Walk in Your Woods! SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2011

Treat Your Family, Friends and Neighbors to a Walk in Your Woods! SATURDAY, MAY 21, 2011

You’d be hard-pressed to find someone who doesn’t love to take a walk in woods. And yet, the hectic pace and overcrowded schedules that too many Americans juggle, leaves too little time to appreciate nature. Despite the fact that most Americans say trees in their communities enhance their quality of life, getting out there in those trees can be tough to fit in.

That’s why the American Forest Foundation has designated the third Saturday in May as National Walk in the Woods Day™. This year, it’s Saturday, May 21. We’ve also designated this national day to acknowledge the dedication of Tree Farmers who are the stewards of America’s woodlands. You deserve a day to show off what your commitment to sustainable forest management and America’s forest heritage has accomplished!

We hope that as part of the American Tree Farm System you will use May 21 as an opportunity to invite family, friends and neighbors to your property to take a walk in the woods. May 21 is a chance to set aside some time to share with others the joys and rewards of caring for your woodlands. It’s also an opportunity to help other people who don’t own woodlands understand why caring for America’s family forests is so important.

We’d like to offer you some suggestions on how to prepare for a safe and enjoyable day in the woods – no matter how many people you might want to invite.

May 21, 2011 is a special day for you to celebrate your woods. Enjoy! Let us in on the fun! Go to www.facebook.com/pages/American-Tree-Farm-System/252960535555?ref=mf and post your story about your Walk in the Woods!

As part of the U.S. celebration of the International Year of Forests, other organizations who care about America’s forests are also encouraging their supporters to get out in the woods to celebrate all the benefits our forests provide us, each and every day. For more information about Celebrate Forests! activities go to www.celebrateforests.org.

National Walk in the Woods Day 1 Tools – Thinking small?

If you only have time for a small event, or something that has minimal planning, these steps will help you plan a fun and effortless walk in your woods.

1. Who do you want to invite • Maybe it’s just your family, your children or grandchildren? Perhaps friends that you have talked with about your woods for years.

2. What do you want to share? • Do you want to show a recent accomplishment? For example, recently built bat boxes, a newly thinned area or restored wetlands? • Do you have a unique feature on your property? For example, a historical site, grave yard, or a favorite rock outcropping? • Your favorite trail?

3. Where do you want to go in your woods? • Is the area you want to share accessible? • How will you get there? • Are bathroom facilities accessible if necessary?

4. Plan for a safe walk By sharing your Tree Farm with others you can help spread the word about the importance of family forests to wildlife, clean water, recreation and wood products. We want to encourage you and your guests to enjoy the day safely. Some items to check include: • Make sure there are no low hanging tree limbs blocking the path of your walk. • Walk your woods ahead of time: Make sure that the trail is in good shape and there is safe and sound footing for your guests. Think about what you can highlight on the walk. • Offer an alternative path if the walk goes near a water’s edge. • Ensure young children are supervised at all times. • Make sure restricted areas are clearly marked. • Pay particular attention if your guests will be using motorized equipment such as all-terrain vehicles or farm tractors. Will there be equipment that guests may need hard hats or safety goggles? • Review your property’s insurance policy and/or seek professional legal advice for specifics to your property.

As a landowner, you will incur some risk when people are on your property. For more information, you can review Timberland Liability: Are You at Risk? in the Nov/Dec 2009 issue of Tree Farmer Magazine.

5. Teach the Children – and have fun too! Project Learning Tree®, the environmental education program of the American Forest Foundation, has lots of fun activities to do with children—and adults! Check out www.forestfoundation.org/familyactivities for a list of activities that are perfect for a walk in the woods with family.

6. Have fun and enjoy your walk in the woods Relax and enjoy the day, after all—you’ve worked hard in these woods, it’s time to show them off!

2 National Walk in the Woods Day Tools - Thinking large?

You’ve had your friends and family over and now you are ready to share your woods with an even wider audience. Perhaps a local Scout Troop or youth group is looking for a field trip? Your state legislature is discussing a bill that would affect your woods and could benefit from seeing first-hand sustainable forest management? Or your forester has asked you to share your property with other local landowners? Follow these steps and you can feel confident in planning an event that will highlight your woods and the good work you do.

1. Create your guest list If you are interested in a larger group, consider including: • neighbors • family • colleagues • students • children/Scout groups • natural resource professionals • government officials • local groups you are a member of • church members • other business leaders in your community

2. What do you want to share? Based on your audience, you may have one or more objectives. • teach a specific management activity • share an overall appreciation for ecosystems and the dynamics of nature • address a “hot” issue or provide general overviews

3. Where do you want to go in your woods? Likely there are numerous locations on your Tree Farm that are not necessarily “on the beaten trail.” • Does the site showcase what you want to share with your guests? • Is it easily accessible by foot? • Have you conducted special management activities on a particular site? • Are bathroom amenities available? • Is there room for vehicles at the meeting point location?

4. Be Counted! Saturday, May 21, 2011 is National Walk in The Woods Day™ and special day set aside to celebrate America’s forests and to be counted as someone who cares about America’s forest heritage. However, if you cannot commit to the day, consider a date that best highlights your forest. • Take advantage of colorful autumn foliage. • Look at school schedules. • Coordinate a date to tie in with spring’s Arbor Day or Earth Day. • Does your community have a ‘special’ day that is locally celebrated?

5. Develop a plan Do not hesitate to contact the forester who helps you manage your property for assistance in your walk in the woods. Support can also come from American Tree Farm System members and volunteer foresters (www.treefarmsystem.org/ stateleaders), Project Learning Tree® trained facilitators or educators (www.plt.org/cms/pages/25_120_0.html), local naturalists and forestry colleagues, an Extension forester, a local university or high school resource instructor. • Decide what your want to show, and what you want your guests to learn at that site(s). • Consider hosting a picnic lunch, catered by your family, a local restaurant, or other co-hosting organization. • Check with a local seed/tree nursery about donations of seedlings or seed packets. • Contact local media; usually they are receptive to radio, newspaper and/or television coverage. • Consider seeking local sponsors, with whom you do forestry or other business, for support to offset the costs of the day.

National Walk in the Woods Day 3 6. Layout locations/field stops • Take a pruning saw and shears to the wood and trim vegetation in strategic places so visitors—young or old can make their way along the path. • Make certain that the central meeting point has enough room for the expected number of vehicles to park, and to turn around. If it is a field, do you need to mow it to reduce fire hazard from the vehicles? • Decide if the walk will be led by you, by another professional, or will be self guided. • Have maps available that help your guests know where they are and where they are going. • Is anyone trained in CPR? Do you have water stations? These are important to ensure a safe and enjoyable walk.

7. Plan for a Safe Walk By sharing your Tree Farm with others you can help spread the word about the importance of family forests to wildlife, clean water, recreation and wood products. We want to encourage you and your guests to enjoy the day safely. A few items to check: • Make sure there are no low hanging tree limbs blocking the path of your walk. • Walk your woods ahead of time: Make sure that the trail is in good shape and there is safe and sound footing for your guests. Think about what you can highlight on the walk. • Offer an alternative path if the walk goes near a water’s edge. • Ensure young children are supervised at all times. • Make sure restricted areas are clearly marked. • May particular attention if your guests will be using motorized equipment such as all-terrain vehicles or farm tractors. Will there equipment that guests may need hard hats or safety goggles? • Review your property’s insurance policy and/or seek professional legal advice for specifics to your property.

8. Teach the Children – and have fun too! Project Learning Tree®, the environmental education program of the American Forest Foundation, has lots of fun activities to do with children—and adults! Check out www.forestfoundation.org/familyactivities for a list of activities that are perfect for a walk in the woods with family.

Suggested Schedule for Planning:

Four to six weeks in advance 1. Extend your invitations • Provide a list: wear long pants; bring insect repellent if desired; a hat can keep the bugs off and provide protection from the sun. • Share the itinerary, the time, the who, what, when, where, and why • Ask for an RSVP • Determine if you need to serve/have refreshments, provide restroom facilities, etc.

2. Develop pre-site packets • Include a map of the walk. • Provide a briefing paper on forestry terms they are likely to hear. • Have photographs of “before and after” management. • Provide a list of supporters of the walk.

Two weeks in advance 1. Do a dress rehearsal! • Calculate the time of the walk and between stops. • Take a special look for hazards or obstacles, safety issues, and distractions. • Ask yourself: Does the walk and the talk meet your objectives? • Check on the lunch arrangements and other coordinating details.

Day of event 1. Relax and enjoy the day—you’ve earned it!

4 National Walk in the Woods Day