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.
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.
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.
Tree-sitting, organizing, spreading awareness, documenting illegal activities from timber companies, protecting wildlife habitat, fund-raising, and doing whatever can be done, in a positive way, to protect the remaining Ancient Forests from those that seek to destroy nature for a profit. This is what Forest Defenders live for.
Forest Defenders is a not-for-profit campaign of Mind Petals Organization. This site is ran by David "Soul" Askaripour, an active Forest Defender currently residing in Northern California.
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Fastest way to reach us: david@forestdefenders.com
Save the McKay Tract Coalition
Help us protect over 7,000 acres currently threatened by Green Diamond Resource Company known
as the McKay Tract, east of Eureka, CA. We need all the support we can get to help stop
the destruction of this rare land. Visit the Save Mckay support page at
savemckay.org.
