Sierra Club makes restoration central to forest planning
"Restoring America's Forests" shows how National Forests can recover from logging
Press release--July 23, 2002
Minneapolis, MN - A new report describes how National Forests around the country have been restoring land left over by logging. The report, released today by the Sierra Club, offers hope to communities around Chippewa and Superior National Forests that depend on healthy forests to support a tourist economy.
"This report will help Americans understand the importance of restoring our nation's forests, to protect communities and wildlife and to restore what's left of our wild forest heritage," said Don Janes, Forestry Chair of the Sierra Club North Star Chapter. "Instead of losing taxpayer money on commercial logging of these forests, we should be restoring what remains of America's playground."
"Restoring America's Forests: Protecting Habitat, Saving Streams, and Generating Jobs in our National Forests" is an in-depth look at the methods, costs, benefits, and politics of forest restoration projects. The report includes case studies from around the country where restoration projects have been done.
In Minnesota, Itasca State Park provides a good example of forest restoration at a large scale. Park staff have been doing prescribed burns for three years to reduce fuel for wildfires, thin undergrowth so that pine seedlings can successfully germinate and thrive. In the metro area, parks such as the Tamarack Nature Center in White Bear Township and the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden in Golden Valley have restored damaged forest to healthy, natural forest types.
The report details how other parts of the country have led efforts to recover from logging and fire suppression in National Forests. In Oregon's Umpqua National Forest, for example, "Ongoing restoration activities include the removal of old logging roads, replacing culverts that block fish passage, reintroducing large wood to streams, prescribed burning, planting trees in riparian areas, and monitoring the results of restoration activities."
The Sierra Club recruited Paul Bunyan to help release the report, announcing that the legendary lumberjack has had a change of heart and will now be working to restore the great forests of northern Minnesota.
"I love Minnesota's North Woods for the wonderful services it provides - clean drinking water, recreational and economic opportunities, and fish and wildlife habitat," said Mike Rentz, who wears the eight-foot Paul Bunyan costume produced by a Minneapolis sculptor. "We should restore the health and wealth of goods and services our forests provide, for our families, for our future."
The report is designed to help policy makers, community leaders, land managers, and the public identify the opportunities, challenges and benefits of restoring our nation's forests. While many restoration projects actively engage the local communities in the health of their forests, some forest management officials promote intensive logging under the guise of restoration.
"This summer's fire season has confirmed the need to rethink our forest management strategies and proactively restore our National Forests," continued Janes. "If done correctly, forest restoration can be at the heart of a new way of thinking for government agencies in charge of managing our nation's federal forests, like the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management."
Examples of forest restoration in Minnesota
Itasca State Park, Clearwater County
This project is the largest restoration project in MN, demonstrating
the scale of restoration we propose in the National Forests.
State Park staff are doing prescribed burns on thousands of acres
to remove underbrush and encourage pine seedlings to grow.
Contact: Becky Marty, Resource Manager: 218-266-2112
Tamarack Nature Center, White Bear Township
This project removed non-native species such as black locust,
buckthorn, and Siberian elm. Then the site was burned to kill
non-native seedlings and stimulate growth and sprouting of native
plants. A second season of burning was followed by supplemental
seeding of native grasses, wildflowers and trees. The site will
be managed to promote an oak savanna type habitat.
Contacts:
John Moriarty, Ramsey County Parks Natural Resources Specialist: 651-748-2500
Craig Andreesen, forest restoration contractor: 651-636-3462
Don Janes, St. Paul Audubon Chapter: 651-429-0016
Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden, Minneapolis
This park is an example of restoration that has continued since 1930.
Restored habitats include a prairie, tamarack bog, and pine and
hemlock groves. Invasive species removal keeps buckthorn and garlic
mustard invasions at bay.