For the sake of wildlife and our climate, we must protect our remaining forests from logging, development and other threats.
Our planet needs tall trees. Thriving old growth forests, untouched for centuries by logging and development, are crucial habitat for thousands of species. The longer a tree grows, the more time forest ecosystems have to develop, providing homes for birds who need tall trees, for critters who need undergrowth and every species in between. What’s more, older trees absorb and store more carbon dioxide than younger trees, helping us to fight climate change.
Our remaining wild forests are threatened by road-building and industrial logging. Just a few years ago, the Trump administration rolled back protection on 9.2 million acres of roadless areas in Alaska’s Tongass National Forest, our country’s largest national forest. Every section of mature or old growth forest that is logged or has a road built through it will take centuries to recover. We are facing a biodiversity crisis and a climate crisis. We should not be destroying habitat and some of our most valuable natural carbon sinks.
Take action today to help protect our national forests and keep our ancient trees standing tall.
The Canadian boreal forest is the largest remaining primary forest on the planet. It stores 300 billion tons of carbon, provides habitat for threatened boreal caribou, billions of birds and a multitude of other species.
For millennia, ancient forests have watched over us and sustained us. Can we do the same for them?Will Harlan, Center for Biological Diversity
"So when it comes to clean water, the first line of defense starts with mature and old growth forests. Preserving old growth trees coincides with improving water quality."Victoria Frankeny, Tualatin Riverkeepers
Protecting the intact public forests that remain are the keys to allowing forests to perform their natural role in regulating climate, while protecting communities from wildfires.Ric Bailey, North Cascades Conservation Council
Grassroots climate groups like mine, 350 Eugene, understand that forest defense is climate defense, and we're fierce.Patty Hine, 350 Eugene
We must courageously acknowledge the disappearance of these towering trees, and then turn loss into decision. The old-growth forest is literally just a thought form away. We are the children of the children of the generation who cut the forest down. We can be the generation that chooses to bring it back.Nancy Stranahan, Arc of Appalachia
Senior Director, Conservation America Campaign, Environment America Research & Policy Center
Director, Public Lands Campaign, Environment America Research & Policy Center
