America’s Forests with Chuck Leavell Celebrates the Importance of U.S. Forests
America’s Forests with Chuck Leavell Series Captures Innovation and Creativity in Forest Management
There has never been a better time to inform, inspire, and involve people on the most important and entertaining topics about America’s forests. Our forests have great challenges — catastrophic wildfires, severe drought, devastating insect infestations, climatic changes, user conflicts, environmental impacts, and more. Many of us don’t understand how these events affect the quality of all our lives, from outdoor recreation to wood products, our water supply, and air quality.
What Happens in the Forest is Everyone’s Business
“America’s Forests with Chuck Leavell” is a documentary series that examines our Nation’s forest issues. Presented in a story format, episodes communicate the many innovations and opportunities our forests provide. Each episode is part of a planned 13-part series to be aired on PBS stations nationwide. Episodes focus on different regions and advocate for sustainable management of our forests. Funding for episodes is provided in part by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service. The series shows that proper forest management leads to healthy forests and thriving communities.
As host, Chuck Leavell brings warmth, passion, and a wealth of talent. A highly acclaimed musician who has been touring and recording as the keyboardist for the Rolling Stones for almost 40 years, his accomplishments as a forest landowner and conservationist are just as remarkable. Chuck and his wife Rose Lane have turned her family woodlands in Georgia into an award-winning tree farm. Teamed up with executive producers Bruce Ward, founder and president of Choose Outdoors, and Kate Raisz, an award-winning filmmaker, this gifted crew is bringing to life their vision and amplifying the messages in each story about the forest’s strong connection to both our personal and economic health and well-being. “Chuck Leavell is a legend in both the music world and wildland conservation,” said Chief of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service, Randy Moore. “As an honorary forest ranger, Chuck has shared the Forest Service mission through his unique stories. America’s forests are national treasures and his series is highlighting the importance of our Nation’s forests.”
Collaboration for a Future of Healthy Forests
Forests to Faucets: From the forests high above to home faucets in Denver, Colorado, this episode is a notable example of the connection between trees and our daily life and health. Impacts from the devastating Hayman Fire and the subsequent flooding and drinking water sediment problem were testament to the need for actively managing public and private forests, which is key to fire prevention. The Forests Need Fire, and We Need the Forest: Emerging from tragedies like the Paradise Fire, the California episode shows that by taking different approaches to forest management practices, such as prescribed burns and fuel breaks, we can ensure the forests are not just sustainable but perpetual.
Win-win: “America’s Forests” showcases pioneering developments in forests products. These include the first U.S. cross-laminated timber (CLT) plant in Oregon and the Forest Service’s innovative Forest Products Lab in Wisconsin. These stories show how forest products make our forests and communities
healthy and sustainable.
