State Foresters

Today is Global Recycling Day! ♻️ Paper products like cardboard are often recycled, but did you know wood can be recycled too? When a wood product reaches the end of its life, it can be turned into mulch or biofuel (among other things!), which can support forest management. 🌳

While cherry blossoms may get all the buzz, we're also big fans of native trees with equally impressive florals! 🍒 Black cherry (Prunus serotina) 🌸 Eastern redbud (Cercis canadensis) 🌼 Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera) 🌺 'Ohi'a lehua (Metrosideros polymorpha)

Spring is coming! 🌷 You can predict when your area will be in bloom by following the phases here. A colder winter often leads to later bloom, but sunny days and warm nights can signal trees to blossom. 🌸

Congratulations to the 2026 Wildfire Mitigation Award recipients! 🎉 NASF, @IAFC, @NFPA, and @forestservice will honor these exemplary individuals and organizations at this year’s Wildland-Urban Interface Conference. Read more: stateforesters.org/2026/03/10/ann…

From forest health to forest markets, NASF's weekly newsletter is the top source to catch up on the latest forestry headlines! 🌳 With news from every region, across the country, and around the world, there's something for everyone: mailchi.mp/stateforesters….

Even in winter, state forestry agencies are thinking about wildfire. 🔥 That's because snowpack can shape landscapes into spring and summer. Healthy forests can help increase snowpack and are less vulnerable to fire.

Today is World Wildlife Day! State forests are home to a wide variety of wildlife—and forest management can improve habitat by increasing foraging, improving nesting, protecting riparian areas, and more. Enjoy these cute (or creepy) shots of wildlife in state forests! 🦝🐢🦌🐍

State forestry agencies are a key line of defense against invasive species! 💪🪲 From initial prevention, to treatment and removal, to restoration, state forestry agencies are on the ground. YOU play an important part too! Help prevent the spread with tips from our previous post.

YOU are the first line of defense when it comes to battling invasive species! Celebrate National Invasive Species Awareness Week by learning how to prevent the spread as we gear up for outdoor activities in the warmer weather. #NIASW2026 #InvasiveSpeciesWeek

Today marks the first day of National Invasive Species Awareness Week. 🪲 State forestry agencies battle invasive species year-round, but we all can play a part in preventing the spread of these unwanted pests. Stay tuned to learn more this week or visit naisma.org.

It's almost time to harvest maple syrup! Sugary sap flows during warm days and refreezes when nights are below freezing, creating a vacuum overnight that replenishes the supply. If it's too warm, sap will be bitter instead of the sweet, maple-y flavor we love for breakfast. 🥞🍁

What do snowpack ❄️, tariffs 💸, and prescribed fire 🔥 have in common? They're all covered in NASF's weekly newsletter! Catch up on the latest forestry news and more: mailchi.mp/stateforesters…

Happy Valen-pine's Day from NASF! Like relationships, forests require long-term care and investment. 🌳💚 Send these to your one "tree" love or your best "bud" to remind them how much you love them (and your state forestry agency).

Love is in the air and on the trees! 🌳 💚 Check out these trees that are always ready to celebrate Valentine's Day: 1. Eastern Redbud 2. Northern Catalpa 3. American Basswood/Linden

Trees will always have our hearts. 💚 There are hundreds of reasons to love trees and forests—and they love us back! Forests support us in so many ways—financially, spiritually, physically, artistically, and more. Tell us about why YOU love trees! ⬇️

Show your love Smokey and for the forest—practice wildfire prevention year-round! ❤️‍🔥 Even in colder months like February, unwanted human-caused wildfires can spark. Visit SmokeyBear.com to brush up on your prevention knowledge. 💡

February is American Heart Month! ❤️ Did you know that trees provide many benefits linked to heart health? They produce nutrients, purify our air, alleviate stress, promote physical activity, and contribute to a heart-friendly atmosphere. 🌳 #HeartHealth #HealthyTreesHealthyLives

Happy Groundhog Day! Punxsutawney Phil predicts 6 more weeks of winter. 🥶 Foresters will stay this winter busy preparing for wildfire, creating management plans, and more. Stay warm! ❄️

Ever taken a winter walk through the forest and noticed patches without snow? Thaw circles form as the sun heats dark tree trunks faster than white, reflective snow. Before leaves appear in spring, small plants may take advantage of the warm, sunny patches to get a head start. 🌱

Worried about how Mother Nature is handling this week's cold? 🌳❄️ Trees have natural mechanisms to prevent freezing, but in extreme and sudden cold, the water in sap expands so quickly that it causes the tree to splinter. While the sound can be scary, most trees will survive. 💚