Protect Ancient Forests
An urgent call to action
There is still time to meaningfully safeguard our nation’s irreplaceable old-growth forest ecosystems — but we must act now!
We have crafted and are now advancing a straightforward action plan to achieve lasting protections for old-growth federal forests that cannot be undone by future Administrations.
The signature of a President (via the authority granted by the Antiquities Act) is all that is required to establish a series of new National Monuments that prohibit the commercial logging of old-growth forests on designated federal lands. Importantly, the Antiquities Act does not grant a President the power to rescind monuments that have already been established.
To prevent the destruction of old-growth forests on federal public lands, new ancient forest monuments must be formally proclaimed by January 20, 2025.
To help prevent the imminent destruction of our old-growth forests, please consider making a donation to Protect Ancient Forests.
We cannot see this vision through without your help.
‘The Voice of the Forest’
This short film is a testament to the power of community, art, poetry and music to meet the most pressing issue of our time.
Indigenous leaders, influential congresspeople, renowned musicians, poets, artists, professors, writers, scientists and inspired citizens are uniting together to demand permanent protection of the last remaining old growth forests on U.S. public lands.
We must end old growth logging once and for all … before it’s too late.
Maps: https://carbon.nasa.gov
Less than 5% of America’s old growth forests remain today.
Why Protect Ancient Forests?
Ancient forests, also known as old growth forests, serve as the lungs of our planet. These majestic ecosystems naturally sequester enormous amounts of carbon, reduce wildfire risk, supply clean drinking water, and provide refuge to endangered species.
Despite their immense benefits, these treasure troves of biodiversity on United States public lands are still being logged today.
Future generations are counting on us during this critical moment.
It is not too late to forever protect America’s irreplaceable old growth forests. But we must act now!
Photograph by Alyssa O’Brien
Your generous support sustains this grassroots movement.
Protect Ancient Forests presented:
Climate Aid: The Voice of the Forest
Protect Ancient Forests hosted a historic evening of art and advocacy on Sunday, October 15, 2023 at the City of Portland’s Merrill Auditorium.
We rallied together an inspiring coalition of nationally-known musicians, poets, environmental voices, artists, congresspeople, and Indigenous leaders to help raise awareness about our nation’s irreplaceable old growth forest ecosystems.
Learn more about our impactful event in this Portland Press Herald article.
For up-to-date information about the status of old growth forest protection, please read:
‘Stop Black Ram!’
Because we collectively lifted our voices, the Black Ram logging project in the remote Kootenai National Forest has been halted … for now.
However, the U.S. Forest Service is currently appealing the federal court decision that ended this egregious 95,000+ acre logging project.
Update: Is Black Ram headed for the U.S. Supreme Court?
The American Forest Resource Council (a regional trade association representing more than 50 forest product businesses and forest landowners) filed an amicus brief in support of a petition for certiorari in the Unita Basin Railway case, citing the Black Ram project — thereby potentially elevating the question of what is required of federal agencies when studying the environmental impacts of federal projects to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Creating a Curtain of Green.
“Beginning with the successful defense of Black Ram, the Curtain of Green will be a largely unbroken fringed feathery chain of gills that restores the lungs of Canada, the lungs of the U.S., cooling a burning world in the far north, swaying in high winds like the undersea fronds of kelp and dreams.” - Rick Bass
Raising awareness by promoting the arts and sciences.
Please click the button below to discover a collection of short films, music, articles and inspired conversations that will help us better understand the forests and the importance of this issue.