American Forests

US non profit organization

American Forests is a 501(c)(3) non profit conservation organization, established in 1875, and dedicated to protecting and restoring healthy forest ecosystems. The current headquarters are in Washington, D. C.

The mission of American Forests is "Creating Healthy and Resilient Forests, from Cities to Wilderness, that Deliver Essential Benefits for Climate, People, Water and Wildlife." American Forests' activities comprise four separate program areas: rural forest restoration, equitable tree canopy in cites, the National Register of Champion Trees, and forest policy. In addition, the organization publishes a quarterly magazine.

Across North America, millions of acres of native forests have been lost or degraded by disasters like wildfires, pests, and disease, as well as human actions like mining, development, and widespread clearing for unsustainable practices. Forest restoration can bring native forests back — and all the natural benefits they provide society — while also creating green jobs.

Through their Tree Equity program, American Forests is responding to this challenge by leading the move for Tree Equity in cities across America. They partner with city leaders and community groups (22 cities and counting) to develop science based urban forestry programs to grow and maintain tree canopy in neighborhoods that have fallen behind. They advocate for and fund urban forestry, launch high impact planting projects, build public awareness, and lead national efforts to increase federal, state, and local funding for urban forestry projects.

American Forests enlists hundreds of volunteers in the United States to locate, protect, and register the largest trees, and to educate the public about the benefits of mature trees and forests. It is active in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and has been used as a model for many state big tree programs and several international ones, in places such as Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and Mexico. More than 750 U. S. champions are crowned each year and documented in its biannual publication, the National Register of Champion Trees. For more than 70 years, the goal of the program has remained: to preserve and promote the iconic stature of these living monarchs and to educate people about the key role that these remarkable trees and forests play in sustaining a healthy environment.

The organization also works to advocate for the protection and restoration of rural and urban forests through public policy, and engage members of a community in the management of their natural resources through various community coalitions.