The purpose of this website it to try and make it easy for people to find out information concerning the impact on the environment that the destruction of our precious ancient forests is having on humans and other species. I hope to be able to demystify preconceived notions that people have concerning our ancient forests. I also will give recommendations that individuals can do if they want to help this cause.
"The battle over what remains of the Northwest's old-growth or ancient forests is one of America's most emotional political and moral issues. Old-growth forests are more than 250 years old. They contain large trees, big fallen logs, and large standing snags (dead trees). With a mixed and multi-layered canopy broken by occasional light filled gaps, trees may grow up to 100 meters high and over 2 meters in diameter".(Old-Growth, Page 1, Para. 1). "We do not know exactly how extensive old-growth forests were before Euro-Americans arrived on the scene, but a reasonable estimate is that between 6 and 7.6 million hectares blanketed unsettled Oregon and Washington. How much remains and how fast it is disappearing are questions at the center of heated debate among the timber industry, the U.S. Forest Service, scientists, and environmental groups." (Old-Growth, Page 2, Para. 3) Researchers estimated that the total area of old-growth forest now amounts to slightly over 1 million hectares, or 13% of what once was. Of this, approximately 470,000 hectares is protected in national parks, wilderness areas, or research natural areas."(Old-Growth, Page 2, Para. 4) If this is true, unprotected old-growth forest in the Northwest would disappear within 30 to 40 years at recent logging rates."Throughout the country there is growing concern over endangered wildlife and the destruction of the environment."(Loggers or Woodpeckers, Page 7, Para. 2) More than 200 native salmon stocks are facing the risk of extinction, and catastrophic consequences for native fish populations. The Pacific Yew tree was discovered to be the source of an important cancer curing drug, toxol. Today an estimated 90% of these trees are gone. The spotted owl and marbled murrelet are also in danger of extinction as well as many other forest inhabitants. There are some that feel destroying our precious ancient forests is immoral and that humans will eventually suffer the consequences of their actions. In contrast, the people who make their living logging these forests feel their way of making a living is more important. I will show you both sides of this important issue in this website.
Destruction of Ancient Forest in Pacific Northwest