June 14, 2004
Calling Out an S.O.S.

Just got back from visiting the Forest Rescue Station. The station is wonderful, welcoming and very well organized. The folks up there are working hard to make sure everyone is well fed and comfortable. Through rain and shine, there are daily hikes led by local people who are knowledgeable about both the forest ecology and logging threats. Nothing could be more striking than to see which trees will be chosen to be spared, and which will become part of the logging industry machine.

What concerns me most about logging is its impacts on the soil. Trees help retain soil, and up here the vast majority of trees slated to be cut are on steep slopes. One can only imagine the mudslides, erosion, river silt and negative impacts on the plants and animals once the soil is disturbed by a massive logging project.

I was very fortunate to be taken on a hike with Joe and Jay, two people who dedicate their lives to saving these forests. We went to an area south of the Forest Rescue Station in the Siskiyou National Forest. There I saw the beautiful and endangered Port Orford Cedar trees. Tall majestic trees, with silvery bark and aromatic needles. Most of the Port Orford Cedar trees are either growing right on the edge of the stream or within eight feet of it. One tree’s roots were lodged in the side of the stream keeping the soil intact and providing a home for plants and animals that thrive in the water/land interface.

On our hike, we found a Port Orford Cedar that had survived a fire hundreds of years ago -- a true testament to the forest’s ability to thrive after fires, without any help or hindrance from people.

These ancient forests do have great resilience, but with so little left and escalating threats, their ability to rebound is being dangerously undermined.

Calling out an SOS . . .

Pam Wellner
Forest Campaigner