Where the Trees Are

Researchers at the Woods Hole Research Center, the U.S. Forest Service and the U.S. Geological Survey created the map pictured above, an inventory of the United States’ concentrations of biomass. The darkest greens on the map show areas with the densest and most robust forest growth.

According to the NASA Earth Observatory, the map provides perhaps the most detailed “view of forest structure and carbon storage ever assembled for any country.”

The purpose of the map is to take an accurate, current inventory of the nation’s forests in order to know how best to manage and preserve forests.

Trees fill our air with oxygen. They provide shade on sunny days, prevent erosion and slow a harsh wind. They provide us with raw materials, food, medicines and more. What actions have you made in your daily life to protect our forests?

Featured Non-Profit: Alliance For International Reforestation (AIR)

When you make a purchase at Organic Bug, know you are using your power as a consumer to affect positive change in the overall environment and social climate.  Organic Bug works with 1% for the Planet to give back to non-profits that share its belief that industry and ecology are inherently connected.

One such organization on the list of affiliated non-profits at 1% for the Planet is AIR: Alliance For International Reforestation. For the past 3 years Organic Bug has chosen AIR as one of its most treasured recipients, pledging a portion of 1% of gross sales to support the programs initiated and maintained by this outstanding non-profit.

From AIR’s Webpage: The Alliance for International Reforestation, Inc. or AIR, is a non-profit organization working to make a difference for the people of Guatemala and Nicaragua. AIR plants trees, establishes tree nurseries, provides environmental education for teachers and farmers, digs wells, builds fuel-efficient brick ovens, and helps to educate everyone about the environmental challenges facing Central America.

AIR was founded in 1992 and is maintained by its Founder & Chair of the Board of Directors, Dr. Anne M. Hallum. Professor Hallum has worked at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida since 1987 and teaches in the Department of Political Science.

Stetson is just 45 minutes from the Organic Bug office & warehouse and Organic Bug Co-Founder, Peggy English, has enjoyed meeting and corresponding with Dr. Hallum during the course of their ongoing partnership.

Peggy remains impressed with the fact that “at least 93% of all donations to AIR go directly to Guatemala supporting ongoing projects there~addressing the causes of rural hunger & deforestation.  I love that this organization addresses not only the symptoms, but works on solutions through education, planting of tree nurseries & teaching sustainable farming.”

AIR now has close to 300 community tree nurseries & over 1500 farmers have been trained in their own fields to use methods that will increase crop yields without using chemicals. The replanting of trees helps to prevent mudslides & erosion on the eerily deforested slopes that are sadly a part of the Guatemalan landscape.

Although AIR is a small non-profit, it has big goals and is at the top of our list to continue to support in the coming years.