A bi-partisan group of seventy-nine Members of Congress , led by Reps. Kurt Schrader (D-OR) and Bob Goodlatte (R-VA), sent a letter to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) asking the Council to change its green building rating system to grant a "certified wood credit" for wood products produced from all of the major third-party forest certification systems in the U.S. Currently, wood products from the over 84 million acres of forests in the U.S. certified by the American Tree Farm System  and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative  are not recognized in LEED's "certified wood credit."  Read the letter and press release.

Sens. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) and Jon Kyl (R-AZ) have introduced a proposal that will greatly improve the estate tax for family forest owners. The federal estate tax often forces families to sell their land to developers, or harvest their timber unsustainably, to pay taxes. Read Sen. Lincoln's blog and AFF's letter of support.

Environmental education, outdoor learning and forest conservation are essential to efforts to protect "America's Great Outdoors." Senior Administration officials hear from tree farmers and environmental educators in a series of listening sessions being held around the country. Read AFF's press releases and blog.

2011 is the Year of Forests. What can you do?
Please tell us what activity you can do in 2011 which is Year of Forests. Your feedback is important as we plan activities for the year to bring attention to America's private forests and woodlands! TAKE THE SURVEY

The Role of Forests in a Healthy Outdoor Strategy
America's private forests and working landscapes are vital to America's economic, environmental and social wellbeing. Providing essential benefits such as clean water, wildlife habitat, carbon storage and recreation to millions of citizens, family forests are fundamental to maintaining America's conservation ethic and reconnecting people with nature. READ MORE

NEW! Environmental Experiences for Early Childhood
Just as more attention is being focused on the need to connect students to nature at a younger age, Project Learning Tree releases a new curriculum guide and music CD for early childhood educators to engage children ages 3 to 6 in outdoor exploration and play. Eleven field-tested, hands-on activities showcase over 130 “early childhood experiences” which integrate investigations of nature with art, literature, math, music, and movement. READ MORE