National Forest Foundation Launches Public Awareness Campaign

On Monday, July 16 the nation watched a touching reminder that our National Forests are places worth protecting. Featuring the beautiful voices of the PS 22 chorus, the National Forest Foundation’s (NFF) national PSA aired on Destination America, a Discovery Communication’s network. The PSA highlights the importance and urgency of caring for America’s National Forests.

“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.”

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

On the Tongass, the NFF has been working to unite diverse stakeholders in Southeast Alaska, nurture community capacity to engage in resource stewardship, and support on-the-ground watershed restoration. Projects will improve fish habitat and the ecological condition of critical salmon streams.

To help raise awareness for National Forests and the Treasured Landscapes around the country, the NFF facebook page will begin to feature a campaign site each week, beginning with the Tongass National Forest this week.

Visit www.friendsoftheforest.org to become a Friend of the Forest.