Many forests in Oregon are at significant risk of losing the battle against clear-cutting. Grace Brahler, the director of Cascadia Wildlands, informs us on how prevalent the issue is:
The Silenced Trees
By: Nikki Roubos
Silence replaced the rustling branches in the wind. Roots in the ground no longer lead to trees but meet stumps. This is not a post-apocalyptic tale but the reality of the Coquille River forest in Oregon. The timber industry pushed through yet another invasive sale. Soon enough, their silver axes may slice through our backyard, the McKenzie River. Grace Brahler, the director of Cascadia Wildlands, will not let that happen.
Cascadia Wildlands is a nonprofit organization in Eugene, Ore., that protects wild spaces. As the director, Brahler informs the public of potential environmental proposals. According to the U.S. Forest Service, the Flat Country timber sale is one of the current proposals in Oregon. It includes clear-cutting 240,000 acres of old trees in the headwaters of the McKenzie River.
The co-founder of Bike Friday, Alan Scholz, said “The climate crisis has a personal sense of urgency.” Bike Friday is a company in Eugene that makes custom bikes to encourage carbon conservation. Trees over the age of 80 are essential to reducing carbon emissions. According to the Arbor Day Foundation, one mature tree can absorb 48 pounds of carbon dioxide in a year. “At this reality of the climate crisis we are facing, every time you go in and cut out key old growth, you can’t get that back,” said Brahler.
Brahler’s initial interest in the environment began in grade school. But, when she studied water management in the Gulf of Texas, it made her question the environmental decision-making process. This led her to study public interest environmental law at the University of Oregon School of Law. Brahler now helps people understand the public planning process through Cascadia Wildlands.
“There are a lot of barriers to getting involved in the public planning process,” said Brahler. “There are many people for whom English is not their first language but are probably more so concerned or disproportionately affected by some of these proposals.” People must understand proposals that will affect their lifestyles. Brahler believes informing the community will create a better climate future.
Sparse forests create fragile ecosystems and bring up questions about social justice. “A lot of communities depend on these forests, especially our First Peoples that are taken for granted,” said Brahler. She will continue to fight at the grassroots level, but litigation may be the next step.