American Forests is driven by the power of forests to address two of the most pressing issues of the day: slowing climate change and advancing social equity. Forests also provide habitat for wildlife and a clean, abundant supply of water for people. To conserve and restore forests, American Forests conducts research and creates tools through its Innovation Lab, develops robust programs and projects via place-based partnerships, and builds movements to push action forward. Tree Equity is one of the organization’s primary focuses, recognizing that trees in cities provide health, employment, and climate resiliency benefits that everyone should have—cooling neighborhoods to reduce heat-related illnesses and utility costs, generating wealth through tree-related career opportunities, and serving as critical infrastructure that improves quality of life.
Why It Matters: American Forests connects forest conservation to social equity, recognizing that the benefits trees provide—fresh air, clean water, cooler neighborhoods, reduced utility costs, and employment opportunities—are not equally distributed and must be treated as infrastructure everyone deserves. By framing trees as critical infrastructure like buildings, streets, and sewer lines, the organization shifts the conversation from aesthetics to basic needs and quality of life. The combination of Innovation Lab research, place-based partnerships, and movement building addresses the reality that conserving and restoring forests requires scientific tools, local implementation, and collective action.
