About. National Forest Foundation improves the health, productivity, and diversity of our national forests and grasslands through wildlife habitat conservation, watershed restoration, recreational enhancements and community-based forest stewardship programs. Chartered by Congress, the NFF was created in 1993 with a simple mission: bring people together to restore and enhance our National Forests and Grasslands. As the nonprofit partner of the US Forest Service, the National Forest Foundation works with the agency and thousands of Americans each year to promote the health and public enjoyment of the 193-million-acre National Forest System. The NFF believes that communities should play a leading role in determining the future of our National Forests and Grasslands, so they focus their efforts on connecting these communities, and the people who comprise them, to the tools, knowledge, and funding to become active and devoted stewards of this incredible public estate. https://www.nationalforests.org/

What is the difference between national parks and national forests? I was curious about this myself, so I was happy to stumble across their awesome blog here: https://www.nationalforests.org/blog. The best thing about national parks and national forests is that they are both considered public lands, meaning that every US citizen is welcome to explore them (and we highly encourage you to do so!). National forests double the size of national parks and consist of 193 million acres, whereas national parks consist of just 84 million acres, 55 million of which are in Alaska alone. National parks are managed by the Department of Interior, while national forests are managed by the Department of Agriculture. Besides total area, the biggest difference between the two is that national parks are almost entirely vested in preservation whereas national forests have many more moving parts than just preservation – they are managed for sustainable timber, recreation, grazing, wildlife, fish, etc. As Bob Slydell says in the iconic film, Office Space, “I celebrate [their] entire catalogue!” National forests and national parks are true blessings, and it’s vitally important that Americans support their continued preservation and management for future generations.

NFF’s 2023 Accomplishments:

• Five Million Trees Planted
• $22 Million Invested in Critical Environmental Projects
• 3,114 Miles of Trail Work, 20,000 Acres of Forests Restored, 5,400 Young People Employed or Engaged

Why EcoBrands supports the National Forest Foundation. As US citizens, we technically own all of our national parks and forests! It is just one of the many perks of living in this great country. Our national parks and forests are ours for endless exploration, adventure and enjoyment! As it turns out, the Pisgah National Forest off the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina (picture above, taken by me) has been one of my happy places since I could walk. To this day, there’s STILL no cell phone service, no buildings, and no signs of humans…just an endless sea of mountains, trees, and meandering streams. Looking up at sunlight shining through bright green beech leaves fluttering in the wind is one of the little joys that will never get old to me. Out west, I love Ecola State Park in Oregon, where you can hike under giant Sitka spruces that are hundreds of years old. So whether you’re on the east coast, the west coast, or anywhere in between, chances are you can find a national forest or park to explore. While we technically own our National Forests, we owe their maintenance and protection to nonprofits like the National Forest Foundation. And since hiking through pristine forests is one of my personal favorite activities in life (and should be one of yours), this is why EcoBrands supports the National Forest Foundation.

As always, thank you sincerely for reading. We wish you all the best on your path to sustainable living, as we continue on our own!