SantaFeToday.com Santa Fe’s Hometown News
Many families across the United States celebrate the holiday season with a Christmas tree. While farmed and artificial trees are often full, symmetrical, and easy to find, they can also be expensive—and for good reason. A great deal of labor and materials go into creating those picture-perfect branches.
But for those who live near a national forest, there’s another option: the $5 Christmas tree.
Twelve Days of Forest Christmas
Celebrate the holiday season with a forest-themed twist on the classic song, “The 12 Days of Christmas.”
Breathing Life Back Into the Woods
A $300 million sawmill may not sound like a typical solution to devastating wildfires—but in northern Arizona, it has become exactly that. Restoration Forest Products, the largest sawmill ever built in the state, is part of a powerful partnership between industry leaders, counties, and the USDA Forest Service.
Through the Four Forest Restoration Initiative (4FRI), this coalition is working to restore nearly two million acres of ponderosa pine while protecting watersheds, homes, and local livelihoods.
Pikes Peak: Partnerships on America’s Mountain
Rising to 14,115 feet, Pikes Peak has inspired travelers, poets, and locals for generations. Towering above Colorado Springs, the mountain is also home to a visitor center that beautifully blends history, recreation, and collaboration—showcasing what strong partnerships can achieve.
Meet the National Forest Foundation
The National Forest Foundation believes caring for forests should come naturally. As the official nonprofit partner of the USDA Forest Service, the Foundation turns America’s love for nature into action.
Dedicated exclusively to national forests and grasslands, the NFF leads conservation efforts by convening partners, telling powerful stories, and driving hands-on restoration across the National Forest System.
Community Roots, Lasting Impact
The Salmon-Challis National Forest spans 4.3 million rugged acres across central Idaho and has been heavily impacted by wildfire over the past several decades.
As the need for reforestation grew, the forest partnered with Salmon Valley Stewardship—a local nonprofit deeply rooted in the community—to accelerate recovery efforts. Together, they are helping the forest regenerate and thrive for future generations.
