Posts tagged “Weeks Act”

Stretching along the iconic, misty ridges of the Appalachian Mountains in west central and southwest Virginia, the 1.8 million acres of the jointly managed Washington and Jefferson National Forests make up one of the largest blocks of public land in the eastern United States.  Steeped in American history, the area was once home to Native American populations and early colonists who survived on the abundance of the land.  During both the Revolutionary War and the Civil... (Read more…)

Around this time each fall, “leaf peepers” flock to the woods of Vermont to enjoy the rustle of the dry leaves, frost-tinged mornings and the wash of gold, red and orange that covers the hills and mountainsides.  And all of the ruckus is for good reason: there really is nothing like Vermont in during peak foliage season.  Located within a day’s drive for more than 70 million Americans and boasting more than 400,000 acres of prime leaf peeping territory, Green... (Read more…)

Longing to feel the cooling mist of a waterfall during the dog days of summer?  Want to walk the very beginning steps of the Appalachian Trail?  Well, the Chattahooche and the Oconee National Forests of Northern Georgia await!  Two diverse forests, brought together under joint management, offer a variety of landscapes, vistas and recreation opportunities that can please just about anyone! The rugged Chattahooche, labeled a true “hiker’s paradise” is home Springer... (Read more…)

“But I reckon I got to light out for the Territory ahead of the rest, because Aunt Sally she's going to adopt me and sivilize me, and I can't stand it. I been there before.” –Mark Twain, Adventures of Huckleberry Finn Looking to “light out for the Territory ahead of the rest” and escape “sivilization” this summer?  Well, how about escaping to Mark Twain’s namesake forest?  Boasting 1.5 million acres of prairies, peaks, knobs and hardwood forests, the Mark... (Read more…)

With wildflower season and roadtrip season both coming into full swing, why not plan a visit to the Huron-Manistee National Forest ?  The only National Forest in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, the Huron-Manistee is home to the Loda Lake National Wildflower Sanctuary, the only Wildflower Sanctuary in the National Forest System.  For over 70 years visitors have flocked to the sanctuary to see the 238 plant species that call the area home; with so many distinct micro-climates, Loda... (Read more…)

According to hunters and biologists across the state, last spring was one of the best turkey seasons Kentucky has ever seen.  So, with this year’s season officially underway, now is a great time to visit the Daniel Boone National Forest .  The Forest has a bit of everything for everyone, so whether you’ll be searching for the perfect turkey to put on the table or a few bird species to cross off your bird watching life-list, the Daniel Boone is just waiting to be explored this... (Read more…)

With the days getting longer and the birds beginning to sing, spring is approaching, and along with it, the time to start planning summer vacations.  If you’re one of the 70 million people that live within a day’s drive of the White Mountain National Forest , the White Mountains of New Hampshire and Maine may be the perfect place to get outside when the weather heats up.   The history of the White Mountains follows a path of destruction and recovery, similar to most of... (Read more…)

2011 is a big year for forests; not only has the United Nations designated it as the “International Year of Forests,” but it is also the Centennial Anniversary of the Weeks Act  one of the most influential pieces of legislation to shape our National Forest System.   Starting in in 1891, the U.S. government began setting aside large swaths of public land as “forest reserves” in the West. At the time, forested land east of the Mississippi was suffering after years of unchecked... (Read more…)