WASHINGTON (May 12, 2011) – Americans nationwide are invited and encouraged to participate in National Walk in the Woods Day, an event in celebration of the International Year of Forests.
To participate in this event, simply take a walk in the woods. Whether in a state forest, national park, or a wooded area close to home, families, friends, neighbors, forestry experts and city-dwellers alike will take time to enjoy the woods and reflect on how trees and forests make our lives better.
The National Association of State Foresters (NASF), along with the American Forest Foundation, are promoting the event as part of a national campaign to raise awareness of the importance of forests in the United States – both public lands as well as privately-owned forests which make up more than half of our forestland.
A website dedicated to the national celebration of the International Year of Forests provides an event toolkit for anyone wishing to host an event on Saturday, May 21. The website, www.celebrateforests.com, also encourages participants to upload event images to share with others to further the celebration of forests nationwide.
Ideas to celebrate National Walk in the Woods Day include:
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Visit nearby woodland, a city or state park, or a state or national forest.
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If you own woodland, invite your family, neighbors, elected officials, or other members of your community to join you for a walk on your property.
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Take your children, grandchildren, or friends’ and neighbors’ children for a walk in the woods. Conduct an informal educational activity. The “Connecting Kids to Nature” activity series provided by Project Learning Tree may be found here.
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Help a school improve its grounds by planting trees with students and teachers; involve a local youth club.
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Go camping or hiking.
International Year of Forests 2011 is dedicated to raising awareness about the challenges facing the world’s forests today, promoting dialogue about forests and people, and calling to action much needed forest conservation. The global campaign aims to give people more motivation to help sustain and manage forests for the future.
“National Walk in the Woods Day is an important event in this year-long celebration,” says Jay Farrell, NASF Executive Director of the National Association of State Foresters (NASF). “The goal is to encourage Americans to enjoy their forests and be reminded of our responsibility to be stewards of this critical natural resource. A strong appreciation of sustainably managed forests will ensure that Americans will be walking in the woods for generations to come.”
AFF, NASF, the U.S. Forest Service and others are incorporating the International Year of Forests theme into many annual public events such as Earth Day, Arbor Day, National Walk in the Woods Day, National Get Outdoors Day, National Public Lands Day, Weeks Act 100th anniversary commemorations, and other appropriate community gatherings throughout the year and across the nation.
About the National Association of State Foresters
The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) is a non-profit organization representing the directors of forestry agencies in the states, territories and the District of Columbia of the United States. NASF promotes programs and activities that advance the practice of sustainable forestry, the conservation and protection of forestlands and associated resources and the establishment and protection of forests in the urban environment. For more information, visit www.stateforesters.org.
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