Right now, across our Siuslaw National Forest, volunteers are on the ground documenting what’s really going on in the forest. This is the important work of ground truthing and there’s a lot of ground to cover – we need your help.
How does this affect me?
Proposed plan amendments could significantly impact the future of the Siuslaw National Forest. Here are our concerns and why we urgently need your support:
- Fire Resistance & Resilience: Misguided fuel load treatments and firebreaks will dry out our wet forests.
- Climate Change Adaptation: Ensure measures that truly protect streams, watersheds, forest canopy and sequester atmospheric carbon.
- Old-Growth Forest Conservation: We must avoid commercial timber cutting that masquerade as creating future complex forest or old growth.
- Indigenous Knowledge Integration: Ensure genuine inclusion of tribal understandings including those of tribal members.
- Economic Predictability: Oppose self-serving timber industry agendas and false economic understandings.
Most importantly, we need to recognize where and how much of the Siuslaw mature and old growth forest is left. The Forest Service estimates 170,000 to 240,000 acres of Siuslaw old growth exists. That’s 70,000 acres potentially open to the winds of politics.
What is ground truthing?
If you drive into the Siuslaw, measure a tree, note your location and fill in a form, you are ground truthing.
We need more volunteers to collect documentation about the Siuslaw’s remaining natural forest stands in order to impact the amendments to the Northwest Forest Plan.
How can I help?
Volunteers can immediately start collecting data within the Siuslaw National Forest using our instructions. To get started, complete the form below. We are here to help you ACT NOW. Time is of the essence.
Sign me up.