What is the NW Forest Plan & Understanding What’s At Stake

DATE: Tuesday, May 21
TIME: 12pm

THIS EVENT IS OVER.

Cascadia Wildlands is a member of the Pacific Northwest Forest Climate Alliance (PNWFCA), the host of this webinar series.

BACKGROUND:

Following years of grassroots organizing to protect the last remaining Pacific Northwest (PNW) old-growth forests and ecosystems, the Northwest Forest Plan (NWFP) was created in 1994. For 30 years, the NWFP amended all national forest and BLM management plans in western Washington, Oregon, and northern California . It was an imperfect compromise that aimed to protect and restore old-growth forest and streams for hundreds of old-forest associated  species within the range of the federally threatened northern spotted owl, while still providing for limited timber harvest on federal  lands.

A lot has changed since the mid 1990s, from fashion trends to the climate crisis, and now the federal government is working to revise the NWFP over the course of this year. It is crucial that the public weighs in on the proposed changes to the NWFP, as it will set the course for how our federal forest lands–including our last remaining mature & old growth forests–are managed for decades to come.

The stakes of the NWFP Amendment are huge–for our last remaining mature & old growth forests, for the livability of our climate, for threatened & endangered species, and improper fire-risk reduction management for forests and communities.Over the life of the plan, the NWFP prevented an estimated ~130 million tons of carbon emissions from making the climate crisis worse–the equivalent of running several coal plants every year! The NWFP Amendment is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to establish better protections for mature and old growth forests, meaningful relationships with Indigenous communities and a fighting chance at mitigating the climate crisis.

This webinar will be an introduction to the NWFP and the amendment process for advocates & members of the public who are interested in forest & climate protection but don’t already know much about the NWFP or the Amendment. Our goal is to increase public awareness and engagement ahead of a public comment period happening later this summer. The second webinar in the series (happening in June) will build off this by highlighting specific concerns with the proposed Amendment and offer opportunities to take action.

The post Webinar: What is the NW Forest Plan — May 21 first appeared on Cascadia Wildlands.

• WHAT: Rally with speakers, a community art project, tables for community orgs, and lots of ways to get more involved. 
• WHEN: June 13, 2024 at 3:00 p.m. 
• WHERE: 1220 SW 3rd Ave, Portland, OR 97204 (outside the Region 6 Forest Service office).  
• WHY: Demand the Forest Service & Biden Admin stop logging mature & old growth forests and protect what’s left! 

It’s past time to recognize our PNW forests as vital climate solutions, protect and restore our remaining mature & old growth forests, return healthy fire to the landscape, and value the expertise of indigenous land stewardship. Join us June 13th to speak out for the future of our forests!

*Cascadia Wildlands is a coalition member of the Pacific Northwest Forest Climate Alliance.

The post Forests Are Our Future Rally — June 13 first appeared on Cascadia Wildlands.