Forest For The Trees
(Sept. 4, 2008) Editor:
Many thanks to the Journal and to writer Heidi Walters for the excellent cover story (“What Now Treesitter?”, Aug. 8). The photos, especially, showed the diversity of generations, including young treesitters, grandma, teacher and toddler, that make up the forest protection movement.
These are indeed new times, when Big Timber and treesitters can sit down and talk together. But it’s not just the act of reconciliation that’s so satisfying, after the long, bitter struggle with Maxxam/PL, it’s the agreement itself: that Humboldt Redwood Company will henceforth voluntarily set aside all old growth on its lands in perpetuity. Though much progress remains to be made, this is an historic moment in the lives of humans (lifespan 80-some years), spotted owls, marbled murrelets (near extinction) and trees like “Spooner,” already some 2,000 years of age.
One thing I regrettably neglected to say in the interview with Walters is that although it was indeed “normal for loggers to assault treesitters” (and protesters in general) under the former owners, there were also loggers, truck drivers and even security guards who understood our cause and saw the link between sustainable harvest rates and job protection, who treated activists well and cared for our safety, even at risk to themselves.
Hopefully, those former PL employees who always believed in sustainable forest practices will now be able to speak their minds freely, without fear of losing their jobs.
Thanks again for the in-depth story. I felt it covered a wide swath of background, history and current events and accurately conveyed the spirit of the day in the light it deserved, Humboldt County’s glorious green and gold.
— Naomi Wagner, Petrolia
→ post a comment
seven-o-heaven
Old Town Arcata
Will Plaza Point put the kibosh on Arcata whippersnapper shenanigans?
Today
Label GMOs Signature Gathering Training
meetings / 4 p.m. Sun Yi's Academy of Tae Kwon Do, 1215 Giuntoli Lane, Arcata. Help gather valid signatures to get the 'California Right to Know Genetically Engineered Food Act' on the 2012 ballot. E-mail northernhumboldtlabelgmos@hotmail.com. 223-0424.
Open Celtic Music Session
music / 3 p.m. Cafe Veritas/Mosgo's, 180 Westwood Center, Arcata. Informal monthly gathering of musicians playing Irish and other Celtic music. Hosted by Seabury Gould. seaburygould.com. 845-8167.
Nonviolence Action Camp
etc. / 10 a.m. Chinmaya Mission near Piercy. Weekend-long direct action orientation features workshops, role playing, seminars, ceremonies and field trips. Bring food, bedding, warm clothes, signs, banners, bikes, drums, acoustic instruments. Pre-register. saverichardsongrove.org. 932-5898.
Audubon Society Field Trip
outdoors / 9 a.m. Humboldt Bay National Wildlife Refuge, 1020 Ranch Road, Loleta. Meet at Refuge Visitor Center off Hookton Road. Leisurely, two- to three-hour trip intended for people wanting to learn birds of Humboldt Bay area. 822-3613.
More →
0 Comments