Explore a Forest Near You!

The Lorax is my favorite children's book written by Dr. Seuss.  The story is all about stewardship of our environment, advocacy for those without a voice, and what happens when we ignore good advice.  This book is packed with creativity and amusing characters such as the Barbaloot Bears, Humming Fish, Swomee Swans and of course those amazing Truffula Trees.  And now this story has been made into a feature length film! 

"According to the U.S. Forest Service, more than 245 million Americans live within 100 miles from a National Forest or Grassland. However, children in the U.S. spend fifty percent less time outdoors than they did twenty years ago, according to the Institute for Social Research at the University of Michigan. Research shows that children who play outside have lower stress levels and more active imaginations, become fitter and leaner, develop stronger immune systems and are more likely to become environmentally conscious in the future."
- AdCouncil/Universal Pictures/USFS

Now, go out and enjoy your local forest!

Discover The Forest

http://www.discovertheforest.org/index.php

National Forests in South Carolina

http://www.fs.usda.gov/scnfs/

Clemson Experimental Forest

http://www.clemson.edu/cafls/departments/forestry/cef/index.html

Rx Fire in the mountains of SC

We assisted our friends at the Sumter National Forest with a prescribed fire this past Friday.  The area is along Cassidy Bridge Rd. in Oconee county and home to a population of the endangered smooth coneflower.  USFS research plant ecologist, Dr. Joan Walker, has done some preliminary work on this imperiled plant species.  We were burning to reduce hazardous fuel accumulation and to benefit the coneflower.



A big thanks to Andy P. and all the folks at the Andrew-Pickens RD who run these fires safely and efficiently.  A little warm for February, but a beautiful day to be out in the woods.

February Seed Matrix...

Black - 2010 collections
Orange - 2011 collections
Red - 2012 collections