Forests are extraordinary places covering almost a third of the Earth's land, including over 700 million acres in the United States. They're home to a huge variety of plants and animals, providing them with food, water and shelter.
Our forests are invaluable. Not only are they places of beauty and recreation, but all over the world people rely on trees for fuel, food, raw materials and medicine. Even more importantly, forest trees and plants ensure that the Earth's temperature is livable and that we have enough oxygen to breathe!
One of the greatest threats to forests is wildfire - unplanned, unwanted, and devastating fires. Wildfires can destroy not only the lives and homes of the forests' plants and animals, but also those of the people whose communities are nearby.
Can a forest ever recover from wildfire? The answer is yes, BUT, unfortunately, it can take a lifetime, or longer! An average forest is about 70-100 years old - older than your grandparents. And the trees in some forests can be 4,000-5,000 years old!
Remember Smokey’s Five Rules of wildfire prevention: 1) Only you can prevent wildfires 2) Always be careful with fire 3) Never play with matches or lighters 4) Always watch your campfire 5) Make sure your campfire is completely out before leaving it.
People rely on trees for fuel, food, raw materials, and medicine, and also to keep the Earth nice and cool!
A forest can recover from a wildfire; some recover quickly, others take a long time.
To learn more about our nation's forests and other outdoor areas, check outDiscoverTheForest.org. You'll find games and activities to enjoy indoors and out. And best of all, a search tool to find the forest closest to you.
To learn more about our nation's forests and other outdoor areas, check out DiscoverTheForest.org. You'll find games and activities to enjoy indoors and out. And best of all, a search tool to find the forest closest to you.
Our forests are invaluable. Not only are they places of beauty and recreation, but all over the world people rely on trees for fuel, food, raw materials and medicine. Even more importantly, forest trees and plants ensure that the Earth's temperature is livable and that we have enough oxygen to breathe!
One of the greatest threats to forests is wildfire - unplanned, unwanted, and devastating fires. Wildfires can destroy not only the lives and homes of the forests' plants and animals, but also those of the people whose communities are nearby.
Can a forest ever recover from wildfire? The answer is yes, BUT, unfortunately, it can take a lifetime, or longer! An average forest is about 70-100 years old - older than your grandparents. And the trees in some forests can be 4,000-5,000 years old!
Remember Smokey’s Five Rules of wildfire prevention: 1) Only you can prevent wildfires 2) Always be careful with fire 3) Never play with matches or lighters 4) Always watch your campfire 5) Make sure your campfire is completely out before leaving it.
People rely on trees for fuel, food, raw materials, and medicine, and also to keep the Earth nice and cool!
A forest can recover from a wildfire; some recover quickly, others take a long time.
To learn more about our nation's forests and other outdoor areas, check outDiscoverTheForest.org. You'll find games and activities to enjoy indoors and out. And best of all, a search tool to find the forest closest to you.
To learn more about our nation's forests and other outdoor areas, check out DiscoverTheForest.org. You'll find games and activities to enjoy indoors and out. And best of all, a search tool to find the forest closest to you.
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