Preserving California's remaining old-growth forests on non-federal land by passing the Heritage Tree Preservation Act.
Voice of the Environment has been committed to the fight to save old growth trees and forests since our inception in 1992. In that year, Voice played a key role in stopping legislation that would have greatly expanded cutting of old growth in the national forests of Montana.
This issue is not only about trees—it is about ecosystems and the overall healthfulness of our air and water, even our economy. Furthermore, it is our moral responsibility to leave a positive legacy of old growth forests for succeeding generations of Americans. Sadly, today, less than 3% of the native old growth trees of California remain standing. Across the rest of the country, the numbers are just as bleak, and are threatened to decline further due to the pro-corporate policies of the Bush administration.
The Heritage Tree Preservation Act (SB 1057/Perata) will protect all trees on nonfederal land that were alive before 1850 (the year California achieved statehood). Up-to-date information on the bill and what you can do to help it pass is available at www.ancienttrees.org and on this website.
Today, Voice is working with the Sierra Club, the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC), the League of Conservation Voters (CLCV) and thousands of California citizens to make this bill into law by the end of the current legislative session in 2006