FORESTSAMERICAN WINTER/SPRING 2017 Forests in Focus Photo Contest Winners SEE THE STUNNING PHOTOGRAPHY THAT EARNED TOP HONORS IN OUR SECOND ANNUAL FORESTS IN FOCUS PHOTO CONTEST Join me and American Forests for 5 days For more information, visit and 4 nights in breathtaking Acadia. We will americanforests.org/Acadia2017. hike though beautiful fall foliage, take a horse drawn carriage down the roads constructed by Rockefeller and enjoy steamed lobster on the beach, plus much more! Matthew Boyer, Expedition Host JASPERDO Full-Pg-Ad_Acadia Trip_Winter17_C.indd 1 1/2/17 1:45 PM VOL 123 NO 1 CONTENTS WINTER/SPRING 2017 Departments 2 Offshoots A word from our president & CEO 4 Treelines From D.C. to Pittsburgh to Cleveland, here’s what we’ve been up to in the field and on the Hill. Plus, FOREST FRONTIERS: Jason Weller, Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, relates the biggest challenges facing forests as well as stories from his years in the field. 24 16 ) © LOUIS-M.LANDRY; FOR THE LOVE OF TREES © AMANDA JOY MASON; JOHN GIFFORD MASON; JOY OF TREES © AMANDA THE LOVE FOR ) © LOUIS-M.LANDRY; NEW ONLINE: Follow us on social media for immediate updates, news and stories about forest conservation. WASHINGTON OUTLOOK: ACER SACCHARUM ACER A look towards the new administration. Plus, we’ve highlighted some of the recent successes and failures for forest policy. 40 Forests in Focus See the stunning photography that earned top honors in our second annual Forests in Focus photo contest. 46 Earthkeepers 40 32 PIONEER IN AMERICAN FORESTS’ BOARDROOM Read the inspiring story of Features American Forests’ first woman board member and former chairman of the Board of Directors, Hester Turner. 16 24 32 Edible Trees: Rambling The Cross 48 Last Look Gorgeous photography from our Foraging for around the Timbers: The 2016 Forests in Focus Grand Food from Big Lake: The Ancient Forest Prize Winner, Garret Suhrie. Forests Lake Superior at America’s By Jesse Vernon Trail Circle Tour Crossroads Discover many forgotten ways in By Bob Marr By John Gifford which trees can provide food for us, including both delicious treats Come along on a journey tracing How a unique forest ecosystem and survival resources. the shores of Lake Superior with in Oklahoma tells a story of the a personal guide to some of the American West’s history and, today, best sites and attractions to see serves as a coveted piece of nature COVER PHOTO: GARRET SUHRIE THIS PAGE, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: LAKE SUPERIOR © JANET MARR; SUGAR MAPLE LEAVES ( MARR; SUGAR MAPLE LEAVES LAKE SUPERIOR © JANET LEFT: FROM TOP CLOCKWISE GARRET SUHRIE THIS PAGE, PHOTO: COVER along the way. in the center of a city. AMERICANFORESTS.ORG WINTER/SPRING 2017 | 1 offshoots Rocky Mountain National Park YINGAHI LU cabinet and senior staff picks, signal a The Path Ahead clear change in direction in environ- mental policy and practice. How and BY SCOTT STEEN whether the new administration fol- lows through on these signals remains ON JANUARY 20, 2017, Don- fearful — about what this to be seen. ald Trump was sworn in as the election will mean for our Regardless of the administration’s 45th president of the United efforts to care for our land actions, American Forests’ mission States after one of the most and the health of the planet. and core activities will remain the divisive campaign seasons in There is certainly reason same. We will continue to inspire and American history. America for concern. The new presi- advance the conservation of forests. remains deeply divided about dent’s public statements We will continue to protect and the new administration and on climate change, fossil restore threatened forest ecosystems, many in the conservation fuels, the Environmental promote and expand urban forests and and environmental communities are Protection Agency and public land increase understanding of the impor- deeply concerned — or downright use, combined with his first round of tance forests. And, we will continue to 2 | WINTER/SPRING 2017 AMERICANFORESTS.ORG EDITORIAL STAFF Publisher Scott Steen Editorial Director Lea Sloan Managing Editor Ashlan Bonnell Contributing Editor work with anyone — the new admin- ship in coalitions that include many Christopher Horn istration, federal agencies and state, of the other national conservation and Editorial Assistant Doyle Irvin local and community partners — who environmental groups. These groups Art Direction and Design can help us advance these goals. share many of our interests and will be Brad Latham American Forests has remained a key part of our strategy over the next American Forests (ISSN 0002-8541) is published quarterly by American Forests, 1220 L St. NW, nonpartisan since our inception, four years. Suite 750 Washington, DC 20005. and as a 501(c)3 charity, we do not We will also continue to mobilize Periodicals postage paid at Washington, D.C., and additional mailing offices. engage in political activity. However, our Forest Advocates to voice opinions POSTMASTER: Send address changes to throughout our 140-plus years, we about proposed legislation and work American Forests, 1220 L St. NW, Suite 750 Washington, DC 20005. have strongly advocated for policies with our champions in Congress to American Forests’ mission is to restore that keep our forests provide practical threatened forest ecosystems and inspire people healthy and thriving, solutions and act to value and protect urban and wildland forests. Since Ulysses S. Grant, (202) 737-1944 our urban forests against damaging www.americanforests.org and greenspaces and the 26 presidents legislation. We will increasing, wildlife work with those AMERICAN FORESTS that have followed, BOARD OF DIRECTORS habitat safe and champions to be Bruce Lisman, Chair expanding and for we have worked together diligent about presi- Lisman for Vermont, Montpelier, VT Richard Kabat, Vice Chair all the benefits our with both Republican and dential appointments Kabat Company, Washington, DC forests provide us. Democratic administrations to ensure appointees Rod DeArment, Treasurer Since Ulysses S. are as well-vetted Covington & Burling LLP, Washington, DC Grant, and the 26 whenever possible and and professionally Ann Nichols, Immediate Past Chair Chevy Chase, MD presidents that have stood up and fought when prepared for these Scott Steen, President & CEO (ex officio) followed, we have our forests were at stake. roles as possible American Forests, Washington, DC worked together with and work to block Zim Boulos Office Environment Services, Jacksonville, FL both Republican and appointees that are Rob Bourdon Democratic administrations whenever counter to the missions of the land Linkin Park, Sherman Oaks, CA possible and stood up and fought when management and environmental agen- Jeff Elliott our forests were at stake. We will cies and the health of our forests. Iridian Asset Management, Westport, CT Donna Dabney continue to do this work and remain We need you, now more than ever, The Conference Board, New York, NY vigilant in our efforts to protect and to help us ensure that the investments William Hazelton restore our forests. that we have all made in protecting Chubb Group, New York City, NY Elisa Rapaport YINGAHI LU Specifically, we will continue and restoring our forests, rebuilding Rapaport Family Charitable Trust, to fight: wildlife habitat, expanding urban Rockville Centre, NY Jonathan Silver k to keep forests as forests — protect- forests and safeguarding our water- Greenbanc Global, LLC, Washington, DC ing them from overdevelopment and sheds and rivers are not dismantled. Robert Steinberg fragmentation Please support American Forests now. Steinberg Family Foundation, Greenwich, CT Mary Wagner k against opening our forests to more Together, we have the power to protect U.S. Forest Service (Retired), Ogden, UT drilling for oil and natural gas and restore our forests now and for k to keep our public lands public — generations to come. not sold off to private interests k to ensure green infrastructure is a key part of overall infrastructure spending k to ensure forests remain part of a climate change solution and protected from the threats exacerbated by climate change Much of our policy and advocacy efforts take place through our leader- treelines INFORMATION TO AMUSE, ENLIGHTEN AND INSPIRE results in severe swings in temperature FOREST FRONTIERS and precipitation; insect and disease infestations; the lack of fire in fire- Forest Frontiers adapted ecosystems; ever expanding commercial and residential develop- Jason Weller, Chief of the Natural Resources ment that expands the wildland-urban Conservation Service interface and complicates forest management and firefighting; the challenging economics of timber pro- JASON WELLER has served as Chief and forest lands. Prior to joining NRCS, duction and forest management; and of the Natural Resources Conservation Jason worked on agricultural, forestry changing land ownership patterns and Service (NRCS) since 2013, overseeing and environmental protection issues subdivision of private tracts of forested programs that help protect the environ- as a staff member in the U.S. House of lands. Ultimately, finding approaches ment, preserve our natural resources Representatives, White House Office of that improve the economics of forest and improve sustainability through Management and Budget and California products and effective forest steward- voluntary conservation on agricultural State Legislature. During his tenure at ship are what is needed to help address NRCS, Jason has broadened many of these challenges. But, no sec- the agency’s efforts to devel- tor of the economy or unit of govern- opment new public-private ment has the individual resources partnerships to drive private and answers to address these chal- lands conservation. lenges. That is why it is crucial that we improve our partnerships and better What was your favorite leverage our expertise, relationships aspect of your job? and resources. Every time I travel to the field and meet our local field office Where is your favorite spot to staffs, I get inspired.