Conservation Notes: More Than You Can Imagine

'Forests for People - More Than You Can Imagine' is the Soil and Water Stewardship theme for 2011. Take this opportunity to learn about forests, tree identification, tree structure, management, conservation, and wildlife habitat. Forests cover 30% of the land area on Earth. Forests grow in many different parts of the world. With 302 millions hectares, the United States ranks 4th in the world for the amount of forest land area. Forests are not just trees. A forest is a diverse ecosystem. Forests provide habitat for a large amount of living organisms including shrubs, ferns, mosses, bacteria, fungi, mammals, birds, insects, reptiles and amphibians. A healthy ecosystem, like a forest, is represented by its biodiversity.

Why are trees important?
    Remove and sequester carbon dioxide from the air
    Produce oxygen
    Provide shelter and food for wildlife
    Reduce heating and cooling costs  by 20-50%
    Provide shade from the sun
    Increase home value by 15-20%
    Create a visually eye appealing environment
    Improve water and air quality
    Keep soil  in place and prevent soil erosion
    Create a windbreak for livestock, fields and homes
    Produce nuts, fruits and syrups
    Provide thousands of products used every day

Arbor Day is April 29, 2011. In observance, plant a tree. Let's GROW an appreciation for trees!! In the words of Frank Lloyd Wright, 'The best friend on Earth of man is the tree. When we use trees respectfully and economically, we have one of the greatest resources on Earth.'

- Monica Stevens, Resource Conservationist