Ice Lake in the Eagle Cap Wilderness, by Isaiah Freier
The Forest team is a diverse group of volunteers working to protect forests at the state, regional, and local levels.
We embrace environmental justice, anti-racism, team collaboration, respect, and transformation. Forests are marvelous webs of life that are key to the planet's survival; that's why we prioritize preserving intact forest ecosystems and defending forests under threat. Our Forest Team members are the Sierra Club Oregon in action at the state and local level.
Our wins are people-powered. Together we:
- Promote ecological forest management
- Protect mature and old-growth forests for biodiversity
- Safeguard clean water for wildlife and people
- Defend threatened and endangered species
- Improve agency accountability
- Support climate resilience through science-based solutions
- Provide forest education
You can join us and make a difference on forest conservation issues. To get involved with any of our teams, contact Forest Team Coordinator Carol Valentine at illinoisvalley@oregon.sierraclub.org.
Our Grassroots Forest Issue Teams
Biomass
Burning wood for energy (commonly just referred to as “biomass”) pollutes communities and releases climate-warming emissions that can equal or exceed fossil fuels. Pellet manufacturing harms communities through noise and extreme dust. Around the globe, biomass drives increased forest loss and degradation.
In Oregon, the fear of wildfire is feeding a misguided push for thinning (logging) of forests across the landscape, with a parallel push for incentivizing the removal and use of post-logging wood residues. But removing large amounts of small wood from the forest harms ecosystem integrity by removing wildlife habitat and what would become the forest's future soil. And elsewhere, in spite of claims to rely on residues, the biomass industry has been using whole trees to meet its need to “feed the beast.”
The biomass issue team works with partners at the state, national, and international level to inform and mobilize communities regarding the harmful impacts of using forest biomass for electricity, liquid fuel, and alternative building materials.
More >>
State Forests
The State Forest issue team is our state forest planning watchdog. They track the Board of Forestry and the Oregon Department of Forestry, communicate those processes and decisions to the Chapter’s Conservation and Legislative Committees, submit position papers and written comments, and testify on timely forestry issues. The team also works in coalition with other state conservation groups dealing with Oregon’s state forest lands.
Industrial Logging Impacts
The vast majority of Oregon’s drinking water comes from forested watersheds; however, many communities face threats to their drinking water supplies from ongoing clearcut logging and toxic herbicide and pesticide spray. Building roads to logging sites and clearcutting causes erosion that harms water, and opens the forest up for high winds, which can create the perfect conditions for catastrophic wildfires. The Industrial Logging Impacts team works to stop forest clearcut logging and spraying, inform the public about sustainable solutions, and oppose harmful narratives advocating for more logging as a wildfire reduction strategy.
More >>
Siuslaw clearcut, courtesy Willow Kasner
Get Involved
The Forest Team works to protect our forests for biodiversity, water quality, climate, and responsible recreation. Join our team to create educational materials, write letters to the editor, or advocate for forest management practices that prioritize conservation over profits.
To get involved, contact the Forest Team Coordinator Carol Valentine at illinoisvalley@oregon.sierraclub.org.
Resources:
- Community Agreements
- more coming soon...