American Forest Foundation Blog

Celebrating National Garden Month: All About The White House Kitchen Garden

In June 2009, the White House Kitchen Garden celebrated its first harvest—which produced more than 200 pounds of food.

From Kate Middleton to the Secretary of Defense, It's All About Trees

You may have missed the story of trees in the big news of the week. 

Budget 101: NIFA Renewable Resources Extension Program

The Renewable Resources Extension Program actively supports outreach and education to forest owners, so they have the information they need to be better stewards of their land.

Budget 101: Natural Resource Conservation Service

Forests face more insect and disease threats now more than ever before and it is critical we manage our forests to prevent more devastation and loss of species. AFF's Christine Cadigan continues her Budget 101 series with a post about the Natural Resource Conservation Service.

Celebrating National Garden Month: Project Produce Sparks Healthy Changes

Beth Sellers is sixth grade science teacher at Virginia's Glenvar Middle School. Thanks to the support of a GreenWorks! grant, Project Produce is well into its second full year at her school.

PLT GreenSchools!: 808 Green Ribbon Award Contenders

Project Learning Tree's Kathy McGlauflin spent the morning outdoors at the Department of Education headquarters in D.C. and was present during the announcement of the Green Ribbon schools program.

Reflections on Earth Day: It Takes a Village

Despite the apparent skepticism from media and bloggers about whether Earth Day has outlived its usefulness, we were proud to celebrate a model PLT GreenSchool! on Earth Day.

Budget 101: Farm Bill Conservation Programs

To better highlight the various programs AFF hopes the Subcommittee will support as the FY 2012 budget process unwinds, AFF's Christine Cadigan identifys specific Farm Bill programs and their many benefits. Read Part 2 now.

Celebrating National Garden Month: GreenWorks! Students Break Ground in April

The National Gardening Association has declared April to be National Garden Month.  AFF is celebrating with school garden plantings and by blogging about planting project success stories.

Budget 101: APHIS Invasive Pest and Pathogens Funding

To better highlight the various programs AFF hopes the Subcommittee will support as the FY 2012 budget process unwinds, AFF's Christine Cadigan has written series of blog posts, identifying specific programs and their many benefits. Read Part 1 now.

Project Learning Tree Celebrates Earth Day with School Garden Planting

In celebration of Earth Day, Project Learning Tree and the U.S. Forest Service joined students of D.C.'s Barnard Elementary School to plant in 12 organic raised garden beds.

National Walk in the Woods Day is One Month Away

One Year Later: Lessons of the Gulf Oil Spill

The environmental and social effects of the Gulf oil spill will draw the attention of educators for years to come as scientists continue to learn more about the Deepwater Horizon blowout and its impacts over time.

On the one-year anniversary of this incident, use Project Learning Tree’s specially created guide that includes a wealth of online resources and information to teach your students about this event. 

Tree Farmer Mathematician: Farm Bill Benefits Really Add Up

Walt and Donna Lange own a 32 acre Tree Farm in Swanton, Ohio. Farm Bill programs have enabled the Lnages to protect their soil, enhance wildlife habitat and provide recreational opportunities for their community. With Congress beginning work on the 2012 Farm Bill, we're looking to hear your Farm Bill stories.

Butterfly Dance: Behind-the-Scenes with Chikawa Aztec Dance Group

This is the second and final post in a series by guest blogger Megan Matonis.  The U.S. Forest Service Policy Analyst shares her experience with students, some of whom were Project Learning Tree GreenWorks! grant recipients, during the filming of a PollinatorLIVE!-hosted webcast/broadcast.

Behind-the-Scenes with Students of PollinatorLIVE!

U.S. Forest Service Policy Analyst Megan Matonis shares her experience with students during the filming of a PollinatorLIVE!-hosted webcast/broadcast.

Curious about Pollinators, Plants and People? Join Wednesday's Electronic Field Trip

Curious about people and pollination? Join GreenWorks! grant recipients and others for an electronic field trip on Wednesday, April 13.

Working to Commemorate 2011 International Year of Forests

Senator Richard Lugar (R-IN) and Senator Jeanne Shaheen together introduced S. Res. 113, a resolution aimed to acknowledge the importance of America’s woodlands. 

Last Call to Enroll your Land in Conservation Reserve Program

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is celebrating the 25^th anniversary of the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). CRP is accepting general applications until April 15^th for those who want to enroll new land in the program. 

AFF to Congress: Maintain Funding for Forest Health, Stewardship and Education Programs

AFF President and CEO Tom Martin submitted testimony [PDF] to the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies, urging members to maintain funding for programs that support better stewardship of America’s 265 million family forest acres.

Green Captains in Georgia: Students Present at National Service-Learning Conference

10th grade student Madeleine shares her GreenSchools! experience at the National Youth Leadership Council's 2011 National Service-Learning Conference in Atlanta, Georgia.

Sec. Vilsack Boosts Support for Local Programs that Get Youth Outside

USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced Monday $1 million in funding to connect youth to the great outdoors, by way of Children's Forest programs and More Kids in the Woods projects.