Redwood Summer: Action now!

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Redwood Summer is a series of organized protests aimed at slowing the timber industry’s vastly accelerated cutting of old-growth redwoods in Mendocino, Del Norte and Humboldt counties.

This coming November, two forest conservation initiatives aimed at protecting California’s remaining ancient forests will be voted on by the public. Both initiatives have an extremely good chance of passing. In response, the timber industry is racing to cut as much of the remaining five percent of our old-growth redwoods as possible. The industry’s last-gasp attempt to extract short-term profits from our forests will benefit only the top echelon of the timber industry. In addition to destroying magnificent wilderness found nowhere else on Earth, accelerated cutting will be devastating to the long-term economic interests of the very communities the timber companies claim to serve. Long-term economic and ecological health for the region clearly depend on evironmentally sustainable timber-harvesting policies. Promoting an understanding of the shared goals of environmentalists and timber workers plays an important role in achieving a healthy North Coast region. You can endorse sound forestry practices and help save the redwoods by actively supporting Redwood Summer.

Redwood Summer organizers are planning a variety of strictly nonviolent actions, including civil disobedience, picketing, rallies, and demonstrations. Help is needed to support these activities: organizing, acting as legal observers, cooking, and caring for children. Other activities, such as stream restorations and local fire fighting, also require support. With so much going on, every individual can participate in a manner that is compatible with his or her personal beliefs.

Educate yourself about the issues. Stop by the BAA headquarters to pick up or read articles we’ve collected on this and related topics. Check out an eye-opening video on the last US ancient forests in our screening room. Get information on whom to address to support legislation advocating sustainable logging practices. Best yet, stop by or call to get in touch with others who share your interest in saving the last of our redwoods. It's now or never.

For further information contact:‍

Bay Area Action
P.O. Box AA
Stanford, CA 94309
(415) 321-1994

Legislation:‍

Forests Forever
(707) 462-2370

Food Donations:

Food not Bombs (Alan)
(415) 552-7470

Regional Planners:

Ukiah Environmental Center
(707) 468-1660

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Published in Action, vol 1, no 1 · Jul–Aug 1990

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