Chippewa National Forest
Chippewa National Forest is nestled into the heart of northern Minnesota — a beautiful blend of ecological wonder and cultural significance. Within the forestland are three of the 10 largest lakes in the state, thousands of historic and archeological sites, and 250 different species of wildlife. A large portion of the forest also stretches through the Leech Lake Indian Reservation, home to the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, one of six bands comprising the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe.
The Need for Trees
This National Forest has faced many issues in recent history, including strong wind events, insects, and disease. The result is an acute need for reforestation to reestablish native tree species and improve forest stand resilience for the future.
Your generous support can make a real impact on Chippewa National Forest through tree planting. Replanting efforts will restore native tree cover, provide essential habitat for area wildlife including the American bald eagle, and ensure the forest can thrive in a changing climate.
Bootleg Fire Recovery in Oregon
The Klamath Basin encompasses 12,000 square miles of southern Oregon and northern California – home to wildlife refuges, preserves, National Forest lands, private lands, and a network of lakes and rivers, including the Klamath River. This watershed area hosts an array of terrestrial and aquatic biodiversity, supports a population of more than 100,000 residents, and holds historical and cultural significance for Indigenous communities.
The Need for Trees
In 2021, the Bootleg Fire devastated 413,765 acres of forest in southern Oregon, including the Klamath Basin. Given the importance of the forest in this area, it is in great need of restoration.
With your generous support, evergreen trees can be planted to help rebuild the tree canopy lost in the fire. Replanting efforts here will provide a home for bald eagles, big game, and small mammals while also playing a critical role in restoring water quality in the Klamath River.
The Arbor Day Foundation works with our network of vetted planting partners all across the country, including the United States Forest Service. All plantings are completed by contracted professionals and are overseen and assessed by foresters on the grounds. Our planting partners select and plant trees native to the specific area. Tree species selected will differ from region to region throughout the country. The trees will be planted at the best suitable planting time for each forest. This is Typically during the spring or the fall.
Chippewa National Forest: Yes, you are more than welcome to visit the forest your trees are planted in. Foresters at the ranger district can guide you to accessible areas where plantings from our Trees in Memory and Trees in Celebration programs are located. You can reach out to our member services team to get a map of the area.
Bootleg Fire Recovery in Oregon: Unfortunately, visiting the replanting areas for the Bootleg Fire Recovery in Oregon is not possible because it is an unsafe fire recovery zone, and is on private land. We truly appreciate your donation to help support important reforestation efforts in this area, which is a hub for biodiversity and in great need of restoration.
Our "Forests of Great Need” are chosen with our on-the-ground partners, as they help us determine the forests in greatest need of replanting efforts. Once the estimated number of trees to be replanted in a chosen forest has been fulfilled, we, with the advice and help of our partners, then choose the next forest of greatest need. Donations made to a Forest of Great Need will plant trees in a variety of projects. For your convenience, we have listed some of the potential projects your donations my go to in the "Forests of Great Need" section below!
Recent years of wildfires, disease, and drought have destroyed millions of trees in forests around the country. These reforestation efforts will support areas desperately needing replanting and will encourage species diversification, restore habitat for wildlife, and facilitate the natural process of providing clean air and water.
Upper Altamaha in Georgia
Longleaf pine, once the dominant tree species in the South, has now dwindled to cover only small patches of land. That loss of ecosystem has been devastating to the nearly 600 animal and plant species that depend on it.
The Need for Trees
Through a partnership with The Nature Conservancy, longleaf and shortleaf pines will be planted across private and public lands in Georgia. This work will reduce forest fragmentation and protect endangered and threatened wildlife including the red-cockaded woodpecker, indigo snake, and gopher tortoise.
Dixie Fire Restoration in California
The Dixie Fire raged through Northern California in 2021. This was the second-largest wildfire in the state’s history, with a burn scar of more than 963,000 acres. Restoration is critical in the wake of this blaze, and efforts are targeted on the Lassen National Forest
The Need for Trees
Newly planted trees will help to reestablish native conifer forest cover, provide important wildlife habitat, and improve the water quality in nearby Lake Almanor.
Michigan State Forest
Together with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, we are striving to replant Michigan’s state lands on a large scale. These forests were heavily logged in the late 1800s, and statewide conservation efforts have been focused on bringing public lands back to their natural state.
The Need for Trees
This project will replant native stands of Jack pine and red pine. In total, more than 5million trees are being planted through this partnership. And as the forests mature, they will provide a wide variety of ecosystem services including carbon sequestration and water filtration.
But most importantly, these trees mean forests across Michigan will see improved habitat for a wide variety of wildlife including deer, turkey, grouse, and — most notably — the Kirtland’s warbler. These birds have only recently been taken off the endangered species list, thanks to concerted tree planting efforts like this one. They nest in young jack pine forest stands and rely on them for survival. This work means Kirtland’s warblers, and other species, will continue to thrive.
Dixon Memorial State Forest
Stretching across 35,000 acres, Dixon Memorial State Forest is the largest state forest in the state. Developing and managing a healthy and sustainable tree canopy is a priority here to support public recreational use as well as healthy biodiversity.
The Need for Trees
Efforts are focused on enhancing a native ecosystem that has faced many recent challenges, including disease, insects, and drought. This work includes the addition of longleaf, slash, and loblolly pine that will grow to help restore the land and ensure a healthy future for the forest — providing soil stability, improving water quality, enriching recreational forest use, and supporting a number of wildlife species. The Florida black bear in particular will benefit from reforestation. Vacciniums, huckleberries, gallberries, and saw palmettos — all staples of the bear’s diet — will fill in the understory of this newly restored forest. As this area is home to one of only three populations of Florida black bears in the state, maintaining their habitat is a priority for the Georgia Forestry Commission.
With your generous support, evergreen trees can be planted to help rebuild the tree canopy lost in the fire. Replanting efforts here will provide a home for bald eagles, big game, and small mammals while also playing a critical role in restoring water quality in the Klamath River.
Manchester State Forest
South Carolina’s Manchester State Forest offers numerous opportunities for outdoor recreation, including hiking, biking, fishing, and hunting. This is also classified as an actively managed forest, meaning a percentage of the tree canopy is responsibly harvested. Funds from this work not only cover operating costs but also support the county’s schools.
The Need for Trees
Tree planting is critical to keeping this forest healthy and thriving, and both longleaf and loblolly pine are being planted. These new trees will mean a continuation of robust habitat for various wildlife, including the endangered red-cockaded woodpecker. In addition, they will ensure that area residents will continue to benefit from the recreational aspects of the forest and the financial support for their schools.
Econfina Creek
The Econfina Creek, Chipola River, and E. Guy Revell, Jr. Conservation Area Watersheds are nestled in the Florida panhandle. The health of each watershed is critical to maintaining clean water, and Econfina Creek is the primary source of potable water for Bay County.
The Need for Trees
In 2018, Hurricane Michael carved a path through this area, leaving thousands of acres of destroyed forest cover in its wake. This not only damaged the health of the watersheds but also left wildlife without the critical habitat they need to survive. This planting project is focused on restoring stands of longleaf pine and slash pine that are native to the area. The trees will grow to improve the function of the watersheds, helping to filter pollutants and preserve water quality while benefiting aquatic species including fish, amphibians, clams, mussels, and cave crayfish. They will also provide much-needed habitat for area wildlife that rely on the forest.
