Our
planet's largest ponderosa pine forest runs an arc over
southwestern New Mexico north through central Arizona. It
is at the point of ecological collapse. After 50 years of
rapacious old growth logging, continuous livestock grazing,
fire suppression, elimination of predators and soil erosion,
we are still without permanent protection in place
for the remaining 4 percent of our ancient pine trees. These
regal old growth stands are the last fire resistant protectors
of our forests. The Bush administration has launched a new
wave of pillage and plunder by rolling back environmental
regulations in the name of fire prevention.
Hundreds of animals inhabit the great diversity of life
in the unique ecosystems of the Southwest's national
forests. This incredible diversity of life is being
brushed aside to accommodate the unchecked corporate
greed and mismanagement of public lands. We have a moral
obligation to ensure the well-being of our earth and
ecosystems.
Tassel-eared or Abert's Squirrel
The tassel-eared or Abert’s squirrel lives in a
tight-knit “web of life” with the ponderosa pine tree,
the morel fungus, and the northern goshawk. The squirrel
is a management indicator species for climax ponderosa
pine forests in the southwest. The Forest Service has
collected two years of population data for the Abert’s
squirrel across the Carson National Forest and the data
indicate that the numbers are far below what is accepted
to be the minimum viable population for the species.
These populations trends are similar across the entire
region. Read more about
indicator species Read more
about Abert's Squirrel
For specific questions about our efforts to protect our forests,
contact Bryan Bird,
Southwest Forests program director.
Our
planet's largest ponderosa pine forest runs an arc over
southwestern New Mexico north through central Arizona. It
is at the point of ecological collapse. After 50 years of
rapacious old growth logging, continuous livestock grazing,
fire suppression, elimination of predators and soil erosion,
we are still without permanent protection in place
for the remaining 4 percent of our ancient pine trees. These
regal old growth stands are the last fire resistant protectors
of our forests. The Bush administration has launched a new
wave of pillage and plunder by rolling back environmental
regulations in the name of fire prevention.
