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MIDNIGHT FOREST has been founded to help carry the torch of North American Conservation. As a customer, you will have the option to donate with us at checkout. We have recently donated $500 to the The National Wildlife Federation with the help of our customers. 100% of your donation at checkout will go to the NWF.

Where does the name Midnight Forest come from?

In 1891, Congress was reconsidering land laws, and an amendment allowed the President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt, to set aside forest reserves from public land, known as the Forest Reserve Act.

However, by 1907, interest groups complained about regulations for operations in forest reserve lands. Consequently, an amendment was added to the Agriculture Appropriations Act of 1907, prohibiting the creation or addition of forest reserves in certain states, changing their name to national forests, and emphasizing use over preservation.

President Roosevelt had to sign this amendment into law, which gave him until noon on March 4, 1907. He spent the next few days consulting with Gifford Pinchot, head of the U.S. Forest Service, about the areas to designate as national forest reserves. Numerous government clerks worked continuously through the night to complete the paperwork necessary for Roosevelt to proclaim twenty-one new forest preserves and to enlarge eleven existing ones, totaling approximately 16,000,000 acres.

After signing the Agricultural Appropriations Act, Roosevelt created 150 national forests, five national parks, and 18 national monuments, among other conservation efforts. The national forests alone consisted of 150,000,000 acres of land by the end of his term in 1909. Roosevelt’s conservation efforts were critical in preserving natural resources for future generations and established the foundation for modern environmental policy.

Due to the timing of these proclamations and Roosevelt’s comment, the forests created in March 1907 became known as the “midnight forests.” It was a stroke described by a Forest Service historian as “the last flamboyant act of the conservation movement.”

Despite the opposition from special interest groups, Roosevelt’s actions have proven essential to the protection and preservation of public lands. The national forests, in particular, provide resources for recreation, timber, grazing, wildlife, and water. Additionally, they continue to play an essential role in mitigating the effects of climate change by storing carbon and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

As public land users ourselves,  we chose to name our company Midnight Forest to continue to carry the torch of Public land protection. Using proceeds from the sale of our products, we make donations to conservation groups who protect and maintain public land, conserve wildlife, and actively fight anti-public land lobbying groups.