Which Wood You Choose? – Forest Landowners’ Selection of Trees for Planting Forests Can Have Different Outcomes
The scientists in this study were interested in exploring how the environmental conditions for wildlife species might change as landowners make decisions about replanting trees after harvesting. The scientists know that people tend to make decisions that maximize their profits. If landowners are paid to replant their land in something other than current species, the current habitat for wildlife may change.
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In this FACTivity, your class will consider the tradeoffs discussed in “Which Wood You Choose?” and work toward a solution. A tradeoff is any situation where making one choice to...FACTivity – Which Wood You Choose?
In this FACTivity, your class will consider the tradeoffs discussed in “Which Wood You Choose?” and work toward a solution. A tradeoff is any situation where making one choice to...
Glossary
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Yukiko Hashida
My favorite science experience is converting my backyard to a butterfly and bird-friendly sanctuary. I am not a fan of the lawn as it doesn’t support much biodiversity. I tend...View Profile -
John Withey
One of my favorite science experiences was going out in the Panamanian rainforest to find and study tropical songbirds. I lived close to Soberania National Park (next to the Panama...View Profile -
David Lewis
My interests in forests and conservation go back to my long-term love of being outdoors, which started when I was a kid and continues to this day. My favorite science...View Profile -
Tara Newman
My favorite science experience was getting outside every day and exploring places that most people don’t get to go to learn about and help protect wildlife. This has included wading...View Profile -
Jeff Kline
My favorite experiences over the course of my career as a scientist have involved working with scientists from other disciplines. Since I was a kid playing in the woods behind...View Profile
Standards addressed in this Article:
Social Studies Standards
- People, Places, and Environments
- Science, Technology, and Society
- Time, Continuity, and Change
Note To Educators
The Forest Service's Mission
The Forest Service’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation’s forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. For more than 100 years, our motto has been “caring for the land and serving people.” The Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), recognizes its responsibility to be engaged in efforts to connect youth to nature and to promote the development of science-based conservation education programs and materials nationwide.
What Is the Natural Inquirer?
Natural Inquirer is a science education resource journal to be used by students in grade 6 and up. Natural Inquirer contains articles describing environmental and natural resource research conducted by Forest Service scientists and their cooperators. These scientific journal articles have been reformatted to meet the needs of middle school students. The articles are easy to understand, are aesthetically pleasing to the eye, contain glossaries, and include hands-on activities. The goal of Natural Inquirer is to stimulate critical reading and thinking about scientific inquiry and investigation while teaching about ecology, the natural environment, and natural resources.
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Meet the Scientists
Introduces students to the scientists who did the research. This section may be used in a discussion about careers in science.
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What Kinds of Scientist Did This Research?
Introduces students to the scientific disciplines of the scientists who conducted the research.
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Thinking About Science
Introduces something new about the scientific process, such as a scientific habit of mind or procedures used in scientific studies.
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Thinking About the Environment
Introduces the environmental topic being addressed in the research.
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Introduction
Introduces the problem or question that the research addresses.
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Method
Describes the method the scientists used to collect and analyze their data.
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Findings & Discussion
Describes the results of the analysis. Addresses the findings and places them into the context of the original problem or question.
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Reflection Section
Presents questions aimed at stimulating critical thinking about what has been read or predicting what might be presented in the next section. These questions are placed at the end of each of the main article sections.
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Number Crunches
Presents an easy math problem related to the research.
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Glossary
Defines potentially new scientific or other terms to students. The first occurrence of a glossary word is bold in the text.
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Citation
Gives the original article citation with an internet link to the original article.
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FACTivity
Presents a hands-on activity that emphasizes something presented in the article.
Science Education Standards
You will find a listing of education standards which are addressed by each article at the back of each publication and on our website.
We Welcome Feedback
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Contact
Jessica Nickelsen
Director, Natural Inquirer program -
Email
Education Files
Project Learning Tree
If you are a trained Project Learning Tree educator, you may use “Forest for the Trees” as an additional resource.
Related Resources from the Natural Inquirer
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Ecosystem services are the benefits that nature provides through natural processes. For example, plants provide clean air, natural fire helps cycle nutrients, and bats act as insect control. Ecosystem services...Ecosystem Services – Vol. 12 No. 1
Ecosystem services are the benefits that nature provides through natural processes. For example, plants provide clean air, natural fire helps cycle nutrients, and bats act as insect control. Ecosystem services... -
The scientists in this study were interested in studying how climate change may impact rural areas in the United States. Rural areas are expected to experience more negative impacts from...Wide Open Spaces: Climate Change Impacts in Rural Areas of the United States
The scientists in this study were interested in studying how climate change may impact rural areas in the United States. Rural areas are expected to experience more negative impacts from... -
The scientists in this study developed a process to help managers identify management priorities. As conditions change over time, the managers wanted to adapt their management priorities to fit the...At Your Service: Developing Models to Help Natural Resource Managers Make Better Decisions
The scientists in this study developed a process to help managers identify management priorities. As conditions change over time, the managers wanted to adapt their management priorities to fit the... -
Over the past 40 years, Federal and State governments have provided financial incentives to private forest landowners. In this monograph, scientists wanted to know what kind of impact these programs...Show Me the Money – Vol. 1 No. 4
Over the past 40 years, Federal and State governments have provided financial incentives to private forest landowners. In this monograph, scientists wanted to know what kind of impact these programs...
Additional Resources
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USDA Forest Service: The Benefits of Trees
Visit WebsiteLearn more about the benefits of trees and explore Forest Service resources about trees.
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USDA Forest Service: Private Land
Visit WebsiteLearn more about the forests that are owned and managed by private landowners. Explore Forest Service resources for private landowners.
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USDA Forest Service: Carbon
Visit WebsiteLearn more about carbon, carbon’s role in the forest, carbon stewardship, and more.