by Ron Bernthal
In Greg M. Peters recently published book called Our National Forests: Stories from America’s Most Important Public Lands (Timber Press), the author provides new and fascinating information on the country’s large expanse of public lands that are composed of 193 million acres of forests, mountains, deserts, watersheds, and grasslands.
Wildflowers hug the steep rock walls on the Selway-Bitterroot Wilderness Area in Montana’s Bitterroot National Forest (photo Greg M. Peters)
All of these regions provide diverse landscapes for the 170 million visitors that come each year for hiking, biking, canoing, skiing, fishing, hunting and dozens of other recreational pursuits.
Florida’s Ocala National Forerst was one of the first forests established east of the Misissippi River. (photo Michael Warren Pix iStock)
Of course, these wilderness areas provide more than just recreational opportunities, some of these areas allow timber to be harvested, habitats can be recovered, and endangered wildlife can be protected.
Multnomah Falls and the historic Benson Bridge at Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area is one of the most iconic locations in the country. (photo USDA Forest Service)
The U.S. forest service has an enduring mission to maintain our wilderness environment and this title will open your mind to exactly how this is done, including information that is often overlooked by major news media including the story of how the forest service grows millions of seedlings in the west each year, or how their efforts to save the smallest hellbender salamander in Appalachia is really a great and important effort for our planet.
Some of the interesting chapter titles in this book include Seeds of Reforestation: The Art and Science of Growing Trees; From the Dustbowl to Midewin: Restoring America’s Grasslands; The Wolverine Watchers: How Citizen Science helps Wildlife; After the Burn: The Eagle Creek Fire; and No Forests, No Water: The Story of Eastern National Forests.
Greg M. Peters (L) taking photos of a paddler during a 50-mile overnight trip on the Madison River in Montana. (photo Aaron Teasdale)
The author is the former director of communications at the National Forest Foundation, and his writings have appeared in many national publications. He is also the author of Standup Paddling Montana.
Our National Forests
by Greg M. Peters
Timber Press, 2021 (277 pages)
ISBN: 978-1-60469-963-0
