By Alex Toglia, American Forests
American Forests, along with partners American Forest Foundation, Arbor Day Foundation, National Association of State Foresters, The Conservation Fund and Trust for Public Land, among others, as a collective strive for one common goal, to protect and restore our nation’s forests.
Collectively, American Forests and our partners are proud to be a part of a broad spectrum of Cooperative Forestry programs, including Forest Stewardship, Forest Legacy, Community Forests and Open Space, and Urban and Community Forestry. These programs include conservation and restoration efforts in both the most secluded parts of our nation and our most densely populated cities.
Take a look into the story of Calvin Capehart Jr., a private landowner in rural North Carolina whose experience with racial discrimination is combated by his love for nature. With the help of the African American Land Retention (AALR) program, Calvin’s passion for forests and the benefits trees and forests provide his family helped him overcome some of the challenges he encounters. The AALR program has helped promote sustainable forest management and generated over $1 billion and created over 3,000 jobs in North Carolina’s local economy.
Discover how a strategic partnership between the U.S. Forest Service, Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon Lottery and The Conservation Fund helped create a new state forests for everyone to enjoy.
Visit Barre, Vt., and explore how the Trust for Public Land worked with the local community to turn a barren wasteland of quarries into a thriving community forest, which has improved the local economy, created jobs and safeguarded drinking water.
Learn about how local communities are supporting their urban forests with the help of partners like Arbor Day Foundation. From staving off emerald ash borer across the state of Iowa to improving water quality within the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, the Urban and Community Forestry projects happening across the country are truly exciting!
The stories in “Partnering for Forests” were assembled to help us discover and highlight the various partnerships and programs that are working every day to maintain and protect our nation’s vital forests and ecosystems. By working together to protect our forests, we are both directly benefiting local communities and safeguarding our future.