Biden Administration Announces Action to Protect Old Growth Forests

WASHINGTON — The Department of Agriculture unveiled a proposed nationwide forest plan amendment focused on protecting federal old-growth forests. The proposal would amend all land management plans governing the National Forest System with new directions for the management of old growth within each National Forest. The Climate Forests Campaign—a coalition of more than 120 groups—have been pushing for rules that would protect mature and old-growth trees and forests from logging. Older trees and forests are key parts of the climate solution, as they hold a disproportionate amount of a forest’s above ground carbon and continue to sequester carbon throughout their lives. 

Following is a reaction to the announcement from Andrew Wetzler, Senior Vice President, Nature at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council):

"This is a key step in making mature and old-growth trees and forests into a centerpiece of our national efforts to combat the climate crisis and preserve our national natural heritage. 

"The Forest Service has an unparalleled opportunity to continue building towards the Administration’s vision of fully safeguarding these essential trees and forests. The agency must do all it can to make the most of it."

More information can be found at https://www.nrdc.org/resources/climate-forests.

NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 3 million members and online activists. Established in 1970, NRDC uses science, policy, law, and people power to confront the climate crisis, protect public health, and safeguard nature. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Bozeman, MT, Beijing and Delhi (an office of NRDC India Pvt. Ltd). Visit us at http://www.nrdc.org andfollow us on Twitter @NRDC.