1. Building Environmental Literacy Gail Kimbell Chief, U.S. Forest Service A Critical Task:

2. Caring for the land and serving people 2

3. National Forest System 20 percent of U.S. forests and many rangelands Forestland in the Lower 48 3

4. A century of research experimental area National Forest System research station 4

5. Forest Service mission areas Research & Development National Forest System State & Private Forestry International Programs 5

6. Conservation challenges 6 Massive wildfires Invasive species (such as kudzu) Loss of open space

7. Annual temperature changes 1965-1995 Alaska, Interior West 7

8. Alaska yellow-cedar (coast) Black and white spruce (interior) Alaska forest dieback 8

9. Forest stressors 9 Drought Pests and diseases Wildland fire Storms

10. Warmth and drought promote epidemics in forests. Insect and disease epidemics are increasing in number and spreading rapidly. Drought and pests 10

11. Warming and crowding increase fire severity in low- to mixed-severity fire regimes. Many large fires are in diseased and drought- stressed forests. Drought, pests, and wildfires 11

12. IPCC drought projections (A1B scenario) Percentage change in avg. duration of longest dry pd., 30-yr. average, 2071-2100 vs. 1961-90 12

13. Southeastern drought In 2007, water levels in Georgia’s Lake Lanier dropped 15 feet. Drought-stressed longleaf pine, South Carolina 13

14. Growing demand for water 14

15. Forests and water... 15 “The relationship between forests and rivers is like father and son. No father, no son.” –Gifford Pinchot, first Forest Service Chief

16. Connecting kids to nature 16

17. Changing demographics Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 1995 17

18. 18

19. A personal connection to nature... 19

20. Research Interpretive Services Civil Rights Conservation Education Nature Watch Smokey Bear Woodsy Owl Recreation 20

21. Social science... 21

22. A wealth of landscapes and experiences... 22

23. Urban Connections Program of the Forest Service’s Eastern Region (Northeast and Upper Midwest) Reaches underserved urban communities 23

24. Conservation Education Strategic Plan Developed with many partners over 2-1/2 years Guides agency education efforts Identifies three main program goals 24

25. More resources... 20042006 Activities6551,335 People reached2.1 million4.4 million Partnerships6411,578 25

26. The Children’s Forest San Bernardino National Forest 26

27. Discovery Center 27

28. Formal environmental education Pathways to Stewardship 28

29. Great Seeds Native Plant Restoration Team 29

30. Working with partners... Workbook available online Web-based support tool 30

31. Aldo Leopold “ We are embarked on two large-scale experiments. One is premised on the notion that conservation is something a nation buys. The other is premised on the notion that conservation is something a nation learns.” 31