Forests

On Earth Day, President Biden signed an Executive Order that recognized the importance of mature and old-growth forests as a climate solution but stopped short of protecting these forests from their #1 threat: logging across federal public lands.

So what does this order actually do?

In the past few months, we’ve seen incredible momentum in the United States for our leaders to take bold, concrete action on climate change and environmental justice.

Joan Maloof has likely been to more old-growth forests across the US than anyone alive today. She was so inspired by what she saw in these forests that she founded a national organization to preserve them and help make them accessible for the next generation. From the towering Redwoods of the Oregon and California Coast to the Cypress groves of Florida and the oak forests of New England, Joan will take you on a journey through the incredible differences and striking similarities of the country's remaining ancient forests.

Late last month we alerted you to post-fire logging projects moving forward across western Oregon, and in particular Bureau of Land Management forests in the McKenzie and North Umpqua River watersheds. As the new year advances, so too will these and other logging proposals in sensitive burned landscapes.

My first introduction to Oregon’s forests came when I was in school at Oregon State University. The McDonald and Dunn Forests offered an easy escape from the stress of grad school and seemingly endless winter drizzle — and the old growth loop with its dense canopy was a welcome outdoor break rain or shine. 

Adapted from Oregon’s Ancient Forests: A hiking guide