This Father’s Day, help say an eco-friendly thank you to all the dedicated dads and fathers of our country by giving the gift of the Historic Mount Vernon Red Maple.  Our Mount Vernon Red Maple is a first-generation seedling from a tree on the Mount Vernon estate once belonging to George Washington, the original “father of our country.”  Like the first Mount Vernon Red Maple, this next generation tree can bear witness to another generation of America’s fabulous father. READ MORE

As we continue to celebrate the earth this spring, American Forests recognizes long-time partner Eddie Bauer’s Earth Week contribution of $45,000 dollars for Global ReLeaf through its “Add a Dollar, Plant a Tree” campaign. Through the campaign, for every $1 customers donate, the company plants a one-to-two year old native tree in one of eight reforestation sights across North America. This past Earth Month, over 8,000 associates in 358 stores across the United States and Canada joined forces to plant trees on behalf of American Forests. READ MORE

American Forests and partners received special thanks for 20 years of jack pine tree planting for one of the U.S.’ most endangered birds at a special event at the Kirtland’s Warbler Wildlife Festival last month at Kirtland Community College in northern Michigan. Huron-Manistee National Forest Supervisor Barry Paulson and state forester Cara Boucher were among those who took special note of the many partners who have helped us plant 1 million trees for the warbler, including Chegg, John Hancock Financial, and Origins. READ MORE

This past May 19, Zenith Gallery marked its 32nd year in DC with a “Meet the Artists Reception” at the Chevy Chase Pavilion for the gallery’s multi-media show featuring tree-inspired art. The show, titled “Trees of Life II,” runs through July 31st and features the work of some 30 artists. A generous 10 percent of the proceeds of the work sold will be donated to Global ReLeaf. READ MORE

Thanks to Gary Watros, a small grove of Historic Trees is promising a better and brighter tomorrow for a local community. The man in charge of the Historic Tree Grove in Bristol, RI, Watros is making sure to get the most out of it. An ex-rocket scientist with NASA, Watros spends a lot of time on civic improvements – especially historical and botanical – which got him interested in the Historic Tree Program in the first place.  READ MORE

We’ve all heard the studies on how kids are staying inside far too much these days, playing video games instead of playing outside. Now, the National Environmental Education Foundation (NEEF) is launching a program to do something about it. The Children and Nature Initiative started in May with an event at the Prospect Park Zoo and Audubon Center in Brooklyn, NY. Its goal is to help today’s children connect with the outdoors again, for the sake of their own physical and mental well-being, as well as that of the environment. READ MORE.

Jackson National Life Insurance partnered with the City of Lansing and Lansing Boys & Girls Club at Cristo Rey Community Center to plant 24 trees from American Forests’ Historic Tree program throughout the Center’s grounds, giving back to the community and helping teens learn about sustainable environmental practices. For more, check out this video from the Lansing State Journal!    

Remember last month’s Forestbytes about the Scotties ReLeaf USA partnership around restoring the American Chestnut? Well, now you can check out this slide show of the Carroll County Public Schools American Chestnut Jamboree: http://photopeach.com/album/m8irah

Save the date for the 2nd Annual National Tree Hugger Day this October 16th, and look for an article on children's book author and nature enthusiast Alison Ashley Formento in the Summer issue of American Forests magazine.