The National Association of State Foresters (NASF) unveiled the 2015-16 NASF annual report today at its meeting in Savannah, Georgia. From city streets to remote mountainsides, trees connect a forested ecosystem that connects with people in countless ways. This is the essence of NASF's work, and the association is pleased to share recent accomplishments through this publication. Trees [read more]
Where would you rather be? In a city full of parks and tree-lined streets? Or in a city of concrete and glass? Research scientist Omid Kardan and his colleagues at the University of Chicago studied the city of Toronto, which keeps health records for thousands of citizens, and a vast database of urban trees. Kardan’s [read more]
By Greg Pilchak On Wednesday August 10th, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Forest Service hosted an NASF State and Private Forestry program tour for key congressional staff. The goal of the tour was to highlight the value of the USDA Forest Service State and Private programs by showing how states leverage resources and implement the [read more]
Toronto’s urban forest is in trouble. Climate change is set to have a major impact and planners must scramble to temper the fast growth of invasive species. As the city tries to expand its canopy, mistakes from the past are showing why tree choice and smart planning matter for the coming years. Cities are already a [read more]
By Larry Kotchman, North Dakota State Forester on behalf of the Arbor Day Foundation This year, we are celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Arbor Day Foundation’s Tree City USA program. Sixteen communities across the nation have been part of the Tree City USA program since the beginning in 1976. Grand Forks and Mandan, North [read more]
By Greg Pilchak This Tuesday, May 24th, the House Appropriations Committee released the fiscal year 2017 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill (see page 84). This draft legislation includes funding for the USDA Forest Service and various other independent and related agencies. The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee marked up the bill on Wednesday, May 25th. [read more]
Members of the National Association of State Foresters’ executive committee held Congressional briefings on May 4 to introduce decision makers to state Forest Action Plans and convey the importance of consulting these important documents when making forest management decisions. In attendance were key staff members from the House and Senate Agriculture Committees and member offices, USDA Forest [read more]
By Jessica Hernandez A healthy urban forest can provide numerous benefits to the communities in which they flourish. Trees are a part of community green infrastructure and provide environmental, social and economic benefits to all urban residents. To conserve, protect and enhance America’s urban and community forests and the benefits they provide, state forestry agencies [read more]
Did you know that every state has at least one Tree City? The smallest Tree City is Sibley, North Dakota with a population of just 28 people. On the other end of the spectrum, the largest Tree City is New York with a population of more than 8.4 million. Ohio is the state with the most [read more]
The Tree City USA program, founded in 1976, is celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2016. This program is sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with NASF and the USDA Forest Service (USFS). This national program is helping state forestry agencies meet the urban and community forestry goals outlined in each Forest Action Plan. [read more]
