Group races against clock to save redwoods from logging

The Save the Redwoods League launched a campaign Friday to raise $7 million to purchase 426 acres that contain one of the last stands of old-growth redwoods in Mendocino County. If the group fails to raise the money by April 1, the property's owner may begin logging it.

The Noyo River Redwoods parcel contains 123 acres of ancient and old redwoods and Douglas fir, according to the group, and the property contains 30% of old-growth redwoods in the Noyo River watershed. The land runs along the historic Skunk Train railroad route, west of Willits, on U.S. 101, known as the Redwood Highway.

"This is an urgent situation in which the public will play a vital role," said Ruskin K. Hartley, executive director of the Save the Redwoods League. "With less than 5% of the ancient redwood forest remaining, we must continue to work diligently to protect redwoods across their range."

A timber harvest plan for the property has been approved by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, with trees marked for logging.

-- Julie Cart

Comments

[Eric Moore]

Lets see, about 98 percent of the remaining old growth in California is in public ownership such as parks. I have ridden the Skunk Train and only remember going through a second growth forest, where the land was owned by a logging company.

I think you people are being played!

[JB]

Tree are important

[Jerry Smith]

No more old growth redwoods should be cut. They capture more carbon than any other forest trees.

[Steve Cohn]

This land of ours was once thought of as limitless, without bound. Now, of course, we've seen it ALL. Cut it all up into tiny pieces and sold some, poured some into the rivers and let much of it become dust and just blow away. (sigh)

[Steve Cohn]

Our lack of inteligent use of our natural resources is very sad to behold! There are Redwoods in existance that were here when Christ was, perhaps even when Moses lived!

[Leon Trumpp]

Are the logging companies so greedy as to take every last bit of old growth forest and then usually ship it overseas to China or Japan ? Give it up already !

[M Andrus]

. . . by April 1???? April 1, 2011? Whatever the date, we cannot let ANYBODY cut down the redwoods! Where does this insanity come from?

[LeMoyn]

Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got
Till it's gone
They paved paradise
And put up a parking lot
Now we’re even bent on destroying the Tree Museum. What a mindless tragic species we fundamentally present ourselves to be, as our “line in the sand” just keeps being washed away by the tide of greed.

[Lionel Gambill]

We're so disconnected from nature that many of us don't get that an ecosystem is an interconnected web of living organisms, not a machine built out of interchangeable parts. The threatened trees are the heart of a climax forest, at the highest successional level. Destroy that and you've stepped back to square one of the evolutionary process.

[Kim Stern]

I dont know how much money has been raised so far but alot of the celebrities are getting involved in enviornmental issues in California and maybe if we can get them to talk about this issue on there talk shows like Ellen and Oprah for instance some of the stars would donate or raise money for the cause so that the land can be purchased and we can dedicate a nice sign in the forest to commemarate the people who donate the money and there time. You know something along thoes lines. there are lots of people with money who would like to donate to a worth whlie cause but just have'nt found the right one and this is a real good one. WE need media attention. Forgive my spelling

[Mary Ann Coute]

I can't fathom anyone wanting to destroy trees that have been around for possibly thousands of years.I personally here never had the pleasure of feasting my eyes on the giants of the forests of America,but perhaps my grandchildren will get the chance to visit this area and view for themselves the wonder that was there when the first settlers came to America.Then of course there is the fact that so many acres of forests have already burned in California.Still I say no way in Haitis should we even entertain such a thought.If anyone tries to harm these beautiful giants they should be arrested

[Patrick Merlihan]

There is no end to this. suffering humans, suffering species, suffering hemisphere, suffering soil, suffering.. suffering. This is crazy, can't any of these evil people realize this needs to stop!

[Alan]

The Redwoods are part of our natural landscape in the west & we all deserve to have them to look at & think about. Our past is important too, & to show to our children & so on. These trees are history LEAVE THEM ALONE !!!

[Arvin Eyre]

A tactic often used is clear cutting around the old growth section and let erosion wipe out the roots of the standing trees. Thus giving reason to cut down the old growth trees.
I wonder often times how long it will take to let the "market" dictate the subdivision of Glacier Park? They already have an air port for the rich.
After all those "unwashed" poor people's kids wouldn't appreciate the forests any way, right?
And think of the jobs! After all the rich people need their red wood flooring, recycled plastic just wouldn't be good enough if you have the money for the real thing!

[RockyMissouri]

When does this madness end....?? I thought we were the brightest and best of gods' creatures...I can see that we are neither bright, nor are we best ....at all.... we may, however.... be the worst, to be inflicted on this undeserving sphere..!

[Nora Jones]

God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches, and a thousand tempests
and floods. But he cannot save them from fools."
John Muir

[mary lukowski]

Is there no end to destroying our forests..the planet..life and animals...when are we going to become sane...they are wiping out the rain forests...leading to the extintion of life there..no they are looking to the redwood forests..It is insane and unbelievable....

[Yeson19]

WTF? What is wrong with the California Dept of Forestry???

We don't have to %#$@ up everything right now - can't we save somethings for our children to @&@!%* up?

There are lots of other trees that can be harvested. Leave the old-growth redwoods alone - step away from the redwood - put the chainsaw down.

[Lauren]

It is positively criminal to allow any more old growth forest to be destroyed!!! This eco-system is literally thousands of years old and can NEVER be replaced.