What Now, Treesitter?
“And now to be able to call them and have them open the gate for us …” said Wagner. “You know, I actually use to think that treesitting was a symbolic tactic to get more recognition and PR. I did not think it was a physically viable way to save a tree. But now I can see that it is.”
The robber baron loggers are long gone — those who first entered the virgin forests and felled the biggest giants the world’s ever seen, the kind you could lead a train of massive white workhorses onto to pose for a photograph. And the days of the Wall Street logger seem over — Maxxam has exited the forest, leaving behind a ravaged landscape and hobbled company, but also the first glimmer of hope Humboldt County’s timber arena has seen in a long time.
And that hope rides on the promises of Mendocino Redwood Co. and the liberal-leaning Fisher family which in July, with Marathon Structure Finance, took over the bankrupt Pacific Lumber Co, including the town of Scotia, the mills and 210,000 acres of timberlands, after a federal judge approved their $550 million reorganization plan. MRC renamed it Humboldt Redwood Co., hired back about 250 old Pacific Lumber Co. employees, and said it would begin implementing the sustainable forestry policies it practices on its 235,000 acres of timberland in Mendocino.
Immediately upon hearing the news, Amy Arcuri started courting the new owners. She brought them gifts of baby redwood trees. “I would call them and talk to them,” she said, last Thursday, as she sat amid a group of burned-out redwoods near Spooner called the “cave trees.” Her 21-month-old daughter, River, played in the caves as she talked; Arcuri climbed Spooner when she was pregnant with River.
“I said, ‘I want to bring you people here,’” Arcuri said. “And they said, ‘We have an old-growth policy — those trees wouldn’t be cut under our policy.’ I said, ‘We need more. We need to come out here together.’ They called me and we made a date.”
She and Lodgepole met Mike Jani and the others, and the now-famous timber boss-treesitter friendship meeting ensued. “Meeting with him was progressive, intelligent and refreshing,” she said.
Naomi Wagner, last Thursday at Spooner, said she’s still a little skeptical. She’d like to know how much timber, and what kind of timber, the company needs to cut in order to make its payments on the property. “How much can they afford to let the forest alone to let it recover?” she wondered.
In 1998, the Fishers bought 235,000 acres in Mendocino County from Louisiana Pacific. The land had been overlogged. Mendocino Redwood Co. vowed to return it to a cycle of sustainable forestry, which meant it would cut less than could grow per year. It promised to protect old growth and endangered species. But the environmental community quickly lost faith: Sandy Dean, president of MRC, announced the company would carry out the 100-plus timber harvest plans already approved under L-P when MRC took over, plans that reflected L-P’s heavyhanded style.
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14 Comments
Comment / By grannyj / Aug. 29, 2008, 7:29 p.m.
To Heidi Walters: This is a great piece of writing! Your choice of words had me right in the woods. You dug up the answers we wanted to hear. I have lived through this horrible time and my heart has been so sad for these trees. I won’t go into detail but know that this article had me crying and still does. To think that we’ve come to the end of greed and mismanagement of the forest, and that RIGHT WON OUT. I am ecstatic. I don’t have a paper copy of this, but I will get one soon before they are all gone. At long last, Humboldt County and the trees are free of Maxxam’s grip. There is one left-over here in Fortuna that I would like to see go back to his homeland tho.
Comment / By Jeff Muskrat / Aug. 30, 2008, 1:51 p.m.
Let’s hear it for ALL of the HUNDREDS of unsung heros and heroines that were crucial to the successes of Nanning Creek and Fern Gully over the past 3 to 6 years.
Most importantly, let’s remember the Legacy of Humboldt’s Forest Defenders over the past two decades, and pay our respects to those who have given their lives for our trees, such as Jungle and Gypsy.
Everyone knew the Nanning and Fern Gully THP’s would eventally time out and expire. That was the minor goal.
The major goal was to permenantly protect these areas, aside of course from token verbal promises from a salesman representing a greenwashed corporation that is still clearcutting on steep slopes and using herbicides.
How is that a victory?
And what kind of COMPROMISE is that for an EarthFirster!?
Nothing has been set in stone as far as permenant protections for these two groves. If HRC was serious about saving the last large stands of Old Growth left on Old PL property, they would take permenant steps to protect the future of these groves. Those who are concerned about the future of these two groves would demand permenant protection from this “feel good” greenwashed company’s ploy.
And you all bought it, just like a lemon used car that breaks down later down the road.
MRC came to Humboldt to make money. When the importance of profit shifts from their current focus on public relations, they will change their greenwashed tune.
Don’t get me wrong, the glass is half full and we should all be proud of this victory. But HRC and MRC are not what they appear to be. Profits are their focus, not trees.
See you for the 5-7 year THP renewal reunion.
Comment / By Jeff Muskrat / Sept. 1, 2008, 12:46 p.m.
To top it all off, I read in another article that Mike Jani has been carrying around a piece of Gypsy’s clothing for years since he learned of his death. Doesn’t anyone else find that statement creepy? Why would Jani say that, aside from a shameful public relations stunt?
Comment / By M. D. Vaden of Oregon / Dec. 24, 2008, 10:02 p.m.
It’s nice to see progress to protect old growth redwoods. And hopefully people involved continue to realize that the logging machine that took over a century to put into motion, just won’t stop in a few years.
If it’s taken decades to slow the momentum - people should be thankful, and just remain patient.
For those who really enjoy grinding their mental gears over forest preservation - ponder this:
http://www.mdvaden.com/redwood_climbing.shtml
Now that’s something to keep brain cells busy.
Cheers,
MDV
Comment / By Jeff Muskrat / Feb. 5, 2009, 2:37 p.m.
Save Richardson Grove! Save Humboldt! Join the opposition at http://saverichardsongrove.blogspot.com
Comment / By amy arcuri / March 22, 2009, 1:02 a.m.
For the latest information on the 100 acre Spooner Grove and Humboldt Redwood Company visit us at www.spoonerdirect.org I also have many video clips and facts on the latest progressive happenings with Humboldt Redwood Company. I have lots of faith, love and respect for HRC and have the proof that they will and are fullfilling their promises. Learn what’s really going on and stay positive. Love conquers all.
Comment / By Jim A. / Sept. 27, 2009, 5:40 p.m.
I DO applaud these kids. They really did save a wonderful thing from almost certain destruction. Its awesome.
Want to keep it going? Make sure these guys arent cut?
I would like to respectfully offer a suggestion: Lose the dreads and bongos. Go to school, get a job, something. Become as knowledgeable and powerful as those you are fighting.
I’m just saying NO ONE takes a white dreadlocked tie-died kid seriously. O.K.? Get. Over. It. That time has passed. I know. I’M a proud ‘hippie’! (Yes, from the 60’s.)
‘Live’ like someone on the ‘other side’ for a while! Think of what you will learn to help you.
But the image of dready moms with the kids eating dirt under an overpass in NOT how to win the public’s support.
Sorry-just had to say that.
Comment / By Tom Casey / Oct. 3, 2009, 10:26 a.m.
Soul of the Redwood by Tom Casey in Seattle (206) 849-6752
If time ringed life within me the way it marks your years, my courage would stand as tall as yours and hold back amber tears that purify the daylight and protect you through the night when gales howl and thunder roars and cordite lightening strikes.
If my roots tapped the earth like yours and drank from ancient springs, drawing strength from rich, dark soil while ravens and blue jays sing the songs of life and death and change that echo high and far beyond our brief encounter with this planet and its star.
So when condors soar again above your summer canopy and salmon swim cool streams in June that run down to the sea, II know they’ll recognize you then as the Keeper of the Hours tho turns the months to centuries and hears the children’s prayer for one last chance to find a place in a new world twice restored where trees have souls and bear and elk and deer and wolves come home.
Comment / By John Town / Oct. 15, 2009, 8:47 p.m.
Good job guys!!! I admire and envy your courage. I hope to come and visit up there this Summer with my girls.
Comment / By Spurwing Plover / Dec. 26, 2009, 6:06 p.m.
Tree sitters out of their minds as stupid as that ding-bat JULIA(BUTTERFLY)HILL like most of these granola munchers are
Comment / By Jeff Muskrat / Feb. 22, 2010, 3:58 p.m.
Amy Acuri said: “For the latest information on the 100 acre Spooner Grove and Humboldt Redwood Company visit us at www.spoonerdirect.org I also have many video clips and facts on the latest progressive happenings with Humboldt Redwood Company. I have lots of faith, love and respect for HRC and have the proof that they will and are fullfilling their promises.”
Of course you have faith Amy.
Your brother works as a programmer for GAP clothing, which happens to be owned by the Fishers, who also happen to own MRC and HRC.
How about a permanent protection, Amy? You know we all worked too hard to lose this grove if HRC changes hands, or changes their policies. Why don’t you demand it?
No compromise in defense of Mother Earth!
Comment / By Nova Noah / Dec. 14, 2010, 1:46 a.m.
I’m glad these trees are still standing.
Chage will be slow. Compromises must be made in order for change to occur. We just have to choose our battles wisely. We can’t be everywhere protesting everything demanding changes and not providing any answers or alternatives. What we need to not do is start pointing fingers at each other and making enemies of friends. Like Amy said, Love Conquers All.
Keep up the good work everyone! We are working hard on the Central Coast as well!
-Noah
Comment / By Nature Boy / Dec. 14, 2010, 8:42 a.m.
Whenever you say “compromise”, Nova Noah, remember you’re talking about cutting down forest. And when it’s gone, it’s gone. Nobody’s unpaving parking lots to put up a forest. There’s no compromising the future otherwise, there’s going to be far less forest and far more city. I’m very greatful for everybody who’s on the frontlines protecting our natural habitats…without compromise.
Comment / By Jeff Musgrave / Jan. 6, 6:57 p.m.
What now Tree-sitter?
THP 1-11-139 HUM (Hole in the Headwaters THP) Humboldt Redwood Company, 510 acres; 56% group selection, 21% selection, 14% commercial thinning, 9% no-harvest logging. Upper S. Fork Elk River (HUM: T3N R1E Sec.9, 10, 15). Winter operations, moderate erosion hazard, steep slopes over 65%, road failure sites, landslide terrain, active erosion sites, 20 road drainage work sites, impaired 303.d watershed, coho watershed, adjacent to Headwaters Forest Reserve, 23 acres of large tree logging in units 4 & 6, 8 spotted owls within 1.3mi, osprey sightings, marbled murrelet habitat, trees up to 55” dbh. Estimated public comment deadline: 02/09/12. http://www.thptrackingcenter.org/database/thpca2011.html
Please comment asap!