By Liz Harper, American Forests

“Around the World in 80 Trees” is a detailed guide on 80 different tree species, some of which are familiar while others the reader has probably never heard of. The book is described as a collection of “strange and true tales,” but would be more aptly categorized as an assortment of tree biographies. Lucille Clerc’s colorful and botanically accurate illustrations bring to life the meticulous descriptions of each tree’s foliage, stem, fruit and flowers with vivid, detailed flair.

“For me, the most satisfying tree stories are the ones in which a piece of plant science has surprising human ramifications,” writes author Jonathan Drori in his introduction.

Drori stays true to that declaration in his writing. As Drori lays out the histories of various species, both traditionally and in modernity, you get the feeling that he might be something of a tree whisperer himself. While keeping the reader engaged with interesting tidbits — did you know that date palms lack the standard woody tissue that characterizes trees or that white willows contain salicin, a chemical used to make aspirin? — Drori gives the reader the ability to piece together a map of tree diversity around the world through not just the tree species, but through the humans who have discovered and utilized the species over time.

In fact, one of the things that makes Around the World in 80 Trees stand out is its refusal to look at trees and species individually; instead, it examines how tree species have connections to other tree species, as well as the different ways in which trees and humans have interconnected over hundreds and even thousands of years.

Though more than 60,000 species of trees exist, the 80 selected by Drori were selected to illuminate the diversity of trees across continents. As such, the reader gets a snapshot look at would otherwise be too much information for anyone but an expert to contend with. The species are organized by location, making the book feel like a trip around the world in more ways than one as the reader hops from country to country. Occasional footnotes connect certain species with similar properties so the reader has the option to explore the species through what they have in common rather than geographic location.

Though not a book that most would sit down and read cover-to-cover (unless you really, really love trees!), the short vignettes that make up the book create a visually pleasing and easy to read volume full of botanical and cultural information. For casual plant lovers, hobby botanists and even more experienced professionals alike, this rich work is worth the read.

Think you know someone who might like this book? Find it in our Gift Guide!

Washington, D.C. (December 10, 2018) — As the COP24 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Katowice, Poland enters its second week, American Forests is proud to announce it has accepted the invitation to join the U.S. Climate Alliance’s Impact Partnership, an innovative model to engage private sector partners in helping states to craft the most powerful strategies for climate action and climate resilience. Building on past collaboration, American Forests will support the Alliance’s Natural and Working Lands Initiative that is focused on mobilizing forests, farms, and other lands to capture and store carbon.

“The new U.S. Climate Alliance Impact Partnership creates a powerful, collaborative platform that will help states access the best insights and innovations that the private sector can offer,” said Jad Daley, President and CEO of American Forests. “American Forests and our 46 partner organizations in the Forest-Climate Working Group have developed new science-tested approaches and tools to drive forests as a climate change solution, and we are ready to help the courageous states of the U.S. Climate Alliance to lead in this arena.”

U.S. forests and forest products already provide net carbon sequestration equivalent to almost 15 percent of U.S. carbon emissions. New research led by The Nature Conservancy suggests that increased investment in natural climate solutions like forests could make up 37 percent of the additional reductions needed to achieve the climate targets set in the Paris Climate Accord. This immense potential is complicated by the rising stress on forests as a result of climate change, including increased wildfire, which must also be addressed.

“The science is clear. Forests and other natural lands are the swing vote on whether we can overcome climate change,” said Daley. “With the right policies and investment in the health and resilience of natural and working lands, the Climate Alliance states could dramatically increase the power of the land to absorb and store carbon. This will show the way for other states and eventual federal action.”

American Forests’ role in the Impact Partnership will build on past successes in working with the Alliance. In July of 2018, American Forests hosted an unprecedented Natural and Working Lands Learning Lab in Washington, D.C. that drew delegations of state officials and partners from 16 Alliance states. The Lab was staffed with more than 50 leading experts in the field of land-based carbon mitigation from federal and local government, academia, nonprofits, landowners and industry, and has already led to development of new policy proposals and establishment of financing mechanisms. As part of the new Impact Partnership, American Forests expects to host additional Learning Labs on land sector climate action working with fellow impact partners The Nature Conservancy, World Resources Institute, The Trust for Public Land, American Farmland Trust and The Coalition for Agricultural Greenhouse Gases.

American Forests is well positioned to lead this effort. American Forests is the nation’s first forest conservation organization, founded in 1875, and leads the 46-member Forest-Climate Working Group, the nation’s only sector-wide coalition working on forest-based carbon mitigation. Jad Daley of American Forests was the co-founder of the Forest-Climate Working Group in 2007, and has served as co-chair since that time. American Forests has 25 years of experience advancing carbon sequestration through reforestation projects conducted in partnership with federal and state agencies and other partners, having planted more than 60 million trees in all 50 states.

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ABOUT AMERICAN FORESTS

American Forests inspires and advances the conservation of forests, which are essential to life. We do this by protecting and restoring threatened forest ecosystems, promoting and expanding urban forests, and increasing understanding of the importance of forests. Founded in 1875, American Forests is the oldest national nonprofit conservation organization in the country and has served as a catalyst for many key milestones in the conservation movement, including the founding of the U.S. Forest Service, the national forest system and thousands of forest ecosystem restoration projects and public education efforts. Since 1990, American Forests has planted more than 60 million trees in all 50 states and nearly 50 countries, resulting in cleaner air and drinking water, restored habitat for wildlife and fish, and the removal of millions of tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

MEDIA CONTACT

Lea Sloan | Vice President of Communications | 202.370.4509 (direct) | 202.330.3253 (mobile) | lsloan@americanforests.org

Check out what’s been happening in forest and environmental news this week!

In the Blink of an Eye, a Hunt for Oil Threatens Pristine Alaska — New York Times

For decades, the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge has been off limits to drilling. Belief that the largest untapped onshore cache of oil lies beneath the federally protected land, however, has the federal administration looking to remove those protections in order to kick start oil exploration in the area.

Vast forests of dead or stressed trees prompt new federal approach to restoration out West — Washington Post

For years, millions of trees across the West have been dying due to invasive species, disease and wildfires. Now the U.S. Forest Service is pushing a new approach: a controversial 15-year plan that would involve logging, thinning and prescribed burning across 850,000 acres of land.

The Democratic Party Wants to Make Climate Policy Exciting — The Atlantic

The Green New Deal is structured to cut U.S carbon emissions drastically in order to meet the terms of the Paris Agreement and keeping the world from warming nearly three degrees by 2100. Democrats are working to make climate change policy like the Green New Deal compelling in the hopes of garnering enough support to pass policy addressing climate change.

‘We are in trouble.’ Global carbon emissions reached a record high in 2018 — Washington Post

Though the amount of global carbon emissions had mostly plateaued between 2014 and 2016, new data shows that in 2017 global carbon emissions rose by 1.6 percent. By the end of 2018, it is projected that carbon emissions will have increased by another 2.7 percent, confirming that the world is not on track to stop the planet from warming nearly three degrees by 2100.

The radical tools that could save coral reefs — Grist

Coral reefs have been suffering the consequences of climate change for years, with warming ocean waters killing off the extremely sensitive, slow-growing organisms. But in unexpectedly positive news, a committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine has released a report detailing more than 20 techniques that could be implemented to help give coral a fighting chance.

The Screen Actors Guild Awards® is one of the country’s most prized honors, saluting outstanding performances in film and television. Each year, actors are recognized for their artful performances in a great celebration. This year, as part of the SAG Awards’ commitment to environmental sustainability, the organization will join forces with American Forests to plant 25,000 trees in honor of the 25 years the awards have been running. American Forests sat down with Kathy Connell, Executive Producer, SAG Awards & National Programming to discuss the history of the SAG Awards, the partnership, and her connection with nature.

American Forests (AF): Congratulations on 25 years of visionary leadership producing the SAG Awards! A lot has changed in those few decades. What changes to the Awards show have you made that you are proudest of?

Kathy Connell (KC): I am particularly proud of building and leading the team of professionals who work on the SAG Awards. It is a dedicated group of diverse people who make our show welcoming to our guests, our colleagues and the audience at home.

AF: What do you think are your personal strengths that have helped lead to the success of the show?

KC: I am a strong believer in teamwork. I hire people who are excellent in their fields and then give them the space to shine. I am fortunate in that people return to work on the SAG Awards year after year and we have developed a great work family.

AF: What do you envision for the next 25? How do you hope the show evolves?

Kathy enjoys time in the woods with her daughter, Tierney.

KC: The entertainment industry has changed dramatically in the last 25 years, particularly in television. What used to be a handful of major networks is now a profusion of broadcast, cable and streaming services producing hundreds of comedies and dramas that are deservedly in contention. It makes nomination morning exciting.

AF: You’ve been a forward thinker on environmental issues, as well, resulting in the SAG Awards receiving ten consecutive Green Seals from the Environmental Media Association. What inspires your commitment to environmental issues?

KC: Our children. We must protect this precious earth for the generations to come.

AF: What are your thoughts about how to grow the SAG Awards green commitment?

KC: Every year we look for new ways to be green. We just instituted specifications to minimize the packaging on DVDs being sent to our members. Our efforts now save nearly seven tons of paper each year. That’s part of why we’re thrilled to augment what we’re doing by working with American Forest again this year. It is so exciting that AF will be planting 25,000 trees in honor of the SAG Awards 25^th I know that our actors are delighted.

AF: How do you practice your environmental commitment at home?

KC: I drive a hybrid car and minimize waste. Living in southern California I’m particularly conscious of the need to conserve water, so I landscaped my yard with conservation in mind.

AF: In September, Governor Brown signed executive order B-55-18, committing California to total economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2045. While implementation plans are still vague, this means that all California businesses may eventually have to offset the use of any fossil fuel. This would include events and awards ceremonies such as the SAG Awards. How do you think this will affect the film and television business in general?

KC: I envision more carbon neutral vehicles and more use of materials that can be reused and recycled. I also believe greener technologies will become more common, like the zero-emission, hydrogen fuel cell-powered power and lighting we use on our Red Carpet.

AF: How do you think people in the film and television business could serve as important leaders in rising to meet these changes?

KC: I believe our industry members have already shown significant leadership and will continue to do so.

AF: What role has the natural world played in your and/or your family’s life? Do you have a story about a special forested place that affected you or left an impact on you?

KC: When my daughter was young we spent many wonderful holidays with our friends in the mountains. We would take the kids and dogs for lovely hikes through the Sequoia National Forest.

AF: Do you have a favorite tree? Which one? Why?

KC: Certainly the Sequoia, which I call “the grandparents.” And birch trees. My family had birches when I was growing up in the Northeast, and to see the leaves turning in the fall is always a thrill for me.

AF: Anything else you’d like to share?

KC: Just my gratitude for the work American Forest does. With the terrible forest fires California has experienced these last few years your work is more important than ever.

Kathy Connell is the Executive Producer, SAG Awards & National Programming. 

Stay tuned for the next in our Q&A series with SAG Awards staff and leaders! The 25th Annual SAG Awards ceremony will be nationally simulcast live on TNT and TBS on Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019 at 8 p.m. (ET) / 5 p.m. (PT).

By Liz Harper, American Forests

Now that Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday have passed, the holiday season is in full swing. Didn’t get all of your gifts yet? Take a look at some of the products on our gift guide, which features gifts that give back from some of our amazing corporate partners.

In addition to great products that your friends and family will love, the list includes some promo codes and deals exclusively for American Forests’ supporters (that’s you!). Many of these gifts also directly impact our restoration efforts, so you can support our forests while doing your holiday shopping.

Be sure to check out our full 2018 gift guide for even more great gifts!

Accessories

Eco Water Bottles; Tree Tribe – $28

This sleek, insulated and indestructible water bottle is ready to go with you on all of your adventures.

Shop Now

Apparel

Buffalo Plaid Scarf (White or Red) – $75.50

This warm, cozy scarf, made of cashmere and wool, will keep you warm and stylish all winter long.

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Books and Stationery

Ocean Blue Passion Planner – $35

This tasteful Passion Planner includes sustainably sourced paper and a faux leather cover, as well as everything you need to keep track of your busy schedule.

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Home

Gratitude for Nature Calendar – $48-$50

This beautiful wooden calendar will remind you to appreciate nature even on your busiest days.

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Recreation

Beginner’s Essentials Glass Beadmaking Kit – $99

Ready to try your hand at a new hobby? This kit will teach you everything you need to know to make your own glass beads.

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Wellness

Sonoma County Wine Trio – $17-$22

Wine always makes the holidays brighter, and Rodney Strong Vineyards is committed to sustainable practices in their winemaking.

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Check out what’s going on in forest and environmental news this week!

Real vs. Artificial Christmas Trees: Which Is the Greener Choice? — New York Times

As the holiday season begins, it’s also the season of the Christmas tree. When deciding whether to get a real or an artificial tree this year, consider that cutting down a live tree isn’t always bad for the environment.

The Three Most Chilling Conclusions From the Climate Report — The Atlantic

The climate change report released by the current administration on Black Friday has drummed up a lot of news, but if you don’t have time to read the 1,656-page report at least check out some of the more important conclusions within its pages.

New Math: Climate Change = More Fire = More Climate Change — Medium

“It is time to peer through the smoke and see escalating wildfires for what they are — a climate change-driven vicious cycle that threatens our future,” writes Jad Daley, president and CEO of American Forests.

How Extreme Weather Is Shrinking the Planet — The New Yorker

Wildfire, rising sea levels and heat waves are threatening large expanses of land. Take an in-depth look at how this extreme weather affects people and organisms worldwide.

Wildfires bring climate’s dark forces to the stratosphere — Phys.org

Black carbon particles released by wildfires can reach the stratosphere and influence regional climate by inducing strong local heating, which could mean wildfire’s impact on our atmosphere is even stronger than scientists had previously realized.