Ancient Forest Updates - Spring- Summer 09

A New Dawn for Old-Growth by Jonathan Jelen, Oregon Wild
By some estimates, we’ve already lost up to 90% of the old-growth that we once had here in Oregon. So, to say that these places are endangered is an understatement. We rely on these breath-taking forests for clean drinking water, world-class recreation, critical wildlife habitat, and as a natural defense against global warming.

So, after years of hard work and thousands of public responses, the momentum in Congress to protect the last of these precious old-growth forests has never been greater. We’ve seen substantive progress as both Representative Peter DeFazio and Senator Ron Wyden have, in direct response to countless public comments, put forth proposals to protect and restore the last of our old-growth forests. And while there’s a ways to go, we’re headed in the right direction.

We face a unique opportunity to preserve our old-growth forests for future generations. And we’ve got to be ready because these kinds of chances don’t come along too often. At Oregon Wild, we’ll be working with the Oregon delegation and others. We’ll be providing feedback based on our expertise in the field on what works and what doesn’t. We’ll be working with the media to highlight the need to protect these forests. And we’ll be calling upon each and every one of you to take action, to make your voice heard, and to go the extra mile to secure permanent protections for some of the most magnificent forests on earth. It’s a new dawn for old-growth forests. Will you be ready?

Jonathan L. Jelen
Old-Growth Campaign Coordinator
Oregon Wild (formerly Oregon Natural Resources Council)
(503) 283-6343 ext. 224
www.oregonwild.org