Blog: The National Forest System - National Forest Foundation

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The National Forest System

Why Reforestation: Regenerating Our National Forests

Reforestation is a top priority for the National Forest Foundation, the USDA Forest Service, and many state, tribal, and private forest land managers. In fact, the U.S. Congress directed the Forest Service to improve and protect forests as early as 1897 with the passage of the Organic Administration Act. Though our understanding of forest health has advanced remarkably since then, reforestation remains a key goal. Why?

Ten reasons to give thanks for National Forests

From quiet sunrises to freshwater to unforgettable experiences, our National Forests provide countless gifts to be thankful for.

“Every Kid Outdoors” Provides Fourth Grade Students Free Access to Outdoor Adventures

Fourth grade may look a little different this year but our National Forests are always here for students to adventure and learn in. If you’re a parent looking for a weekend getaway, a teacher investigating outdoor activities for your students, or even a fourth grader trying to find something to do — because we all know kids are basically tech support nowadays — look no further than the Every Kid Outdoors Program.

If A Musician Plays In A Forest: How The Sounds Of Our National Forests Make Music

If you search “forest sounds” on YouTube, you’ll find hundreds of hours of forest ambiance to help you wake up, meditate, work, sleep, or any other activity where you want to pretend you’re among the trees. But these videos could be any forest. What do our National Forests sound like? And how do they make us feel?

National Forest Week Photo Contest Winners 2020

Check out the winners of our 2020 National Forest Week photo contest.

Virtual Field Trip: National Forest Summer Adventures

Take a virtual escape to four great national forests highlighting everything from women’s history to the American bison from New York to LA!

Five Things I Wish I Knew Before My First Outdoor Adventure With Kids

Hi there, Brooke Murray here! Before the kids came along, I always knew I wanted to share my adventurous lifestyle with my family. Getting outside with my two children in Colorado is part of our daily routine — sunshine or snow. We love to ski, hike, bike, climb, and most especially camp together. Despite hours of research and preparation, I seem to learn the most by trial and error. I’m excited to share a little of what I have learned with you today!

Unforgettable Experiences: Timberline Lodge Ski Area

With the immense, snow-capped Mount Hood resting in the distance, Timberline Lodge Ski Area is the only place in North America where visitors can ski and snowboard all 12 months of the year. Timberline Lodge offers picture-perfect views, more vertical feet of skiing than anywhere in the Pacific Northwest, and an opportunity to embrace the natural world around you.

Unforgettable Experiences: Route of the Hiawatha

Once a Milwaukee Railroad train route from Chicago to West Coast markets, the Route of the Hiawatha trail stretches 15 miles through the Bitterroot Mountains between Idaho and Montana. The route features nine tunnels and more than seven high steel trestle bridges up to 230 feet high for magnificent views of the surrounding mountain range.

Unforgettable Experiences: Juniper Springs Recreation Area

While wandering through the desert-like Big Scrub throughout the Ocala National Forest, you may be dreaming of crystal clear waters and cool shade. If you make your way to the Juniper Springs Recreation Area, you’ll find it’s not a mirage. This palm- and oak-covered oasis offers pristine swimming areas that are refreshing to both the body and the eyes.