Located in Washington, DC, American Forests was founded in 1875, during the early days of the American conservation movement, to encourage forest management. Originally called the American Forestry Association, the organization was renamed in the later part of the twentieth century. The group is dedicated to promoting the wise and careful use of all natural resources, including soil, water, and wildlife, and it emphasizes the social and cultural importance of these resources as well as their economic value.

Although benefiting from increasing national and international concern about the environment, American Forests takes a balanced view on preservation, and it has worked to set a standard for the responsible harvesting and marketing of forest products. American Forests sponsors the Trees for People program, which is designed to help meet the national demand for wood and paper products by increasing the productivity of private woodlands. It provides educational and...