Greenpeace: Defending America's Ancient Forests: Klamath Siskiyou

June 14, 2004
Reality Sets In . . .

For the past four nights I have found my home in the canopy of an old growth douglas fir tree in the Siskiyou Mountains. Thanks to the great work of many Greenpeace activists and local forest defenders a 12x18ft platform sits about 80 ft up. Over these last few nights many different people have also called this tree-sit home. Rock climbers, industrial climbers, forest service employees and newly trained visitors have all sat in this wonderful location.

From this perch the native forest birds have become my neighbors. Their songs wake me up each moring and set the tone for the rest of the day. And, even when it is not raining, I see how the trees interact with the skies moisture, passing droplets down to the forest floor. This is essential to the ecology of the forest as well as the communities down stream.

The platform sometimes sways with the gentle winds of late spring. But in those times of total stillness, the sharp reality that the forest service wants to cut these ancient trees sets in.

Our public lands have been given away to private timber companies for long enough. There are very little ancient forests left, and it's difficult to understand why the Bush administration is so adamantly targeting our public lands for timber. There are many other ways to turn a profit from our public lands. Logging should not be one of them. Once they are gone, what will he and his logging buddies do? You can't cut trees that aren't there.

I think the Forest rescue Station is important for people across the contry to visit and for everyone to understand how important it is to permanently protect all ancient forests around the world. I believe the Forest Rescue station is a perfect spot for families and activists alike to visit and see this ancient forest, which lucky for me, happens to be the place where I lay my head each night.

Yuri stayed with us for a few weeks in the Klamath Siskiyous, and had to return to his work at the Nuropa Institute in Colorado. We miss you Yuri! You can always come back. There will be a platform waiting for you.

Keep up the pressure! I appreciate all forms of free expression when it comes to doing the right thing for the health of the forests and our planet. Our system of government needs a balance between old fashioned politics, voting, letter writing, and civil disobedience. I may not be the guy chained to a tree or blocking a road, but I support your efforts to stop logging where it does not make any sense. Corporate greed, disguised in the form of abused "forest Protection Criteria" is a very thin veil. The timber industry is in bed with the BLM and Forest Service, and the short term gain they hope to accomplish will in the long run leave the forests in ashes, forest workers out of work, out-sourcing of jobs to other countries, and the gap between the rich and poor will continue to grow ever-larger.

Keep-on truckin

Scott

Posted by: Scott at June 16, 2004 12:54 PM

Excellent work friends. The time is coming when the needs of the Earth are going to outweigh our individual preferences. Friends far and near, if you've never seen the ancient forests of the Pacific Northwest, I urge you to consider a visit or, if your heart moves you, to come live with us and help us protect the nearly-extinct old growth woodlands we have left.

There is a new consciousness arising in the Northwest. Friends, come be with us, and us with you.

Posted by: adili at June 16, 2004 01:17 PM


	• Senator Wyden: Defend the Public Forests of Oregon • Support the passage of the the Leach Bill! FOREST RESCUE STATION • Get directions • Who we are • Weblog home MULTIMEDIA • Umpqua Action Photo Gallery •Soukow Action Photo Gallery • Forest Rescue Station Photo Gallery • Video: "The Police Break in" • Video: "Inside the Container" • Video: "Woods Speaks" • Video: "Ant Speaks" OTHER ORGANIZATIONS WORKING TO SAVE OUR PUBLIC LANDS • National Forest Protection Alliance • Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center • Oxygen Collective • Northwest Old-Growth Campaign RECENT ENTRIES • Umpqua National Forest Action Photos • 4:30 PM PDT Action Update • 10:05 AM PDT Arrests • LOSING CONTACT • Latest Update from Skyking • 7:59 AM PDT • 7:58 AM PDT Update • 7:57 AM PDT: Update From Rundeep • 6:35 AM PDT: From Rundeep Inside the Container • Kayla Starr: Taking a Stand to Save Ancient Forests WEBLOG ARCHIVES June 2004		June 14, 2004 Reality Sets In . . . For the past four nights I have found my home in the canopy of an old growth douglas fir tree in the Siskiyou Mountains. Thanks to the great work of many Greenpeace activists and local forest defenders a 12x18ft platform sits about 80 ft up. Over these last few nights many different people have also called this tree-sit home. Rock climbers, industrial climbers, forest service employees and newly trained visitors have all sat in this wonderful location. From this perch the native forest birds have become my neighbors. Their songs wake me up each moring and set the tone for the rest of the day. And, even when it is not raining, I see how the trees interact with the skies moisture, passing droplets down to the forest floor. This is essential to the ecology of the forest as well as the communities down stream. The platform sometimes sways with the gentle winds of late spring. But in those times of total stillness, the sharp reality that the forest service wants to cut these ancient trees sets in. Our public lands have been given away to private timber companies for long enough. There are very little ancient forests left, and it's difficult to understand why the Bush administration is so adamantly targeting our public lands for timber. There are many other ways to turn a profit from our public lands. Logging should not be one of them. Once they are gone, what will he and his logging buddies do? You can't cut trees that aren't there. I think the Forest rescue Station is important for people across the contry to visit and for everyone to understand how important it is to permanently protect all ancient forests around the world. I believe the Forest Rescue station is a perfect spot for families and activists alike to visit and see this ancient forest, which lucky for me, happens to be the place where I lay my head each night. Yuri stayed with us for a few weeks in the Klamath Siskiyous, and had to return to his work at the Nuropa Institute in Colorado. We miss you Yuri! You can always come back. There will be a platform waiting for you. Comments Thanks Yuri for doing the thing we talked about but still can't do ourselves. Eventually we'll be there with you! Posted by: guy raymond at June 15, 2004 07:49 PM I work for Greenpeace, spreading the good word on the street & offering memberships to the public 5 days a week here in Victoria BC CA. I think what you have done is amazing and support your efforts 100%. Way to be a hero for the planet!!! Posted by: Victoria at June 16, 2004 08:11 AM Thanks for your efforts on my behalf. Peace, Ed Groff Posted by: Ed Groff at June 16, 2004 09:29 AM Greetings from Pennsylvania. Some might call you crazy. I say you're courageous for defending our "brothers" the ancient trees. You inspire us all to look deeper for our own contribution to defend Mother Earth. Namaste, Kip Adams Posted by: John Adams at June 16, 2004 11:36 AM Keep up the pressure! I appreciate all forms of free expression when it comes to doing the right thing for the health of the forests and our planet. Our system of government needs a balance between old fashioned politics, voting, letter writing, and civil disobedience. I may not be the guy chained to a tree or blocking a road, but I support your efforts to stop logging where it does not make any sense. Corporate greed, disguised in the form of abused "forest Protection Criteria" is a very thin veil. The timber industry is in bed with the BLM and Forest Service, and the short term gain they hope to accomplish will in the long run leave the forests in ashes, forest workers out of work, out-sourcing of jobs to other countries, and the gap between the rich and poor will continue to grow ever-larger. Keep-on truckin Scott Posted by: Scott at June 16, 2004 12:54 PM Excellent work friends. The time is coming when the needs of the Earth are going to outweigh our individual preferences. Friends far and near, if you've never seen the ancient forests of the Pacific Northwest, I urge you to consider a visit or, if your heart moves you, to come live with us and help us protect the nearly-extinct old growth woodlands we have left. There is a new consciousness arising in the Northwest. Friends, come be with us, and us with you. Posted by: adili at June 16, 2004 01:17 PM Post a comment This weblog is now at an end... Unfortunately, due to the proliferation of spam, we have had to close the posting of comments. Check out weblog.greenpeace.org for the latest weblog!