Forest Files December 2012
IN THIS ISSUE
STANDING TALL: Sheri’s Big Tree Highlights of 2012
End-of-Year Highlights
Credit: American Forests
From New Year’s resolutions to the November release of our Urban Forests Case Studies publication, it has been an eventful year for American Forests! Not only have our existing programs such as Global ReLeaf and the National Register of Big Trees expanded, but there have been major developments in conservation and environmental studies.
Remember 2012 with our “Year-in-Review.”
Looking Out for Owls
Credit: cramsay23/Flickr
The northern spotted owl is disappearing at a rate of nearly three percent every year. American Forests has been active in supporting this species’ California habitat, and we are backing a new rule drafted by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to further protect the species. This new rule would designate 9.6 million acres for the bird and other wildlife. The goal is to “strike a balance that both wildlife habitat conservationists and loggers can agree on.”
Discover how this new policy will protect owls.
Saving a Species
Credit: James Balog
Whitebark pines are extremely important to the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. But the species is suffering as a large percentage of these trees face threats such as white pine blister rust and mountain pine beetles. American Forests and other forestry professionals are working to find a solution and bring whitebark pines back to Yellowstone.
Uncover the fight to save the whitebark pine.
A Tale of Twelve Cities
Credit:David Herrara/Flickr
Our Urban Forests Case Studies publication was officially released last month. After a year’s work of research and interviews, the result is 12 detailed profiles of cities and their unique approaches to urban forestry. From D.C. to Austin to Seattle, the case studies represent diverse challenges, strategies and success stories from across the country.
Engage with the urban forestry community.
STANDING TALL: Sheri’s Big Tree Highlights of 2012
Credit: Don Bertolette
From tiny titans and mega-trees to everything in between, every national champion has a story in how it was discovered, crowned and dethroned. Sheri Shannon, American Forests’ own “big tree lady” shares her highlights of the National Big Tree Program for 2012.
“As the coordinator for the National Big Tree Program, I get to watch the competition between states unfold throughout the year. Yes, the National Register of Big Trees is a friendly competition to find the biggest of each tree species in the country, but for me, the journey to crown and dethrone champions has become a sporting event.”
~Sheri Shannon, National Big Tree Program coordinator