Forest fires are natural and important. They shape our ecosystems. Meadows and grasslands often exist because past fires kept trees and shrubs from growing there. Many species are dependent on fire’s natural role. Fires shape plant and animal communities and ecological processes, including water and nutrient cycling. Fire on the east and west sides of… (read more)
When it comes to reversing climate change, trees are a big deal. Globally, forests absorb nearly 16 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, and hold it in their branches, leaves, roots, and soils. This makes them a valuable global carbon sink, and makes preserving and maintaining healthy forests a vital strategy in combating… (read more)
Last week I wrote about the Northwest Forest Plan of 1994. While the Plan was innovative at the time, it didn’t consider some important issues we now face, such as global climate change, the role of Tribes and Indigenous knowledge in land management, and the need to protect communities from uncharacteristic wildfires. The Forest Service… (read more)
As I said last week, President Biden has signed an executive order on Strengthening the Nation’s Forests, Communities, and Local Economies, which calls for a review of forest management practices on federal lands, especially the mature and old-growth forests. This executive order pertains to National Forests, not state or private lands, and specifically calls out the… (read more)
Click the picture for information about community group use of the Meeting House.
