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The National Forest System

National Forest Week Photo Contest Winners

Check out the winners of our National Forest Week photo contest.

Kentucky’s Red River Gorge

Nestled in the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest, the Red River Gorge attracts thousands of outdoor recreation enthusiasts year round. Rock climbers, hikers, canoeists and campers are among those who come to enjoy and explore this rugged landscape, often referred to as simply “The Red” by its most frequent visitors.

The Great Outdoors - It’s in our Roots

One thing that quickly became clear to me as we hiked is that each one of us feels a deep connection to the outdoors. It was in our words, our actions, our stories. As Latinx people, that strong relationship with the outdoors comes directly from our ancestors. We are descendants of fishermen, hunters, farmers, ranchers, lovers of wildlife and the land, true environmentalists.

We’ve Always Yearned for the Outdoors – Recounting Love in National Forests

I owe an immense amount of credit, gratitude, and inspiration to the absolutely amazing women of color that I climb, adventure, and discover with. Our public lands were not always public to black, indigenous, and people of color; and to this day BIPOC* are constantly breaking down barriers to ensure access, justice, and visibility for us all. I wanted to learn about how they discovered their love for the outdoors; a love that helped pave the way for me in further connecting with this land. So I asked them! These ladies then shared their stories, recounting their climbing experiences in National Forests, adventures around the world, and even experiencing the outdoors in their backyard.

Camping

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6 Ways to Stay Safe at a National Forest Campground

Camping at a National Forest does not need to be overwhelming or scary. Just follow some basic safety advice and you can avoid danger and enjoy your trip.

Fall Camping in the Green Mountain National Forest

Guest Author Tara Schatz recollects a memorable weekend camping at the Grout Pond Recreation Area on Vermont's Green Mountain National Forest.

Taking Campfire Cooking to the Next Level: Pizza

Yes, you can cook pizza on a campfire. And it’s delicious and easy. Check out step by step instructions for this tasty dinner item.

Adventures

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This is For You: A Walk Through Historical Connections to Our National Forests

In discovering her passion for rock climbing and the outdoors, Gabrielle could not help but notice that her experiences as almost always the only black woman within these spaces were very different than her friends and climbing partners. These experiences pushed her to connect with affinity spaces present in the climbing community and become an advocacy leader within them.

Resurrected In Alaska: Ruminating On Those Times In The Chugach National Forest

As part of the It's All Yours campaign, writer and photographer Diane Wesh shares her renewed connection with the outdoors and our National Forests.

Ten Interesting Facts about Black Hills National Forest

The Black Hills National Forest is one of them. One of our less trafficked National Forests, this rich spread of land is a hidden jewel.

Log In to Nature: Grab Your Smartphone and Head to the Forest

Check out our forest activity guide to connect with nature using your smartphone.

Trees

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Small Business Spotlight: Shade Metals

We caught up with one of our small business partners, Shade Metals, to learn more about their art and their story. Through the support and efforts of our small business partners like Shade Metals, we have planted over 220,000 trees in our National Forests, making a huge impact on the reforestation need.

Columbia Winery's Commitment to Our Forests

In 2019, we are partnering with the NFF to ensure 10,000 trees are planted. We love that their goal for tree planting is simple, yet incredibly impactful – they make it easy for anyone to contribute to the cause and support the environment.

In Our Own Words: the Importance of Reforestation

This June, NFF staff had the opportunity to visit a local reforestation site on the Lolo National Forest. This is what we learned.

Hiking and Backpacking

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‘Unlikely Hikers’ Explores Siuslaw National Forest

On the Oregon Coast, about twenty minutes inland from the Pacific Ocean, is a trail that could turn almost any indoor kid into an all-caps HIKER. Drift Creek Falls, located in the Siuslaw National Forest (ancestral lands of the Siletz, Tillamook, Salmon River and possibly other tribes), is a three-mile out-and-back trail. Through mossy, lichen-covered, first and second growth forest, it culminates at a 100-foot waterfall in a stunning, basalt gorge.

The Great Outdoors - It’s in our Roots

Finding Fourteeners…and Ticking Them off Our Stewardship Bucket List

With the Forest Service and nine other outstanding stewardship organizations, the NFF launched the Find Your Fourteener campaign in 2017 to harness our collective expertise to help ensure sustainable access to Fourteeners. The Find Your Fourteener campaign goal is to increase the pace and scale of improvements to sustainable recreation opportunities on Colorado’s Fourteeners. Read on for what’s on our Fourteeners stewardship bucket list in 2019!

Hiking the Pacific Crest Trail around Mount Adams on the Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Guest Author Melanie Saucier recounts a memorable trip to the Gifford Pinchot National Forest.

Treasured Landscapes

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A Better Way to Burn in Arizona

An outstanding obstacle for restoration efforts, especially across Western forests, is what to do with all the unusable woody material that comes from restoration project sites. Air Curtain Burners or ACBs are becoming a huge player in the world of forest restoration, logging practices, and even in generating renewable energy.

Finding Fourteeners…and Ticking Them off Our Stewardship Bucket List

Whitebark Pine in the Lightning Creek Treasured Landscape

Whitebark pine preservation and recovery on Scotchman Peak on the Idaho Panhandle National Forest was given two big boosts thanks to the NFF and efforts of Friends of Scotchman Peaks Wilderness (FSPW) volunteers in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service.

Cabins and Lookout Towers

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A Hike Through History on the Angeles National Forest

Traveling through Big Santa Anita Canyon is like stepping back in time to the “Great Hiking Era.” As you walk along the paths trees and bushes give way to historic camps and cabins built from the 1890s to 1930s to ensure that the residents of the growing city would have a place to find peace in nature.

Eight Surprising & Fun National Forest Adventures in Wyoming

From surfing to biking to volunteering, there are lots of ways to enjoy the great outdoors in national forests in Wyoming and some of them may surprise you.

Top Ten Cabins on the Tongass National Forest

Are you planning that once-in-a-lifetime trip to Alaska? We’ve got the insider scoop on the best places to experience the wilderness of Alaska. Our largest National Forest in the country, the Tongass, includes more than 100 cabins available to rent. At 17 million acres, you’ll truly feel secluded. Our local experts at the U.S. Forest Service in Alaska gave us their favorite and top recommendations for cabins on the Tongass.

Fire Lookouts in Oregon + a Few Tips on Booking Your Own

We asked experienced lookout user, Kat Dierickx, Marketing Director for Outdoor Project, for some insight into one of the best outdoor experiences available.

Collaboration

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Meet NFF's 2019 Conservation Connect Fellows

2019 marks the second year of the Conservation Connect Fellowship Program. This year we have 10 Fellows from Northern Arizona University; Portland State University; University of California, Merced; University of Georgia, University of Michigan, and University of Montana.

Idaho’s Wood River Valley: A Community Coming Together after Fire

Learn more about the recent work of the 5B Restoration Coalition in Idaho.

Talking in the Woods with Harney County Restoration Collaborative

With NFF support the Harney County Restoration Collaborative has garnered community support and consensus for local forest management practices.