
Explore the Forest!
The classification “forest” describes a type of biome. Forests are home to many plants, animals and insects. Forests cover about one third of the earth’s land surface and hold 70% of the carbon in living things. The vast surface area and carbon content affects the climate of the entire earth. The most common classification of forests is by latitude. Using this grouping, forests can be divided into three categories: tropical, temperate, and boreal. These different forests have different types of creatures and different minerals. If done minimally, materials, products and food can be harvested from forests. This needs to be calculated according to the season, the area and the rapidity of harvest. If done incorrectly, the entire forest may suffer. The importance of forests is extremely urgent because of the rapid deforestation that is occurring. However, there are many ways to help restore and manage our forests.
Get involved! Explore the Forest!
Activity 1 – Tree Seeds

Find a heavily wooded area near where you live. Harvest the seeds from several different types of trees. Put the seeds in soil, water daily and chart your observations in their growth projects. Once all of the seeds have sprouted and grown, make a graph representing the growth pattern of each seedling.
Activity 2 – Identify Trees

Gather leaves from several different trees around your house. Lay each leaf out flat and place a piece of paper over it. Rub a colored pencil across the paper where the leaf edge is to create a print. This image will show you the leaf’s shape and form. Then, use the link given to identify the tree that it came from. Read about that kind of tree and its unique qualities that make it special to your area.
Activity 3 – Map it Out

One third of the entire land surface area of earth is covered by forests. Print out a map and color in the areas where forests are present. Use three different colors to show tropical, temperate, and boreal forests. Also, label a major forest in each category by name. Consider the rapid deterioration of these forests and what it means for their neighboring communities and the entire world.
Activity 4 – Forest Bathing!
Forest Bathing is an invitation to visit the forests.
Activity 5 – Forests and Carbon Sequestration
Review

- All trees and forests are the same.
- Forests are home to:
- The carbon content of forests affect the climate of the entire world.
- Deforestation is no longer a threat to the Earth’s forests.
- What are the three types of forests according to climate?
Explore
- American Forests
- Biology Games Forest Succession
- Climate Impact upon Forests
- Deforestation: What is Missing? by Maya Lin
- EarthDay The Canopy Reforestation Map
- ecosia The Importance of Forests
- Forest Bathing Benefits!
- Forest House Envelope Architects
- Forest Preserves of Cook County
- Future Forests Data For Good
- Future of Forests Succession Game
- Global Forest Watch Interactive Map
- Green Facts
- Learning From Northwest Forests
- Maya Lin: Ghost Forest Madison Square Park
- Municipal Benefits in 5 Cities of Urban Forests
- NASA Forest Soil Condition Maps
- NASA Interactive Data Globes measuring Soil moisture
- NASA Map of World Forest Heights
- Project Learning Tree Research Forests Around the World
- Scenario Journal Building The Urban Forest
- Stefano Boeria Bosco Verticale
- The Forest Biome
- Treepedia Canopy Cover of the World
- Urban Forestry
- USDA Forest Service Landscape Change Monitoring System
- Virtual Tour Rainforests ASUniversity
- Where are the Rainforests
- WWF Forest Habitats
- WWF Types of Forests