I discovered this website when I read a PSA aloud for the US Forest Service on my radio show. When I eventually visited the website, discovertheforest.org, I found it to be a great resource to connect people with forests near them.

You can locate forests near you using your zip code, and filter sites based on types of recreation and type of site (national forest, wilderness area, etc.) I mapped locations for the 23173 zip code, and had 20 forests to choose from!

Along with providing resources for recreational opportunities, Discover The Forest provides information on conservation information and how people can take action by volunteering with the US Forest Service or another organization.

What makes this website particularly interesting for me is how people’s recreational interests can overlap with conservation and education. It’s the best of both worlds for people and nature when these two lines of interest intersect. I work for the Appalachian Mountain Club doing trail work over the course of the summer, so I often see first hand how recreational experiences go hand-in-hand with stewardship. Also, many people may be unaware of the many natural areas that surround them, and this website provides a way for people to engage with the outdoors in the digital age. Children especially could benefit from putting down a game console and picking up a fern, am I right?

So go forth! As I say in my PSA: Unplug. Reconnect. http://www.discovertheforest.org