I've been reading Suzanne Simard's "Finding The Mother Tree," which I recommend as required reading for everyone. Unsafe and harmful logging no longer belongs in this world.
Yes, Simard’s book is groundbreaking, and you can’t look at trees the same way after reading it. Mass logging of trees needs to be called out during a climate crisis. Thanks for reading, Joel.
These logging clear cuts are on a scale even larger than the one I encountered! The cutting of hundreds of thousands of acres, combined with hundreds of miles of new dirt roads plowed through the forest will be really destructive.
Center for Biological Diversity is trying to protect grizzlies in that region, and other conservation groups may be actively working to help. I find that aligning with others, particularly locals, can feel supportive when you’re in a David-vs-Goliath fight like this.
Thanks so much for bringing it to our attention, Patrick, and please keep us informed. Peoples around the country care about Montana forests too!
I agree wholeheartedly with every word you have expressed so well in this piece, Robin. As I watch these logging trucks go by on the road, I cry knowing all that has been lost for countless numbers of species. Thank you so much for being a voice and advocate for these creatures. You inspire us.
Thanks Theresa! I find it especially poignant when the logging trucks are trailing streamers of redwood bark and the sap is still gleaming on the trunks. Your comment that much has been lost for countless species is so true too. Most people don’t know that hundreds of species may live on a mature redwood tree. Thanks for caring.
Listening to Dakha Brakha as I type this, Thank you.
I will never understand the need to inflict this damage on a redwood forest all for unnecessary aesthetics.
Not sure if this destruction you are witnessing is taking place on public or private property, but it's morally unacceptable. "Wildfire Control" is a ruse; profit is the motivation nothing more.
I don't believe the general public is aware of the destruction that our Forest Service Supervisors have signed off on. What these public servants are doing in the name of multiple use is criminal collusion.
In Montana there are several allotments being challenged some include old growth clear cutting.
Decades ago, the public outcry against clear cutting was substantial and effective. The process was at best stopped, at worst limited or worse yet concealed, but since then, under the radar, clear cutting is commonplace logging practice. And old growth (what's left) is under renewed threat.
Robin, what you're doing with the Mother E newsletter is literally existential. Thank you for your efforts.
Thanks Patrick! I should have mentioned that this logging project is on private land and it’s not old-growth. Only about 2-3% of old-growth coastal redwoods remain. You are right that public lands also get cut quite a bit and that the public is not generally aware of it. It’s out of sight—out of mind.
Sorry the wide-open wilderness areas in Montana are having similar problems. We all need to give trees and forests a better “voice” to help preserve them.
I've been reading Suzanne Simard's "Finding The Mother Tree," which I recommend as required reading for everyone. Unsafe and harmful logging no longer belongs in this world.
Yes, Simard’s book is groundbreaking, and you can’t look at trees the same way after reading it. Mass logging of trees needs to be called out during a climate crisis. Thanks for reading, Joel.
Robin,
Here's an Op-Ed in today's Daily Montanan addressing the issues I wrote to you about yesterday.
https://dailymontanan.com/2022/12/05/nothing-will-be-left-of-forests-after-forest-service-gets-done-restoring-them/?eType=EmailBlastContent&eId=84154d86-016a-44ca-ba84-4db8e73845ab
These logging clear cuts are on a scale even larger than the one I encountered! The cutting of hundreds of thousands of acres, combined with hundreds of miles of new dirt roads plowed through the forest will be really destructive.
Center for Biological Diversity is trying to protect grizzlies in that region, and other conservation groups may be actively working to help. I find that aligning with others, particularly locals, can feel supportive when you’re in a David-vs-Goliath fight like this.
Thanks so much for bringing it to our attention, Patrick, and please keep us informed. Peoples around the country care about Montana forests too!
I agree wholeheartedly with every word you have expressed so well in this piece, Robin. As I watch these logging trucks go by on the road, I cry knowing all that has been lost for countless numbers of species. Thank you so much for being a voice and advocate for these creatures. You inspire us.
Thanks Theresa! I find it especially poignant when the logging trucks are trailing streamers of redwood bark and the sap is still gleaming on the trunks. Your comment that much has been lost for countless species is so true too. Most people don’t know that hundreds of species may live on a mature redwood tree. Thanks for caring.
Listening to Dakha Brakha as I type this, Thank you.
I will never understand the need to inflict this damage on a redwood forest all for unnecessary aesthetics.
Not sure if this destruction you are witnessing is taking place on public or private property, but it's morally unacceptable. "Wildfire Control" is a ruse; profit is the motivation nothing more.
I don't believe the general public is aware of the destruction that our Forest Service Supervisors have signed off on. What these public servants are doing in the name of multiple use is criminal collusion.
In Montana there are several allotments being challenged some include old growth clear cutting.
Decades ago, the public outcry against clear cutting was substantial and effective. The process was at best stopped, at worst limited or worse yet concealed, but since then, under the radar, clear cutting is commonplace logging practice. And old growth (what's left) is under renewed threat.
Robin, what you're doing with the Mother E newsletter is literally existential. Thank you for your efforts.
Thanks Patrick! I should have mentioned that this logging project is on private land and it’s not old-growth. Only about 2-3% of old-growth coastal redwoods remain. You are right that public lands also get cut quite a bit and that the public is not generally aware of it. It’s out of sight—out of mind.
Sorry the wide-open wilderness areas in Montana are having similar problems. We all need to give trees and forests a better “voice” to help preserve them.
Loved you sharing your thoughts and feelings ❤️ 💕
Susan, thanks for the nudge to write about this logging project. 👍🌲🌲