Our national forests Stories from America's most important public lands

America's national forests blanket vast acreage, and they protect an important natural heritage. In light of concern over climate change and the role of forests in removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, they have become more important than ever. Peters passionately tells the story of these forests and the women and men who serve to maintain them. Although most of these forests lie west of the Mississippi, most states have their own national forests. Moreover, national grasslands preserve some of the country's once-vast prairies that have avoided transformation to agriculture. These wild places tend to offer less drama to tourists than national parks, but serve a similar purpose. As Peters expresses it, national parks propose preservation, national forests conservation. Indeed, some forests include ski resorts, mining, and forestry within their boundaries. Fire control ranks among the National Forest Service's most public operations, but the NFS also operates nurseries to regenerate fire-damaged woods. Photographs offer some perspective on the scope of these forests and honor some of the many forest rangers who serve so diligently. This is a valuable addition to any environmental collection.