America’s national forests are enjoyed by the public throughout the year. From boating and hiking in summer to sledding and snowshoeing in winter, over 190 million acres of U.S. forests and grasslands are available for public use.
National forests are owned by the federal government for the purpose of offering the public opportunities to learn more about an area’s plants and wildlife and to enjoy the great outdoors. Combined, national forests provide over 9,000 miles of byways, 150,000 miles of bike trails, 4,400 miles of rivers, 5,100 campgrounds, and 328 natural pools.
National forests are managed by the U.S. Forest Service which is part of the National Forest System and Bureau of Land Management. 154 national forests and 20 national grasslands make up the National Forest System. The land is managed to “maintain and improve the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation’s forests and grasslands”. This includes supervision of mineral exploration and development, land management and timber retrieval, outdoor recreation areas, grazing lands, and wildlife habitat. The long-term goal is to preserve national forest land in its natural state for both present and future generations to enjoy.
National Garden Clubs’ Penny Pines program assists the U.S. Forest Service in reforesting burned areas in our national forests. To read more about the NGC Penny Pines program or to donate, visit their webpage, https://gardenclub.org/penny-pines
By Karen Bowen. Karen is a member of the Yuma Orchid and African Violet Society, a master gardener, and the Pacific Region Butterfly Chairman.
