In Idaho's forests, it's also the law. The Idaho Forest Practices Act came about in 1974 to assure the continuous growing and harvesting of forest trees and to maintain forest soil, air, water, vegetation, wildlife and aquatic habitat. The law requires that within five years all harvested areas be reforested by nature or re-planted. It's a good law and it works. In our state we plant 18 million every year in addition to the ones Nature seeds.
Reforestation is just one part of managing forests for today and tomorrow.
Thinning, harvesting and replanting helps keep Idaho's forests healthy and growing. Forests change constantly - new seedlings begin while old trees stagnate and die. Good forest management means making responsible decisions for the entire circle from the harvest of mature timber through the rebirth of a forest. The simple idea of reforestation make great sense because we all need trees. Though most of us don't think about it, they touch each of our lives every day.