Some things don't change

American Forests, Spring, 2005 by Richard Lewis

Deborah Gangloff: I found the enclosed June 1927 issue of American Forests and Forest Life in an antique store in Greencastle, Pennsylvania. I don't know how complete your archives are, so I bought it for you.

Some remarkable changes and similarities over the last 78 years. Inside front cover: Look at the number of vice presidents AFA used to have [20] and at who they were--some very high-level folks and even the president of the Sierra Club was an AFA VP! Page 323: The feature articles focuses on the environmental perils of clearing Appalachian timberland for agricultural use. The parallel today: AMERICAN FORESTS is focused on the environmental effects of urban and suburban deforestation. Also, some still-familiar advertisers (L.L. Bean, Coleman, and James W. Sewall) and some long gone (Ipana toothpaste, fox breeders, ELTO Outboard Motor Co.).

I think frequently with fondness of the time when Hank DeBruin, Fred Deneke, Gary Moll, and I were the "charter" organizers of AMERICAN FORESTS' Urban Forestry Program and the first Urban Forestry Conference. Deborah, under your staff leadership AMERICAN FORESTS has continued to grow and flourish ... you should be proud.

Richard Lewis, President

Forest Resources Association, Inc.

Rockville, Maryland