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Table of Contents I. Announcements II. What's Happening? |
American Forests has joined Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton and other partners in an effort to replant trees to revitalize Afghanistan's orchards, nurseries, woodlots, and greenbelts. The people-to-people tree-planting program, called the New York Partnership for a Green Afghanistan, is designed to help Afghanistan regain its historic position as the "orchard of Central Asia" and support Afghans as they rebuild their orchard, vineyard, and forestry businesses. The announcement and a symbolic tree planting ceremony were held in Kabul and attended by President Hamid Karzai. Other partners include the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (SUNY-ESF), Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and International Paper. The group is organized under the auspices of the Global Partnership for Afghanistan (GPFA), which was founded soon after 9/11 by New Yorkers and Afghan Americans in recognition of the tragedies suffered by both countries. GPFA is developing family-owned orchards, nurseries, and woodlot businesses encompassing an initial 70,000 trees. For its part, American Forests is seeking corporate and individual sponsors to support this critical effort. For more information, visit http://www.gpfa.org [Back to Top]Paul Mitchell Plants Trees Men's hair care products manufacturer Paul Mitchell has joined American Forests in working to protect the air and environment through tree planting. Paul Mitchell is planting trees to offset the carbon emissions generated through manufacture and distribution of its Tea Tree brand (www.paulmitchell.com). The company is also donating to American Forests' Global ReLeaf Forests program to further preserve natural resources at home and abroad. [Back to Top]At a press conference in Jacksonville, Florida, American Forests' Gary Moll detailed how growth in and around that city cost it 12.5 percent of its tree canopy between 1992 and 2002. Moll urged the city to maintain the existing tree canopy, which can provide a natural means of controlling stormwater management and air/water pollution. City employees will be trained to use American Forests' CITYgreen GIS software, which will allow them to map the city's urban forest and measure the value of the work those trees do to clean air and water, slow stormwater runoff, and cool buildings. To see a copy of the report, visit American Forests [Back to Top]Eco-Friendly Planting Thought, a family-based certified organic clothing company, is donating a portion of the profits from its clothing and product sales to American Forests' Global ReLeaf campaign. Planting Thought says its "Eco-friendly clothing and designs are crafted to arouse family and environmental consciousness. We are dedicated alongside American Forests to the restoration of our lands." To learn more, visit www.plantingthought.org [Back to Top]It is the ultimate ISO ad: Tall, dark, and handsome--a potential star waiting, undiscovered, for that certain someone. This spring stretch your legs-and your imagination-and join the hunt in search of national champion trees, the largest of 826 of America's native and naturalized species. American Forests, the nation's oldest conservation group, is both the founder and the keeper of the National Register of Big Trees, established in 1940. At American Forests' website you can download a list of trees without champs, including the states where they are found; a description of how to measure a tree; a nomination form; and the name of your state coordinator, who can answer questions and also receive nominations. Information about the current champs-including some photos-is also available at the site. Nominations are being accepted for the 2006-2007 Register until August 1. [Back to Top]Wild about willows? Frustrated by fungus? Want to know the best way to prune your holly? E-mail your questions to American Forests' Tree Doctor, treedoc@amfor.org. One of our experts will research your question and reply promptly. [Back to Top]
A Dreaming Tree for Disneyland Disneyland's 50th Celebration festivities kicked off with a tree presentation at the California park. Delegates from Walt Disney's hometown, Marceline, Missouri, presented horticultural director Karen Hedges with a descendant of the founder's so-called Dreaming Tree. Kaye Malins currently owns the farm where Disney grew up and where the Dreaming Tree, a cottonwood, still grows. Disney said he spent many hours on his stomach beneath the huge tree, observing the natural world. This "belly botany," as he described it, later inspired his Mickey Mouse and Jiminy Cricket characters. Hedges said the tree will be planted in a prominent place when it has reached a suitable size. Grow your own "Dreaming Tree" cottonwood: www.historictrees.org [Back to Top]One hundred offspring of Texas' famed Treaty Oak were planted around the state April 13 as part of the grocery chain H-E-B's celebration of its 100th anniversary. The trees, from American Forests' Historic Tree Nursery, wrapped up a year-long celebration that included H-E-B's donation of American Forests' environmental education training, software, and lesson plans for teachers at 40 state schools. H-E-B also donated five saplings connected to famous people or events to each school to plant on its grounds. In addition, American Forests planted 100 trees in a Global ReLeaf Forest restoration project for each participating school. "H-E-B is committed to actively pursuing environmental initiatives that ensure the natural beauty of the communities we serve, and that educate students about the world around them," says Susan Ghertner, H-E-B's manager of environmental affairs. Learn more aboutAmerican Forests' environmental education program here; to learn more about H-E-B: www.heb.com. [Back to Top]Asheboro's Green History Twenty-seven historic trees now stand in North Asheboro Park in Asheboro, North Carolina, each dedicated to a past mayor of the city and together offering an interpretive history of Asheboro. The planting is the brainchild of tree-enthusiasts Tim Womick and Owen George, volunteers for Trees Asheboro, who worked closely on the project with city parks and recreation director Allen Oliver. Families and relatives of each mayor were consulted in order to select historic trees related to the specific term of office served by each. Elementary school students are working on A Children's Journal of Asheboro Mayors, and teachers are developing lesson plans to accompany the journal. Flyers and walking tour brochures also are being developed. To start your own green history, visit www.historictrees.org [Back to Top]University of Michigan-Flint Plants Patriots Grove A new 300-foot walkway on the campus of UM-Flint will be lined with historic trees this spring. The project, funded by a Charles Stewart Mott Foundation grant, borders a new playground and the recently opened White Building on the Flint River. "It's just a nice way to tie our national history into a nice setting," says Larry King, UM-Flint's facilities architect. "It's going to create a beautiful setting . . . kind of a central park on that side of the campus." The 21 historic trees will be planted in a timeline depicting historic events from 1760 to 1977. Learn more about historic trees: www.historictrees.org [Back to Top]Are You a Member? You can do your part to help the environment today by joining AMERICAN FORESTS. Not only are 25 trees planted for you in a damaged ecosystem or forest restoration project, but you will also receive:
Join Today! Visit http://www.americanforests.org/ Forest Bytes Don't forget to forward this information to friends or colleagues. |
