Landowners

On August 10, Secretary Vilsack released USDA’s new report, Private Forests, Public Benefits
With 56 percent of our nation’s private woodlands owned by individuals and families, it’s imperative that we all understand the pressures they face – development, fragmentation, housing density – and the benefits these woodlands provide to all of us – clean water and clean air, jobs, wood products, wildlife habitat, and recreational opportunities to get outside. READ MORE

A bi-partisan group of seventy-nine Members of Congress , led by Reps. Kurt Schrader (D-OR) and Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), sent a letter to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) asking the Council to change its green building rating system to grant a "certified wood credit" for wood products produced from all of the major third-party forest certification systems in the U.S. Currently, wood products from the over 84 million acres of forests in the U.S. certified by the American Tree Farm System  and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative  are not recognized in LEED's "certified wood credit."  Read the letter and press release.

Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) joined Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D- CA) to introduce bipartisan legislation to help rural families hold on to their lands - working lands that are vital to the economic well-being of rural communities and that provide benefits to all Americans from coast to coast. Tell Your Senators to Sign on to S. 3664.

Working Forests Central Focus of Administration Meeting
As part of the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative, established by President Obama in April, administration officials gathered in Concord, NH to hear about the critical role private working forests must play in America’s 21st century conservation agenda. READ MORE

2011 is the Year of Forests. What can you do?
Please tell us what activity you can do in 2011 which is Year of Forests. Your feedback is important as we plan activities for the year to bring attention to America's private forests and woodlands! TAKE THE SURVEY

The Role of Forests in a Healthy Outdoor Strategy
America's private forests and working landscapes are vital to America's economic, environmental and social wellbeing. Providing essential benefits such as clean water, wildlife habitat, carbon storage and recreation to millions of citizens, family forests are fundamental to maintaining America's conservation ethic and reconnecting people with nature. READ MORE

NEW! Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood
Just as more attention is being focused on the need to connect students to nature at a younger age, Project Learning Tree releases a new curriculum guide and music CD for early childhood educators to engage children ages 3 to 6 in outdoor exploration and play. Eleven field-tested, hands-on activities showcase over 130 “early childhood experiences” which integrate investigations of nature with art, literature, math, music, and movement. READ MORE