Reforestation of National Forests

This tree's shape tells you something about the space it grew up in. Left wide open with no other trees crowding it, an oak like this one spreads sideways instead of straight up, since there's no competition for light overhead. The same species boxed in among other trees would do

A poster or a fact rarely makes someone care about a specific patch of forest. Noticing one detail up close, like the moss on this bark, is usually what does it. That's the kind of attention this moment is really about.

Restoration work doesn't have an age limit. Getting a seedling into the ground takes the same care and attention whether it's your first planting or your fiftieth, and that's part of what makes it work at scale: no specialized skill required, just willing hands. Anyone who can kneel

A row of trees along a streambank does more than mark a boundary. Roots hold soil in place, reducing the erosion that would otherwise wash into the water, while the buffer filters out sediment and excess nutrients before they travel further downstream. Because water doesn't stop

Before water reaches you, it passes through a forest.
Trees hold soil in place, filter out chemicals, and regulate the flow of rivers and streams. Without them, watersheds degrade — and so does everything that depends on clean water.
Planting trees isn't just about what grows above

This little one tells a bigger story. The Eastern Bluebird is one of hundreds of species that depend on healthy pine forests to survive. When trees disappear, so does its habitat. Restoring diverse, open pine ecosystems isn't just about trees — it's about keeping the whole web of

Southern Pine Beetles are one of the biggest threats to Southeastern forests — and warming winters are making outbreaks worse.

These tiny insects spread fast, killing trees and devastating ecosystems. We're restoring resilient longleaf pine forests to fight back, building habitats

Restoration works best when it creates local ownership — engaging residents in planting, monitoring, and protecting the trees over time.

From seed collection to hardening off, nursery teams prepare young trees to withstand the transition from controlled environments to open landscapes.

A forest like this is rarely still. Even when it looks calm, trees are constantly adjusting — growing more on one side, shedding roots on another — responding to light, wind, and neighboring trees in slow motion.

A new year sets new objectives for our National Forests: protect what’s intact, restore what’s degraded, and manage forests in ways that support long-term ecological health.

Trees and water go together more than we realize. Forests help capture and filter rain, prevent erosion, and keep streams and rivers flowing more steadily, which benefits the whole landscape of our National Forests

When local communities—and especially children—get involved, reforestation becomes more than planting trees.

It builds awareness, connection, and a sense of responsibility for the environment that lasts for generations.

Did you know?

Sprouting is the first step in a tree’s life.

It starts when the seed absorbs moisture, triggering internal growth processes. As the seed swells, the outer coat splits open and the first tiny root — the radicle — pushes downward into the soil to find water and nutrients.

Planting a tree is one of the simplest and most impactful things you can do for the planet.

Trees absorb CO₂, clean the air, prevent soil erosion, support biodiversity, and even lower your energy bills.

They’re easy to plant, improve mental well-being, and can boost your home’s