To address conservation challenges across our National Forests, the National Forest Foundation initiated its $100 million Treasured Landscapes campaign, developing restoration projects in 14 ecologically important and iconic locations including Deschutes National Forest, while supporting hundreds of community-based conservation projects across the country.
The National Forest Foundation (NFF) announced the launch of its first national public awareness campaign to encourage Americans to get involved in the enjoyment and restoration of the nation’s forests and grasslands.
The campaign features a public service announcement, which made its national primetime premiere on Discovery Communications’ Destination America network on July 16. In a PSA created by Discovery Communications, the talented children of the Public School 22 Chorus from Graniteville, Staten Island, highlight the importance and urgency of caring for America’s national forests. The choir performs Somewhere Only We Know by Keane.
“Our nation’s public lands face unprecedented challenges to their health, diversity and vitality– from wildfire to invasive species,” said Bill Possiel, president of the National Forest Foundation. “With at least two-thirds of Americans living within 100 miles of these public lands, we all must get involved to protect and restore our national forests to ensure benefits for future generations.”
“As the only television network dedicated to celebrating the people, places and stories of the United States, Destination America is the ideal channel to partner with the National Forest Foundation to promote our country’s cherished natural landscapes,” said Marc Etkind, SVP content strategy, Destination America. “Summer is the perfect time to remind all Americans to get out and, not only enjoy, but also care for these stunning public lands.”
America’s National Forest System encompasses 193 million acres of public lands, 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands. At least 62 million acres of the National Forest System are in need of restorative action due to damage from wildfire, insects, disease and natural disasters.
Not only do the national forests provide quality recreation opportunities but also fresh water, clean air, while they sequester carbon and support the economies of thousands of communities. The National Forest System is the largest single source of water in the continental United States and one-third of the U.S. population, 123 million people, rely on water from national forests. Los Angeles, Portland, Denver and Atlanta receive a significant portion of their drinking water from national forests.
To address conservation challenges across our National Forests, the NFF initiated its $100 million Treasured Landscapes campaign, developing restoration projects in 14 ecologically important and iconic locations, while supporting hundreds of community-based conservation projects across the country. The Treasured Landscapes sites include:
- Alaska’s Tongass National Forest
- Illinois’ Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie near Chicago
- Colorado’s Pike National Forest and White River National Forest
- Oregon’s Deschutes National Forest
- California’s Angeles National Forest and Tahoe National Forest
- Arkansas’ Ozark National Forest
- Florida’s Ocala National Forest
- Arizona’s Coconino National Forest
- Utah’s Uinta-Wasatch-Cache National Forest
- Washington’s Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest
- New Hampshire’s White Mountain National Forest
- Idaho’s Panhandle National Forests
These 14 sites are places where communities and individuals can get even more engaged with National Forest stewardship. To learn more about the National Forest Foundation’s work and become a Friend of the Forest, visit www.friendsoftheforest.org.
National Forest Foundation (www.nationalforests.org)
Founded by Congress in 1991, the National Forest Foundation works to conserve, restore and enhance America’s 193-million-acre National Forest System. Through community-based strategies and public-private partnerships, the NFF enhances wildlife habitat, revitalizes wildfire-damaged landscapes, restores watersheds, and improves recreational resources for the benefit of all Americans. The NFF’s Treasured Landscapes, Unforgettable Experiences national conservation campaign is uniting public and private partners to conduct large-scale forest and watershed restoration and revitalize ecosystem resiliency in iconic National Forest System sites around the nation.
