American Forests
American Forests is the oldest national nonprofit conservation organization in the United States. Since our founding in 1875, we have been the pathfinders for creating healthy forests from coast to coast. For example, we championed the creation of the U.S. Forest Service and have persuaded Congress to provide stable funding for fighting and preventing forest fires. Our deep knowledge of forests and track record of collaboration position us to build a reforestation movement in America.
Our Mission
American Forests creates healthy and resilient forests, from cities to large natural landscapes, that deliver essential benefits for climate, people, water and wildlife. We advance our mission through forestry innovation, place-based partnerships to plant and restore forests, and movement building.
Our Vision
We envision a world in which the significant environmental, societal and economic benefits of forests are fully realized and equitably available to all people.
What Drives Us
Tapping Into the Power of Forests
We are driven by the power of forests. They are instrumental to addressing two of the most pressing issues of the day: slowing climate change and advancing social equity. Forests also provide habitat for wildlife and a clean, abundant supply of water for people.
Social Equity
Trees are a pathway to creating social equity.
Trees are more than something pretty to look at or sit under. They are essential, much like schools and sewer lines. They improve our lives by absorbing harmful greenhouse gas emissions, providing shade that lowers the chance of illness or death related to heat, blocking wind so utility bills are lower during the winter and creating job opportunities.
How Are We Addressing Social Equity?
Our approach to addressing social equity is three-pronged. We develop new tools and do scientific research to help solve complicated puzzles. We create place-based partnerships in cities so we can develop and implement urban forestry plans and job training programs. And we build movements that inspire and empower action at a large scale.
Climate Change
Forests are the best nature-based solution to climate change.
Annually in the United States, forests and forest products capture and store almost 15% of the country’s carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels. They have the potential to capture nearly twice as much if we take such actions as planting more trees and using climate-smart practices to manage forests.
But climate change supercharges the traditional stressors on forests, making it harder to harness the full potential of forests. Pests and diseases that attack trees are prevalent, and droughts are frequent. Also, uncontrolled forest fires are larger and more severe. In California alone, more than 162 million trees have died since 2010, largely because of climate change-related stressors.
How Are We Addressing Climate Change?
Our approach to addressing climate change is three-pronged. We develop new tools and do scientific research to help solve complicated puzzles. We create place-based partnerships from cities to large forest landscapes so we can develop and implement restoration and reforestation plans. And we build movements that inspire and empower action at a large scale.
Water
Water and forests are essential to life and each other.
Forests act like sponges. Trees and soil absorb rainfall and melted snow, reducing the risk of extreme flooding. They slowly release water as the snow melts in the spring and summer, providing sustenance during the hot and dry season. Scientists are gaining knowledge about the importance of trees in the creation of clouds and rainfall. Forests also act like a filter. They keep water clean by capturing chemicals and soil before these particles enter waterways.
By keeping waterways clean, forests provide recreation opportunities, such as fishing and kayaking, and save communities millions of dollars in water treatment costs. More than 50% of America’s drinking water originates from forests. Forest loss and degradation — mainly due to sprawling development, insects, diseases and uncontrolled fires — threatens the ability of forests to act as sponges and filters.
How Are We Addressing Water Issues?
Our approach to addressing water issues is three-pronged. We develop new tools and do scientific research to help solve complicated puzzles. We create place-based partnerships in cities and large forest landscapes so we can develop and implement plans that ensure proper water quality and quantity. And we build movements that inspire and empower action at a large scale.
Wildlife
Restoring critical habitat for species.
Grizzly bears eat seeds from alpine forests. Kirtland’s warblers nest in jack pine forests. Ocelots find their mates while traversing thornforests. Like these, 80% of land-dwelling species rely on forests to survive.
Even species that live in the water, such as fish and turtles, rely on forests to help produce clean, free-flowing waterways.
But many forest-dwelling animals are threatened by deforestation and forest degradation caused by climate change-induced insect and disease outbreaks, droughts and severe wildfires. In addition, sprawling development is pushing many species into smaller and smaller forest habitats, threatening their ability to survive and multiply.
How Are We Addressing Wildlife Issues?
Our approach to addressing wildlife issues is three-pronged. We develop new tools and do scientific research to help solve complicated puzzles. We create place-based partnerships from cities to large forest landscapes so we can develop and implement restoration and reforestation plans. And we build movements that inspire and empower action at a large scale.
Our Approach to Reaching Our Goals
We begin with innovation and science and end with movement building.
Our approach is three-pronged
1. Developing tools and conducting scientific research in our Innovation Lab.
2. Creating partnerships in cities and large forest landscapes.
3. Building movements that inspire change related to two of the most pressing issues of the day: climate change and social equity.
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Plant Trees with American Forests to celebrate a special occasion or to honor a loved one
Every dollar donated plants a tree in a wildland restoration project in one of our priority threatened ecosystems, including the Northern Great Lakes, Northern Rockies and Cascades, and Lower Rio Grande Valley.
Each donation is honored with a personalized electronic certificate for you to present to the recipient of your gift.
Give the Gift of Trees
Plant trees to commemorate any joyous occasion, such as a birthday, wedding, graduation or retirement. Celebrate a beloved friend or family member on Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Christmas or Hanukkah, and preserve the health of the planet for the future.
Give the Gift of Memorial Trees
Trees are a lasting, meaningful tribute and a fitting way to honor a treasured loved one’s life. Your gift will serve as a living, growing memorial, and will add to the beauty of the world, while providing homes and food for wildlife, and clean air and water for future generations.
Plant Trees with American Forests
Want to plant trees with American Forests, but don’t need a certificate? For every dollar you donate, a tree will be planted in a priority threatened forest that we are working hard to restore and preserve.
Become a Partner
Why Partner With American Forests?
With many forests in the United States facing unprecedented threats, there is much to be done to protect existing forests and restore ones that have been destroyed or degraded. American Forests is taking on this challenge by partnering with governments, nonprofit organizations, research institutes, corporations and others. Together, we can create forests that will thrive forever.
DONATE TO AMERICAN FORESTS
CONTACT AMERICAN FORESTS:
American Forests
1220 L Street, NW,
Suite 750
Washington, DC 20005
Telephone: 202.737.1944
Fax: 202.737.2457
