forest by cheongwah2002
2011 has been named the International Year of Forests by the United Nations. See here.
Our forests are crucial in providing planet Earth with health, wealth, food, fuel and vital ecosystem services. Forests help provide breathable air, drinkable water, fertile soils, a stable climate and adds beauty to the earth.  See here. Various activities are planned around the globe to promote the importance of forests.
The United States Forest Service in partnership with other US agencies is planning special events throughout the year. Mass plantings of trees are planned in countries like Ethiopia, Georgia, Jamaica, Lebanon and Poland. Competitions ranging from photo, art, slogan, and essay writing are also being promoted in countries such as Bulgaria, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Georgia, Jamaica, Lebanon, Poland and the Republic of Korea.
What can we do to help celebrate Forests? Let us know what forest events are happening in your area. What do you hope to do to promote and help forests? Send your ideas and suggestions to TheGardenLady.org. We want to hear from you.
A few suggestions from this Garden Lady:
For our own yards, if we have space, by joining the Arbor Day Foundation one gets 8 tiny free trees to plant. Yours may not be a forest, but all trees help.
Encourage your local schools to participate in raising forest awareness by having children do art and writing about forests.
Ask your township if there are areas where you and/or children can plant small trees and then plant them. Or if there is a need, such as having had a fire in your area, find out if you can help your local forestry comm. in replanting trees and organize a group planting day.