Partnerships
The words "partnership" and "partners" are used in a broad way to describe relationships between the people, organizations, agencies, and communities that work together and share interests. The Forest Service regularly works in partnership with other entities, including tribes, states, federal agencies, nonprofits, businesses, and communities. However, it is important to understand that the word "partnership" also has a more precise meaning according to federal policy.
Federal policy defines partnerships as "arrangements that are voluntary, mutually beneficial, and entered into for the purpose of mutually agreed upon objectives." In this definition, "mutual benefit" specifically means that each partner shares in the benefits the project provides. The terminology can be confusing because the Forest Service commonly uses the word "partnership" more loosely to refer to work with others where the benefits are not shared. For example, when the Forest Service gives grants to communities for revitalizing urban forests, the primary benefit is to the community.
The agency also uses contracts to purchase goods or services that directly benefit the Forest Service. These types of formal arrangements are partnerships in the sense that they help each party achieve their goals and build skills, knowledge, and relationships that provide the foundation for future work together.
The Forest Service also frequently works with partners through informal activities that may serve as springboards for formal arrangements later. For example, many agency employees participate in community networks to offer educational events and share skills and expertise with local landowners and citizens without a formal, documented arrangement. In practice, this broadens the meaning of partnership beyond the specific definition under federal policy and beyond formal arrangements.
Since 1983, the Forest Service Plant-A-Tree program has allowed for individual donations to be used for reforestation projects across the national forest system. Your gift of trees helps to reforest public lands that will be enjoyed by generations to come. You can select to have a tree planted to honor, memorialize, or celebrate a loved one.
Plant-A-Tree here: plantatree.fs.usda.gov
In recognition of your donation, an optional customizable Plant-A-Tree certificate can be sent to you or to another person named by you. You can select to have the certificate honor, memorialize, or celebrate a loved one.
Donations
Donations to Plant-A-Tree will be used to plant trees on national forests throughout the U.S. and territories. You can select to have your donation go to where it’s needed most or to a specific national forest. Donations to where it’s needed most are received in the national office over the course of the year and are pooled and distributed annually to reforestation projects at various locations in the national forest system. Donations sent directly to a national forest will be utilized when there is a reforestation need there. If there is no tree planting need for the selected forest, the donation may be used for tree planting on another forest. The cost of seedlings varies based on location, tree species, and type of seedling (bareroot or containerized seedlings).
Chippewa Tree Planting Site
If you choose to have a tree planted in the memory or honor of a loved one on the Chippewa National Forest, the seedlings are planted at the “Memorial Tree Planting Site” at the Birches Picnic area. The Forest receives many calls from people hoping to visit the memorial tree planting site. Parking is available at the sign and there is a new trail that leads visitors through the site.
Birches Picnic Area
New pine seedlings have been planted along the road one-half mile before the picnic area driveway. Visitors will find an accessible lakeside picnic spot at Birches. It is a peaceful area to view the lake and forest, remember loved ones and appreciate the beauty of the Northwoods. Directions to Birches Picnic Area: From Deer River, Minnesota., take Highway 2 1 mile west to Highway 46 north. Travel 12 miles north to County Road 9, also known as the Winnie Dam Road. Turn west on County 9, travel six miles to the Tamarack Road, Forest Road 2163. At Tamarack Campground and Birches Picnic Area signs, follow this road 3 miles to the Birches Picnic Area.
Note: There is a sign identifying the memorial tree planting site. Planted trees will not be individually identified but will become part of the national forest system and be cared for as part of normal forest management activities.