978-0-86554-900-5, H663

Illustrated

Forever Green
The History and Hope of the American Forest

Chuck Leavell

The future of America’s forests

Since 1980, one of the country’s most acclaimed rock/blues pianists has developed into one of our most respected conservationists and tree farmers. Over the last two decades, Chuck Leavell and his wife Rose Lane have transformed Charlane Plantation in middle Georgia into a textbook tree-farming enterprise—and in the process Leavell has become a nationally recognized spokesman on behalf of America’s forests.

In Forever Green, Leavell steers a well-reasoned course for the future of America’s forests. He points out that wood is one of our most critical resources, one that must be wisely used and conscientiously renewed.

Leavell’s message is frank but encouraging. Thanks to pressure applied by environmental and conservation groups, to responsible government policy, and to an ever-rising social consciousness concerning all our natural resources, we are making progress in forest management. And with the leadership of Leavell and others like him, the American forest does have hope.

"I’ve known Chuck Leavell for many years and have long respected his musical talents. As a fellow tree farmer I’m even more impressed by his work in conservation and forestry. In Forvever Green he paints an honest portrait of America’s forests, and makes a powerful case for the careful management of one of our most precious natural resources."

—President Jimmy Carter

Chuck Leavell has become one of the most respected keyboardists in the world of rock ‘n’ roll since his days with the Allman Brothers Band (1972–1976), Sea Level (1976–1980), playing and recording with Eric Clapton and George Harrison, and touring and recording with the Rolling Stones over the past two decades. At the same time, his work at Charlane Plantation—the award-winning tree farm he and his wife Rose Lane have created near Macon, Georgia—has earned Leavell a fast-growing reputation as one of our country’s foremost conservationists. He has been named Outstanding Tree Farmer for Georgia and National Outstanding Tree Farmer. He has also been recognized by the National Arbor Day Foundation, the Georgia Conservancy, and other conservation organizations. He currently serves as a spokesperson for the Georgia Forestry Association and the American Tree Farm System.

Titles of related interest

The Greening of Georgia: The Improvement of the Environment in the Twentieth Century

Missionary Earthkeeping
Calvin B. DeWitt and Ghillean T. Prance, editors
148 pp. Paper. $16.95s. 0-86554-404-2. P096.