Our Forests In Need

Chippewa National Forest

Established in 1908 as the first national forest east of the Mississippi River, Chippewa National Forest is located in the heart of northern Minnesota.

Its shared boundary with the Leech Lake Indian Reservation offers visitors the chance to experience Anishinabe culture and the rich history of the area including prehistoric times, the early logging era and Civilian Conservation Corps days. The forest’s large red and white pine trees make Chippewa one of the largest American Bald Eagle nesting sites in the continental United States.

The Need for Trees

In July 2012, a devastating storm with straight-line winds of 80 to 85 miles per hour tore through the forest, blowing down an estimated 95,000 of the 666,542-acre forest. About 12,000 of the acres affected were the heart of the forest’s pine tree country – stands of mature conifer trees were snapped off and uprooted.

Restoration of these majestic pine trees is critical to the wildlife that calls Chippewa National Forest home, including the American Bald Eagles that depend on the pine trees for their nesting habitat. The Ojibwa community at Leech Lake Indian Reservation has a special generations-old bond to these tree stands as well.

The generous support of the Arbor Day Foundation’s members and sponsors will help restore the forest from the damage caused by the devastating windstorm by planting hundreds of thousands of trees including red pine, white pine, white spruce and Jack pine in the Chippewa National Forest as part of the forest’s goal of 1 million trees planted.

Custer-Gallatin National Forest

Custer-Gallatin National Forest encompasses more than 3 million acres and is known as one of the most ecologically diverse landscapes in the region. Rugged wilderness, high peaks, and rolling hills can be found amid streams, lakes, and rivers. As the gateway to Yellowstone National Park, the forest offers a wide variety of recreational activities year-round.

The Need for Trees

In 2012, five wildfires raged through southeastern Montana. More than 140,000 acres of Custer Gallatin National Forest lands were wiped out, with much of the forested acres experiencing moderate to high burn intensity. The area is struggling to regenerate naturally and is in need of replanting.

Through the generous support of our members and advocates, 327,000 ponderosa pines will be planted throughout the burn area. These newly planted trees will restore area forest cover, improve watershed health, and reestablish critical habitat for elk, deer, and goshawks.

Klamath National Forest

Found along the border of California and Oregon, Klamath National Forest offers a wide array of natural diversity and 200 miles of river system. There’s also plenty of opportunity for recreation. Rafting, fishing, hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing are among the most popular.

The Need for Trees

Multiple fires from 2013 to 2017 have taken their toll on this National Forest. The damage has affected not only critical habitat for the threatened northern spotted owl but also habitat for threatened and endangered coho salmon. And due to the large burn area in some regions of the forest, seed sources are minimal to non-existent.

Your generous support can make a real impact on Klamath National Forest by planting hundreds of thousands of trees including Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, sugar pine, white fir, and incense cedar. Reforestation efforts will shorten the time frame for establishing forest habitat for the northern spotted owl, protect aquatic habitat for coho salmon, provide slope stability, and reduce potential long-term erosion.

Pike San Isabel National Forest

Spanning more than 1 million acres in central Colorado, Pike San Isabel National Forest offers visitors a diverse landscape — from short-grass prairies to alpine tundra. The South Platte Watershed resides in Pike San Isabel National Forest, more than 60 percent of the water used by Denver residents originates in the forest as rain or snowmelt. Due to its beauty and location, the forest consistently ranks in the top ten national forests visited each year.

The Need for Trees

In the last 20 years, this National Forest has experienced several large wildfires including the Buffalo Creek Fire of 1996, the Hayman Fire of (the largest fire in Colorado’s history), and the Waldo Canyon Fire of 2012. These fires have had a devastating impact on the upper South Platte watershed, the primary water source for the City of Denver. In moderate- and high-intensity burn areas, 100% of the trees were lost — and along with them, future seed sources for natural regeneration.

Your generous support will help plant ponderosa pines and Douglas-firs to ensure the area recovers after the intense wildfire damage. These trees will re-establish critical habitat and protect the Upper South Platte Watershed in addition to serving as future seed sources for natural regeneration and enhancing recreation experiences in the area.