Great idea, but we need to manage for the healthy ecology of all forests not just old growth. Everything you see in this picture and the things you do not see are storing carbon. Soils with all their life store carbon and are sensitive to. disturbance. Carbon dioxide, nitrous compounds and methane are released with soil disturbance. Old growth is important, but all trees are important. Old growth trees share water, carbohydrates and minerals to young trees through mychorhizzal (root-fungus connections), but all forests do this. To concentrate on old growth is important because so many species are old growth dependent, but we have so little old growth remaining that saving existing old growth is not enough We need to be managing immature forest for future old growth, not just protecting forests that meet varying old growth forest definitions. Stay tuned for the Fairy Creek action program.
Kevin
A couple of months ago, we joined with groups across Oregon and Washington as part of the Pacific Northwest Forest Climate Alliance (PNWFCA).
Why? It’s simple: older PNW forests are critical to a stable climate, and they’re disappearing fast. The science is complex but clear, and in consultation with scientists and policy folks, we took the time to lay it out here. 350 WA local groups, including 350 Seattle, are working with the PNWFCA; in addition, our Pledge of Resistance team is looking at some possibilities for forest defense work….we’ll keep you updated as time goes on, and in a week or two, we’ll post an interview on our blog with a local activist who went to Vancouver Island’s Fairy Creek Blockade.
Meanwhile, this week, please tell the Biden Administration to protect mature and old growth forests. (Suggested text below!)
As a part of the America the Beautiful vision to protect 30% of lands and water by 2030 (also called the 30×30 initiative), the administration is seeking input on what it can do to protect more areas in the United States. We must prioritize the conservation and recovery of our nation’s mature and old-growth forests.
Several federal agencies are tasked with implementing the 30×30 initiative and are now taking public comment on the development of the American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas. The atlas is a new tool that will be used to identify lands and waters that are conserved or restored under 30×30.
Scientists worldwide agree that to protect biodiversity and address global climate change, we need to get serious about conservation. The Pacific Northwest is home to some of the most carbon-dense forests in the world. Yet industry is still logging mature and old growth trees on public lands here, despite overwhelming evidence that these forests are more valuable standing.
In solidarity with all who depend on the stability that trees offer us,
350 Seattle
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As a part of the American Conservation and Stewardship Atlas (Atlas), please recognize the value of Pacific Northwest mature and old-growth forests in fighting climate change and enhancing the long-term health of natural systems. Conservation of these old forest ecosystems contributes to addressing climate change and environmental injustices.
Scientists worldwide agree that in order to protect biodiversity and address global climate change, bold action towards conservation is needed. Pacific Northwest forests are home to some of the most carbon-dense forests in the world, yet today we are still logging mature and old growth trees on public lands despite overwhelming evidence that these forests are more valuable standing than cut.
Mature and old-growth forests absorb, filter, and store water which is gradually released downstream and provide millions of people with clean and reliable drinking water. Healthy old growth forests filter water to keep our streams, rivers and lakes clean and cold, and these same forests protect watersheds and communities from flooding and landslides.
Old-growth forests are also critical habitat for at-risk fish and wildlife. Iconic Pacific salmon need watersheds with healthy old growth forests to survive. Older forests provide shade that keeps streams cool and oxygenated for salmon and trout. Many rare species, including the marbled murrelet, Pacific fisher, and the northern spotted owl need old forests to survive. Protections help support climate refugia and strengthen habitat connectivity — two critical steps to ensuring fish and wildlife are able to survive in a rapidly changing world.
Mature and old growth forests are an intrinsic part of our regional identity, and are essential to our communities and wildlife. Please recommend conserving and restoring mature and old growth forests across federal lands as part of the 30×30 Conservation Atlas.
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