Stretch Your Limbs and Reach High

By definition a Forest is a large area covered chiefly with trees and undergrowth. The word forest comes from the Old French forest or forès.  Forest was first introduced into English as the word for wild land set aside for hunting.  Sometimes these hunting areas did not have any trees on the land. 

There are three general types of forests.  They are temperate, tropical and boreal.  It is estimated that forests cover approximately one-third the Earth’s surface.  Temperate forests are found across eastern North America and Eurasia.

Forests are vital to life on Earth.  They purify the air we breathe.  They filter the water we drink.  They prevent erosion and they act as an important buffer against climate change.  

Forests provide a wide range of environmental, economic and social benefits. There are many uses of forests. Many rural communities use the fuelwood for cooking and heating. Fodder from the forest is an important source for cattle and other grazing animals.  Forests can also provide windbreaks and shelter belts.

The forests can be conserved by controlling forest fires, using the forest resources properly and protecting the forests from pests and diseases.

Forests are the most biologically-diverse ecosystems on land. They are home to more than 80% of the land species of animals, plants and insects. Some forest resources such as roots, stems, leaves, and bark of some trees have medicinal value. Forests offer employment to hunters, forest rangers and the logging industry. Some areas of the forest are set aside for recreational purposes too.  A forest can also provide opportunities for teaching and research in the natural physical and agricultural sciences.

These are the sayings on the bookmark called Advice from a Forest.

• Breathe Deep

• Reach High

• Be Full of Life

• Stretch Your Limbs

• Be Surrounded by Beauty

• Let the Gentle Winds Soothe You

• Recycle, Recycle, Recycle!

Here are my comments about each of these sayings. 

• Breathe Deep - Take a deep breath. The air is so fresh and clean when you are walking through a forest.

• Reach High - Reach for the sky.  Set lofty goals and keep reaching higher and higher.

• Be Full of Life - Be enthusiastic and live life abundantly!

• Stretch Your Limbs - Exercise and do some stretching everyday both physically and mentally.

• Be Surrounded by Beauty - Enjoy nature and the beauty around you.

• Let the Gentle Winds Soothe You - Go outside and enjoy a gentle breeze as it glides across your face.

• Recycle, Recycle, Recycle! - Protect our forests. Recycle. 

Have a great day everyone.  Stretch your limbs and reach high.

# living life abundantly  # published author  # travelling tuesdays