John,
Mature and old-growth forests are a vital part of a healthy planet. They store massive amounts of climate-heating carbon, support healthy watersheds and clean drinking water, survive wildfire better than young forests, and shelter rare and endangered species like spotted owls, wolverines, and bats.
Most old-growth forests have been cut down. But we have a chance, right now, to save what’s left.
For the first time ever, the U.S. Forest Service has proposed amending 122 national forest management plans to protect old growth. But the current proposal falls way short: It contains loopholes that will allow old-growth trees to be sent to the mill — and it doesn’t safeguard the mature trees we’ll need as our climate champions in the future.
The outcome of this proposal will determine how old-growth forests are managed for generations to come. If we speak up, we can sway the agency to include meaningful, enforceable protections that will stop the commercial exploitation of climate-saving old-growth trees across our national forests. Old-growth trees are worth more standing.
Tell the Forest Service to use this opportunity to protect the country's oldest forests and trees.
