Forest Defenders

After years of direction action, struggles, pains, perseverance and determination, Fern Gully and Nanning Creek tree-villages are finally — and rightfully — protected. After an 18 month struggle, Mendocino Redwood Company has successfully taken oven Pacific Lumber Company (PL), naming the new company Humboldt Redwood Company (HRC).

Good riddings Maxxam Corp.!!

Michael Jani, chief forester and vice president of Mendocino Redwood Company, has told activist directly (via phone and in person) that no old-growth trees will be cut, and ensuring that both current tree-villages will be protected. The old-growth trees will be tagged with “Wilderness Tree” signs after activist didn’t accept having the trees traditionally sprayed with paint, disrupting the aesthetic value of the forest.

All current Timber Harvest Plans (THP) containing old-growth trees will be modified to selective logging plans.

What About the Second-Growth?

Does this mean that Humboldt Redwood Company is in the clear? Absolutely not. As long as companies are still clear-cutting, there’s a problem that needs to be dealt with. Also, there’s the question about the second growth-trees that are living within the tree-village groves. Will they be protected as well? What, exactly, will be the perimeter around each  grove? Will heavy machinery damage the old-growth groves to access second-growth trees? There are still many, many questions for which we currently have no answers.

I applaud Humboldt Redwood Company for their pledge to protect old-growth and save both tree-villages; however, activists and forest defenders will keep a very close eye on their actions and developments. Making sure that they live up to their word.

With companies such as Green Diamond Resource Company (a.k.a. Simpson Timber Company) and Sierra Pacific Industries both owning a total of over 2 million acres of California “Timber Land,” there’s no time to take a breather. Both companies are still noxiously clear-cutting trees, including old-growth, as I write this article.

Activists are demanding to have something put in writing, which has yet to happen.
[This shouldn't be a problem since Jani has already agreed, right? well... we'll see .] We expect new developments to take place in days as to the protection of the tree-village groves. Until it’s is writing or the THPs are dropped, tree-sitters will remain in  trees until Octobers when both THPs are set to officially expire.

Stay tuned…