Great Northwest Forests’ Post

In the era before the environmental awakening of the 1970s, the guardians of our forests employed a simple yet effective method to keep the flames at bay: they watered the woods. It was a time when the crackling of dry underbrush wasn't the prelude to devastation but a rare disturbance quickly quelled by the vigilant stewards of nature. As the winds of change swept through the corridors of conservation, a new philosophy took root. The environmentalists of the age, armed with ideals of natural balance, ceased the watering. They believed the forests could regulate themselves, that the occasional fire was a natural part of the ecological cycle. Yet, the cessation of this age-old practice turned the once-moist forest floors into tinderboxes. The dry conditions became the kindling for a new era of wildfires, more ferocious and frequent than ever before. The flames rose higher, and the smoke billowed wider, a stark reminder of the delicate balance between human intervention and nature's course. What happens when the methods of old are abandoned for new ideologies? The story of 'Forest Flames' is not just a tale of fire and forest but a narrative of intentions and outcomes. It's a reflection on how the best intentions can lead to unforeseen consequences and how the lessons of the past can illuminate the path forward. Can we find harmony between environmental stewardship and proactive prevention? As we delve into the history and impact of these decisions, 'Forest Flames' ignites a conversation about the future of forest management and the role we all play in safeguarding our planet. How will our actions today shape the environmental legacy of tomorrow? In the face of changing environmental policies, how can we balance ecological preservation with proactive disaster prevention? © Gino DiCaprio, 2024

Simon Fraser University Resource and Environmental Management graduate student Mieke Boecker is researching urban forests as a way to plan for climate change at the City of Nelson. In this news article by the Nelson Star, Mieke talks about how nature based solutions, like urban forests, can have multiple benefits in urban settings. Instead of dividing the world into built and natural environments, the goal of nature-based solutions is to integrate the two. Learn more about Mieke's research below. https://lnkd.in/gJdhzHDH 

The Northwest Forest Plan created in 1994 outlines forest management practices on federal forestlands across the region. In December, the U.S. Forest Service is intending to amend the plan and draft an environmental impact statement. Logging and climate change are two of the largest issues those interested in federal forest policy want to see addressed in the amended plan.

June 20, 2024 - By MARC HELLER- E&E News, "The agency will take public comment for 90 days on a draft environmental impact statement on conserving old-growth areas of #nationalforests. -- E&E NEWS PM | The #Bidenadministration stepped closer Thursday to tighter limits on logging in old-growth areas of national forests, saying it will take public comment on plans to conserve those landscapes. The Forest Service posted (https://lnkd.in/eiuySn3F) the draft environmental impact statement for the old-growth proposal ahead of Friday's publication in the Federal Register. The plan includes a nationwide amendment to forest plans throughout the 193-million-acre system. The draft will be open to public comment for 90 days. “Recent scientific analysis shows us that many #oldgrowthforests are under significant threat from climate change,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said in a news release. “The Forest Service’s plan will help safeguard these iconic stands of trees through science-based management and #conservation strategies that can be adapted to unique local circumstances on national forests.” The draft adheres broadly to earlier signals from the administration that national forests should more closely consider the impact on old-growth forests from a wide range of projects, including thinning to reduce wildfire risk, prescribed fire and timber harvesting. The draft calls for “stewardship of existing and recruitment of future old growth forest” that is resilient over time. But the draft EIS doesn’t contain the specific carve-out for the #TongassNationalForest in Alaska that the administration floated several months ago, though the administration says it remains committed to the Southeast Alaska strategy, including small sales of old-growth timber in certain circumstances. That provision, which appeared in a notice of intent to pursue the environmental impact statement, said limits on commercial old-growth harvesting wouldn’t apply if they’re part of the administration’s “Southeast Alaska Sustainability Strategy” aimed at diversifying the region’s economy. The draft EIS is the next step in a process that began in earnest in 2023 with an inventory of old-growth and mature areas of national forests, and a definition to more clearly indicate what those terms mean. The definition — and the means to conserve those areas — aren’t the same everywhere, given a variety of landscapes and types of trees, the Forest Service has said. The administration proposed new protections for mature and old-growth forests as part of its response to #climatechange, beginning with an executive order from President Joe Biden in 2022. Forests are a top carbon sink, scientists say, absorbing much of the greenhouse gas emissions put out by various industries But debates continue to swirl around how intensely #forests should be managed — including through logging — to protect that status. Although the proposal steers forest policy away from commercial..." Continue reading

In case you missed it, you can watch the recording from the recent Nature Insights Series event 'Protect nature and fulfill rating tool credits' via the link below. Hope you enjoy it!

The Importance of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Climate-Smart Solutions https://lnkd.in/ei_vGhdi

The USDA Forest Service announced that a correction has been issued to extend the comment period for its published Notice of Intent (NOI) to prepare an Environmental Impact Statement on the proposal to amend the 17 land management plans of the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP). The comment period has been extended to February 2, 2024, allowing additional time for the public to review and submit their feedback on this initiative. The Notice of Intent identifies changed conditions that are driving the need to amend the plan with a focus on five key areas: wildfire resilience, climate change adaptation, tribal inclusion, sustainable communities, and conservation of old growth ecosystems and related biodiversity. The Forest Service is committed to preserving the elements of the plan that are working well while incorporating the latest science to help forests adapt to social, economic, cultural, and ecological changes. Provide your comments on the Intent to Develop Northwest Forest Plan Amendment here: https://lnkd.in/gV5nEiNS?

A new special issue in Frontiers on decision support for environmental management is worth a look: https://lnkd.in/g4z8ekax

🌲 Forests are the Unsung Heroes of Water Protection 💧 Did you know that our forests play a critical role in safeguarding the very water we drink? From filtering pollutants to maintaining the delicate balance of our ecosystems, forests are vital in preserving water quality. As we face increasing environmental challenges, it's more important than ever to recognize and protect these natural guardians. At the Hoosier Environmental Council (HEC), we advocate for the protection of forests to ensure they continue to provide this essential service. Explore how forests contribute to water protection and what we can do to ensure they continue to provide this essential service. Let's work together to protect our forests—and our water. #WaterProtection #ForestConservation #EnvironmentalSustainability #HEC #WaterProtection #ForestConservation #EnvironmentalSustainability #Blog https://lnkd.in/gfeMAbyi

The intersection of cultural and environmental resource management in the incorporation of traditional ecological knowledge is so fascinating and exciting. I love reading these stories of cooperation, progress, and success!