Celebrations and Summertime.

So far the new century has brought a possible chestnut revival, schoolkids whose hearts are as big as the world, and savvier travelers. Things are looking up.

What are you doing on your summer vacation? With climate change becoming more of a household word that question may have more significance than merely a way to kill time around the water cooler.

In Perspectives this time, Janine Guglielmino looks at some scenarios for fun in the sun--and the effect they have on the production of carbon dioxide, a major greenhouse gas. It's an eye opener as we contemplate our place as stewards of the earth and an important reason to plant trees to help slow climate change.

Earth, of course, was on everyone's mind this spring as the nation celebrated the 30th anniversary of Earth Day. AMERICAN FORESTS joined other environmental groups with educational displays on the national Mall in Washington, D.C. We showed off our revamped Climate Change Calculator, which lets individuals calculate carbon dioxide output--and determine how many clean-air breathing trees to plant to offset it. It's another way trees help us live lighter on the land.

Arbor Day comes on the heels of Earth Day and this year Washington, New York, and Philadelphia celebrated in a special way: by planting American chestnuts carefully bred to (it's hoped) resist the dreaded fungus that decimated these national treasurers in the first half of the 20th century.

For those like myself, for whom a nation of spreading chestnut branches is merely a series of black and white archive photos, the idea is an interesting one--sort of a passenger pigeon with a second chance. But for those who remember when chestnuts ruled the landscape, the success of this venture would be nothing short of an epic comeback. If it works, it'll be thanks to years of work by the American Chestnut Foundation, which initially bread the American chestnut with its disease-resistant Chinese cousin, then crossbred over and over to winnow out all non-American chestnut characteristics except the disease-resistance.

AMERICAN FORESTS helped fund the plantings and will be reporting on the tree's hoped-for success in upcoming issues. Stay tuned; we'll keep you posted.

We're also keeping tabs on some Famous & Historic Trees we've helped plant. Schoolkids from Lafayette, Georgia, hit the news in April with their efforts to help reforest France's Palacce of Versailles after a devastating windstorm. Their inspiring story begins on page 26.

Throughout the year we've been keeping you posted about our 125th anniversary which we celebrate in September. We officially mark the big date at ceremonies in Chicago, where AMERICAN FORESTS was chartered as the American Forestry Association back in 1875.

In each issue we're spotlighting notable programs from AMERICAN FORESTS' past. This time we look at our vastly popular early ecotourism program. Trail Riders of the Wilderness (page 30). Just saying the name conjures images of riding horseback against frosted mountain peaks or sleeping in a tent after a campfire supper. After reading Eddie Nickens' article, I think (like the rest of us) you'll be ready to saddle up.

Do you have fond memories of your Trail Riding days or did a now-deceased friend or relative pass along special stories? We'd love to hear them, as well as any good memories you have from your days as an AMERICAN FORESTS' member. It's your anniversary celebration too!