The United Nations, through Resolution Number 61/193, named 2011 the International Year of Forests, launched February 2, 2011 at the General Assembly Hall in New York City.  Preparations for the observance of Forests 2011 are taking place at the national, regional and international levels.  Copies of the resolution, and a calendar of events, can be found on the UN website http://www.un.org/en/events/iyof2011/index.shtml.  Forests are home to more than 300 million people throughout the world.  Primary forests account for more than 35% of forest area.  30% of forests are used for the production of wood and non-wood products.  The livelihoods of 1.6 billion people rely on forests.  Forests cover 31% of land area.  Take part in this celebration of the importance of forests throughout the world. Though the website, you may submit photos, poems, essays, films, and thoughts about the importance of our forest cover.  Winners of the Forest Film Festival Competition (screened at the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival) may be found at www.jhfestival.org/forestfestival/index.htm.