Who would have thought that the extinction of woolly mammoths, sloths and other North American megafauna shapes forests to this day? That’s the provocative premise explored in the current issue of American Forests magazine by one of our favorite authors, Whit Bronaugh.
Take the fruit of the Osage-orange tree, for example, which are softball-sized, fleshy and full of seeds. Like other fruits, these are designed to entice animals to eat them, and do the work of spreading their seeds. But no animals we know today eat these fruits – so what’s going on? online.
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Celebrate an Anniversary with Jack Daniel’s
Raise an anniversary toast to American Forests and Global ReLeaf – or to one of your own anniversaries – and enjoy Jack Daniel's while you support American Forests!
In honor of Earth month this April, Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whiskey is partnering with American Forests to release a collectible bottle with a special label in our honor in conjunction with a Global ReLeaf forest restoration effort.
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Verizon Paperless Communications Campaign Supports Global ReLeaf
With its commitment to going green, Verizon has received several awards for corporate sustainability programs, and continues to encourage its employees to help improve the environment. READ MORE
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Recent Study Shows American Songbirds Evolve with Forests
A recent study finds that Eastern North American songbirds have undergone remarkable rapid evolution over the past 100 years in response to forest fragmentation and regrowth, indicating that species do in fact respond adaptively to rapid environmental change caused by humans.
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Big Tree State Coordinator
This spring, American Forest’ Big Tree program celebrates its 70th anniversary by presenting the National Big Tree Register in a new and innovative way: online! In addition to the register issued bi-annually by American Forests, many states have their own registers, which list state champions. As we look forward to the new National Register’s release, we celebrate some of the state Big Tree Coordinators who help make it possible. - PETE SMITH
Texas READ MORE |
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Scotties ReLeaf Projects Underway Across the Country
The unique Urban Sustainability for America program was designed by American Forests and Scotties Tissues to make a real and ongoing impact in the communities of Scotties’ customers. Scotties has long strived to be a leader in sustainability practices in the forests where their products originate, pledging to continue to plant three trees for every one they use for tissue production. READ MORE |
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Trees Growing Faster As Planet Warms
According to new research, the planet’s warming climate is causing trees in the Eastern United States to grow at a rate unprecendented over the past two centuries.
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Check Out on Chegg’s Blog, Learn More about our Partnership
American Forests' partnership with Chegg textbook rentals – and Chegg’s recent remarkable growth – has resulted in a lot of trees for some extraordinary projects. READ MORE |
Global ReLeaf Project of the Month
The Bugaboo Reforestation project is taking place in the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge on the border of Georgia and Florida. This area contains a unique freshwater system that includes bogs, marshes, swamps and lakes, all of which are home to many different species of flora and fauna.
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Historic Tree of the Month
Tidal Basin Japanese Cherry Tree
Spring in the nation’s capital is symbolized by the Japanese cherry trees bursting with pale pink and white blossoms. The original cherry trees that surround the Tidal Basin at the Jefferson Memorial were first planted in 1912 by First Lady Mrs. William Howard Taft and the Viscountess Chinda of Japan as a symbol of friendship between the two countries.
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Cantwell-Collins CLEAR Act
After momentum was generated from passing Waxman-Markey in the House, climate change legislation has reached gridlock in the Senate. Legislative proposals have been introduced by several Senators including Kerry (D-MA), Boxer (D-CA), Graham (R-SC), and Lieberman (I-CT). However, lawmakers have been stuck deciding among several options to include in a potential bill. Amidst the complexities of the Senate climate debate, a sleeper bill introduced in December has recently begun to gain attention on Capitol Hill and throughout the environmental community.
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Forest Service Budget Proposal
President Obama released his fiscal year (FY) 2011 budget proposal to Congress in early February. His proposal includes a $5.38 billion request for the Forest Service, which is a $23 million program increase from 2010 figures.
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Tree Trivia
Answer to last month’s question: The range of the endangered Red-cockaded woodpecker typically can cover up to 600 acres. Thanks to those who sent in answers! The lucky winners will be contacted shortly.
This month’s question:
Of the 7,500 apple varieties produced worldwide, how many are grown here in the
United States?
Learn the answer in next month’s Forestbytes! Send your answers to info@amfor.org, and two randomly selected correct responses will receive a complimentary copy of American Forests magazine and a Tree Hugger t-shirt.
Comments, suggestions on Forestbytes? We would love to hear from you! Send us an email at info@amfor.org.
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