Author: Site Owner

By Austin Bosworth, American Forests

A budget is more than just money: It is a representation of priorities and opportunities. Appropriations funds enable us to fight wildfires, protect endangered species and even help forests threatened by diseases and invasive species. The power to make changes in our environment and defend the things we love is unlocked through fair and balanced allocations — neither of which describe the new administration’s skinny budget.

The word “skinny” in skinny budget specifies that it is a broad and general plan for appropriations, lacking any lengthy explanations; ironically, it also aptly describes what it could do to the funding that protects our forests and wildlife. The U.S. Department of Agriculture would be cut by 21 percent under the new plan, which, if spread evenly across all USDA departments, will decimate the U.S. Forest Service budget by $1.5 billion. The skinny budget does specify that wildlands fire management will remain fully funded at 100 percent of the 10-year average. On the surface this sounds like good news, but this means that all non-fire programs could be diminished even further, to make up the 21-percent cut.

If the wildfire funding issue is not fixed, other programs within the Forest Service could face further cuts because of “borrowed” funds being re-allocated to wildfire suppression.

These programs include the Cooperative Forestry Programs, which help protect private forests, establish urban forestry programs in cities, ensure watershed quality and so much more. The Land and Water Conservation Fund would also be staring down the barrel, threatening its “bipartisan commitment to safeguard natural areas, water resources and our cultural heritage, and to provide recreation opportunities to all Americans.” In addition to these cuts, if the wildfire funding issue is not fixed, more funds will be “borrowed” from these accounts to make up the costs of wildfire suppression, as the 10-year average was not enough in 12 of the last 15 years.

In 2016, the National Park Service made it possible for 330 million people to witness the grandeur of the American landscape — a new record by almost 10%. This is lost on the President’s budget, however, with a 12-percent cut to the Department of the Interior. One of the most important aspects of a national park experience is the people who make that experience special, and this budget reduction would prevent 1,000 seasonal rangers, law enforcement officers, firefighters and maintenance staff from coming back to the parks this year. Without them, smaller parks will close to prevent the larger parks from experiencing debilitating staff shortages. This is only half the story, unfortunately. The cut would reduce forest habitat stewardship on many national wildlife refuges, while also hindering visitor accessibility and adversely impacting vital habitat for wildlife — including species at risk of extinction.

It’s not just the men and women working in the landscapes that will no longer be on the frontlines, but also the regulators who ensure water quality, air purity and safeguards against pollution. The Environmental Protection Agency would receive a 31-percent cut by the administration’s skinny budget, meaning a loss of 3,200 workers and $2.4 billion from its budget. In reality, this will have a much more devastating effect, because much of that money is matched and leveraged by state programs. These programs fund things like water infrastructure grants, which, for example, maintain the 400-mile journey the California aqueduct makes from the Sierra Nevada Mountains to southern California. More than 50 EPA programs are threatened by this budget, programs that fund everything from climate research to coastal cleanups — like the Chesapeake Bay cleanup project, which would lose all $73 million in funding.

This newly proposed budget defines the President’s priorities. Priorities that do not include protecting endangered wildlife, mitigating pollution or restoring our forests. Not only is this budget drastic in nature, it is also reckless — at a time when climate scientists are documenting increasing rates of climate change, America’s forests and wildlife should be at the forefront of our government’s concerns. Without their attention, our beautiful and wild backyards will be less beautiful, less wild and less protected.

Visit our Action Center and send letters to your senators and representatives letting them know that cuts like these do not belong in Congress’ budget.

By Lindsay Seventko, American Forests

Palm oil plantation deforestation in Indonesia. Credit: glennhurowitz via Flickr.

Trying to choose the most forest-friendly options while shopping can be confusing and exhausting. If you’re trying to protect forests through your purchases but aren’t sure where to begin, here’s a simple list of do’s and don’ts when you’re out shopping for clothing and groceries.

Forest–Friendly Fashion

Every year, 100 million trees are cut down for fabric production alone, and tons of toxic waste are dumped into rivers and streams. The World Bank estimates that 20 percent of all industrial pollution stems from the production of fabrics. Some of the most important forests in the world are those most affected by the textile industry — northern boreal forests, coastal temperate rainforests and tropical rainforests.

Don’t worry, choosing a forest-friendly wardrobe doesn’t have to mean giving up a fashionable wardrobe — many trendsetting brands are prioritizing the switch to more sustainable fabrics. Nevertheless, shopping for forest-friendly clothing can be confusing as there are countless contradictory opinions on which fabrics are the most environmentally friendly and plenty of misleading marketing campaigns. Here are a few guidelines to get you started in the right direction.

1. Rayon is one of the worst offenders in forest-damaging fabrics, as it comes directly from wood products that often don’t have verified supply chains and may use pulp from illegally logged endangered or ancient forests, which is then processed using hazardous chemicals. Many consumers don’t realize that bamboo, typically marketed as a sustainable, safe fabric, is actually rayon. Created by processing with toxic chemicals, bamboo fabrics don’t actually have any of the organic matter identity of the bamboo that was used as the raw material and are instead a highly processed conglomerate of highly toxic chemicals. Aside from rayon, avoid mixed fabrics as they are nearly impossible to recycle or repurpose after their wearable life.
2. Optimize your forest-friendly purchase by picking a garment that has already been recycled! Many brands, including higher fashion labels now offer recycled polyester made out of repurposed water bottles or old garments that make like-new, beautiful fabrics without the entire impact of creating a new piece of fabric. If you can’t find the piece you want in a recycled fabric, prioritize a first-generation garment that is created out of a single material, so that it can be recycled once its wear life is over.
3. Pick organic cotton, or if possible hemp, which requires half the land per ton to grow than cotton does, which decreases the demand for deforestation, and also uses 50 percent less water than cotton does.

Forest–Friendly Food

1. Pam oil, found in 40-50 percent of household products, contributes to 300 football-field-sized swaths of rainforest being cut down every hour, which often requires the clearing of old-growth forests and the displacement of subsistence farmers. This deforestation has also contributed to a 90 percent loss of orangutan habitat, declared a conservation emergency by the UN. To help break this pattern of deforestation, avoid consumer products that include palm oil as a base (like many cleaning supplies, prepackaged food and cooking oils). Instead, shop for brands that don’t use palm oil, and cook with a less damaging option like olive oil.
2. The average coffee drinker consumes three cups of coffee a day, and this daily habit requires the annual harvest of 18 coffee trees to produce those three cups. This demand encourages farmers to slash and burn large swaths of the Amazon rainforest in order to grow the coffee shrubs, which increases water insecurity and escalates nutrient loss until the soil is infertile and the farmer is forced to move on to a new patch of rainforest. Similarly, chocolate is often planted under direct sunlight for ease and harvest maximization, but can also be grown in the shade. In fact, 50-60 percent of biodiversity loss in Papua New Guinea and Madagascar has been attributed to habitat loss from cocoa plantation deforestation. In order to encourage forest-friendly practices, try out shade-grown coffee blends and chocolate products grown by farmers who plant underneath the rainforest canopy.
3. Let’s face it — many people find meat delicious. Conversations about the negative effects of meat consumption inevitably leave people uncomfortable. But, the fact remains: to save more forests, buy less animal products. Eighty percent of deforestation in Brazil can be attributed to the demands of cattle ranching, and 33 percent of the world’s entire cultivated land goes toward producing animal feed. As the earth’s population only continues to increase, the demands of agriculture threaten to exponentially increase deforestation rates. In this context, eating less meat would allow more land to directly go towards growing food for direct human consumption. If you aren’t up for going vegetarian, consider cutting meat out of a specified number of meals per week.

As forest conservation becomes more of a pressing issue around the world, it has become easier to shop for forest-friendly alternatives to standard products. Making a few switches in your typical purchasing patterns can discourage businesses who are the highest deforestation offenders and be a small step towards protecting forests.

By Lindsay Seventko, American Forests

Spring is here, and it is time to begin planning your spring landscaping and gardening projects. Many people look at the trees in their yard as purely landscaping accessories. But, going beyond merely aesthetic planting, cultivating a mini forest around your home will not only increase urban canopy, but also help you save money on your bills. If you’re passionate about increasing forests, decreasing your carbon footprint and saving money, these tips are for you!

The Department of Energy estimates that strategically planting only three trees around your home can reduce energy costs by up to $250 annually. Imagine what a small forest can do! Begin by planting tall deciduous trees to the west that will shade your home during the summer, but will also allow warming sunshine through in the winter when the leaves fall off. This method of planting alone will cut your energy bills by about 3 percent in five years, and by about 12 percent with 15-year-old, mature trees.

Conversely, place evergreens to the north of your home where they will block the cold winter wind. Plant 2-5 times the height of the trees in distance away from the house to maximize the wind barrier and protect your entire home from the effects of wild chill.

Smaller trees that are closer to the house should be situated to directly shade the air conditioning unit. This strategy alone can improve efficiency by 10 percent. Also, cluster stands of trees around the driveway and patio, cooling the pavement and concrete.

It’s important to remember to avoid planting too close to power lines, utilities or your home’s foundation. Keep the full height and spread of trees at least 10 feet away from power or utility lines in case a problem with utilities requires digging, which may damage tree roots.

These simple strategies of planting around your home can save up to a quarter of your energy bill! Using these tips to create an urban forest in your yard will not only offset your carbon footprint and create a beautiful urban forest area, but also return back the cost of investment in years of energy bill savings.

By Kate Kirlin, American Forests

Are you interested in nature photography, but don’t know how to get started? Here are some helpful tips for beginners in the art!

1. Plan accordingly.
   A good pair of hiking shoes or boots can go a long way. Be sure to dress appropriately for the weather. Layering is the ideal way to make sure you stay warm, but can cool off easily. Take safety precautions. Check rules and regulations for the location you are going to shoot. Bring a buddy or let someone know where you are going.
2. Get familiar with your camera’s settings.
   Shooting in RAW (uncompressed images) produces the best quality photos. Use the lowest ISO possible, so you can bring more light to your image. But, make sure you adjust your shutter speed to compensate. Practice at home before going out!
3. Bring the right equipment.
   Unless you have a very steady hand or are planning on going for a blurred effect, a tripod is recommended. If you don’t have one, the ground, a rock or a tree branch can be used to steady your camera. If none are available, keep your arms tight against your body and hold the camera as close to you as possible to get the most stabilization. If it’s a sunny day, a lens hood can be a good way to prevent glare in your photos. Likewise, if it’s raining, a waterproof cover for your camera is important.
4. You don’t need a fancy Nikon or Canon to shoot.
   While they may capture some amazing images, if you can’t afford to invest in a DSLR, a camera phone can still do the trick. With technology constantly advancing, your iPhone or Android can take some incredible pictures. Knowing how to use it to its fullest potential can produce great images!
5. Use the rule of thirds.
   The rule of thirds is a golden rule in photography. Imagine the image is cut equally in to 9 sections divided by two equal vertical and horizontal lines. Each intersecting line is where the eye usually falls. Placing your subject on the intersecting lines or in one of the squares can make for a more dynamic photo.
6. Don’t get too close.
   Animals can frighten easily. You don’t want to scare off your subject, so, when photographing wildlife, make sure you are at the appropriate distance.
7. Get a new perspective.
   Looking at your subject in a new way can produce more interesting photos. Get a higher vantage point, get lower to the ground or play around with framing.
8. Patience is key.
   Since it’s best not to disturb animals in their habitat, you might have to be patient to get your shot. Waiting a few extra minutes can really be worth it. Don’t get discouraged! Study the animal or do a bit of research before you go out to better understand its behavior.
9. Have fun!
   Getting a breath of fresh air can do wonders. Even if you don’t get the shot you were hoping for, try to enjoy the moment.
10. Don’t give up!
    Remember, patience is key. Photographing animals or the right moment in nature can be frustrating sometimes. With lots of practice, you will start to notice improvements in your photos. I know I’m still learning every time I’m in the field!

Good luck out there!

By Maverick Ryan, American Forests

Recently, a growing portion of Congress has become eager to amend, or “modernize,” the Endangered Species Act (ESA). Many congressional members have cited that only 3 percent of species have been delisted, implying the ESA has been a failure. What has not been mentioned is that 98 percent of species placed on the Endangered or Threatened Species Lists have been successfully protected from extinction, placed on the road to recovery, or up-listed from “endangered” to “threatened.” While some may consider 3 percent over 45 years to be an insufficient amount of success for restoring endangered species, it’s actually quite remarkable, considering the centuries of habitat loss and fragmentation due to human development as well as the additional threats such as drought, invasive species, increased fire and pest outbreaks.

The ESA was signed into law by President Richard Nixon on December 28, 1973. In the president’s own words, “This important measure grants the Government both the authority to make early identification of endangered species and the means to act quickly and thoroughly to save them from extinction”[i]. President Nixon has been proven correct over the 40-year lifespan of the measure; the ESA has become the international gold standard for conservation of endangered species.

The ESA works as it should; dismantling it or changing large portions of it should not be the goal of any Congressional member. The best solution to increase the effectiveness of the ESA would be to increase funding for habitat protection and restoration, in addition to allocating more resources to programs that get out in front of species endangerment, like the State and Tribal Wildlife Grants Program (STWGP).

The STWGP is designed to keep species from being listed under the ESA by providing states and tribes grants intended to aid in projects meant to protect “species of the greatest conservation need.” By preemptively targeting those species who show demonstrated need for conservation help, we can lessen the prevalence of species petitioning to be listed under the ESA.

The mechanisms to make species conservation more efficient already exist within the framework of our government, they just need the resources to be able to function properly. Congress should employ a complementary two-pronged approach, providing more funding to the ESA, to ensure conservation  measures, like habitat protection and restoration, take place and increase the likelihood of species being recovered and delisted, as well as supporting the STWGP, to ensure that we aren’t only trying to pull species back from the brink of extinction, but also employing preventative measures to make sure that species don’t need to be listed under the ESA in the first place.

Interested in letting your Congressional members know that you’d like them to protect the ESA? Head to our Action Center where you can send this and other letters related to our forest policy priorities.

[i] http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/?pid=4090

By Lindsay Seventko, American Forests

View from Highway 149. Credit: David via Flickr.

The Silver Thread Scenic Byway runs through dense forests of towering spruce right in the heart of a wildlife corridor that connects several national parks in the Rocky Mountains. Passing high alpine waterfalls, crossing rushing mountain rivers and winding past scenic vistas, the highway once known as “The Green Tunnel” journeys through several historic mining towns that are the perfect jumping-off point for outdoor adventure seekers. But, in recent years, a rampant spruce beetle epidemic and devastating wildfire have threatened both the wildland habitat and the rural towns.

In 2010, spruce beetles laid siege to the forest, destroying nearly all of the spruce trees that measured more than three inches in diameter. Three years later, several wildfires ravaged more than 100,000 acres nearby.

Now, the Silver Thread Scenic Byway would better be described as the gray tunnel, as tens of thousands of acres of dead forest greet you on the drive through the mountains. This loss of habitat, while concerning for aesthetic purposes, may also have much more serious consequences than the loss of a scenic view.

The threatened Canada lynx, moose and wintering elk herds may decrease in numbers without this essential wildlife corridor connecting their habitats. Furthermore, the highway is the only main road through the town of Lake City, Colo. raising concerns that another large wildfire may trap the townspeople without an evacuation route with devastating consequences. Even if another wildfire doesn’t strike the town, the graying of the forests may spell disaster for Lake City’s outdoor tourism-based economy.

To address these growing concerns, American Forests partnered with the U.S. Forest Service last spring to restore a portion of the scenic area to its former green glory. First, 438 acres of dead timber were removed and a fuel break was put in along the scenic byway to help protect the town of Lake City from the threat of future wildfires. A group of volunteers from the town then gathered at a kick-off planting to reforest the formerly dead areas with Engelmann spruce saplings, which are native to the area and also the favored habitat of the lynx and moose. After the initial symbolic planting, the remainder of 100 acres were replanted.  The U.S. Forest Service plans to replant an additional 250 acres in 2017.

Since the restored areas are highly visible from the Silver Thread Scenic Byway and several trails crisscross near the planting site, recreationists will have plenty of opportunities to witness and enjoy the effects of the reforestation. As the trees mature over the coming years, the highway may once again be framed by towering, lush green spruce, the lynx, moose and elk will enjoy more habitat to roam throughout the wildlife corridor and the community of Lake City can be more secure in its physical and economic wellbeing.