WASHINGTON, D.C.

Thirty-four forest sites-- a total of nearly 1.4 million trees-- have been added to the 1998 American Forests Global ReLeaf Forests program. Projections indicate that by the end of the year, private contributions will have enabled American Forests to fund Global ReLeaf ecosystem-restoration projects on 120 sites across the United States and Canada.

The African-American Reforestation Program of Memphis, TN aims to accomplish the dual goals of planting trees and giving youth a better understanding and appreciation for the environment. Global ReLeaf will collaborate with the Indiana Chapter of The Nature Conservancy to plant 54,000 mixed hardwoods on 100 acres of the Big Walnut Nature Preserve. In Illinois, the Cache River Bioreserve project will provide habitat for some of the region's 100 endangered and threatened species. And, new plantings on the Homer Demonstration Forest in Alaska will restore 40 acres of land devastated by the spruce bark beetle.

To find out how you can participate in the Global ReLeaf program, call 202-955-4500.