September 29, 2004

Slab cut from ancient tree makes the rounds

By Bill Choy
Ashland Daily Tidings

Ashland residents had the opportunity to see a nine-foot diameter slab from a 420-year-old, 200-foot Douglas fir tree and meet a co-founder of Greenpeace International on Tuesday.

Both were at the Tuesday Growers Market at the Ashland Armory on East Main Street.

Since May, the Ancient Forest Roadshow, a group of people from organizations such as Greenpeace, the Cave Junction-based Siskiyou Regional Education Project and the Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center have taken the tree slab, and a second, similar tree slab throughout the country in protest of the White House proposal to repeal the Roadless Area Conservation Rule. The rule, which was signed into law in 2001 provides protection of national forest land from new roads and logging. The tree was cut down as part of a clear-cut logging operation in July, 2002.

Opponents of the plan say it will make it easier for private companies to log, drill and mine in national forests.

Rex Weyler, a co-founder of Greenpeace, signed copies of his "Greenpeace: How a Group of Ecologists, Journalists and Visionaries Changed the World," at the forest Roadshow booth.

He expressed admiration for those who have traveled throughout the country to protest the changes to the roadless rule and local environmental issues.

"It's vital because they're standing up for the environment," he said. "It's important because government and companies respond to public will … they are working from dawn to dusk educating people."

Weyler said it is of the utmost importance to talk to people and educate them on issues that are affecting our nation.

"How do we make wise decisions if we're not educated?" he said. "It's extremely valuable to educate. Hopefully, they will inspire others to action and they will want to help. Not everyone wants to trash the planet."

Ginger Cassady, a Greenpeace campaigner based in Grants Pass, and a member of the forest Roadshow, said the work of Weyler and Greenpeace inspires her.

"He has shown what you do with a small band of people can change the world," she said.

At the booth, people sign a form addressed to Dale Bosworth, chief of the U.S Forest Service, protesting the Roadless Rule. Volunteers also told people how they can take action to stop a logging rider in the Siskiyou National Forest.

Lisa Shelton, a member of the Roadshow, who works for the Siskiyou Regional Education Project said the tree slab makes a profound influence on those who see it.

"It says everything without me saying a word," she said. "I feel with what is happening, our incredible heritage is disappearing. One day, I would like to take the next generation into our wonderful and magical old growth forest."

Shelton said more than one million comments in opposition to the reversal of the roadless area conservation rule have been received so far. The official comment period ends on Nov. 15. This summer, Shelton traveled the Midwest with the second stump. She said they received, overall, a good response.

"They were surprised that trees like this are being cut down," she said. "Many still think they are being protected. It's about awareness nationwide."

The Forest Roadshow will be in Grants Pass today, before heading to Brookings. They will than be in Cave Junction over the weekend for the National Forest Protection Alliance 6th Annual National Convention.

Cassady, who has traveled around Oregon with the tree stump, is pleased so many different groups are getting together for a common cause.

"I think it's important to show we're unified as a movement and we're working as one for change," she said. "If we don't work together to stop it, this administration will leave nothing but a grave of stumps."