November 2007

Nonprofit Announces Goal of 5.5 Million Trees for Wildfire-Stricken California

American Forests wants to match $2.8 million already in place for tree planting

A nonprofit group awarded nearly $3 million to plant trees in California announced today it was launching a fund to double that amount to reforest fire-scarred areas of the state.

American Forests, the nation’s oldest nonprofit conservation group, was awarded $2.8 million for tree planting earlier this year as part of the $10 million settlement of a lawsuit between ConocoPhillips and the state of California. The nonprofit also announced it is forming a task force to determine where to plant the trees and the best species to locate there.

“Our hearts go out to all those in California who have lost so much in these fires,” Executive Director Deborah Gangloff said. “As soon as assessments have been done and planting can proceed, we are ready to help the state begin the healing process. And that process begins with trees.”

American Forests’ Global ReLeaf program has planted more than 27 million trees in the U.S. and around the world. Of those, more than 800,000 have been planted in California since 1991, with more than 500,000 planted to reforest wildfire-stricken areas. Each $1 donation plants 1 tree.

“Our California Wildfire ReLeaf Fund is now accepting money to match the $2.8 million we were awarded in the Conoco-Phillips settlement. We appreciate the trust that has been placed in us and are eager to begin the process of healing the land with trees,” Gangloff said.

Donate to American Forests’ California Wildfire ReLeaf Fund by calling 800/545-8733 or by writing PO Box 2000, Washington, DC 20013.

November 2007

Seeing the Woods for the Trees

UK schoolchildren are learning the Scandinavian way as Forest Schools take root in Yorkshire

A Scandinavian outdoor teaching scheme is taking root in one of our most industrialised heartlands. Kerry Bennett examines how the world’s oldest classroom has come of age.

A quiet revolution is taking place in woodlands around the country which could change the face of British education forever. Forest Schools are the ‘latest’ innovation in learning to reach our shores. They have been tried and tested by Sweden and Denmark since the 1950s and now teachers here are finally recognising the advantages of teaching among the trees.

“Children are naturally drawn to the outdoors – woodlands in particular and Forest Schools capitalise on this,” explains Peter Machan, education officer for the South Yorkshire Forest. “Woodlands are an inspirational setting for activities and challenges.” He says enjoyment is key to allowing the children build confidence while developing practical problem solving skills.

Machan’s background was as a conventional teacher. Indeed, he ended up the head teacher of a local primary school, but he has always had a passion for the ‘outdoor classroom’.

He believes many children who struggle in the traditional classroom find it much easier to engage when surrounded by trees. “They focus more,” he says as he proudly shows off photographs of a group of five year olds handling saws. “It’s not difficult to understand: most of us feel more relaxed in a wood. When the formal pressure of a classroom is removed, children with difficulties often shine.”

The idea has certainly taken root in North Sheffield where 12 schools now boast a fully trained Forest School Leader, supported by a range of online teaching materials (see www.heritagewoodsonline.co.uk).

Peruvians Vote 95% to Save Andean Forests from Mining

SULLANA, Piura, Peru, (ENS) - After a prolonged struggle by local inhabitants to preserve the integrity of the Piuran Andes against a mining takeover, on September 16 a popular referendum was organized in the three Piuran communities where Rio Blanco proposes to site an open pit mine. This was an opportunity for local citizens to express their true opinions and desires concerning the heap leach project to mine copper, molybdenum and other metals on a massive scale.

The referendum was organized in Ayabaca, the capitol of the Ayabaca municipality, in Pacaipampa in the Ayabaca municipality, and in Carmen de la Frontera in the Huancabamba municipality - all in Peru’s Piura state.

At stake here are the rights of local governments as well as the basic human rights to participate in government and private plans affecting their future.

Associated as the Rural Municipalities of Piura, the mayors of 12 municipalities agreed to support this democratic exercise, which was also legalized by the National Council on Human Rights, a branch of the Ministry of Justice of Peru...

The communities on whose lands the Rio Blanco mining project is planned clearly opted for protecting their remaining vital watersheds and wilderness habitats.

With a substantial majority of eligible voters voting in all three communities, the count was about 95 percent opposed to mining in each of the three communities...

All who participated in this vote were threatened in many and various ways by the pro-mining factions, including the most extreme - by death, says Zegarra, whose life has been repeatedly threatened.

Nevertheless, at the polls, the voters chose life. They chose the preservation of what remains of the natural world in their home region and rejected the massive open-pit, heap leach Rio Blanco mining project.

Conservationists call this vote a significant turn of events in favor of nature and ecological sustainability, and a wise change of course for Peru.