MDC’s Campaign Focuses on Our Trees and Forests
Trees Work. Trees work for your health. Trees work for your family. Trees work for your wallet. Trees work.
Did you know that being around trees lowers your blood pressure and pulse rate? Guess what else. Kids perform better on tests and have reduced symptoms on ADHD after being in nature. And, trees along streets raise home values by $8000 on average. Trees work.
At the same time that they provide habitat for wildlife, wood products and shade for our homes, trees work in other incredibly important and surprising ways we are only beginning to understand.
The Missouri Department of Conservation has a new educational campaign called Trees Work to increase awareness of the benefits our trees and forests provide. Many of us appreciate the beauty of an oak releasing its tender spring leaves or a maple shading our deck without being aware of the real and valuable benefits those trees are providing for our health, our families, our wallets and our environment. The Trees Work campaign strikes a one, two punch by letting Missourians know all the ways trees and forests are working for you in your everyday life and providing information on what you can do about it-how you can promote good forestry management no matter how much land you own.
Now, let’s get Missouri’s trees back on our radar screen. After all, Trees Work! Be watching for Trees Work activities and information in your area. Visit www.treeswork.org to learn more and get involved. And, help us spread the message that our trees and forests are more than pretty, static things. Trees Work!!! www.TREESWORK.org.
Beyond Belief: Trees Work Fact or Fiction
Which one of the following statements is fiction and which are amazingly true? See if you can pick the liar out of the bunch. Hint: Only one is bogus. Really.
- The forest products industry contributed 7 billion dollars to Missouri’s economy in the last year which is more than the total net worth of Oprah Winfrey and Donald Trump combined.
- In one year, an acre of trees can absorb as much carbon as is produced by a car driven from St. Joseph to Puxico and back ten times.
- A 10% increase in large trees in a neighborhood has a corresponding drop in crime of 12%.
- Your computer screen is comprised of 85% recycled wood products.