American Forests
www.americanforests.org
Trees have an irreplaceable role in maintaining the health of our Earth’s ecosystems and atmosphere. While humans and other animals breathe in oxygen and exhale carbon dioxide, trees and other plants capture and store carbon dioxide and release oxygen back into the air. Ultimately, trees not only help keep our lungs filled with oxygen, but play a crucial role in reducing harmful carbon dioxide emissions in the atmosphere. In fact, forests are the largest forms of carbon storage, or sinks, in the United States. This is part of the reason why our atmosphere has suffered so much over recent years: millions of trees have been cleared with no replacements planted. It is estimated that deforestation, especially of rainforests, is responsible for roughly a fifth of global carbon dioxide emissions from human activities. Overall, planting trees is one of the cheapest, most effective means of removing excessive carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
American Forests is a world leader in planting trees for environmental restoration, a pioneer in the science and practice of urban forestry, and a primary communicator of the benefits of trees and forests.
American Forests is about action, and so its major campaigns focus on taking actions for healthy ecosystems. Today, the organization’s primary campaigns are “Tree-Planting for Environmental Restoration” and “Reversing the National Urban Tree Deficit,” which encourage people to improve rural, suburban, and urban ecosystems by planting and caring for trees that provide important environmental and economic benefits including pure water, clean air, and wildlife habitat.
Over the past 20 years, the organization has planted over 25 million trees, and will plant an estimated 4 million trees this year alone!
For 70 years, American Forests has also run and maintained the National Register of Big Trees, documenting the largest of over 800 species of trees from all over the country. Topping the list as the biggest tree in the U.S. is the towering “General Sherman” giant sequoia, which has a whopping 1,020 inch waist line and stands 274 feet tall. The latest, most comprehensive and up-to-date edition of the Register will be released in the spring of 2010.
Although its educational and restoration operations take place mostly in the United States, American Forests also has several projects under way in China and South/Central America. The organization’s recent work in the States includes restoring forests damaged by the California wildfires, and collaborating with major companies, including IKEA and Chegg, to reduce their use of paper and plastic.
American Forests is the nation’s oldest conservation group, celebrating its 135th anniversary in 2010. It is an IRS recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and any gifts, donations, and grants may be tax deductible.
To donate to American Forests click here. Every $1 plants a tree!
To visit the American Forests website and learn more about its mission and current programs, click here.
