Event Archive

March 1, 2011 marks the official launch of the U.S. celebration of the International Year of Forests! The U.S. is celebrating by hosting events nationwide yearlong. You're on the official website, so please click around to learn more.

From the Wildlife Management Institute's (WMI) website, "Join other industry leaders dedicated to the conservation, enhancement and management of North America's wildlife and other natural resources.  Highlights of the conference include: Plenary Session with featured speakers, Concurrent Special Sessions on key topics to natural resources management, Committee and Working Group Meetings, Workshops, and Special Events & Receptions.

For more than 75 years, WMI has administered the North American Wildlife and Natural Resource Conference. The North American Conference sessions, workshops and more than 150 separate meetings and functions, serve as the annual forum to set conservation policy in North America. 

Conference attendees include the administrators of federal, state and provincial wildlife and other natural resource agencies, college and university program leaders, heads of leading private conservation organizations, and other managers, scientists, researchers, officials and students of natural resources. The conference is a regular gathering of professionals to learn and exchange ideas, through a formal program, related meetings and other scheduled business, social and educational events."

Visit the Wildlife Management Institute's website to learn more.

Landowners are invited to attend the March 16^th meeting of the Carroll County Forestry Board to learn about financial assistance available for forest management.

Speakers from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the Maryland DNR Forest Service will present an overview of technical and financial assistance programs available to private, non-industrial forestland owners. If you own 5 to 1,000 acres of forest, have a working farm, or want to plant trees on five acres of farmland, you may qualify for technical and cost-share assistance through several state and federal incentive programs to help you implement forestry conservation practices on your property.

Directions
125 Stoner Ave. From Rt 140, turn onto Center Street. Cross over Main St. and continue to Stoner Ave. Take a left onto Stoner Ave. and a right at the Westminster Senior Activity Center sign. Use the side entrance into the building.

For more info, please contact Donna Davis at 410-848-9290 or email her at dldavis@dnr.state.md.us.

Visit the Carroll County Forestry Board website.

Hosted by the Texas Forest Service, Lone Star College-Montgomery, Texas Parks & Wildlife, U.S. Forest Service and the International Year of Forests, the Texas Wildlife and Woodland Expo is Saturday, March 26, 2011.

Want to get your family back outdoors and reconnected with nature — and learn a little bit in the process? Texas Wildlife and Woodland Expo & Spring Fling has got you covered. 

At Expo & Spring Fling, it doesn't matter if you've got one tree or thousands of them. You can learn how to better manage your family forest, attract more wildlife to your property and protect your home and property from wildfire. You can get tips for landscaping your yard and installing a rainwater collection system. You can find out the best methods for restoring native grasses and managing brush on your plot of land. You can even pick up some pointers when it comes to bird watching and nature photography. 

While you're there, make sure you take one of our free classes — we've got them both inside and outdoors including some held right in the middle of the trees at nearby Jones State Forest — watch a live demonstration and stop to chat with our exhibitors. And don't forget to stop by our Family Adventure Zone, where your kids can climb a rock wall, take a peek at a live screech owl and learn how to kayak. 

At Expo & Spring Fling, we want you to play for a day ... but learn for a lifetime.

Texas Wildlife and Woodland Expo website to learn more.

The Arbor Day Foundation and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service annually recognize the urban and community forest management accomplishments within local Illinois communities and institutions of higher learning.

Two conferences will be held - March 29, 2011 in Springfield, IL and April 5, 2011 in Palos Hills to celebrate these campus and community accomplishments. This year we will also CELEBRATE the INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF FORESTS at this conference by sharing the celebrateforests.org and UN website information with participants as well as providing information and ideas for local celebrations.  Participants also gain information on current technology and technical assistance relating to local community forest management.

To learn more, please contact Reinee Hildebrandt with IDNR - Urban and Community Forestry at 217-785-8771 or reinee.hildebrandt@illinois.gov For more information, click here.

On March 29-30, Tree Farmers from across the country will travel to Washington, D.C. to meet with their Members of Congress. They will brief them about the importance of family forests and what the challenges are for the individuals and families who own and manage America’s woodlands.
 
The American Forest Foundation’s (AFF) efforts at the national policy level, and with partners all over the country, focus on securing markets for wood from American Tree Farm System® certified forests, securing incentives and sound tax policies that encourage sustainable forest management, and making sure more Americans understand the urgency of helping family forest owners keep their forests healthy and intact for future generations.
 
The March 2011 Congressional fly-in will focus on three key areas to help family forest owners:

1. Green Building Policies.  There are both environmental and economic benefits to using wood products in green building.

2. Forests in the Farm Bill.  While we cannot expect family forest programs to be immune from budget cuts, federal funding for conservation and forestry programs in USDA farm bill programs help many family forest owners with on-the-ground management and tools to better manage their forests, including minimizing insect infestations or wildfire threats.

3. Tax Policy.  While AFF helped secure a two-year patch to the estate tax at the end of last year, tax reforms are still needed to ensure family forest owners can protect their forest heritage and continue to do right by their land.

Tree Farmers need to be recognized and rewarded for the environmental and community benefits we all enjoy--including wood and paper products, clean air, clean water, wildlife, green space, and recreation.  If you would like to join our grassroots network to help get support for policies that benefit Tree Farmers, please visit www.familyforestaction.org or contact Melissa Harden at mharden@forestfoundation.org, (202) 463-2456 or Dan Conant at dconant@forestfoundation.org, (202) 463-2431.

For more information, visit our Programs page.

One hundred communities, six utilities and six college campuses will receive recognition in the Year of the Forest by State Forrester, Robert Davies.

To learn more, please contact Mary Kramarchyk with NYS DEC - Division of Lands and Forests at 518-402-9425 or mckramar@gw.dec.state.ny.us Reservations are required.

The Arbor Day Foundation and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources Urban and Community Forestry Program in cooperation with the National Association of State Foresters and the USDA Forest Service annually recognize the urban and community forest management accomplishments within local Illinois communities and institutions of higher learning.

Two conferences will be held - March 29, 2011 in Springfield, IL and April 5, 2011 in Palos Hills to celebrate these campus and community accomplishments.  This year we will also CELEBRATE the INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF FORESTS at this conference by sharing the celebrateforests.org and UN website information with participants as well as providing information and ideas for local celebrations.  Participants also gain information on current technology and technical assistance relating to local community forest management.

To learn more, please contact Reinee Hildebrandt with IDNR - Urban and Community Forestry at 217-785-8771 or reinee.hildebrandt@illinois.gov For more information, click here.

The Umatilla National Forest, in partnership with the Pendleton City Parks and Recreation, will host an Arbor Day Event in conjunction with the community "Spring into Summer" trade show. Local area botanists, silviculturists, and master gardeners will staff the event with displays, door prizes, tree guides and 1,000 seedlings to give to the public. The City of   Pendleton has issued the "Plant 1000 trees challenge" encouraging city residents to plant seedlings and register them on-line on the City website.

For more information please contact Joani Bosworth from Umatilla NF at 541-278-3722 or email her at jbosworth@fs.fed.us

Visit the Pendleton City Parks and Recreation website to learn more!

A one day community festival in celebration of Earth Day. There will be 50+ green vendor booths, a farmer's market, free eco-friendly workshops, a Green Fashion Show, Wildlife presentations and entertainment for the whole family.

To learn more, please contact Yocelyn Galiano at the Village of Pinecrest at 305-234-2121 or ygaliano@pinecrest-fl.gov. For more information, please visit www.pinecrestgardens.com

The Montana Chapter of the Society of American Foresters is hosting their annual meeting in Kalispell, Montana, April 14-15.

This year's agenda celebrates the International Year of Forests. Presentations regarding forest ownership and governance on a global scale, global trends in forest product markets, U.S. and Montana forest ownership and products trends, and more on the agenda.

For more information, please contact Rick Trembath of the Flathead SAF at 406-837-4590 or at trembath@centurytel.net.

Earth Weekend features LBL-wide programs, guided walks, demonstrations, activities, and more, all geared toward helping people better enjoy and preserve LBL and all wild places for future generations.

For more information contact Cindy Earls at 270-924-2174 or email her at cearls@friendsoflbl.org.

See the program schedule under both April 16 & 17 on the Land Between the Lakes website.

Kicking off the 2011 Gallatin Valley Screen Free Week FREE Join your neighbors at the Gallatin County Park for fresh air and fun. Families with kids of all ages are invited to pursue active living by exploring our natural environment. Activities for all ages will be presented by area outdoor groups.

Sponsored by the Partners for Healthy Kids, the confirmed groups providing activities include: Bozeman City Recreation Dept., Bozeman Library, Gallatin National Forest, Museum of the   Rockies, Children’s Museum, Jr. Smokejumper Association, Gallatin County 4-H, Montana Outdoor Science School, YMCA, Project WET….and others. Smoky Bear andhis helpers will be tending the warming fire and providing a fire prevention message.

For more information, please contact Marianne Baumberger from the Gallatin National Forest at 406-522-2549 or email her at mbaumberger@fs.fed.us.

Join us at the Historic Wilma Theatre for a screening of Green Fire!

Regional Forester Leslie Weldon to host the evening! Dynamic panel discussion to follow: Citizen Conservation and Contemporary Reflections of Aldo Leopold's Land Ethic.

Missoula area student projects (from the Aldo Leopold Wilderness Research Institute) to be on display.

Register for FREE - simply and quickly at: http://greenfiredoc.eventbrite.com

You will receive a confirmation e-mail with tickets.

See the first full-length, high-definition documentary film ever made about legendary conservationist Aldo Leopold and his environmental legacy! Green Fire shares highlights from his extraordinary career, explaining how he shaped conservation and the modern environmental movement. It also illustrates how Leopold's vision of a community that cares about both people and land continues to inform and inspire people across the country and around the world, highlighting modern projects that put Leopold's land ethic in action in a multitude of ways. The Northern Region of the U.S. Forest Service is hosting this community screening of Green Fire. Join us!

Doors open at 5 p.m., program starts at 6 p.m.

Event is free and due to interest tickets are highly recommended. Upon registration your name will be automatically placed on a will call list.

To learn more, contact Mariah Leuschen with the U.S. Forest Service Northern Region at 406-329-3095 or mdleuschen@fs.fed.us For more information, please visit http://greenfiredoc.eventbrite.com/

Watch the trailer on YouTube!

From the official Earth Day website, "For over 40 years, Earth Day—April 22—has inspired and mobilized individuals and organizations worldwide to demonstrate their commitment to environmental protection and sustainability.

The first Earth Day, on April 22, 1970, activated 20 million Americans from all walks of life and is widely credited with launching the modern environmental movement. The passage of the landmark Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act, Endangered Species Act and many other groundbreaking environmental laws soon followed. Growing out of the first Earth Day, Earth Day Network (EDN) works with over 22,000 partners in 192 countries to broaden, diversify and mobilize the environmental movement. More than 1 billion people now participate in Earth Day activities each year, making it the largest civic observance in the world. 

But Earth Day Network does not stop there.  All of EDN’s activities, whether greening schools or promoting green economic policies at home and abroad, inform and energize populations so they will act to secure a healthy future for themselves and their children. With its partner organizations, EDN provides civic engagement opportunities at the local, state, national and global levels. At every turn, EDN works to broaden the definition of "environment" to include all issues that affect our health, our communities and our environment, such as greening deteriorated schools, creating green jobs and investment, and promoting activism to stop air and water pollution."

Visit the Earth Day website to learn more.

A spring wildflower hike will take place on the Big Swan Headwaters Preserve, followed by dinner and music at The Farm Community Center. The vegetarian dinner is $10/plate with proceeds and additional contributions benefiting the Swan Conservation Trust.

To learn more, please contact Cynthia Rohrbach with the Swan Conservation Trust at 931-964-2571 or cynrohr@bellsouth.net For more information please visit www.swantrust.org

33 acres of the Juneau County Forest (Wisconsin) will be planted with red pine and white pine seedlings the week of April 25th as part of a partnership with Polar Bears International and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR) to promote tree planting for climate change and sustainable forest management. Nursery stock came from the WDNR nursery program, which is celebrating its centennial year in 2011.

To learn more, please contact the Department of Natural Resources at 715-839-3760 or patriciad.murphy@wisconsin.gov

Green Fire is the first feature length (72 min.), high definition documentary film ever made about famed conservationist Aldo Leopold. Emmy-Award winning narrator Peter Coyote lends his talent as the voice of Aldo Leopold, and the film's on-screen guide is Curt Meine, Leopold's biographer. The film explores Aldo Leopold's life in the early part of the twentieth century and the many ways his land ethic idea continues to be applied all over the world today.

The screening takes place on April 27, 2011 at 7 p.m.

To learn more, contact Rick Zenn at the World Forestry Center at 503-488-2103 or rzenn@worldforestry.org. For more information, visit www.greenfiremovie.com.

Kids4Trees, national partner with the USDA Forest Service, is pleased to announce its 2011 schedule for planting events in national forests and nearby cities and towns throughout the United with the Forest Service and nonprofit environmental associations concerned with conservation education for our precious youth. Two-four days of planting with 6-12 year-old students and Scouts in and around each US Forest – with workshops about trees, biodiversity, water, and animals, tree kits, multilingual tree songs from the Kids4Trees CD, art, and children’s singers. Planting for Scout troops will be held on the 23rd.

Kids4Trees provides inspirational speakers such as Olympian athletes provided by international partner such as Olympian athletes provided by international partner World Olympians Association. Kids4Trees thanks the many volunteers and sponsors providing critical support. The UNEP Billion Tree Campaign, UNESCO, Children & Nature Network, Prince Albert II Foundation, and many others endorse Kids4Trees.

Kids4Trees‘nationwide program will take place in various Regions of the USDA Forest Service in conjunction with the United Nations 2011 International Year of Forests, in which Kids4Trees is an official participant.

The programs in National Forests, and in and around schools, include educational workshops, planting art and music. The children become stewards of their plantings and thus of the forest. The Forest Service assists in providing trees, conservation education, and planting supervision. Kids4Trees provides overall production, tree books, music, and Olympians and other inspirational participants, along with the invaluable assistance of local environmental associations and businesses.

For further information, email us at: Contact@Kids4Trees.org.

From the Arbor Day Foundation, "Arbor Day is a nationally-celebrated observance that encourages tree planting and care. Founded by J. Sterling Morton in 1872, it's celebrated on the last Friday in April.

An Arbor Day celebration can be as large or as small as you want to make it. Your Arbor Day can be a few neighbors gathering to plant trees in a park behind your homes or at a nearby school. It can be a week-long regional festival with activities for thousands of kids and adults. Arbor Day can be a single class project or an event for the whole school, an inner city neighborhood planting trees in a vacant lot, or a huge citywide or statewide celebration."

Visit the Arbor Day Foundation website to learn more.

An annual tree planting ceremony & program put on by the River Grove Aesthetic Committee and our Public Works Department. Over 125 6th grade school students attend plus all of the village departments are represented. We start the celebration with a school band, provide speakers which Morton Arboretum provides, display, then announce, the winners of the birdhouse decorating contest, plant the trees and provide refreshments.

To learn more, please contact Brent Leder with River Grove Public Works at 708-452-7055 or brent@vorg.us.

17th Annual Community Earth Day Fair in Alamogordo, New Mexico at the Alameda Park Zoo on April 30, 2011 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free. Always held the last Saturday in April with 75+ booths, live music, food and exhibits. Average attendance is 9,000!

To learn more, please contact Mona Fredrick with Lincoln National Forest at 575-434-7200 or mfredrick@fs.fed.us

Tree planting ceremony with Girl Scout Troops 962 and 360. Afterwards, meet Mark Spreyer and his live birds of prey from Stillman Nature Center. He will be bringing the kind of raptors that live in our trees in North Barrington. Also, children's tree crafts, free tree seedlings, refreshments and get pumpkin seeds for the Big Pumpkin contest.

To learn more, contact Susan Allman with the Village of North Barrington at 847-381-6000 or info@northbarrington.org. For more information, visit www.northbarrington.org

Kids4Trees, national partner with the USDA Forest Service, is pleased to announce its 2011 schedule for planting events in national forests and nearby cities and towns throughout the United with the Forest Service and nonprofit environmental associations concerned with conservation education for our precious youth. Two-four days of planting with 6-12 year-old students and Scouts in and around each US Forest – with workshops about trees, biodiversity, water, and animals, tree kits, multilingual tree songs from the Kids4Trees CD, art, and children’s singers.

Kids4Trees provides inspirational speakers such as Olympian athletes provided by international partner such as Olympian athletes provided by international partner World Olympians Association. Kids4Trees thanks the many volunteers and sponsors providing critical support. The UNEP Billion Tree Campaign, UNESCO, Children & Nature Network, Prince Albert II Foundation, and many others endorse Kids4Trees.

Kids4Trees‘nationwide program will take place in various Regions of the USDA Forest Service in conjunction with the United Nations 2011 International Year of Forests, in which Kids4Trees is an official participant.

The programs in National Forests, and in and around schools, include educational workshops, planting art and music. The children become stewards of their plantings and thus of the forest. The Forest Service assists in providing trees, conservation education, and planting supervision. Kids4Trees provides overall production, tree books, music, and Olympians and other inspirational participants, along with the invaluable assistance of local environmental associations and businesses.

For further information, email us at: Contact@Kids4Trees.org.

Join author Joan Maloof for the release of her newest tree book, "Among the Ancients: Adventures in the Eastern Old Growth." This lovely book gives directions to old-growth forests in twenty-six eastern states.

To learn more, please contact Joan Maloof with Ruka Press at 410-546-1038 or joan@amongtheancients.com. For more information, please visit www.rukapress.com

The Family Forestry Expo is an annual event that offers hands-on exposure to the role forests play in our everyday lives. The yearly event takes place through the dedicated involvement of over 20 diverse organizations such as local service clubs, forest industry, government natural resource agencies, conservation groups, professional societies, local businesses and many interested individuals.

Come spend the day or a few hours and explore how the different parts of a forest are connected to make up a dynamic living system; and how people and all parts of the environment are dependent on one another. Natural resource managers and specialists are on site to provide information on a wide-range of forestry and forest management topics.

The Expo takes place at the Trumbell Creek Educational Forest, located about two miles north of the junction of US Highway 2 and Montana Highway 40, just west of Columbia Falls, Montana.

Families can enjoy a 'free loggers lunch' from 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, grandstand shows at 10:30 am and 1:00 pm that include logging equipment demonstrations, a show by the Flathead Valley Community College Logging Sports Team and a Forest Service mule packing demonstration; plus there are exhibits and educational stations along a forest path.

To learn more, please contact Teresa Wenum with the Flathead National Forest at 406-758-5218 or twenum@fs.fed.us For more information, please visit www.familyforestryexpo.org

Kids4Trees, national partner with the USDA Forest Service, is pleased to announce its 2011 schedule for planting events in national forests and nearby cities and towns throughout the United with the Forest Service and nonprofit environmental associations concerned with conservation education for our precious youth. Two-four days of planting with 6-12 year-old students and Scouts in and around each US Forest – with workshops about trees, biodiversity, water, and animals, tree kits, multilingual tree songs from the Kids4Trees CD, art, and children’s singers.

Kids4Trees provides inspirational speakers such as Olympian athletes provided by international partner such as Olympian athletes provided by international partner World Olympians Association. Kids4Trees thanks the many volunteers and sponsors providing critical support. The UNEP Billion Tree Campaign, UNESCO, Children & Nature Network, Prince Albert II Foundation, and many others endorse Kids4Trees.

Kids4Trees‘ nationwide program will take place in various Regions of the USDA Forest Service in conjunction with the United Nations 2011 International Year of Forests, in which Kids4Trees is an official participant.

The programs in National Forests, and in and around schools, include educational workshops, planting art and music. The children become stewards of their plantings and thus of the forest. The Forest Service assists in providing trees, conservation education, and planting supervision. Kids4Trees provides overall production, tree books, music, and Olympians and other inspirational participants, along with the invaluable assistance of local environmental associations and businesses.

For further information, email us at: Contact@Kids4Trees.org.

Event highlighting birds and their environment. The Missouri Department of Conservation is a sponsor and will tell you all about our Forest Resource Assessment and Strategy. Attendees will learn how forests are managed for watchable and game birds. A two day event with one day for schools and one day for the public.

To learn more, contact the Burroughs Audobon at 800-555-5555 or birdsecretary@comcast.net. For more information, click here.

Members of the Allegheny SAF Plateau Chapter will be hosting a 'Walk in the Forest' for fourth graders in the Titusville School District in Northwestern Pennsylvania. Six fourth grade classes (approximately 150 students) will accompany a professional forester on a walk, highlighting the importance of our forest resources and how forest resources impact our daily lives.

To learn more, contact Howard Wurzbacher with the Plateau Chapter of SAF at (814) 432-3187 or hwurzbache@state.pa.us.

American Forests encourages the public to get outside Saturday, May 21, and participate in National Walk in the Woods Day. While enjoying the outdoors, take part in American Forests' Big Tree Challenge. Locate and measure a big tree, click here for guidelines and see how it compares to the species' national champion, as listed in the National Register of Big Trees. If you think the tree has what it takes to claim national champion bragging rights, click the link to submit its measurements online.

Since 1940, American Forests' National Big Tree program has promoted the importance of planting and caring for trees. Every year, these majestic giants are honored in the Register, and American Forests relies on the public to submit possible contenders.

To learn more, please contact Sheri Shannon with American Forests at (202) 737-1944 ext. 250 or sshannon@amfor.org. For more information, click here.

Beginning Saturday, May 21, 2011 the Harvard Museum of Natural History celebrates Year of Forests in the Zofnass Family Gallery with the opening of New England Forests, a permanent multi-media exhibition that explores the natural history and ecology of our regional forests, their responses to human activity and their environmental signifiance. Visitors are invited to explore the ecology of woodland caribou, wolves and other wildlife in New England; learn about lichen cities that cling to rocks; and the circle of life within and around a forest pond from tiny aquatic insects to a giant moose.

To complement the exhibition, the museum will offer a Fall 2011 series of public lectures and symposia featuring Harvard faculty and other experts. To see the full release, click here.

To learn more, please contact Blue Magruder with the Harvard Museum of Natural History at (617) 495-3045 or hmnhpr@oeb.harvard.edu. For more information, visit www.hmnh.harvard.edu.

Assistant Professor Brendan Kelly, Society of American Foresters - Certified Forester, will lead a walk in the woods at the college's Galbreath Farm Property at 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 21. Walkers will meet at the horse barn at the end of the Galbreath Farm access road that intersects North Street in the Village of Morrisville. Participants can expect a moderately paced 1-2 hour hike through the mixed hardwoods and evergreen plantations of the Galbreath Farm Woods. While refreshments will be served at the end of the walk, participants should bring their own water for the hike.

"We are pleased to participate in this important celebration along with others across the country and the globe," said Professor William Snyder, Chair of the Morrisville State College Environmental Sciences Department. "Saturday, May 21st is National Walk in the Woods Day, but the Galbreath Farm Woods usually has students walking in it every day as one of laboratory classwoods. You could say almost every day is walk in the woods day for our students."

To learn more, please contact Brendan Kelly with Morrisville State College at (315) 684-6219 or kellybt@morrisville.edu.

Celebrate the International Year of Forests with the Colorado State Forest Service and Colorado Tree Farmers. Learn about out forest resources and how we can manage them sustainably. See what can be done to help our forests fight insects and disease.

To learn more, please contact Michael Hughes with the Colorado State Forest Service at 970-491-8453 or Michael.Hughes@Colostate.edu.

Join Arkansas for a walk in the woods on Dan Dipert's Tree Farm that was previously a Civilian Conservation Corps Camp. The camp's original stone arch remains and there will be a Civilian Conservation Corps Worker Statue dedication previous to the guided walk. Not many of these artifacts remain in the United States. The camp's cook, from 75 years ago, will join the walk as well.

To learn more, please contact John T. Shannon with the Arkansas Forestry Commission at 501-296-1941.

The Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Park Service and Maryland Forest Service are joining efforts to celebrate the International Year of Forests with "National Walk in the Woods Day" hikes throughout the State. To join the celebration, the Maryland Park Service and Maryland Forest Service are offering hikes throughout the state, guided by Park Rangers and Foresters. Hikes will be held on Saturday, May 21st from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Each hike will be designed to celebrate the forests by giving visitors an opportunity to explore some of the parks' beautiful forest trails, ask questions to the Ranger and Forester, and take some time to enjoy in the tranquility of the understory. Hikes will also include a scenic break for photography, reflection, or other avenues of expression.

Please call to reserve your spot on the freek hike. Participants are invited to pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic in the park after the hike.

Please call (410) 632-2566 ext. 106 for reservations.

The Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Park Service and Maryland Forest Service are joining efforts to celebrate the International Year of Forests with "National Walk in the Woods Day" hikes throughout the State. To join the celebration, the Maryland Park Service and Maryland Forest Service are offering hikes throughout the state, guided by Park Rangers and Foresters. Hikes will be held on Saturday, May 21st from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Each hike will be designed to celebrate the forests by giving visitors an opportunity to explore some of the parks' beautiful forest trails, ask questions to the Ranger and Forester, and take some time to enjoy in the tranquility of the understory. Hikes will also include a scenic break for photography, reflection, or other avenues of expression.

Please call to reserve your spot on the freek hike. Participants are invited to pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic in the park after the hike.

For reservations, please call (410) 461-5005.

The Department of Natural Resources, Maryland Park Service and Maryland Forest Service are joining efforts to celebrate the International Year of Forests with "National Walk in the Woods Day" hikes throughout the State. To join the celebration, the Maryland Park Service and Maryland Forest Service are offering hikes throughout the state, guided by Park Rangers and Foresters. Hikes will be held on Saturday, May 21st from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.

Each hike will be designed to celebrate the forests by giving visitors an opportunity to explore some of the parks' beautiful forest trails, ask questions to the Ranger and Forester, and take some time to enjoy in the tranquility of the understory. Hikes will also include a scenic break for photography, reflection, or other avenues of expression.

Please call to reserve your spot on the freek hike. Participants are invited to pack a lunch and enjoy a picnic in the park after the hike.

For reservations, please call (410) 592-2897.

Woods and Waters Land Trust and Kentucky State Nature Preserves Commission invite you to a hike at Rivercliffs State Nature Preserve on May 21 from 1 to 4 pm as part of National Walk in the Woods Day. The preserve is located on the Kentucky River and showcases the beauty of the forests, including the spring wildflowers, that line the river north of Frankfort. The hike is on a slope and for those of medium level abilities.

Those interested in participating should sign up with Deborah White at (502) 573-2886 or deborah.white@ky.gov.

From the official World Environment Day website, "World Environment Day (WED) is an annual event that is aimed at being the biggest and most widely celebrated global day for positive environmental action. WED activities take place all year round but climax on 5 June every year, involving everyone from everywhere.

WED celebration began in 1972 and has grown to become the one of the main vehicles through which the UN stimulates worldwide awareness of the environment and encourages political attention and action. 

Through WED, the UN Environment Programme is able to personalize environmental issues and enable everyone to realize not only their responsibility, but also their power to become agents for change in support of sustainable and equitable development. 

WED is also a day for people from all walks of life to come together to ensure a cleaner, greener and brighter outlook for themselves and future generations."

Visit the World Environment Day website.

AMERICAN FORESTS encourages the public to get outside on Saturday, June 11, to participate in the fourth annual National Get Outdoors Day. The day-long occasion was established to promote healthy, active outdoor fun at sites across the nation.

While enjoying the outdoors, take part in AMERICAN FORESTS' Big Tree Challenge. Locate and measure a big tree by following the guidelines at www.americanforests.org/resources/bigtrees and see how it compares to the species' national champion, as listed in the National Register of Big Trees. If you think the tree has what it takes to claim national champion bragging rights, click the link to submit its measurements online.

Since 1940, AMERICAN FORESTS' National Big Tree program has promoted the importance of planting and caring for trees. Every year, these majestic giants are honored in the Register, and AMERICAN FORESTS relies on the public to submit possible contenders.

For more information, please contact Sheri Shannon with American Forests at (202) 737-1944 ext. 250 or sshannon@amfor.org. To learn more, click here.

Re-Tree Steamboat 2011 is the second annual community wide tree planting event and bark beetle exposition. This tree planting is designed to raise awareness on a local, state and national scale as to the state of the Rocky Mountain Forests and the impact of the bark beetle epidemic. ReTree hopes to bring volunteers of all ages together to inspire them that they can make a difference in their surrounding environment through reforestation. The goal for this year is to plant 5,000 trees in one day in honor of International Year of Forests. Please visit www.retreecolorado.com for more information and to sign up.

For more info please contact Laura Frolich from the Yampa Valley Sustainability Council at 805-234-5041 or email her at laurafrolich25@gmail.com.

Visit the Re-Tree Colorado website to learn more.

The 4th World Children's Festival begins with "Health & Environment" Day on Friday, June 17, 2011 on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The environmental education department will introduce children to the International Year of Forests (IYOF) 2011 and encourage them to act to protect forests in their communities.

To learn more, please contact Abbie Maravelli with the International Child Art Foundation at 202-530-1000 or wcf@icaf.org For more information, please visit www.icaf.org

NY ReLeaf is a state program promoting management and care of our state's community trees. The goal of New York ReLeaf is to create partnerships among tree professionals, citizen activists and volunteers, educators, government and the private sector. The annual State conference brings together those interested parties from all of the state's nine regions to share experiences, ideas and new information.

To learn more, please contact Betty Shimo with the NYS Urban and Community Forestry Council at 607-204-0244 or ilovegreatdanes@yahoo.com For more information visit www.nysurbanforestrycouncil.com Reservation is required.

Regional fair where the theme for this year is "Shade the Fair" and they will have sponsored tree planting events. The Missouri Department of Conservation will be there highlighting statewide forestry activities and the Year of the Forest.

To learn more, please contact the Ozark Empire Fair at 417-833-2660 or info@ozarkempirefair.com. For more information, visit www.ozarkempirefair.com

Sedalia, MO August 11-21

The MO Department of Conservation will have several tables at the fair with forests being the theme for the whole event. Several classes will be held as well as experts in fishing, wildlife and forestry will be available at all times.

To learn more, please contact the MO State Fair at 800-422-FAIR (3247) or mostatefair@mda.mo.gov. For more information, please click here.

Come to the San Diego Archaeological Center and learn more about the various volunteer opportunities in nearby Cleveland National Forest (CNF), including the national Passport in Time (PIT) volunteer archaeology program. Steve Harvey and Susan Roder (Heritage Program), Debra Clarke (Trails and Wilderness) and representatives from the Forest Fire Lookout Association (FFLA), the Laguna Mountain Volunteer Association (LMVA), the Santa Ana Mountains Natural History Association (SAMNHA) and Back to Natives will discuss the extensive volunteer programs and activities available for the public to experience in the Cleveland National Forest.

For more information, please contact Annemarie Cox with the San Diego Archaeological Center at (760) 291-0370 or acox@sandiegoarchaeology.org. To learn more, visit www.sandiegoarchaeology.org.

The Tongass Rainforest Festival is an annual event in Petersburg, Alaska whose goal is to bring participants closer to the natural world through education, exploration and the arts. This year's festival acknowledges the International Year of Forests. The festival was founded by numerous individuals and organizations in Petersburg with the common goal of learning more about our rainforest and the ocean that surrounds it. Events include: Talks by Dominick DellaSala on temperate rainforests of the world, Liz Flaherty on northern flying squirrels, painting wild forests on the Tongass with artist Andie Thrams, children events focusing on the forest, photography contest and show, LeConte glacier lecture and trip with geologist Cathy Conner and much more.

To learn more, contact Karen Dillman with the USFS/Tongass National Forest at (907) 772-5865 or at kdillman@fs.fed.us. For more information, click here.

SE Missouri regional fair in Cape Girardeau, MO. The Missouri Department of Conservation will have a pavilion full of foresty-related exhibits.

To learn more, please contact the SEMO Fair Committee at (573) 334-9250 or info@semofair.com. For more information, visit www.semofair.com.

Artist Allison Warren presents her exhibit "Fallen Hemlock" that shows the plight of Kentucky's hemlock trees and Appalachian forests caused by the hemlock woolly adelgid. The exhibit highlights the exquisiteness of organic form in opposition to its destruction and the role of human stewardship of the natural world. Exhibit runs every day from 12pm to 4:30pm.

For more information, please contact Laura Stewart at the Anne Wright Wilson Fine Arts Gallery at 502-863-8399 or galleries@georgetowncollege.edu, or visit the event website here.

Join municipal arborists, urban forest managers, landscape design professionals, planners and non-profits from across California for this unique educational and networking experience in Palo Alto. With a focus on utilizing urban forestry to revitalize California's communities, participants will leave the conference with tools to improve the areas where the majority of Californian's live, work and play. We'll discuss: community revitalization, nontraditional funding sources, best management practices, species selection, tree pruning and much more!

For more information, contact California ReLeaf at (916) 497-0037 or info@californiareleaf.org. To learn more, click here. Reservations are required.

Join us at the 2011 Forestry Fair and celebrate the International Year of Forests.

The Colorado State Forest Service invites you to bring your family, friends, club or class to the 2011 Forestry Fair and help us celebrate the International Year of Forests. The Forestry Fair will feature forestry equipment demonstrations, facility tours, educational sessions, children's activities and the latest innovations in forest products. Come learn about the role active forest management plays in the conservation of resources that we all share, including water, wildlife, recreation, wildland fire and wood.

This free event will take place at the Colorado State Forest Service facilities on the Colorado State University Foothills Campus, 3843 LaPorte Ave., Fort Collins from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. on September 17.

For more information, or to register for this no-cost event, contact Jamie Dahl, CSFS experiential learning coordinator, or Sara Colorosa, CSFS recruitment and hiring coordinator at CSFS_ForestryFair@mail.colostate.edu.

We look forward to seeing you on September 17 as we continue to celebrate the International Year of Forests!

To learn more, click here.

Many people don't know that fall is a great time to plant trees in Nebraska. Fall's cooler temperatures and reduced humidity make it less stressful for newly planted trees to establish themselves before winter arrives. If you weren't able to celebrate Arbor Day with a tree planting, now's your chance!

Join the celebration of fall tree planting by planting a tree in your community or your home landscape during ReTree Nebraska Week, September 18-24.

For more information, contact ReTree Nebraska at (402) 472-0220 or at jkelling2@unl.edu. To find events near you, visit www.retreenebraska.unl.edu.

Kids4Trees, national partner with the USDA Forest Service, is pleased to announce its 2011 schedule for planting events in national forests and nearby cities and towns throughout the United with the Forest Service and nonprofit environmental associations concerned with conservation education for our precious youth. Two-four days of planting with 6-12 year-old students and Scouts in and around each US Forest – with workshops about trees, biodiversity, water, and animals, tree kits, multilingual tree songs from the Kids4Trees CD, art, and children’s singers. Planting for Scout troops will be held on the 24th.

Kids4Trees provides inspirational speakers such as Olympian athletes provided by international partner such as Olympian athletes provided by international partner World Olympians Association. Kids4Trees thanks the many volunteers and sponsors providing critical support. The UNEP Billion Tree Campaign, UNESCO, Children & Nature Network, Prince Albert II Foundation, and many others endorse Kids4Trees.

Kids4Trees‘nationwide program will take place in various Regions of the USDA Forest Service in conjunction with the United Nations 2011 International Year of Forests, in which Kids4Trees is an official participant.

The programs in National Forests, and in and around schools, include educational workshops, planting art and music. The children become stewards of their plantings and thus of the forest. The Forest Service assists in providing trees, conservation education, and planting supervision. Kids4Trees provides overall production, tree books, music, and Olympians and other inspirational participants, along with the invaluable assistance of local environmental associations and businesses.

For further information, email us at: Contact@Kids4Trees.org.

Celebrating Life. Embracing Balance. Fostering Peace.

CommuniTREE – an environmentally themed event to commemorate, educate and participate in all things TREE!

Beneath the magnificent live oak trees that surround the Bath House Cultural Center on White Rock Lake, join us in fellowship of nature on Autumn Equinox weekend to learn about proper TREE care, emulate TREE energy, peruse local artisTREE, visit with a multitude of TREE organizations and share our prayers for peace on the Peace TREE. Be the change you wish to see…celebration CommuniTREE!

Activities include:

• "Soul of the Tree, Sound of the Tree" poetry, music and drumming showcase with Mary Ann Thompson and friends
• Tree saplings giveaway from Trees for Humanity and Ambassadors of the Grove
• Opening ceremony celebrating the World Tree and Tree of Life
• Embodying tree wisdom with Tzivia Stein Barrett
• Tai chi with Lane Cawthon – to be confirmed
• Yoga with Treenah – to be confirmed
• Tree history showcase: Druid ritual

Attractions include:

• Peace Zone: In honor of International Peace Day on Sept. 21, attach your prayer for peace on the Peace Prayer Tree and learn how you can make peace a reality
• Kids Grove: Make ornaments for the Peace Prayer Tree and other activities from North Texas Peace Learning Center and Center for Spiritual Living – to be confirmed
• Sacred Grove: Hang from large slings in the trees and do Tree Yoga… Channel tree energy with meditation and qi gong
• CommuniTREE House (Bath House building): Displays from area tree groups… Vendors of trees, tree art and wood artwork… Wonderful food from Café Lago – to be confirmed… Rain Fresh Water – to be confirmed

Speakers include:
To be announced

TREES: SOMETHING TO CELEBRATE

Throughout history trees have been revered and seen as sacred symbols of power, wisdom, healing, fertility and even life itself. The World Tree or Tree of Life is found in virtually every culture and religion, symbolizing the union of heaven and earth and the interconnection of life. Trees teach us to grow our roots in fertile soil and reach for our dreams while reminding us to live in balance and harmony.

Trees are anchors of most ecosystems, stabilizing soil and preventing erosion while filtering pollutants from rain and ground water. Worldwatch Institute estimates at least 321 million acres of trees need to be planted just to restore and maintain the productivity of soil and water resources. Trees produce half of the atmosphere’s oxygen, while the average tree absorbs of 13 pounds CO2 each year. Shade from trees can reduce utility bills for air conditioning by 15 to 50 percent.

HOW COMMUNITREE CAME TO BE

Amy Martin, executive director of Earth Rhythms, relates: “This event is an outgrowth over the group’s long-time relationship with several 100+ year old elm trees behind the Bath House Cultural Center, where we have held many festivals. When the trees were cut down due to ill health, Earth Rhythms commemorated one by having artist Julia Schloss paint a butterfly on the stump. It was eventually cut off and the slab turned into an art table for the facility. Another tree was honored with a “Goodbye to a Tree” service before it was cut down. Both were so well received that CommuniTREE was a natural outgrowth.”

CommuniTREE is made possible with support from Earth Rhythms Legacy Underwriters and the City of Dallas Office of Cultural Affairs.

Admission is free.

For more information, contact Earth Rhythms at (214) 261-5599 or at info@earthrhythms.org. 

Kids4Trees, national partner with the USDA Forest Service, is pleased to announce its 2011 schedule for planting events in national forests and nearby cities and towns throughout the United with the Forest Service and nonprofit environmental associations concerned with conservation education for our precious youth. Two-four days of planting with 6-12 year-old students and Scouts in and around each US Forest – with workshops about trees, biodiversity, water, and animals, tree kits, multilingual tree songs from the Kids4Trees CD, art, and children’s singers. Planting for scouts will be held on October 1st.

Kids4Trees provides inspirational speakers such as Olympian athletes provided by international partner such as Olympian athletes provided by international partner World Olympians Association. Kids4Trees thanks the many volunteers and sponsors providing critical support. The UNEP Billion Tree Campaign, UNESCO, Children & Nature Network, Prince Albert II Foundation, and many others endorse Kids4Trees.

Kids4Trees‘nationwide program will take place in various Regions of the USDA Forest Service in conjunction with the United Nations 2011 International Year of Forests, in which Kids4Trees is an official participant.

The programs in National Forests, and in and around schools, include educational workshops, planting art and music. The children become stewards of their plantings and thus of the forest. The Forest Service assists in providing trees, conservation education, and planting supervision. Kids4Trees provides overall production, tree books, music, and Olympians and other inspirational participants, along with the invaluable assistance of local environmental associations and businesses.

For further information, email us at: Contact@Kids4Trees.org.

The Midwest Forest Industry Show is the premier industry show for the latest in timber harvesting techniques and equipment. Representation from the forest industry will include sawmill machinery, pallet machinery, chippers, de-barkers, chainsaws, logging equipment, trucks, trailers and service companies.

To learn more, please contact the MO Forest Products Organization at (573) 634-3252 or tammy@moforest.org. For more information, click here.

As part of Virginia Tech's celebration of the International Year of Forests, we will host a panel discussion on "Local Forests in a Global Context" (4:30-5:45), followed by a poster session and reception (5:45-6:30), and the Virginia premier of the movie "Green Fire" (6:30-8:30 pm). All events will be held in Squires Commonwealth Ballroom, Virginia Tech Campus, Blacksburg, Virginia. The movie, "Green Fire" is a biography of Aldo Leopold, father of the American conservation and wildlife ecology movement. The movie will be introduced by, and followed by question and answer period with, Stan Temple, Senior Fellow of the Aldo Leopold Foundation and retired faculty member in wildlife at University of Wisconsin.

Events are free and open to the public. Families and K-12 students encouraged to attend.

Check our blog for further information,  or visit website.

You may also contact Carola Haas at 540-231-9269 or cahaas@vt.edu.

Since October 2009, Dr. Benjamin Singer, Forest Policy Officer, has been working at the United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat in New York. In particular, he manages the Facilitative Process on forest financing, which aims to assist developing countries to mobilize funds for sustainable forest management. His work has focused primarily on Africa, least developed countries, small island developing states and low forest cover countries. He has travelled extensively to forests of Brazil, Central Africa, Madagascar and Southeast Asia, both for his studies and consultancies.

The lecture is free to members and students or $5 at the door, and reservations are required. For more information, please call the Bruce Museum at 203-413-6756, email cehlinger@brucemuseum.org, or click here.

Join the Society of American Foresters (SAF) for a once-in-a-lifetime experience as they celebrate the Year of Forests during the 2011 Society of American Foresters National Convention. The 92nd National Convention will offer a cutting-edge program on the science and changing elements of world forests providing learning and sharing for all foresters and natural resource professionals.

The SAF is the national scientific and educational organization representing the forestry profession in the United States. Founded in 1900 by Gifford Pinchot, it is the largest professional society for foresters in the world. The mission of the Society of American Foresters is to advance the science, education, technology, and practice of forestry; to enhance the competency of its members; to establish professional excellence; and, to use the knowledge, skills, and conservation ethic of the profession to ensure the continued health and use of forest ecosystems and the present and future availability of forest resources to benefit society. SAF is a nonprofit organization meeting the requirements of 501 (c) (3). SAF members include natural resource professionals in public and private settings, researchers, CEOs, administrators, educators, and students.

Learn more here.

Opening reception for the gallery show featuring Josh Birnbaum's collective works from the IYOF photography fellowship.

It will also feature photographs by Michael DiBari, Pradeep Edussuriya, Peter Hoffman, and Jim Korpi.

The reception is November 10 from 5-8:00 PM at The Dairy Barn Arts Center in Athens, Ohio.

Birnbaum's fellowship consisted of a ten-week journey through six states across the U.S. His photoblog aimed to capture the relationship of individuals and organizations with forest resources. Birnbaum made stops in West Virginia, Texas, Missouri, South Dakota, Montana, and Maryland.

The Dairy Barn exhibition is open from Oct. 27th through Dec. 10th. Gallery Hours: Closed Monday; OPEN Tuesday-Saturday 12:00-5:00 PM, Thursday Open Late until 8:00 PM, Sunday 1:00-5:00 PM. The exhibition will move to Donkey Coffee from Jan. 8th through mid-March.

Make Kissing Balls and Wreaths to decorate your home this Winter Season. The evergreens are a memorable part of winter tradition, and we'll be harvesting local boughs of cedar, pine, and spruce to deck the halls.

Reservations are required, and there is a $5 registration fee.

For more information, contact Ashley Drum at the Mine Kill State Park at 518-827-6111 or visit the website.