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- cut-and-run logging operations in the 19th century, and to insure that the same type of destruction would not happen on the remaining virgin forests of the West. After almost 100 years of natural regrowth, many of the second growth forests are regaining many of their old-growth characteristics. We call these "native forests." Along with the fragments of ancient forest, they are the last repositories of the original biological diversity of the United States. Biodiversity is the microorganisms, fungi, flowers, plants, and animals that thrive in a natural forest, the result of thousands of years of evolution.
Yet now, with marching orders planned by the timber lobby and handed down by Congress and President, the Forest Service is destroying the same lands they were originally mandated to protect. In the last 25 years, with the use of clearcutting, slash burning, bulldozing, and pesticide and herbicide application, most of our ancient and native forests have been converted into single species tree farms. No other plants or animals can survive in these "monocultures." The poisoned topsoil pollutes our streams, rivers, and oceans, killing fish and wildlife.
Extinction of species is occurring faster than at any time in history. Protection of our last biologically diverse forests is critical to insure the survival of thousands of endangered plant and animal species.
Monoculture tree plantations: Unhealthy vegetation succumbs to wind and disease.
Now or Never
Because of intense public outcry and improved media coverage, Congress is finally beginning to address this issue. The timber industry, however, is pulling out all the stops in an effort to hold on to their bonanza of subsidized logging on public lands. Without a powerful political coalition to lead the fight for protection, our forests don't stand a chance.
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