Leadership Corner

The National Forest Foundation officially launched National Forest Week to raise awareness of the incredible value of the National Forest System this week. National Forest Week is a week-long celebration of all that national forests and grasslands offer the public. The week will occur the second full week of July every year. The goal of this launch year is to set the stage for celebration and awareness. In future years the week will grow in both reach and the number of events.

I’m particularly excited about National Forest Week because it’s a chance to celebrate our value of interdependence with the NFF, our largest congressionally-chartered nonprofit partner, as well as demonstrate how that partnership benefits the communities we serve. I’ve said it before, we’re in this together and we can’t do it alone. This week, we can all be proud of our work stewarding our great lands. This is a chance to share our story and invite more people into the forests and onto the grasslands to enjoy the benefits themselves.

On July 10th, NFF President Mary Mitsos will announce the launch of National Forest Week in Washington D.C. I will join her at the launch. Throughout this week, the NFF will host an online photo contest and work with partners and the public to share their connections to our national forests and grasslands. I encourage you, your colleagues, family and friends to help me spread the word. Here are a few ideas:

• Follow along on social media and share NFF Facebook and Twitter posts, as well as Forest Service Facebook and Twitter posts too.
• Share your own national forest and grassland experiences and why they are important to you using the hashtag #NationalForestWeek and #ItsAllYours.
• Encourage people to submit a national forest or grassland photo to the NFF’s National Forest Week photo contest for a chance to win prizes including custom framing and an America the Beautiful Pass.  
• Please visit nationalforests.org/NFWeek to learn more about National Forest Week and reach out to National Forest Foundation staff if you have questions.

We extend our thanks to Mary and her staff for helping us raise awareness about the National Forest System. Please join me in celebrating National Forest Week.