Did you know that our public lands have legacy forests which include trees that are our best allies against the effects of climate change? 

Legacy forests are native forests that have regenerated for more than 100 years without any human intervention. They are more resistant to wildfires than tree plantations and are critical in the fight against global climate crises. They create a nutrient-rich topsoil that helps sustain an intact biodiversity. When left unaltered, they help protect homes and roads, while preventing flooding and mudslides. 

Are you aware that legacy forests also help protect and filter water before it flows through creeks and reaches the ocean? The trees provide shade to the salmon streams where orca whales find their food source. The Pacific Northwest is the largest temperate rainforest in the world. Our evergreen trees work 365 days to sequester carbon and are home to wildlife, including the endangered spotted owls and marbled murrelets.

There is another benefit to preserving these forests. Studies have shown that there is a value to humans in visiting mature forests – they relieve stress, promote cardiovascular health and intact forests regulate infectious diseases. Public health expenses decrease in areas with access to these types of forests.

My passion and our mission is to preserve the last remaining acres of our rare, older ecosystem forests. Everyone should know that these forests belong to all of our citizens and future generations. Many of these Pacific Northwest forests share land with Native nations, and we are working with Native citizens to get timber sales canceled permanently.

We must preserve the old trees that are resistant to fire, cool the earth, sequester more carbon than 50-year-old trees, and clean our water and air. You can make a positive impact by signing petitions that oppose the clearcut logging and consider donating to WLFDC.org (a 501c3 nonprofit organization).

With your help, we can close logging in legacy forests and allow them to naturally flourish.

Thank you in advance!