Happy International Day of Forests!
Trees and forests are vital green infrastructure in communities throughout the United States—America's natural capital. In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed March 21 the International Day of Forests (IDF). The day celebrates and raises awareness of the importance of America's green infrastructure.
Today, and every day, the National Association of State Foresters and its forestry partners recognize the incredible public benefits provded by America's forests. This year's International Day of Forests theme is "forests and energy".
In the United States, the Forest Action Plans are the strategic plan for the nation's trees. If you want to know what's happening in the woods near you, be sure to find your state's Forest Action Plan on the NASF interactive map at www.forestactionplans.org.
Check out some of statistics about privately owned forestland compiled by the National Alliance of Forest Owners:
- More than a quarter of America’s water is filtered by private forests.
- 60 percent of America’s at-risk wildlife relies on private forests.
- Private forests contain more than 40 percent of the United States distribution of 152 forest bird species.
- Private forests support 2.4 million jobs and $99 billion in payroll.
- Private forests produce $281 billion in annual sales.
Learn more about the International Day of Forests at www.fao.org/international-day-of-forest.
Established in 1920, NASF is a non-profit organization composed of the directors of forestry agencies in the states, territories and the District of Columbia of the United States. A "State Forester" is the director of a state forestry agency, and works in cooperation with federal agencies as the primary delivery system for forestry activities in the United States. Contact your state forestry agency for forestry education and technical assistance with your trees.