Friends of Blackwater
  • About
    • The Blackwater Canyon
    • Our Organization
  • Take Action
  • Projects
    • Public Lands
    • Heritage
    • Trails
    • State Parks
    • Wildlife
    • Water
    • Climate
    • Previous Campaigns
  • News+Events
    • News
    • Events Info
    • Volunteer
  • Shop
  • Visit
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • About
    • The Blackwater Canyon
    • Our Organization
  • Take Action
  • Projects
    • Public Lands
    • Heritage
    • Trails
    • State Parks
    • Wildlife
    • Water
    • Climate
    • Previous Campaigns
  • News+Events
    • News
    • Events Info
    • Volunteer
  • Shop
  • Visit
  • Contact
  • Donate

Climate Change

October 13, 2021 In Climate Change, Public Lands, Wildlife

SAY NO TO TIMBERING IN UPPER ELK ROADLESS AREA!

flying_squirrel_glove_web

The United States Forest Service is planning major timbering in the “Upper Elk Roadless Area,” a section of the Monongahela National Forest — in Pocahontas county West Virginia — that is home to “Ginny,” the protected West Virginia Northern Flying Squirrel.

The Forest Service’s “Roadless Area Conservation Rule” states that any tree cutting in a roadless area must maintain or improve an area’s conservation characteristics. This ill-advised plan does neither, and we must stop it!

The Forest Service claims that cutting older-growth hardwood trees (80-120 years old) like beech, red maple, yellow birch, red pine, and hemlock would “release” red spruce from the understory, and improve habitat for “Ginny.”

But there is not a shred of scientific evidence showing that this hypothetical scheme would work. It’s a shameless pipe dream!

Meanwhile, all of these older-growth tree species provide food and corridors today – that Ginny and her species rely on.

Moreover, timbering of these older trees radically disrupts the “hyphal mat,” a network of fungi that grow underneath the forest and provide critical food sources for the WVNFS. Once destroyed, the hyphal mat takes 40 or more years to regrow, which means less food for eight generations of squirrels.

Please send your comments today and let the Forest Service know that this illegal plan must be withdrawn!

See Friends of Blackwater's Comments Here
See The Wilderness Society's Comments Here
Read More

Related Articles

  • West Virginia White Butterfly
    Sign Up For Eco Tours With FOB!
  • Cleared Coke Ovens (Page 7)
    Thank You NCCC Team Tide 3!

Friends of Blackwater

PO Box 247
571 Douglas Rd
Thomas WV 26292
304-345-7663

Keep Exploring

  • Our Organization
  • Donate to Friends of Blackwater
  • Take Action
  • Events

Allegheny Highlands Climate Change Impacts Initiative

  • The Initiative
  • Initiative Videos
  • Initiative Reports