Bipartisan TREES Act harnesses power of trees in cooling communities, saving electricity

November 9, 2023

The TREES Act embraces the power of trees and prioritizes low-income communities to create cooler, more equitable neighborhoods while reducing energy consumption.

Growing trees, growing hope in Motor City

October 30, 2023

American Forests has been working with local stakeholders like Marcellus in Detroit for years to expand the city’s tree canopy, launching an effort alongside The Greening of Detroit and other partners in October 2022 with the creation of the Detroit Tree Equity Partnership.

Investing in urban forestry workforce innovation

By Hannah Gregory | April 10, 2023

How the Tree Equity Workforce Network is raising the bar on pre-employment training.

Richmond grows greener using hyperlocal data

February 21, 2023

Hyperlocal data drives decision making to combat environmental inequities across Richmond, Va.

Forest Footnotes

March 7, 2022

Exciting developments, outside of American Forests, in the field of forestry.

Urban trees are experiencing a moment…and a movement

March 7, 2022

Kesha Braunskill helps push the urban trees movement to the limelight.

Grafting the future of the ash tree

By Katherine Gustafson | March 7, 2022

A research biologist is leading the charge to protect species of ash trees from the ravaging threat of the emerald ash borer.

Forest Facts

October 31, 2020

Here are ten forest facts that explain how trees work their carbon-sequestering magic, both in large landscapes and your neighborhood.

Washington Outlook: Support for City Trees Grows

May 31, 2020

Urban forestry garners growing support on Capitol Hill.

Washington Outlook: Support for City Trees Grows

May 31, 2020

With increasing funds for more trees in cities, more people will be able to experience the many benefits trees provide.

Tree Think

By Catherine Arnold | May 29, 2020

A growing body of research confirms that exposure to trees and forests can have profound benefits for psychological health.

Tree Think

May 29, 2020

How Forests Are Good for the Mind and Soul By Catherine Arnold People who spend time in nature often say

Returning to a Land That Owns Us

May 29, 2020

By Ian Leahy Ian Leahy’s nephews play among the trees in the woods behind his childhood home in Royal Oak,

Project Showcase: A Wednesday Morning in Wilmington Tells the Story of Urban Forestry

February 10, 2020

By Ian Leahy Through the generous funding of JPMorgan Chase, 50 trees were planted in Speakman Park in downtown Wilmington,

Project Showcase: A Wednesday Morning in Wilmington Tells the Story of Urban Forestry

February 10, 2020

Read about the diverse group of partners working to expand the city’s tree cover in Wilmington, Del.

From the Field: Oakland, Calif.

February 10, 2020

Oakland, Calif. Jennifer Broome, Vice President of Philanthropy American Forests worked with partners and conference attendees to plant 20 trees

Last Look: Designing a Green Future

February 4, 2020

Designing a Green Future This past summer, 12 high school students from Washington, D.C. created designs of landscapes that use

Investing in People by Investing in Trees

February 4, 2020

By Sarah L. Anderson The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that urban forestry will see a 10 percent increase

Investing in People by Investing in Trees

February 4, 2020

Discover what American Forests does to bridge the gap between urban forestry job shortages and people who need career opportunities the most through our Career Pathways: Tree Equity initiative.

Project Showcase: Piloting City Forest Credits in Shoreline

June 17, 2019

Learn about our first CityForest Carbon+ Credit project in Shoreline, Wash.

Project Showcase: Piloting City Forest Credits in Shoreline

June 17, 2019

By Ian Leahy Two young volunteers help plant 200 trees at the 3-acre Ballinger Open Space site in Shoreline, Wash.

From the Field: Washington D.C.

June 14, 2019

Washington, D.C. Sarah L. Anderson, Senior Manager, Tree Equity Programs Sarah Anderson spoke on diversifying the workforce at the first

Offshoots: Forests for All

February 7, 2019

By Jad Daley Volunteers from Bank of America gather before planting 200 seedlings in Detroit in May 2018. Credit: Emily

Project Showcase: Food Forests Nurture the Community

February 7, 2019

Healing the Past, Growing the Future By Lea Sloan Mass. State Senator Nick Collins (navy coat) and Representative Liz Miranda

From the Field: Baltimore, Md.

February 5, 2019

Baltimore, Md. Sarah Schmid, Corporate Giving Manager Ian Leahy, American Forests’ director of urban forests programs, shares with Bank of

Forest Digest: January 20, 2019

January 20, 2019

Colorado State Forest Service: Study shows our forests are in trouble from beetle kill – The Denver Channel Colorado is

Forest Digest: January 13, 2019

January 13, 2019

Do the Western national forests need to be liabilities? – Washington Examiner National forests are valuable assets, but the cost

Making Boston Vibrant

January 4, 2019

In October, volunteers from the Dorchester area of Boston gathered to plant fruit trees to complete the set-up for the

Planting Recap: Shoreline, Seattle

January 4, 2019

By Emily Barber, Marketing Manager On December 1, 2018, American Forests traveled to the city of Shoreline, Washington, a city just

Using Data to Dial Down the Temperature in Dallas

December 22, 2018

Governing sites that, “Tree planting and preservation are three and a half times more effective in lowering temperatures as ‘cool materials

Forest Digest: December 16, 2018

December 16, 2018

‘Bosco Verticale’ in Milan, Italy is an apartment complex featuring vertical forests. Credit: Boeri Studio, Paolo Rosselli Check out what’s

A Bright Future in Baltimore

November 9, 2018

By Liz Harper, American Forests A cool, sunny day matched with a bright sky greeted volunteers who came to Carrollton

Boston Neighborhood Welcomes a New Nonprofit and a New Food-Forest Garden

October 19, 2018

American Forests and Epsilon Help Dorchester Add Trees, Fresh Fruits, Greens and Shade Washington, D.C. (October 19, 2018) — Volunteers

Lower Rio Grande Valley: Close to Home

October 10, 2018

By Gisela Chapa, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service A couple of days ago, I was asked to participate in a

Eyes in the Sky

October 1, 2018

How LiDAR maps forests’ role in slowing climate change By Gabriel Popkin A visualization of data from LiDAR (light detection

Global Climate Action Summit – Our Thoughts

September 17, 2018

Last week, we attended the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco. Amid all the excitement, here are the perspectives

American Forests at the Global Climate Action Summit

September 14, 2018

From September 12-14, thousands of people from around the U.S. and the world traveled to San Francisco, California, for the

Forest Digest: September 2, 2018

September 2, 2018

Carbon Offsets for Urban Trees Are on the Horizon – CityLab City Forest Credits are an exciting new way to

Forest Digest: August 26, 2018

August 26, 2018

Planting a mix of tree species ‘could double’ forest carbon storage – CarbonBrief In addition to creating more efficient carbon

Forest Digest: August 12, 2018

August 12, 2018

Check out what’s happened this week in forest news! Diverse groups unite in support of reauthorization of federal conservation fund

Forest Digest: July 22, 2018

July 22, 2018

Check out what’s happened this past week in forestry news! Cedars of God face threat from climate change – Mother Nature

Forest Digest: July 15, 2018

July 15, 2018

Check out what’s happened this past week in forestry news! In the Heat of the Moment, Let’s Commit to Urban

Forest Digest: June 17, 2018

June 17, 2018

DC to kick off federal census of its urban forest – SmartCitiesDrive Washington D.C. will become the first city to

Why I’m Here: Spreading the Wealth of Opportunity

June 11, 2018

By Johannah Frisby, American Forests I grew up in the Twin Cities in Minnesota, which is home to many parks and world class urban

Earthkeepers: Moving Forward: Reimagining Greenspace

June 7, 2018

By Leah Rambadt Fai Foen. Credit: Christopher Horn. FAI FOEN IS ALWAYS ON THE MOVE. As I spoke with her on

Project Showcase: Partnering for Success in Houston

June 7, 2018

By Emily Barber In November 2017, American Forests held a tree planting at Burnett-Bayland Park with Bank of America and

From the Field: Detroit

June 4, 2018

Detroit Eliza Kretzmann, Manager of Urban Forest Programs A study by The University of Vermont assessed tree canopy across Detroit’s

Action Center: Urban and Community Forestry Funding

June 4, 2018

Urban forests also have the ability to reduce air pollution, reduce energy consumption, mitigate the heat island effect, improve human

Forest Digest: June 3, 2018

June 3, 2018

Check out what’s happened this past week in forestry news!  The US is losing 36 million urban trees a year – Treehugger  

The Green Factory

June 1, 2018

Urban forestry is ready and able to help tackle unemployment in urban communities across the U.S. By Christopher Horn Arron

Forest Digest: May 27, 2018

May 27, 2018

Check out what’s happened this week in the world of forestry! What Cities Are Doing About the ‘Shocking’ Loss of

Greening Detroit and Meyers Nursery

May 22, 2018

By Emily Barber, Marketing Manager Just outside downtown Detroit lies Meyers Nursery, a 72-acre plot within the larger Rouge Park.

Restoring Miami’s Tree Canopy with Bank of America

May 15, 2018

By Emily Barber, Marketing Manager Planting 1 million trees sounds like an ambitious goal, but for Million Trees Miami, it’s

Forest Digest: May 13, 2018

May 13, 2018

Check out what’s happened this week in the world of forestry! Hawaii pledges to become carbon neutral by 2045—the most

Forest Digest: May 6, 2018

May 6, 2018

Check out what’s happened this past week in forestry news! Urban Tiny Forests Are Good for Biodiversity – Science and

Assessing Your Urban Forest with Vibrant Cities Lab

April 25, 2018

By Ian Leahy, Director of Urban Forest Programs One of the most dynamic aspects of the new hub of urban

Forest Digest: April 15, 2018

April 15, 2018

Credit: Chris Drumm via rootsrated.com | Pinterest Check out what’s happened this week in forestry news! That Python in the

The Desert Dilemma

April 4, 2018

By Eliza Kretzmann, Urban Forest Programs Manager Arriving at the North Mountain Visitor Center in Phoenix at dawn, the desert

Big Win for Urban Forests

March 29, 2018

By Rebecca Turner, chief strategy officer American Forests was the first national organization to speak for America’s most overlooked forests

Forest Digest: March 25, 2018

March 25, 2018

Credit: via meteoweb.eu Check out what’s happened this week in forestry news! Plant urban trees and forests for happier and

Forest Digest: March 18, 2018

March 18, 2018

Check out what’s happened this week in forestry news! The National Forests Of The Future Need To Be In Cities

Planting Desert Landscapes at GreenBiz 2018

March 8, 2018

By Lindsey Putz, Director of Corporate Giving Attending the GreenBiz 2018 conference was my first trip to Arizona. I grew

Forest Digest: February 18, 2018

February 18, 2018

Check out what’s happened this week in forestry news! Peru Moves to Protect ‘One of the Last Great Intact Forests’

Project Showcase: Getting Back on Track in Miami after Hurricane Irma

February 6, 2018

By Ian Leahy Damage to Miami Beach following Hurricane Irma. Credit: Daniel Di Palma. A DEVASTATING HURRICANE is a strong

From the Field: New York City

February 6, 2018

New York City Emily Barber, Marketing Manager The Forest of Dreams pop-up was right by the “Good Morning America” set

Forest Digest: January 28, 2018

January 28, 2018

Check out what’s happened this week in forestry news! Credit: Francis Mariani Meet The Amateur Scientist Who Discovered Climate Change

Forest Digest: January 21, 2018

January 21, 2018

Check out what’s happened this week in forestry news! Credit: Francois Kehas-Dewaghe/Los Padres ForestWatch Peru’s Newest National Park Safeguards 2

Picking Pocket Forests

December 20, 2017

By Dylan Stuntz, American Forests This is part of an 11-blog series on our work with Alcoa Foundation. Learn more

Forest Digest: November 19, 2017

November 19, 2017

Credit: Chuck Fazio Find out what’s happened this past week in the world of forestry! Trees in Some Cities Grow

Creating Community Forest Canopies

November 9, 2017

By Dylan Stuntz, American Forests This is part of an 11-blog series on our work with Alcoa Foundation. Learn more

Forest Digest: October 29, 2017

October 29, 2017

Credit: Ervins Strauhamanis Find out what’s happened this past week in the world of forestry! Regreening the Planet Could Cut

Forest Frontiers: Laurence Wiseman

October 16, 2017

LAURENCE WISEMAN formed CenterLine Strategy after a 29-year career as founding president and CEO of American Forest Foundation. In 2010, he

Vibrant Cities Lab

October 13, 2017

A State-of-the-Art Platform to Help City Leaders Harness Urban Forests By Ian Leahy Urban forests can provide tens of thousands

Hurricanes and Trees: It’s Complicated

October 5, 2017

By Ian Leahy, Director of Urban Forest Programs When I took a city government job caring for trees after having

Forest Digest: Week of September 25, 2017

October 1, 2017

Find out the latest in forest news! World’s Longest-Living Trees Crowded Out by Climate Change – VOA News Bristlecone pines

Forest Digest: Week of September 18, 2017

September 24, 2017

Find out the latest in forest news! Forest loss may lead to more hurricanes, scientists warn – CIFOR “The world’s

“Partnering for Forests”: A Look at Our Latest Publication

September 20, 2017

By Alex Toglia, American Forests American Forests, along with partners American Forest Foundation, Arbor Day Foundation, National Association of State

Forest Digest: Week of September 4, 2017

September 10, 2017

Find out the latest in forest news! It’s rare that you hear of thieves stealing trees, but they do exist.

Forest Digest: Week of August 14, 2017

August 20, 2017

Find out the latest in Forest News! Credit: Craig Nacy California scientists push to create massive climate-research programme — Nature

Live in a City? Bring Nature to You

August 16, 2017

By Allie Wisniewski, American Forests When you call a bustling city home, it can often be tough to connect with

Trees and Hedges Keeping Cities Healthy

August 3, 2017

By Melanie Friedel, American Forests Sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, fluorides, carbon dioxide, ozone. What do all of these

More Than a Utility

July 19, 2017

By Doyle Irvin, American Forests This is one of an 11-part blog series detailing the extensive work we are doing

Urban Heat Islands (Not a Vacation Spot)

July 7, 2017

By Melanie Friedel, American Forests I grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia, and for some reason, I always felt

7 Free iPhone Apps for Hikers, Birders and Nature Lovers

June 30, 2017

By Allie Wisniewski, American Forests Let’s face it: We’re smack dab in the middle of the digital age, and there’s

Forest Digest — Week of June 19, 2017

June 25, 2017

Credit: Kyle Burton / Wikimedia Commons Forest News Scientists fear new EU rules may ‘hide’ forest carbon loss – BBC

Earthkeepers: Conservation Begins With Your Boots On The Ground

June 19, 2017

By Doyle Irvin “I’M A DINOSAUR,” Brenda Richardson emphatically reassures me. “I still believe in picking up a phone or

Forest Digest — Week of June 12, 2017

June 18, 2017

We’re shaking up our Forest Digest! Each Sunday morning, enjoy your cup of Joe with latest in forest news and

Project Showcase: Doubling Down on Urban Forests

June 16, 2017

By Doyle Irvin Rich Brown DETROIT. Oakland. Cleveland and Miami. Hartford, and Atlanta. What do these cities have in common?

Forest Frontiers: Jill Jonnes

June 16, 2017

Jill in front of King Elmer in Lanesborough, Mass. Jill Jonnes Author of “Urban Forests: A Natural History of Trees

Forest Digest — Week of May 29, 2017

June 2, 2017

Find out the latest in forest news in this week’s Forest Digest! An emerald ash borer. Credit: U.S. Department of

Forest Digest — Week of May 15, 2017

May 19, 2017

Find out the latest in forest news in this week’s Forest Digest! Credit: potaufeu/Flickr American Trees Are Moving West, and

Spring Landscaping Tips: Plant a Forest, Lower Your Bills

March 22, 2017

By Lindsay Seventko, American Forests The Department of Energy estimates that strategically planting only three trees around your home can

In Search of 141 Million Acres of Urban Forest

March 2, 2017

By Ian Leahy, Director of Urban Forest Programs  “Urban forests provide critical social and environmental benefits for 83 percent of

A Forest a Day…

March 1, 2017

By Lindsay Seventko, American Forests Credit: Vincent Brassinne. Most of us are well aware of what forests do for us

From the Field: Cleveland, Ohio & Pittsburgh

February 23, 2017

CLEVELAND, OHIO Ian Leahy, Director of Urban Forests Programs The Cleveland, Ohio skyline. Credit: Erik Drost via Flickr. Cleveland is

The Cross Timbers: The Ancient Forest at America’s Crossroads

February 2, 2017

By John Gifford An example of the Cross Timbers’ unique, irregularly shaped tree structure. Credit: John Gifford. Imagine for a

Why We No Longer Recommend a 40 Percent Urban Tree Canopy Goal

January 12, 2017

By Ian Leahy, American Forests, Director of Urban Forest Programs Credit: Drew Geraets via Flickr. One of the most frequent

Creating Urban Forests in the Deserts of the Southwestern U.S.

December 28, 2016

By Joe Duckworth, American Forests Tempe, Ariz. Credit: Sarina via Flickr. When most people think of forests, they probably think

Urban Nature: The Legacy of Frederick Law Olmsted

December 7, 2016

By Doyle Irvin, American Forests With far more than 100 parks credited to his design, encompassing some of the American

How to Use Plants and Trees to Make Your Home Sustainable

November 8, 2016

By Doyle Irvin, American Forests Dogwood. Credit: Dale McNeill via Flickr. The movement to convert pre-existing houses into more sustainable

Excerpt: Urban Forests by Jill Jonnes

October 26, 2016

The following is an excerpt from the recently published book by author Jill Jonnes, “Urban Forests: A Natural History of Trees

How Much are Forests Worth?

July 21, 2016

By Lindsay Seventko, Communications Intern As forest lovers, we know that forests are worth more than the sum of their

Tips to Establishing a Forest-Friendly Garden

July 7, 2016

By Lindsay Seventko, Communications Intern Many forest lovers also enjoy nurturing a summer garden, but the two interests often remain

Innovations in Urban Forestry

June 10, 2016

Urban forestry’s next era focusing on integrating different disciplines. By Ian Leahy Trees can reduce crime, speed up recovery time

Capturing the Beauty of Trees in Our Cities

June 9, 2016

We know we need forests — they provide a myriad of benefits that we simply can’t live without. But, urban

Why I’m here: My Ongoing Green Journey

June 2, 2016

By Salsabil Chebli, Policy Intern Salsabil just outside Marrakesh, Morocco. The day that had been anticipated for an entire year

Osborn Neighborhood to Transform Vacant Lots into an Outdoor Education Center

April 22, 2016

American Forests and Bank of America Support Environmental Stewardship Efforts by The Greening of Detroit and Osborn Neighborhood Alliance Washington,

The Best Way to Celebrate Earth Day in 10 U.S. Cities

April 21, 2016

By Austa Somvichian-Clausen, Communications Intern Tomorrow is Earth Day, the anniversary of the birth of the modern environmental movement. The first

Blue Island Community to Plant Dozens of Trees in April, Earth Month

April 2, 2016

10-county study shows tree cover gaps in Calumet Region Washington, D.C. (April 12, 2016) — At a kickoff event for

Bees and Cherry Blossoms in D.C.: A Mutually Beneficial Relationship

March 29, 2016

By Shandra Furtado, Communications Intern Credit: ehpien-via-Flickr. The annual cherry blossoms attract a very important group of visitors to the D.C.

The History behind D.C.’s Cherry Blossoms

March 17, 2016

By Austa Somvichian-Clausen, Communications Intern In anticipation of this year’s quickly approaching cherry blossom festival in our nation’s capital, Washington

Impressive Green Roofs around the World

March 15, 2016

By Austa Somvichian-Clausen, Communications Intern A green roof — or living roof — can be defined as the roof of

A City at a Crossroads

February 5, 2016

Finding trees at the intersection of environmental action and social justice in Oakland, Calif. By Christopher Horn Volunteers and tree advocates are

What Role Do Forests Play in the Campaign Issues of Leading Presidential Candidates?

February 3, 2016

By Keelin Arseneault, Policy Intern Credit: Chuck Fazio, Artist-in-Residence. Following the recent Iowa Caucus and with the presidential election drawing

American Forests Partners with Verizon, NFL to Make Super Bowl 50 “Green”

January 19, 2016

By Austa Somvichian-Clausen, Communications Intern Chips Forest fire scar. American Forests is excited to announce a partnership with the National

Super Bowl 50 to Develop “Green” Legacy for San Francisco Bay Area

January 11, 2016

Projects to Address Impact of Energy, Waste and Food SAN FRANCISCO – The NFL and the Super Bowl 50 Host

10 Reasons to Be Thankful for Forests

November 26, 2015

As we take time during the holiday season to focus on the things we are most thankful for, we think

Forest Digest – Week of November 16, 2015

November 20, 2015

Bosco Verticale building in Milan. Credit: Alessandro Bonvini via Flickr. Find out the latest in forestry news in this week’s

Partners Transform Austin Park into a Food Forest

November 10, 2015

Local residents, Bank of America, TreeFolks and American Forests plant 100 fruit and nut trees in urban edible forest Austin,

Celebrating 140 Years of Urban & Wildland Forest Protection & Restoration: Chief Tom Tidwell Speech

October 26, 2015

On Monday, October 26, 2015, American Forests hosted a ceremonial tree planting at the East Capitol Urban Farm in honor

Celebrating 140 Years of Urban & Wildland Forest Protection & Restoration: Scott Steen Speech

October 26, 2015

On Monday, October 26, 2015, American Forests hosted a ceremonial tree planting at the East Capitol Urban Farm in honor

Celebrating 140 Years of Urban & Wildland Forest Protection & Restoration: Dr. Dwane Jones Speech

October 26, 2015

On Monday, October 26, 2015, American Forests hosted a ceremonial tree planting at the East Capitol Urban Farm in honor

Why I’m Here: Making Life Greener for American City Dwellers

October 22, 2015

By Etienne Laffargue, Policy Intern The Eiffel Tower in Paris surrounded by trees. Credit: David Meenagh via Flickr. On Thursday,

Becoming the City in a Forest

October 16, 2015

By David May Marcia Bansley. Credit: Trees Atlanta. It took some hundred years for anyone to think of Atlanta as “The City

A Final Return to Nature

October 16, 2015

Taking root, touching sky, towering above us. Trees have long been a special symbol to mankind and a central part of most

Forest Digest – Week of October 5, 2015

October 9, 2015

Edward O. Wilson. Credit: Jim Harrison. Find out the latest in forestry news in this week’s Forest Digest! In the

American Forests and partners to plant trees in Miami

October 8, 2015

Bank of America, Million Trees Miami and local residents will plant trees in Liberty City Washington, D.C. (October 8, 2015)

Research Social Scientist Dr. Kathleen Wolf

October 6, 2015

Dr. Kathleen Wolf is a Research Social Scientist at the College of the Environment, University of Washington, and is affiliated

Forest Digest – Week of September 28, 2015

October 2, 2015

While urban forests provide a variety of social, economic and health benefits, the distribution is substantially skewed both racially and

Every Kid in a Park & Community ReLeaf: Serving America’s Children and Urban Forests

September 17, 2015

By Andrew Bell, Policy Intern This week, the Outdoor Alliance for Kids hosted a suite of activities centered on their

The Mental Benefits Provided by Urban Forests

August 25, 2015

By Conrad Kabbaz, Policy Intern We all feel better after a walk in the park, but can trees really be

Forest Digest – Week of August 17, 2015

August 20, 2015

Grand Circus Park in Detroit, Mich. Credit: Mike Russell Get some perspective on what’s happening with our forests with this

How Urban Forests Can Help Mitigate ADHD Symptoms

August 11, 2015

By Conrad Kabbaz, Policy Intern It is widely known that urban forests improve air quality, but could green spaces be

Forest Digest – Week of August 3, 2015

August 7, 2015

Here’s the past week of all things forest, it’s your Forest Digest. The Great Trinity Forest has over 6000 acres

Request for Proposals to Select Three New Community ReLeaf Cities

July 28, 2015

Community ReLeaf planting in Asbury Park, New Jersey. American Forests has recently released a request for proposals to select at

Forest Digest – Week of July 20, 2015

July 24, 2015

Portland street trees. Credit: City of Portland, Oregon Bureau of Environmental Services Keeping a pulse on forest news around the

Power of A Gold: Community ReLeaf Program Earns Top ASAE Honor

June 30, 2015

The 2015 ASAE The Power of A Gold Award presented to American Forests’ Community ReLeaf program for its innovative work

Seeds of Change in the Nation’s Capital

June 29, 2015

How two simple images, juxtaposed side by side, started a local revolution in the heart of Washington, D.C. By Ian

Forest Digest – Week of June 22, 2015

June 26, 2015

See Australia’s plans for Urban Forests and stay informed on California’s wildfires in this week’s Forest Digest! Cal Fire, California’s

Environmental justice for the underserved

June 22, 2015

By Deanne Buckman, Policy Intern This is part 2 of a two-part series. Catch up here! Criminological theories help us

Take in your closest forest in Great Outdoors Month

June 19, 2015

By Conrad Kabbaz, Policy Intern “Beauty is not an easy thing to measure. It does not show up in the

Can trees help stop crime?

June 18, 2015

By Deanne Buckman, Policy Intern Certain things come to mind when we think about crime prevention: police squads, guard dogs,

Environmental education grows future leaders in sustainability

May 7, 2015

Erin Sandlin, Policy Intern Schools across the nation are “going green” by implementing carbon footprint reducing techniques such as incorporating

Former CIA/FBI Director William Webster in Town to Receive Award

May 2, 2015

Judge Webster returns to the City of Webster Groves to be honored as the 2015 Community Tree Steward WHO:              Public

Celebrating 25 years of Cooperative Forestry

May 1, 2015

Deanne Buckman, Policy Intern There’s an old saying that it takes a village to raise a child. On April 29,

Striving to decrease nature deficit for children in urban areas

March 26, 2015

Without a doubt, the part of urban forestry that intrigues me the most is environmental psychology – the study of

Urban forestry’s next frontier

February 26, 2015

Urban forestry. The term itself seems contradictory. I used to gird myself when telling people what I do for a

Eradication Nation

January 26, 2015

What Boston’s battle with the Asian longhorned beetle can teach us about stopping an invasive pest in its tracks. By

Backyard For the Birds

January 26, 2015

How urban birds decide where to feed and nest in our neighborhoods By Jeffrey Ling Credit: Scott Sherril-Mix “Bugs are

Strengthening enforcement to protect our forests

November 12, 2014

By Faith Campbell, Emeritus environmental advocate and tree-pest expert As my earlier blogs have demonstrated, highly damaging, tree-killing insects are

Forest Digest — Week of October 27

October 31, 2014

We have hefty Halloween version of Forest Digest this week. Enjoy! “These Miniature Super-Forests Can Green Cities With Just A

Forest pests: Where is the threat?

October 8, 2014

By Faith Campbell, Emeritus environmental advocate and tree-pest expert As I said in my previous blog, many damaging pests enter

Shipping containers: Importing insect pests, too

September 22, 2014

The Asian longhorned beetle (above) and the emerald ash borer are wreaking havoc on American forests. By Faith Campbell, Emeritus

In the Garden Cemetery: The Revival of America’s First Urban Parks

June 2, 2014

"Rural cemeteries” and “garden cemeteries” not only temporarily solved the problem of where to put the dead, but it also gave us the nation’s very first parks.

Trees and Weatherization

March 18, 2014

By John-Miguel Dalbey The end of winter doesn’t officially come until March 21, and as Winter Storm Wiley proved in

The Importance of Core Forests

January 29, 2014

By John-Miguel Dalbey A bill has been introduced in the Pennsylvania House which would make it easier for industries such

Community ReLeaf in Action

December 26, 2013

By Maria Harwood Ready to plant in Asbury Park, N.J. Credit: American Forests This fall, we ventured out into the

Forest Frontiers: Dr. James Kielbaso

December 24, 2013

American Forests Science Advisory Board member Dr. James Kielbaso is professor emeritus in the Department of Forestry at Michigan State

The Arbor Advisor

December 2, 2013

Each year, the International Society of Arborists (ISA) recognizes several arborists as “True Professionals of Arboriculture” for their unique contributions

Lessons Learned: The Need for Future Research on Urban Forests

November 14, 2013

By Maria Harwood At the National Academy of Sciences. Credit: Amber Case Earlier this year, our director of Urban Forest

Solutions that Bear Fruit

November 7, 2013

By Marcelene Sutter Blueberries are just one of the many fruits that will be available for picking upon the completion

Thanks for Making a Difference

October 25, 2013

Tomorrow is Make a Difference Day and reading the many stories of people volunteering their time and effort to help

Walk to School and Walk for Health

October 10, 2013

Walking to school. Credit: pawpaw67/Flickr Did you or your little ones miss International Walk to School Day yesterday? Not to

Getting Our Hands Dirty

September 27, 2013

By Michelle Werts Bridger-Teton National Forest, Wyo. Credit: khasut/Flickr If you’re a regular reader here on Loose Leaf, you know

Saving a Little, Getting a Lot

September 12, 2013

By Michelle Werts How’s this for a bargain: By protecting 17 percent of the world’s land, we can preserve 67

The Need for Urban Parks

September 6, 2013

By Michelle Werts Playing baseball in the park. Credit: Thomas Rumley I’m one of those people who remember very little

Calculating Your Green Home

September 5, 2013

Stormwater runoff. Credit: thanh.ha.dang/Flickr Last month, we joined our friends, American Rivers, in helping to spread the news of the

Community ReLeaf in Asbury Park

September 4, 2013

A rain garden developed by the Asbury Park Environmental Shade Tree Commission in Asbury Park, N.J. Credit: Melinda Housholder/American Forests

California Dreamin’ of Clean Air

August 30, 2013

The Pasadena Freeway heading toward Los Angeles. Ground transportation was found to account for 53,000 early deaths each year. California

Showing Support for Clean Water

August 20, 2013

Stormwater flows onto a street. Credit: Chesapeake Bay Program From basement backups to beach closures, polluted runoff can have big

Community ReLeaf in Detroit

August 2, 2013

American Forests meets with the Davey Resource Group, The Greening of Detroit and Friends of the Rouge. Credit: Amanda Tai/American

Keep Cool, Keep Clean

July 29, 2013

Stomata on a purple heart plant. Credit: Yersinia pestis/Flickr New research published in Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics has found that

The Giving Trees

July 18, 2013

With obesity rates constantly climbing and 75 percent of adults not consuming the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables,

Clearing the Air

July 8, 2013

By Michelle Werts “Air pollution is causing more deaths than HIV or malaria combined,” Kandeh Yumkella, director general of the

Fire in the Wildland-Urban Interface

July 2, 2013

Credit: USFWS Pacific Southwest Region/Flickr There remains a constant tension between the ecological benefits provided by periodic wildfire and the

Urban Forests & Carbon Markets

June 27, 2013

By Dr. E. Gregory McPherson, American Forests Science Advisory Board Member with the U.S. Forest Service Pacific Southwest Research Station

A Carbon Market Primer

June 26, 2013

Editor’s Note: Last June, American Forests’ Urban Forests Program director, Melinda Housholder, wrote a blog post detailing the tricky web

The Slaughter of Innocent Trees

June 21, 2013

There is a new threat facing trees in San Francisco’s Golden Gate Park. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that in

An Excel-lent Evening for Urban Forests

June 11, 2013

By Michelle Werts Of all of the issues we tackle here at American Forests, an urban forest is one of

Funding for Urban Forests

May 28, 2013

Downtown Denver. Credit: Navreet Vaidwan A recent U.S. Forest Service study published in Environmental Pollution indicates that America’s urban forests

A Central Park Walkabout

May 24, 2013

Despite a steady rain, 16 American Forests’ supporters showed up for a beautiful stroll through the least visited part of

The Survivor Tree

May 23, 2013

Oklahoma City Survivor Tree. Credit: American Forests A week ago, I stood in front of “The Survivor Tree” at the

A River Runs Through It

May 13, 2013

By Michelle Werts Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., an Urban Waters Federal Partnership site. Credit: Daniel Lobo A few years

The Energy Savings of Trees

May 2, 2013

By Michelle Werts Last week, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) introduced a new act to Congress: The Residential Energy and Economic

Announcing Community ReLeaf

May 1, 2013

I am excited to announce that American Forests is launching a new urban forest program called Community ReLeaf. American Forests

This is Your Brain on Nature

April 10, 2013

A walk in the park. Credit: Vincent Brassine It’s not news that time in the great outdoors is good for

Backyard Biodiversity

March 28, 2013

By Josh DeLacey “Conservation is about waiting for a long time,” says Dan Ashe, director of the U.S. Fish and

Have You Hugged a Tree Lately?

March 25, 2013

The northern flicker, a species of state conservation concern in Minnesota, often nests in or near urban areas. Credit: minicooper93402/Flickr

A Menace to Maples

March 8, 2013

Adult Asian longhorned beetle. Credit: U.S. Department of Agriculture If it wasn’t enough of a threat to America’s sweet tooth

Urban Forests and Ecosystem Services Research

March 5, 2013

The Einstein Memorial on the grounds of the National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C. Credit: Wally Gobetz Last week, I

Urban Trees on the Hill

March 1, 2013

It’s been a busy week for those in the urban forest community. To start the week, the National Academy of

One Generation’s Trash, Another’s Treasure

February 25, 2013

City trees in Samara, Russia. Credit: abrigenn/Flickr Through our multi-year Partnership for Trees collaboration with Alcoa Foundation, hundreds of thousands

Animals Gone Urban

February 20, 2013

By Michelle Werts One of the many benefits that urban forests provide is habitat for wildlife. But in keeping true

EAB Goes Global

February 19, 2013

An adult emerald ash borer feeding on a leaf. Credit: David Cappaert. The beautiful, but deadly, emerald ash borer (EAB)

The Best Urban Forests

February 5, 2013

American Forests took on this project to help people (and city leaders) better understand the critical value of urban forests

Urban Forests on a National Stage

January 23, 2013

Credit: Bill Holmes/Flickr According to the U.S. Forest Service, Washington D.C., is often referred to as the “city of trees”

Will We Kiss Our Ash Goodbye?

January 23, 2013

An ecological catastrophe is unfolding across the upper Midwest and is spreading outward, as scientists struggle to find solutions to

ID the Tree!

January 18, 2013

Great Falls Park in January 2013. Credit: mebrett/Flickr This last weekend, I went on a wonderful hike around Great Falls

Creativity in the Wild

December 27, 2012

Have you ever been strolling through the park and suddenly been hit by with a sense of clarity or the

Video Break: Urban Forests

December 26, 2012

For today’s post, we’d like to give our readers a fun three-minute break. If you enjoy these short videos about

Analyzing Our Forests

December 21, 2012

By Gerry Gray, Ph.D., Senior Vice President On Tuesday, the U.S. Forest Service released its major, long-term assessment of the

ReLeaf Close to Home

December 14, 2012

By working with partners far and wide, American Forests is able to fund restoration projects from Maine to Hawaii, and

Making Their Own Kind of Music

November 30, 2012

Though originating on different sides of the Atlantic, two studies released this month both underscore the complexities of wildlife adaptation

Partnering for Healthier Cities

November 20, 2012

Sacramento Convention Center. Credit: Amy the Nurse/Flickr Last week, I attended the 2012 Partners in Community Forestry National Conference in

Transforming Cities With Trees

November 16, 2012

Today, I am excited to share the results of a year-long initiative with you. Last fall, American Forests began a

Counting Their Losses

November 8, 2012

In the wake of Hurricane Sandy, assessing the damage has become a priority. After a storm in which millions of

Keep Austin Green

October 15, 2012

For decades, Austin and its residents have worked to protect and grow one of the city’s most cost-effective ways to

Climbing Safely

September 21, 2012

By Michelle Werts This week’s International Society of Arboriculture’s 2012 True Professional of Arboriculture is looking out for trees and the

EAB, ALB, GSOB: Know Your Urban Forest Pests

September 18, 2012

Urban forests across the country are facing very serious threats due to several types of tree-killing pests. At a meeting

Taking His Love of Trees Worldwide

September 14, 2012

By Michelle Werts This week’s International Society of Arboriculture’s 2012 True Professional of Arboriculture has travelled as far as China

Clearing Space for a Space Shuttle

September 11, 2012

Space shuttle Endeavour. Credit: NASA Headquarters The space shuttle Endeavour has successfully completed 4,600 trips around the Earth, but the

The Poetry in Tree Care

September 7, 2012

By Michelle Werts This week’s International Society of Arboriculture’s 2012 True Professional of Arboriculture isn’t just a tree lover, but

From Oil to Trees

August 31, 2012

By Michelle Werts Arboriculture was not his first career for this week’s International Society of Arboriculture’s 2012 True Professional of

A Hospital Oasis Under Threat

August 30, 2012

By Michelle Werts Sometimes — oftentimes — it feels as though nature and development are locked in an eternal battle.

For the Love of Trees

August 24, 2012

By Michelle Werts Earlier this month, the International Society of Arborists (ISA) announced the five members of the 2012 class

Urban Forests for Healthy Healing

August 21, 2012

Urban forests are vital to help maintain our emotional, mental and physical well-being. Credit: Alex E. Proimos/Flickr The evening before

Weather and Urban Forests: For Better and Worse

July 17, 2012

Bike riding in the park. Credit: Paul Davidson/Flickr In the last few weeks, many folks, especially on the East Coast,

Raising Urban Forests

June 22, 2012

By Michelle Werts As the old adage goes, it takes a village to raise a child. I don’t know how

Urban Trees For Carbon Offsets

June 19, 2012

Earlier this month, I attended a workshop in Davis, California, called “Urban Forests & Carbon Markets” that American Forests participated

More Trees, Please

June 4, 2012

By Katrina Marland Across this blog and throughout the American Forests website, you can find a wealth of information about

Trees Make Urban Communities More Livable

May 23, 2012

I’ve already talked about the importance of trees in urban areas and the many benefits they provide — like increased

Batty for Urban Wildlife

May 15, 2012

Every year from mid-March to early November, up to 1.5 million Mexican free-tailed bats hang out and make roost under

Father of Landscape Architecture and Urban Parks

April 26, 2012

By Michelle Werts A portrait of Frederick Law Olmsted by John Singer Sargent Last week, we celebrated the birthday of

Keeping Sewage Out of Our Water

April 17, 2012

Sewage in our rivers? Yuck! Combined sewer overflow on the Woonasquatucket River in Providence, Rhode Island, and heavy algal bloom.

Urban Forests Go to the Hill

March 20, 2012

Credit: Yuichi Kosio (Kossy@FINEDAYS)/Flickr Earlier this month, American Forests joined forces with other members of the Sustainable Urban Forests Coalition

Protecting Urban Forests

March 6, 2012

It is barely March, and throughout Washington, trees are budding. If you are not from here you may not realize

Forests Create Vibrant Cities

February 21, 2012

“At the root of every vibrant city is an urban forest.” This simple statement from the Vibrant Cities & Urban

Under the Nashville Canopy

January 24, 2012

We’d like to introduce a new member of the American Forests team and our newest blogger, Melinda Housholder. Moving forward,

Treks and the City

December 21, 2011

Credit: Bex Walton/Flickr Recently, there’s been a huge push in this country to get people to be more active and

Don’t Take the Trees!

December 2, 2011

By Michelle Werts Yesterday, Katrina talked about working Christmas tree farms, where the farmers work hard to make sure that

A Call For Backyard Biodiversity

December 1, 2011

Common suburban landscapes consist of manicured lawns and nonnative ornamental plants, which provide little nourishment to local fauna. Acclaimed author

The First Cut Is Unexpected

November 11, 2011

By Luo Yang, Guest Blogger Last week, I mentioned we did four months of classroom work when we arrived in

A Tree-lined Path to Good Health

November 2, 2011

By Carrie Madren Springtime in a beech forest in Hainich National Park, Thuringia, Germany. Credit: AVTG/iStockphoto Strolling among green giants

Trees: the New Sewers

June 28, 2011

The city of Portland, Oregon is planting tens of thousands of trees, adding green infrastructure to the traditional gray.By Lisa