When we think about forests, we generally don’t think of houses, apartments and city streets, right? Well, recent studies by the Forest Service on the benefits of “urban forests” are redefining the way citizens think about the trees that shade their local block.

On a daily basis, most Americans don’t set foot on a National Forest. But with 80 percent of the U.S. population living in urban areas, a huge number of us drive, walk, bike and run through urban forests each and every day. Recognizing the importance of these statistics, the Forest Service developed the cooperative Urban and Community Forestry (UCF) program to focus on the stewardship of urban natural resources.

Under the UCF program, the Northern and Pacific Northwest Forest Service Research Stations conducted research focused on three cities: Portland, Sacramento and Chicago. Besides providing refreshing greenery and beautiful fall colors, urban trees were also found to increase the value of homes, improve air quality, and lower electrical bills. "Trees in urban areas beautify neighborhoods and provide great economic benefits," said Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell. "Aside from enhancing neighborhood aesthetics they filter the air, reduce storm runoff and absorb carbon dioxide." 

Estimates place the nation’s urban tree numbers around 3.8 billion. Together, those trees clean the air in a big way – with pollution removal valued at some $4 billion and carbon dioxide removal valued at around $460 million per year.

Here are some other cool, green urban forest facts:

• The net cooling effect of a young, healthy tree is equivalent to 10 room-size air conditioners operating 20 hours a day.
  
  
• A belt of trees 98 feet wide and 49 feet tall can reduce highway noise by 6 to 10 decibels.

• Fifty million shade trees planted in strategic, energy-saving locations could eliminate the need for seven 100-megawatt power plants.

These statics were generated using a new software technology developed by the Forest Service called “i-Trees Tools.” The program is designed to analyze city trees and provide benefit assessment information that can then be used to better manage and sustain urban forests in cities of all sizes. i-Trees is in the  public domain and has already been used in over 80 countries from India to Uzbekistan.

From the taiga of Alaska to the Everglades of Florida, forests have always been a diverse crowd.

But now, whenever we hear the word “forest,” we can broaden our imagination from the lodgepole stands of Montana and the oak woodlands of California to the concrete jungles of Manhattan, knowing that all trees have their place and their value. 

Yesterday I had the honor of being in the audience while President Obama announced the Administration’s plan for engaging Americans in conservation and enjoying the outdoors under the America’s Great Outdoors (AGO) initiative. The National Forest Foundation will be playing a role in advancing this initiative, alongside our fellow public lands conservation organizations, the National Park Foundation and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. I joined the leaders of those groups, as well as representatives of many conservation groups, federal agencies, the outdoor industry and other stakeholders in attending the President’s briefing. With our commitment to nurturing a stronger commitment between Americans and our National Forests, we here at the NFF are excited about the Administrations’ commitment to bring conservation and outdoor engagement into the forefront of the national discussion.

The President originally developed the initiative last April to help empower local communities to reach their conservation goals, recognizing that the best ideas often come from outside of Washington. At the conference the President was introduced by Sally Jewell, the president and CEO of REI, who emphasized the social, economic and health benefits that the natural environment provides for our society. This same overall message highlighting the holistic values of the great outdoors was woven throughout the President’s speech as he emphasized the fact that protecting the environment is important even in tough economic times. 

The announcement laid out some of the most important points of the initiative, which include a pledge to double federal spending on land and water conservation to $900 million and improve community green spaces and parks across the country. The President proposed full funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund for only the third time in history, setting aside land for conservation and recreation with money collected from existing oil and gas revenues. Also, to encourage young people across the country to “build a lifelong relationship with their natural heritage," the Administration will establish a new Conservation Service Corps.

The AGO strategies were developed after a series of 51 listening sessions held across the country last summer, which included more than 10,000 participants and generated more than 105,000 written comments, a true community effort. The emphasis on building on the success of local, grassroots conservation put forward by the initiative is the same one we promote every day here at the NFF, and we’re proud to be a part of this campaign to protect, improve and appreciate our natural environment. If we all work together to keep our local green places, open spaces and forests healthy and clean, we’ll all see the benefits in the long run. Studies show that playing outside can decrease child obesity. Green spaces cheer up any city block, inviting us all to take a deep breath of air cleaned by those urban forests. With the nation and the Administration engaging in an important dialogue about conservation, there’s no better time to get outside in the “Great Outdoors” and show your passion for the natural world!

On February 10, the Forest Service unveiled its new proposed Forest Planning Rule, a 94-page document  that creates new national guidelines for developing management plans on the county’s 155 National Forests and 20 National Grasslands. The collaborative, science-based framework laid out in the new rule will replace the old guidelines that were instituted in 1982.

But what does all that mean? Our National Forests are facing new and worsening threats like mountain pine beetles, invasive species and climate change. So, basically, the Forest Service is updating its decision-making so that it can better meet the demands of a changing world. The new planning rule will promote ecological sustainability, while also focusing on strengthening rural job opportunities. 

"This proposed planning rule seeks to conserve our forests for the benefit of water, wildlife, recreation and the economic vitality of our rural communities," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "The proposed rule will provide the tools to the Forest Service to make our forests more resilient to many threats, including pests, catastrophic fire and climate change. Healthy forests and economically strong rural communities form a solid foundation as we work to win the future for the next generation."

Here are some key changes to look for in the new Planning Rule:

·         More flexible guidelines allowing for more “adaptive land management” in response to changing threats.

·         An increase in public involvement throughout the decision-making process.

·         Increased protections for watersheds.

·         More proactive strategies to protect native species.

·         New guidelines for a local and landscape-level monitoring program based on the latest science.

The release of the document will now kick off a 90-day public comment period, ending May 16th. The new Planning Rule was developed after a series of over 40 public meeting and roundtables across the country with over 3,000 participants. So, in step with their focus on increased public involvement, the Forest Service will now hold an open forum to discuss the proposed rule in Washington, D.C., on March 10. Can’t make it to the Capitol? Well, the forum will also be Web cast so that everyone can participate. Additional public forums will also be held across the nation during the comment period. So check out the proposed rule, and take this great opportunity to join the dialogue about how to best manage our National Forests!

By now most scientists around the world have come to the same conclusion: increased carbon dioxide in our atmosphere is rapidly changing our global climate. While changing weather patterns may mean snow in Dallas in January, or 50 degrees and sunny in Montana in February, the overall global temperatures are warming as compared to the last couple of centuries. Government scientists at the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recently published data that the combined global surface land and ocean temperatures in 2010 were tied with 2005 as the warmest on record for a one-year period. The combined temperatures were 0.62° C higher than the average temperature for the 20th century.

Scientists also confirmed that 2010 set records for the melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet, which is expected to be a major contributor to projected rises in sea levels in coming decades. A combination of higher surface temperatures and changing albedo effects have hastened melting of the Greenland Ice Sheet – one of the largest in the world – explained the scientists. If global temperatures are maintained at current levels, seas are predicted to rise 1 meter by 2100. If global temperatures continue to climb, sea levels may rise faster and higher than predicted.

And what does all this have to do the National Forest Foundation? Like the rest of you, we want to help make a difference.

Since we can’t all stop driving or quit flying, since we’re stuck using electricity generated by coal, we’ve got to start finding ways to both limit our output and to soak up all the extra carbon dioxide that’s currently in the atmosphere.

First, you can start reducing your output by changing some simple behaviors, encourage your utility to provide green energy options and then buy them, and talk to your friends and family about strategies they can use too. The EPA has some great resources to help folks learn about reducing greenhouse gas emissions, reducing water consumption, and eliminating other pollutants from homes and yards, check them out.

Once you’ve made these simple changes, it’s time to work toward eliminating the carbon currently in our atmosphere by calculating your carbon footprint and donating to the Carbon Capital Fund. The NFF’s Carbon Capital Fund program plants trees on National Forests that have suffered severe wildfire, disease, or other natural disaster and require reforestation. Through our partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, we find locations where trees can be planted and managed within the existing forest management plan – trees that will soak up tonnes of carbon dioxide over the next 100 years. These projects meet strict financial and biological additionality rules, and offsets are verified through a third party.

Made on behalf of yourself, your family or your entire company, a donation will plant trees that will sequester carbon. While they’re at it, these trees will also supply wildlife habitat, clean our air and water, and provide the high-quality recreation experiences that millions of Americans have come to enjoy across our National Forests.