Spring Renewal.

A seasonal look at tree planters memorials to war and peace, and--in Washington, DC--a new administration.

Rebirth and renewal are common themes for spring editorials. Around here, when we think of spring we think of tree planting. It's a great time to engage people in helping to improve the environment, as well.

Interest heightens as the sap begins to run, making volunteers easier to find. Some don't even have to he asked, as was the case with Penn State honors students who just returned from a spring break trip to plant trees near Lake Tahoe. Those Wildfire ReLeaf trees will help bring back forests scorched in the 1999 Pendola burn.

We have scores of other planting projects underway across the country and internationally. But there are so many other sites still in need of trees--sites burned by wildfire, where erosion is ruining salmon streams, where cooling shade is desperately needed--that this spring we're asking for help to plant 1 million trees for Earth Day.

Back in 1996 we set a tree-planting goal: 20 million trees for the new millennium, trees that would help bring environmental restoration. We've done well so far, planting more than 17 million in more than 500 projects. You've read about many of them in this magazine and at americanforests.org. we'll reach that goal this fall if we can rally support for 1 million trees this spring.

We invite your help. if you haven't been to our Web site, visit soon; I think you'll be impressed by this view of our current work. And while you're there, plant some trees online and forward a campaign email to a friend.

Over the winter there was much regrouping and reflecting on 2000's extensive wildfires, prompting a congressional response that is unprecedented, at least since 1910 when historic fires were a catalyst for the approach to wildfire management and suppression that guides us to this day. Now there's movement to reduce the risk of destructive wildfire by increasing conditions for wildfires of renewal.

More on that next time. In this issue we offer ways forest communities and homeowners can reduce wildfire threats to homes and other buildings in the urban/wildland interface (see page 7).

As we look toward our National Urban Forest Conference in the nation's capital this fail, we begin a series of articles on Washington with a tree tour of the City of Trees (see page 36). While Washington is known for its marble and granite memorials, it gives life to and is nurtured by a most prestigious collection of living tributes: from the tree that shaded Abraham Lincoln to one that shades the eternal flame of John F. Kennedy's grave.

With this spring issue on renewal we also honor those professionals for whom every day is spring. Thee planters' embody the spirit of spring by giving birth to new forests with every tree they plant. We also single out one very special tree planter, whose life on the slopes had more to do with sports than seedlings. Olympic skier Debbie Armstrong, who had a gold-medal day at the 1984 Olympics in Sarajevo, is acting as AMERICAN FORESTS' spokesperson for our Global ReLeaf for Sarajevo campaign. With her help we will plant more than 300,000 trees to replace the ones that enabled the people of Sarajevo to warm their homes and cook their food during their most desperate days.

And as we plant those tributes to peace, half a world away we will remember those who fought in last century's greatest conflict, World War II. This Memorial Day, join veterans, friends, and families in planting special Famous & Historic Trees from the birthplace of President Eisenhower as a tribute to all who protected America's freedom.

May the trees we plant say thank you to those who served and those who suffered, and may they signify our fervent wish that no other generation will have to sacrifice so much.