Here’s their flyer announcing these wonderful free showings from Indigenous Cinema Climate Showcase : LINK
Category: Environment
Per CNN’s Laura Paddison in an article published 3/6/25, Trump’s Canadian tariffs include lumber. He is pushing to cut down American trees instead.
According to Paddison, “…The Trump administration quietly issued an executive order Saturday for the “immediate expansion” of commercial logging on federal lands, setting out deadlines for officials to figure out how to fast-track permits and circumvent restrictions set out in the Endangered Species Act and other environmental protections.” For details, visit the article at https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/06/climate/trump-logging-national-forest-tariffs/index.html.
The Future of our National Forests is at Risk!
Passing along an alarming deadline that is rapidly approaching. Please read and understand why we need to contact our Senators about the “Fix Our Forests Act” that has already passed the House:
| Date: | Tue, 4 Feb 2025 12:23:16 -0500 (EST) |
|---|---|
| From: | Adam Rissien <action@wildearthguardians.org> |
Dear Guardian,
On January 23, Arkansas Representative Bruce Westerman introduced the “Fix Our Forests Act” (H.R. 471), which passed the House on a bipartisan vote, 279 – 141 (see how House members voted here).
The Senate is now bypassing its normal rules to schedule a vote this very week or next, or it may move its own version. Many Democratic Senators are considering supporting the bill.
The Fix Our Forests Act does little to reduce wildfire risk, which it is purported to address. Instead, the legislation is a green light to bypass critical environmental laws, restrict scientific input, and limit public engagement in how our forests are managed. The bill, if passed, would have devastating consequences for the environment and endangered species.
Take Action – Call Your Senator Today!
Phone number: (202) 224-3121
A U.S. Capitol Switchboard operator can connect you directly with your Senate office. Not sure who to ask for?
Click here to find your Senator.
Sample Phone Script or Voicemail:
Hi, I’m [Name] and I live in [Town]. I’m reaching out about the Fix Our Forests Act, which passed the House and is expected to be introduced in the Senate.
Sen. _____________ should vote no on the Fix Our Forests Act. I oppose this bill because (pick any/all talking points)This legislation will open millions of acres of federal land to logging without scientific review or community input. It prohibits the courts from weighing in by limiting judicial review. This bill allows for cutting of large old trees that store massive amounts of carbon and are key for mitigating against climate change. The bill guts key pieces of the Endangered Species Act and weakens the National Environmental Policy Act. The bill does little to invest in proven wildfire mitigation measures such as defensible space, emergency planning, and home hardening. Instead it focuses on opening up federal lands to logging interests. The bill would allow harmful road construction, creating highroad densities. Roads increase the risk of human-caused fires, fragment forest habitat, and are sources of chronic sediment that harm water quality in rivers and streams. Thank you, guardian, for taking action to protect climate-critical forests.For the Wild,
Adam Rissien
ReWilding Manager
Good News From The Elwha Legacy Forests Coalition Including Updates And Upcoming Meeting
Some positive news for those looking to save the Legacy Forests in the Elwha River watershed. Dave Upthegrove announces a 6-month moratorium on forest auctions, celebrates the Power Station Victory and urges you to attend the ELF monthly meeting on January 21st at 7-8 PM, and to engage with the protection of Elwha forests. Here’s the email from Elwha Legacy Forests Coalition email:
“Hi Forest Friends,
Welcome to the first Elwha Legacy Forests Coalition newsletter of 2025! We have quite a few things to update you about. Please try to make our zoom meeting on Tuesday, January 21st. We would love to see you there. Details are in the “Reminders” section below.
1. Dave Upthegrove took office on 1/15/2025!
In his inauguration day speech, he introduced that DNR is going to have a 6-month moratorium on auctioning off structurally complex forests, to give DNR time to identify and map forests that meet “Maturation 2” criteria. “As someone who has worked for many years as a high school basketball referee, I know when a time-out is needed. And that’s what this is, a time-out. This process will be inclusive and transparent.” – Dave Upthegrove
To read more about what Dave Upthegrove said in his speech, see this article here.
2. Power Station is saved!
Due to the amazing work of Joshua Wright with Legacy Forest Defense Coalition, the ‘Power Station’ legacy forest in Sequim is saved from logging! Joshua discovered a globally critically imperiled plant community, confirmed by the Washington Natural Heritage Program.
3. Legacy Forest Timber Sale Updates
A big thank you to everyone who came to the Tree Well Community hike.
The Elwha forests Tree Well and Parched were both auctioned in December, but Legacy Forest Defense Coalition and Earth Law Center along with Center for Whal Research & Orca Network have filed lawsuits. Legacy forest Dungeness & Dragons, south of Sequim, is scheduled for auction January 29th despite public opposition. Stay tuned on how to continue opposing this timber sale!
4. 29 Acres of Alley Cat is being protected!
This is because of yerba de selva, a rare plant reported by Legacy Forest Defense Coalition. The good news is that our advocacy is working and both the Alley Cat and Bread & Butter timber sales in the Elwha Watershed have been kept off the Board of Natural Resources agenda.
Many thanks to Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal Chairwoman Frances Charles and Vice Chair Russell Hepfer for asking DNR to pause the Alley Cat timber sale in its entirety and for Tashena Francis (Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe) for circulating a Petition to protect Elwha Watershed forests that gained nearly 400 handwritten signatures of tribal citizens in just 10 days!
See the Reminders section below to add your name! With Commissioner Upthegrove in office, they are no longer under urgent threat, but we need to keep working on a long-term comprehensive visions of forest stewardship in the Elwha Watershed.
5. Doc Holliday
Doc Holliday is an incredibly unique coastal rainforest that rivals the forests of Olympic National Park and an important gathering area for S’Klallam peoples. On Friday, November 29th, 2024, Lower Elwha Klallam Tribal Elder Yayacen (Linda Weichman) and Lummi Elder Sul ka dub (Freddie Lane) along with members of Elwha Legacy Forests coalition visited the proposed Doc Holliday/ Sadie Creek clear-cut site. To read more about this event, please visit the beautiful blog post put together by Scott McGee which features photography and video by John Gussman.
We continue to ask DNR to cancel this timber sale. Stay tuned for more ways to get involved!
6. Ode To Joyce is being logged now.
Ode To Joyce, a legacy forest in Joyce that the DNR nominated for protection under the legislature’s Climate Commitment Act conservation program but was rejected last year by the Clallam County Commissioners, is being logged now. A tribute to the forest is on the website here.
Reminders!
Elwha Protection Petition
Please sign the Elwha protection petition in solidarity with Lower Elwha Klallam tribal members and spread the word! Your voice is critical as we seek cancellation of the Tree well and Parched timber sales and advocate for protection of all legacy forests in the watershed, and for improved forest stewardship in the watershed overall.
! ELF Monthly Meeting on Zoom – Tuesday, January 21st.
Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84054515111?pwd=ajNSSHlTR1lUZ2pOeVQxSjV1SXRldz09
Meeting ID: 840 5451 5111
Passcode: legacy
Time: 7PM- 8PM
Please attend and share with any friends who may be interested in the group!
Follow Elwha Legacy Forests on Bluesky
Donate!
Support us! If you are interested in donating to help the Elwha Legacy Forests mission to protect our beloved forests. Please click the blue box to donate to the Elwha Forest Fund, managed by Earth Law Center.
Copyright © 2025 Elwha Legacy Forests, All rights reserved.”
A Filter for Microplastics?
Some great news for a change! According to ethicalmarkets.com, China has discovered a filter made from cotton and squid bone (hopefully they can find a replacement for the poor squid soon) that’s having success filtering these microplastic bad boys! Check out their article: https://www.ethicalmarkets.com/cotton-and-squid-bone-sponge-can-soak-up-99-9-of-microplastics-scientists-say/
Where is plastic produced?
Environment America shows us exactly where it is being produced here in the United States: https://environmentamerica.org/resources/where-is-plastic-produced/
PROPUBLICA poses a question for us: ‘When Is “Recyclable” Not Really Recyclable? When the Plastics Industry Gets to Define What the Word Means.’
Here’s a link to a fairly long but outstanding article that describes the realities of recycling and the intricacies of the PR work done by purveyors of plastics: https://www.propublica.org/article/plastics-industry-redefine-recyclable-ftc-grocery-bags?
Something to remember: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres: “The 1.5 C limit is only posible if we ultimately stop buring Fossil Fuels. NOT reduce. NOT abate. Phase OUT – with a clear timeframe aligned with 1.5 C.”
Emphasis added
Investing in Climate Chaos in 2024
My friend, Dennis Ledden, passed along a very illuminating article and report entitled “Investing in Climate Chaos 2024: Institutional Investors $4.3 TRILLION Deep Into the Fossil Fuel Industry.” This article clearly identifies who these investors are and just how deep they are into supporting this industry. You can also download the brief report from the link provided in the above article which just came out on July 9th. Knowledge is power.
A new report (6/26/24) from CIEL (Center for International Environmental Law) that details tools for state, county, and municipalities to help in the plastics war.
This new report claims to help these various governmental bodies by providing legal tools for engaging the producers of plastic. Getting this information into the hands of our local governmental bodies is critical. See https://www.ciel.org/news/new-report-helps-cities-states-legal-fight-plastic-pollution/. CIEL has been around since 1998 and you’ll be impressed with the work they’ve been doing.
Earth Law Center has released a profoundly beautiful film: “Last Stand: Saving the Elwha River’s Legacy Forests”.
| Earth Law News | April 26, 2024Dear Friends, In recent months, ELC’s Elizabeth Dunne (Director of Legal Advocacy) and Missy Lahren (Board Chair) have been pouring untold hours of work into producing and creating a remarkable short film entitled Last Stand: Saving the Elwha River’s Legacy Forests. Click image above to view the ~20 minute film free on YouTube. When a large ecologically sensitive legacy forest in the heart of the Elwha River Watershed was identified for harvest, the Earth Law Center, Keystone Species Alliance, and Center for Whale Research began using all legal means possible against the Washington State Department of Natural Resources to halt the impending clear-cut. The film’s breathtaking cinematography and intimate interviews showcase the profound beauty and ecological significance of the watershed, as well as the dire consequences of unchecked deforestation. After premiering yesterday at EarthX in Dallas, the film is now freely available for you to view on the ELC YouTube channel. I encourage you to watch it, and you can donate to this critical ongoing campaign by selecting “Elwha Forest Fund” from the dropdown menu on our donations page. Read on for a new article criticizing a recent wave of riverfront development projects in India and advocating for a Rights of Rivers approach, as well as several recent news articles featuring work by ELC staff members. Grant Wilson, Executive Director |
| Contact Us: Earth Law Center 530 Main Ave, Suite F Durango, CO 81301 info@earthlaw.org |
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