The study, led by researchers from England’s University of Leeds, gathered data from 79 sites spread over 10 African countries, and found that their absorption of CO2 is equal to that of the forests in the Amazon. And, like the Amazon, the trees in these forests sequester ever-increasing amounts of carbon as they grow.

This is in contrast to the previous belief that once trees get especially large, they sequester CO2 far more slowly. These new findings give great support for leaving larger trees in the forest undisturbed, so that they may continue to act as carbon sinks to combat climate change. It also emphasizes the need for continued reforestation in order to keep building up these invaluable natural resources.

For instance, this year AMERICAN FORESTS is planting 50,000 trees to help restore a degraded community forest in Cameroon. Plantings like this can bring a wealth of different benefits to all kinds of communities, urban or rural, but one thing they all have in common is an increase in much-needed carbon sequestration. For more information, visit: READ MORE

The final bill includes $500 million for Forest Service hazardous fuels and ecosystem improvement activities, and $3.2 billion for energy efficiency block grants. We urge local governments to use a substantial portion of these block grant funds to plant trees for energy conservation. Read Deborah Gangloff’s editorial on Growing a Restoration Economy in the current issue of American Forests magazine and her green jobs statement about the stimulus package. Read More

The site, which receives thousands of visitors annually, has recently been granted official status as a National Historic Landmark. In its simplicity and natural beauty, the shack represents Leopold’s famous “land ethic” philosophy, which stated that a “community” includes all elements of the environment that support life, such as plants, water, soil, and animals. For more information

The cycle could result in a turnaround, in which forests cease to be carbon sinks, and instead release larger amounts of carbon than they are able to sequester.

With the Victoria fires as the most recent and tragic example, wildfires are coming closer and closer to pushing forests out of balance with the carbon cycle. AMERICAN FORESTS is in discussions with Australian authorities to identify future restoration projects once the damage from these fires has been assessed. For more information

The DVD/CD set of this production comes complete with lesson plan for educators, a twelve-song album, and a wealth of knowledge for environmentalists all. American Forests and the Earth Day Network are partners in this educational project. For more information on the play, or to order the DVD, visit www.waldenplay.com. Look for more Earth Day ideas in the April issue of Forestbytes, as well as the Spring 2009 issue of American Forests magazine!

Every time a new person plays the game, a low-allergenic tree will be planted through American Forests’ Global ReLeaf program, with a goal of 20,000 trees total.

Studies suggest that higher levels of carbon dioxide and warmer temperatures may increase pollen production, making allergies worse. Tree planting is one of the best ways to reduce the amount of CO2 in the air.

Did you know that there’s a scale to measure the allergy potential of plants and trees? Low-allergenic trees rank five or below on the Ogren Plant-Allergy Scale (OPALS). This scale evaluates a number of factors, including how much pollen a tree produces, and the potency of that pollen, to determine how likely it is for that tree to cause allergy symptoms. American Forests will plant these low-allergenic trees at sites across the U.S.

The “Don’t Blow It” game features a cartoon character named Ronnie Nose: a nose with red sneakers and nasal allergies! The game is fun, but nasal allergies are no joke. Symptoms can occur year round or seasonally, and they are triggered by both indoor and outdoor allergens, like pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and mold. Because you can’t completely avoid these triggers, its important to visit a doctor to discuss treatment options for your symptoms.

By playing “Don’t Blow It” you’ll learn a lot and help a good cause. Remember, a tree is planted for every unique player, up to our goal of 20,000. We encourage you to play the game and tell your friends about it too. Help us spread the word! For more information about treating nasal allergy symptoms, visit www.nasal-allergies.com.

The new study examined three important areas and found the most dramatic tree canopy loss trend occurred in an area that is the city’s sole source of drinking water. In the past six years, the Edwards Aquifer Recharge and Transition Zone lost 6% of its tree canopy and 11% of its open space and grasslands, while its urban area increased by 20%. This change translates into a loss of $858,000/yr in air quality mitigation, $26 million in stormwater management, and 138,000 tons in carbon storage.

The analysis of 2007 high resolution imagery showed the City of San Antonio had a relatively good 38% overall tree canopy. To increase city canopy to our recommended level of 40% would require planting approximately 454,600 trees. The new trees would provide $1.7 million in annual air pollution benefits and $2.2 million in stormwater benefits.

A unique aspect of this Urban Ecosystem Analysis was the provision to the city of a system to calculate stormwater runoff using satellite data for the area’s entire land cover, rather than just from point samples taken at stream gages.

This will provide more accurate and comprehensive information for all agencies that monitor and plan for stormwater management. The report for San Antonio will be posted next month at www.americanforests.org. www.americanforests.org.

American Forests’ Executive Director Deborah Gangloff will be introducing the film, which will be shown at the National Arboretum, and talking about the importance of reforestation programs such as American Forests’ Global ReLeaf. Space is limited, so reserve your tickets today! For more information

The 17th Annual Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital begins on March 11th and continues through the 22nd. With more than 130 films shown at dozens of metro-accessible locations throughout the city, the festival highlights the most awe-inspiring facets of our natural world, as well as the serious threats that face it now.

Tickets are tree, but space at some events is limited. For more information visit www.dcenvironmentalfilmfest.org.

For high school ages, we offer the CITYgreen education program, which combines math, science, and GIS technology to analyze the benefits of trees.

Our partnership with the Treetures appeals to elementary school children, who can learn all about trees and the seasons from these cuddly cartoon characters. With resources for children of every age, American Forests is the place to go for environmental education! For more information, visit www.americanforests.org/kids.

Are you excited about spring? So are the Treetures! Join Twigs, Sprouts, and all the other Treetures of Nutley Grove in their springtime adventure, Welcome Spring! This entertaining and educational book for children ages six to nine explains what happens to nature in spring.

Its story describes the functions of different parts of a tree, the processes of pollination and photosynthesis, and so much more. You can find the Treetures online at www.treetures.com, or in your local Borders or Barnes & Noble.

smart USA plans to continue this initiative for every vehicle sold in 2009 as well. This partnership not only celebrates the smart fortwo owner, but also helps the environment, much like the environmentally friendly smart fortwo.

Simply by purchasing this vehicle, smart fortwo owners have already played an active role in supporting the environment. In addition to great fuel economy, the smart fortwo is up to 95% recyclable, and is a US EPA Certified SmartWay vehicle for its low air pollution and greenhouse gas scores. The smart fortwo leaves only a small carbon footprint on the American landscape.

smart fortwo owners will be able to visit the Cache River State Natural Area, or camp overnight at Fern Cliff State Park, which is located just across from the tree planting site. Upon entering the site, there will be a sign acknowledging smart USA’s contribution to environmental responsibility by planting these trees.

In addition, when owners reach the one year anniversary of taking delivery of their vehicle, they can download a certificate recognizing this environmental contribution at www.smartusa.com/green. smart USA is headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan and is the exclusive distributor of the smart fortwo in the United States.

The smart fortwo is currently sold in 36 other countries, and over one million smart fortwos have been sold since 1998. For more information, visit the smart USA website at www.smartusa.com.

The insect, which has been the cause of death of so many hemlock trees across Appalachia, is now killing off the trees as such a rate that the carbon cycle is being affected as well.

In addition, the fatality rate of hemlock trees in southern Appalachia is about three times more than that of infested hemlock trees in the Northeast, confirming suspicions that southern hemlocks are declining more rapidly. Given the current rate of destruction caused by this foreign pest, estimates are that the entire region may be nearly void of hemlock trees in a mere decade.

Other tree species often take over the space and resources that had been used by the fallen hemlocks, but this trend foretells a massive change across Appalachia. The hemlock is an essential element of these forests, which maintains the streams used by so many aquatic species, as well as provides habitat for birds and animals.

In addition, the changes to the carbon cycle presented by the high fatality rate promise upheaval in other natural cycles as well. As the hemlock declines, the entire ecological makeup of the region’s forests may be altered.READ MORE

Speakers will include American Forests Executive Director Deborah Gangloff, Director of the National Geographic Museum Susan Norton, and even President Lincoln himself, portrayed by Charles Brady.

The trees, which come from American Forests’ Historic Tree Nursery, all carry special significance to the life of the remarkable former president. The Abraham Lincoln Dogwood signifies the trees that he encountered in his youth in Sinking Spring, Kentucky.

The Gettysburg Address Honeylocust is a descendant of a tree that stood near where Lincoln gave his most famous address. Lastly, the Lincoln Tomb White Oak is descended from the tree that grows near the Illinois monument dedicated to Lincoln.

In less than a month, there have been several tiger attacks, leading to six deaths, and making deforestation in Sumatra a serious public safety issue. Sumatran forests have lost nearly 30 million acres over the last two decades alone, which is almost half the island’s total forested land.

Reforestation is the best solution to this dangerous problem, increasing availability of the tiger’s natural habitat to avoid its infringement on the habitats of humans.

In the past, American Forests has supported similar campaigns, including one to improve the habitat of the endangered Siberian tiger in the Russian Far East. READ MORE

In response, American Forests offered recommendations to the conference committee in charge of reconciling the bills which can be accessed through the News section of our website. Our recommendations stressed the importance of funding for wildland fire management activities, urban forestry initiatives, ecosystem restoration, and infrastructure projects through the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management. We also addressed broader “green” energy investments for efficiency gains through urban tree planting and worker training for the growing energy efficiency and renewable energy sector.

A final agreement was reached on February 12th, approved by both houses the next day, and signed into law by the new President on February 17th. In total, the bill lays out $789 billion in tax relief and government spending aimed at stimulating economic activity and creating quality, lasting jobs. Significant investments in the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) recognize American Forests’ call for an Ecosystem Restoration Workforce – quality jobs for the purposes of restoring the health and functions of our nation’s natural ecosystems and stimulating innovative green economic activities based on ecosystem services and products – as laid out in a memo the organization sent to the president’s transition team.

Appropriations to the Forest Service total $1.15 billion for capital improvement and maintenance, wildland fire management, and wood-to energy grants; the Bureau of Land Management will receive $320 million for management of land and resources, construction projects, and wildland fire management. Agency officials are now tasked with identifying projects that will produce the greatest economic impact while also improving landscapes and natural resource dependent communities.

Highlights of the President’s first budget were also released recently, laying out an ambitious spending plan and giving significant insight into President Obama’s policy priorities. While legislators are not required to honor the proposed funding levels, it can provide important information for the budget and appropriations process. Line-item details will be forthcoming in April

The budget confronts funding dilemmas for the Forest Service and BLM’s wildland fire suppression activities by establishing funding at the 10 year average of suppression costs, while additionally setting up a contingent reserve which would provide a backstop should the 10-year average amount prove insufficient to cover costs, as it has in the last several years.

Conservation programs are also addressed with over $400 million for the Land and Water Conservation Fund, designed for the purchase of easements on forested lands and other ecosystems under significant development pressures. In addition, other private land conservation programs administered by the Department of Agriculture like the Environmental Quality Incentives and Conservation Reserve Programs will receive funding at levels nearing their authorized amounts.