahead. of an engaged citizenry—will lead us along the path
Our ability to tackle these challenges with confi- to perpetuating our natural heritage.
dence stems from years dedicated to understanding
stewardship needs and refining the tools to collab-
oratively address them.
Collaboration is the powerful engine driving all
In support of our campaign goal to restore
of our work. With a diverse mix of partners—state degraded forest lands, the NFF employs
and federal agencies, grass-roots organizations, and sound science, strategic conservation
thousands of individual volunteers—we leverage
public and private resources to maximize our con- partnerships, grant funds, and technical
servation impact. assistance. This recipe for collaborative
stewardship facilitates projects that address
Our goals in this Campaign to Revitalize Our Forests
and Strengthen Our Connection to Nature: today’s most pressing forest restoration
• We will implement stewardship projects that
needs, including revitalizing burned
nurture more resilient forest ecosystems.
• We will restore landscapes damaged by wildfire, landscapes, combating invasive species,
insects, disease and other natural disasters to improving watershed health, and boosting
provide scenic, watershed, wildlife and carbon natural carbon sequestration.
sequestration benefits.
• We will invest in the strength of communities
established conservation strategies toward large- While building community capacity to implement
scale restoration in priority areas. and sustain local conservation work, the NFF will
Restoration blends an understanding of histori- foster common ground and proactive conservation
cal natural conditions with modern science and an solutions, overcoming past divisiveness over natural
eye on adapting for our changing future. To ensure resource stewardship.
that our forests, watersheds, and habitats can persist Knowledge underlies the success of this collab-
through diverse impacts, effective restoration also orative stewardship. By bringing science and techni-
demands that we care for the whole system. cal assistance to the table, the NFF will broaden the
To date, the NFF has successfully relied on part- community of people working toward shared goals
nerships, community engagement and leveraging on public lands issues, raising the general knowl-
of resources to accomplish broader conservation edge and skill level of stewardship practitioners,
results that any group or agency can do alone. With and preventing repetition of common mistakes. We
this campaign, the NFF will expand its leadership will add value to our many partnerships by docu-
role in identifying, designing and supporting prior- menting and sharing what we and our partners have
ity restoration projects that revitalize our forests for learned through peer networking meetings, model
their many values. We will bring together diverse stewardship projects, facilitated training sessions,
nonprofits, community members and the For- and formal resources.
est Service to address specific conservation needs.
Strengthing Our Connection photos and stories that reveal many ways to appreci-
America’s National Forests depend ate National Forests and Grasslands.
on people who love and understand But Friends of the Forest offers much more than
them. The NFF formed its Friends information. It offers a way for people to support
of the Forest program to give inter- conservation and take part in hands-on steward-
ested individuals an avenue for learning about the ship as well. The NFF’s Friends of the Forest Days
issues and values surrounding our National For- involve people of all ages to partake in volunteer
ests. We communicate with thousands of “Friends” projects fixing up popular forest areas. Volunteers
through a web site and electronic newsletter, sharing pull weeds, repair trails, or clean up campgrounds,
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reaping tangible stewardship results in the work- ing a way to
and fun-filled day. The fulfillment of giving back to stay involved
our forests strengthens their appreciation for nature with nature
and the challenges we face in passing this legacy of through recre-
wild places on to future generations. Whether as ation. We will involve youth in forest stewardship
volunteers, outdoors enthusiasts, or interested citi- projects that also incorporate nature-based learning
zens, the NFF’s Friends are becoming an informed and outdoor skills development. Our own Friends of
and powerful constituency of forest users and sup- the Forest volunteer stewardship activities will help
porters. parents demonstrate a love of the outdoors to their
As the NFF and its Friends of the Forest work kids—and give kids a hands-on chance to experi-
to leave this world a better place for our children, ence and learn to love the land.
we also want today’s kids to appreciate and savor all Breaking through the barriers to outdoor engage-
that our National Forests have to offer. Our goal is ment depends on helping people overcome fear and
to develop and promote programs that give kids the uncertainty about nature. Through a combination
physical, educational and spiritual benefits of a life of hands-on stewardship and outdoor recreation,
connected to the outdoors. the NFF can lay a foundation of positive experi-
Capitalizing on our strengths in community- ences that lead to a lifetime involvement with and
based conservation, the NFF will focus on efforts commitment to the great outdoors.
that teach kids to be good stewards while develop-
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Five things you can do
to connect with and help perpetuate
our legacy of National Forests:
1 Have fun out there! Explore the many trails, rivers, and wild corners of our
National Forests.
2 Engage others. Take a child, friend or family member outdoors; share the
many wonders of a vibrant natural environment.
3 Become a Friend. Being an NFF Friend of the Forest links you to informa-
tion about the issues and values related to our forests.
4 Get your hands dirty. There are countless opportunities for volunteers to
enjoy fulfilling, hands-on stewardship projects.
Design: Lloyd Greenberg Design, LLC | Photography: Kevin Adams: p 16 | Todd Caudle: p 2, 15 | Library of Congress: p 4 | Sarah Hill: p 11 | Meghan McGuire: p 21
| Mike McMillan: p 8 | Marc Muench: p 6, 7, 9, cover | David Muench: p 10, 22, inside cover | Lance Schelvan: p 3, 6, 7, 20, 23 | Tim Wolcott: p 3, 12-13, 19
PLEASE JOIN US
To revitalize our forests and strengthen our natural connection is to help pro-
tect the mainstay of America’s natural identity. Friends, foundations, and the
corporate community are invited to join with the National Forest Foundation
in this urgent effort from coast to coast. Together, as citizen stewards, we will
protect our public lands for today’s and future generations.
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