How to Support Reforestation
Everyone knows that trees are essential for combatting climate change and maintaining the earth’s air quality. As society begins to take notice of the effects of climate change, there is a desperate need for solutions. That’s where reforestation comes in. Reforestation offers a natural climate solution, promising to potentially provide 37% of the greenhouse gas mitigation and stabilize global heating. Research reveals that trees benefit the climate and human health.
Forests are under attack. From human use to natural disturbances like wildfire or insects, forests suffer. Therefore, it’s crucial that we find ways to protect our environment by caring for our forests. There are many ways to do so.
Reforestation Projects
Every reforestation project requires a careful assessment to determine whether or not tree replanting or regeneration makes the most sense. This means analyzing what tree species were present and other similar factors. In some cases, forests will regenerate themselves. But in others, replanting is necessary.
When replanting is deemed the appropriate option, the reforestation plan is begun.
Seed Collection
To ensure that the right trees are grown in the lost forest, U.S. Forest Service studies what trees were present. They use data including relevant tree information and elevation as well. To collect the seeds, a team will visit a nearby healthy forest, seeking specific trees and the correct elevation. Sometimes they will climb high into the trees to obtain the seed cones.
Tree Growth at the Nursery
After seed collection, the seeds are sent to a nursery. The Forest Services have six nurseries across the USA, and the nursery professionals ensure that the trees are grown in the right type of climate conditions to prepare them for the natural environment. Most seeds take 1-2 years to hit the appropriate size and resilience for being planted in their natural habitat.
Tree Planting
When it’s time for planting the seedling trees, they are transported to their designated forest area in a refrigerated cooler until the morning of their planting. Professional tree planting teams assemble with hip bags, filling each with hundreds of seedlings at once and hiking through the land to plant the small trees.
To improve survival, seedlings are planted in shaded or semi-protected areas that keep the small trees from direct sun exposure. For each seedling, planters use specialized tools to dig a deep hole in the ground. The seedling is placed into the hold and the roots are covered with soil. Professional seed planters can do this in about 10 seconds.
Tree Monitoring
Throughout the growing time of the seedlings, the Forest Service will randomly select seedlings to dig up. This check confirms whether the planting crews are following proper planting techniques. The Forest Service continues to monitor the growth of the seedlings with check-ups after 1, 3, and 5 years after planting. In some situations, the teams need to do some plant maintenance to ensure the seedlings survive.
Reforestation Volunteering
When it comes to volunteering to help support reforestation, it’s not just about planting the trees—though that is important. Reforestation includes many components from community education to working in nurseries to seed collection in the forest to monitoring the growth of the forests. Many volunteering opportunities exist, and you can potentially find options within your area by searching the internet.
At Golden Arrow, we do our part to care for the earth’s resources by choosing to have a green factory process from start to finish. Our final packaging products are eco-friendly, too. If your business wants an environmentally friendly packaging solution, speak with one of our industry professionals today at info@goldenarrow.com.