1875
AMERICAN FORESTS founded in Chicago by group of concerned citizens, led by John Aston Warder, Cincinnati physician.

1882
First American Forest Congress held in Cincinnati. Fifty thousand people attend tree-planting event in Eden Park in honor of authors and statesmen.

1883
AMERICAN FORESTS appoints special committee to advance observance of Arbor Day. (Founder J. Sterling Morton serves as AMERICAN FORESTS' president from 1893 -1896).

1891
After years of advocacy by AMERICAN FORESTS, Congress passes legislation giving the President power to set aside Forest Reserves. President Harrison immediately proclaimed 13 million acres as forest reserves; President Cleveland adds 5 million soon after.

1894
The publication known today as American Forests magazine makes its debut.

1897
AMERICAN FORESTS persuades Secretary of Interior to commission report from National Academy of Sciences on need for agency to manage forest reserves. Interior deemed to be unable to protect lands from fire or theft. Congress passes Forest Reserve Act

1905
President Theodore Roosevelt addresses the second American Forest Congress and holds a White House reception for delegates; the Forest Congress supports resolution for all federal government work on forests to be under the USDA. Congress passes legislation one month later. AMERICAN FORESTS supports creation of national parks, including purchase of Calavaras Grove of Big Trees in California and conveyance of Yosemite to federal government from California.

1911
AMERICAN FORESTS succeeds in passage of the Weeks Bill in Congress that allows for acquisition of forest reserves to protect watersheds.

1917
AMERICAN FORESTS strongly supports creation of Grand Canyon National Park. 1920s Policy issues include national forests in the East, wildlife protection in Alaska, recreation resource survey; establishment of migratory bird refuges; creation of Appalachia National Park, national capital parks, and national arboretum; and improvement of Yellowstone elk habitat. AMERICAN FORESTS continues to oppose every bill in Congress that fails to protect parks from "irrigation, reservoirs, power projects or other industrial uses."

1921
AMERICAN FORESTS launches memorial tree-planting campaigns. First Lady Mrs. Warren G. Harding plants first memorial tree in Washington, D.C.

1924
AMERICAN FORESTS donates first living Christmas tree to the nation; secures passage of Clarke-McNary Act to allow cooperation in reforestation and forest management between federal agencies and states. Leads to creation of national forests in the East and state forest nurseries to ensure sufficient seedlings for reforestation.

1928
AMERICAN FORESTS creates the Dixie Crusaders to educate people in the Southeast about the causes and dangers of human-caused wildfire. Between 1928 and 1931 AMERICAN FORESTS raised $260,000 to educate 3 million people.

1930
AMERICAN FORESTS conducts aggressive Congressional information campaigns on creation and protection of national parks in Florida Everglades, Grand Tetons, Olympic mountains, and against tunneling under the Rocky Mountains to divert Colorado River for irrigation.

1933
AMERICAN FORESTS works with Franklin D. Roosevelt to create Civilian Conservation Corps. AMERICAN FORESTS debuts ecotourism program Trail Riders of the Wilderness.

1935
American Forests magazine publishes first of many articles by Aldo Leopold.

1940
National Register of Big Trees established.

1950
Wildfire protection campaigns conducted nationally by AMERICAN FORESTS. 1975 AMERICAN FORESTS celebrates 100 years.

1980
AMERICAN FORESTS fights against privatization of federal public lands.

1982
AMERICAN FORESTS launches urban forestry program and convenes National Urban Forest Conference in Cincinnati, one hundred years after first American Forest Congress.

1986
Famous & Historic Trees program launched.

1988
AMERICAN FORESTS launches Global ReLeaf campaign aimed at tree planting for ecosystem restoration.

1990
First Global ReLeaf Forest established in Au Sable, Michigan- 23,000 jack pine to provide forest habitat for endangered Kirtland's warbler. Christopher Reeve stars in Global ReLeaf PSAs on The Discovery Channel.

1996
First satellite tree cover analysis conducted, Atlanta, GA.

2000
125th Anniversary, September 10.