The U.S. Forest Service celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2005, with nationwide events and celebrations exploring the past, present and future relationship between conservation and community. In particular, state and federal cultural agencies and other partners are exploring mutual projects that bring the arts and community to the forefront of contributions to the conservation field. Among the events being planned include:

a conference of artists, writers, scientists and land managers for 2003

a series of 'Community Conservation Chautauquas' for 2005

a Forest Service feature at the 2005 Smithsonian Folklife Festival, in particular the lifestyles and cultural traditions that depend upon use and stewardship of forest ecosystems In preparation for these activities, the National Assembly of State Arts Agencies (NASAA) and the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) are seeking examples of the arts being used to change public attitudes, improve stewardship, inform interpretation and/or affect approaches to land management issues. NASAA is looking for examples that illustrate how the arts and humanities can be used as an interpretive tool for public land managers - residencies, performance or exhibits - and/or show how they help communities change their relationship with the land. If you have such stories, please submit them to Kimber Craine by e-mail;kimber@nasaa-arts.org fax (202-737-0526) or regular mail; National Assembly of State Arts Agencies, 1029 Vermont Avenue, NW, 2nd Floor, Washington, DC 20005.