US Makes Promise to Conserve Old-Growth Forests

US Makes , Promise to Conserve , Old-Growth Forests .

On December 19, the Biden administration committed to conserving old-growth trees in national forests across the United States as the impact of climate change intensifies.

On December 19, the Biden administration committed to conserving old-growth trees in national forests across the United States as the impact of climate change intensifies.

ABC reports that those threats include more frequent and intense wildfires, invasive insects and succumbing to disease.

According to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the agency would adopt an "ecologically-driven" approach to old forests.

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According to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, the agency would adopt an "ecologically-driven" approach to old forests.

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That approach will reportedly include the first nationwide amendment to U.S. Forest Service plans since the agency was founded 118 years ago.

The announcement comes following longstanding calls from environmentalists to preserve old forests that provide critical habitat for wildlife.

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Their efforts have been opposed by the timber industry which has fought against restrictions placed on logging rights in government-owned lands.

ABC reports that the Biden administration's latest efforts appear to aim for a middle ground between the two sides.

ABC reports that the Biden administration's latest efforts appear to aim for a middle ground between the two sides.

The new plan significantly limits commercial timber harvests in old-growth forests, while still allowing logging in "mature forests" that are not yet at the old-growth stage.

The new plan significantly limits commercial timber harvests in old-growth forests, while still allowing logging in "mature forests" that are not yet at the old-growth stage.

This creates a commitment to resiliency, a commitment to restore and protect the existing old growth that we have from the threats that we see, Tom Vilsack, United States Agriculture Secretary, via ABC.

A series of wildfires over recent years have highlighted the urgency of the issue, destroying thousands of old-growth sequoia trees.

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A series of wildfires over recent years have highlighted the urgency of the issue, destroying thousands of old-growth sequoia trees.