AMERICAN FORESTS, the nation's oldest nonprofit conservation organization, and the USDA Forest Service are using the power of the World Wide Web to help people of all ages understand wildfire, the biological role it plays in some forest ecosystems, how people and communities can reduce the threat of catastrophic wildland fire, and how they can plant trees to restore scorched areas.
AMERICAN FORESTS, a world leader in planting trees for environmental restoration, and the Forest Service recently posted www.wildfirereleaf.org, a new website that combines colorful pages and useful information to educate people about Wildfire ReLeaf, a cooperative effort designed to restore forest ecosystems by planting trees on National Forest Systems and adjacent lands and watersheds damaged by wildland fire. Every tree planted by AMERICAN FORESTS' Wildfire ReLeaf campaign will be matched tree-for-tree by the Forest Service. This joint effort will advance the restoration component of the National Fire Plan, which is funding the partnership.
"We encourage parents, teachers, and school administrators across the country to utilize www.wildfirereleaf.org as an educational tool and as a way to help restore and regenerate our nation’s forests," says Deborah Gangloff, executive director of AMERICAN FORESTS. "Whether you live in a fire-adapted forest ecosystem or an inner city, everyone can participate in the tree-planting component of the campaign. We invite people of all ages to help AMERICAN FORESTS restore thousands of burned acres by planting millions of native trees."
With the help of individuals, businesses, and organizations, AMERICAN FORESTS’ Wildfire ReLeaf campaign will plant native trees in sensitive forest areas that might otherwise take years to regenerate. These areas include streams banks that protect and nourish wildlife and slopes threatened with erosion. The planting of trees improves habitat for threatened fish and wildlife species while creating local jobs and infrastructure important for the long-term health of forest ecosystems and communities. Wildfire ReLeaf was created in the fall of 2000 in response to the devastating 2000 wildfire season, which burned close to 8 million acres in the United States.
Trees can be planted online for Wildfire ReLeaf at www.wildfirereleaf.org, by mail (to Wildfire ReLeaf, c/o AMERICAN FORESTS, P.O. Box 2000, Washington, DC 20013), or by calling 1-800-545-TREE. Corporate, foundation, and organization donors may call 202-955-4500, ext. 227 for more information. Every dollar plants two trees.
In addition to encouraging people to plant trees, www.wildfirereleaf.org educates children and adults about fire ecology, forest policy, community-based forestry, the National Fire Plan, and the build-up of small diameter trees as well as agencies and organizations that fight wildfire. "The Role of Wildfire in Forests," "Forest Policy & Reducing the Threat of Wildfire," and "What Can I Do" are just a few of the topics visitors to www.wildfirereleaf.org will find. The website, a subsection of AMERICAN FORESTS’ website www.americanforests.org, also provides important wildfire-related links and information about how homeowners living in fire-adapted ecosystems can reduce the risk of wildfire destroying their homes or communities.
The USDA Forest Service manages 192 million acres of public lands in national forests and grasslands. The Forest Service is a leader in wildland fire restoration, science, research, and suppression activities and has strived for almost 100 years "to provide the greatest amount of good for the greatest amount of people in the long run."
Citizens concerned about the waste and abuse of the nation's forests founded AMERICAN FORESTS in 1875. For more than 125 years, the organization has worked vigorously to promote the care and protection of America’s trees and forests. Since 1990, AMERICAN FORESTS' Global ReLeaf program has been planting trees in ecosystem restoration projects across the United States and around the world. So far, the organization has planted more than 19 million trees and officials expect to plant the 20-millionth at a special ceremony this spring. The native trees planted by AMERICAN FORESTS provide critical wildlife habitat for bears and bald eagles, salmon and salamanders. Trees clean our air and water, increase recreational areas, offer scenic vistas, and fight climate change by reducing levels of carbon dioxide.
###
AMERICAN FORESTS helps people improve the environment with trees and forests. We are a world leader in tree planting for environmental restoration. We are a pioneer in advancing the science and practice of urban forestry and a primary communicator of the benefits of trees and forests. AMERICAN FORESTS helps people identify, recognize and preserve their special trees, and our community- based initiatives help people plan and implement local actions to restore and maintain healthy ecosystems and communities. American Forests is on the World Wide Web at www.americanforests.org.
