The title of the story is “What Now, Treesitter?” That has to be the most unfitting and ridiculous titles for such an article! What now??? Ha!… Do you think that it’s over?

…They won’t be cut, ever. That was the word, delivered in person on Aug. 12 by Humboldt Redwood Co. President Mike Jani, who hiked into the woods to two treesitter villages with his wife and several activists to see the old trees and talk to the treesitters. He told them it wasn’t his company’s policy to cut old-growth trees such as these. He said if they hadn’t sat in these trees, the trees surely would have been cut under the former company’s plan. He shook their hands and said, “Thank you.” Then they all walked around attaching pink “Do Not Cut” tape to the trees…

Here’s the article >>

The Los Angeles Times published a piece on the Humboldt Redwood Company visit to the tree-sits (read article here »). It’s a pretty good article, but, again, I’m concerned about the media casting HRC in too good of a light. Let us hope that HRC’s actions of “saving” old-growth trees can be the impetus for Green Diamond Resource Company and Sierra Pacific Industries to STOP cutting “their” old-growth trees.

The larger issue here, regarding all of these companies, is that they all practice clear-cutting. Clear-cutting must stop. Sure, let’s save the old-growth. But let’s not let the positioning of ” saving old-growth” cloud our aims here. Animals are at stake. Poisonous chemicals are being deployed. Lakes and streams are being destroyed. Fish are suffering. The entire forest is suffering.

The real victory will come when these companies stop destroying the land, not from solely protecting old trees.

Less than 2 hours ago tree-sitters were discovered on Green Diamond Resource Company land by what appears to be a company Forester surveying the area. The Forester made communication with the multiple sitters by saying “hello” as he appeared to be placing ribbons and/or a marker on the occupied tree.

Activists have been active on this land for the past few months. Multiple old-growth trees have been located and documented; Endangered Spotted Owls have been seen in numbers living directly inside the groves marked to be cut by Green Diamond. Activists have encountered Spotted Owls in the actual trees they have been defending.

The old-growth Redwood, known as Millenia, towering well over 200 ft, is one the trees that sitters are currently defending and will continue to do so until Green Diamond declares this area off-limits for destruction.

The McKay Tract is comprised of 80 - 100 year-old Redwoods, perhaps the oldest second-growth in Humboldt County, last logged a few years into the 1900’s. Green Diamond is proposing to rezone the entire 2000 acres from Timber Production Zone (TPZ), to a residential area — potentially establishing 7000 new homes at the expense of Northern Spotted Owl habitat and old-growth trees. Insane. The McKay Tract also “includes 16 miles of fish bearing stream in the Ryan Creek watershed. Ryan Creek is the best coho producing stream in the Humboldt Bay area” says Jen Kalt of Humboldt Baykeeper and California Native Plant Society in a recent interview on KMUD Radio.

Yesterday I gave an interview to Channel 3 News, Eureka, CA, about my experiences with Mike Jani, Chief Forester of Humboldt Redwood Company and the saving of both tree-sits: Fern Gully and Nanning Creek in Humboldt County, CA.

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It’s already been a week since Forest Defenders broke the story of the Fern Gully and Nanning Creek Tree-Villages being saved from the greedy tight fists of Pacific Lumber Company and the buzz is still going strong. Just this morning Times-Standard and Indybay released stories on the tree-sits.

The Struggle Continues to Protect Ancient Forests

As happy as we Forest Defenders are, myself included, people need to understand that old-growth logging practices have not stopped. Clear-cutting has not stopped. Herbicide usage has not stopped. Killing of endangered and threatened species has not stopped.

Humboldt Redwood Company didn’t do the right thing, they did the only thing that was acceptable – to end the destruction of old-growth trees. Should we continue to pat them on the back and treat them like saviors? You can, but I surely won’t be doing so. It should be natural – a given – that old trees should never be cut under ANY circumstances.

Companies such as Green Diamond Resource Company and Sierra Pacific Industries would both do well to come to this ridiculously simple understanding – stop destroying the land! Live in harmony with the land. Land isn’t here for us to liquidate and squeeze money out of at the expense of wildlife habitat, clean air, and freedom for plants to survive just as we are able to (for now, at least).

This isn’t the end of tree-sitting – not at all. This isn’t the end of forest defense. As long as companies are liquidating forests, killing old-growth, clear-cutting, using herbicides, and killing threatened and endangered species, you can bet we’ll still be at it, every day, for asss lonnggg asss itttt takeeess……..

This isn’t the end, it’s the beginning of more victories to come.

Chief Forester of Humboldt Redwood Company (HRC), Mike Jani, offers insight into the management of the company and who’s really calling the shots. Supposedly HRC doesn’t like the “title stuff” too much. Hmm.. can we hold ‘em on that?

Mr. Jani did tell me to start calling him “Mike” ….

Mike Jani at Fern Gully Tree Village speaking to Forest Defenders

Can you believe it! Both current Humboldt County tree-sits are officially saved and protected. Yesterday I, other Forest Defenders, and a crew from National Geographic accompanied Chief Forester and President of the newly formed Humboldt Redwood Company, Mike Jani, to Fern Gully Tree Village, Freshwater, CA, and the grove around the tree known as “Jerry,” that has been a major part of the struggle. Earlier, activists also hiked Jani in the well known Nanning Creek Tree Village, headed-up by long time Forest Defender, Amy.

Jani and Forest Defender of Spooner, Amy

“I promise that none of these trees will be cut in the groves,” earnestly stated Jani after asked about the protection of the tree-sits. Jani was extremely amenable and responsive to the succession of questions asked by the numerous activist present for such an monumental occasion.

More…

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…