winter 2011 cascadia quarterly

8
CASCADIAQUARTERLY winter 2011 news + fun from cascadia wildlands Last October, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar visited Roseburg to meet with federal, state and local elected officials, as well the timber industry and conservationists. The purpose was to break the “gridlock” in the “locked-up BLM forests” in western Oregon—mantras espoused by the industry and politicians. Cascadia Wildlands pointed out that the only “gridlock” on BLM lands was the “locked-up” old-growth forests. It has been years since BLM tried to clearcut old growth. Instead, Roseburg and Coos Bay BLM Districts have been actively thinning young, managed plantations. Cascadia Wildlands seldom objects to projects meant to restore diversity to old clearcuts. In the last four years, Coos Bay BLM has met 150% of its timber target and Roseburg BLM met almost 74% of its quota. These targets were set in 1994 when it was assumed old growth would be clearcut. But lately, the BLM has come close, or exceeded in some cases, those timber target goals with non-controversial plantation thinning sales. Nonetheless, the majority of attendees outside of the conservation community told tales of economic woe and shared the belief that increased BLM logging would solve those problems. The BLM’s position was that more restoration logging would provide even more logs to the mills. They invited Drs. Norm Johnson and Jerry Franklin to discuss two types of restoration pilot projects, one for wet forests and one for dry forests in western Oregon. Ken Salazar then invited us to Washington DC in early December to discuss this further. In Washington, Drs. Johnson and Franklin emphasized that any restoration project must save What’s Next for Western Oregon BLM Forests Forest Management Up in the Air As Pilot Projects Commence by Francis Eatherington, Conservation Director Francis Eatherington meets with policymakers to discuss the future of BLM forests in western Oregon (BLM). continued on p. 4 1

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Page 1: Winter 2011 Cascadia Quarterly

CASCADIA WILDLANDS we like it wild.PO BOX 10455 • EUGENE, OR 97440

US PostagePAID

Nonprofit Org.Permit No. 82Eugene, OR CASCADIAQUARTERLY

winter 2011 news + fun from cascadia wildlands

Last October, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar visited Roseburg to meet with federal, state and local elected officials, as well the timber industry and

conservationists.The purpose was to break the “gridlock” in the

“locked-up BLM forests” in western Oregon—mantras espoused by the industry and politicians. Cascadia Wildlands pointed out that the only “gridlock” on BLM

lands was the “locked-up” old-growth forests. It has been years since BLM tried to clearcut old growth. Instead, Roseburg and Coos Bay BLM Districts have been actively thinning young, managed plantations. Cascadia Wildlands seldom objects to projects meant

to restore diversity to old clearcuts.In the last four years, Coos Bay BLM has met

150% of its timber target and Roseburg BLM met almost 74% of its quota. These targets were set in

1994 when it was assumed old growth would be clearcut. But lately, the BLM has come close, or exceeded in some cases, those timber target goals

with non-controversial plantation thinning sales. Nonetheless, the majority of attendees outside of

the conservation community told tales of economic woe and shared the belief that increased BLM logging would solve those problems.

The BLM’s position was that more restoration logging would provide even more logs to the mills. They invited Drs. Norm Johnson and Jerry Franklin to discuss two types of restoration pilot projects, one for wet forests and one for dry forests in western Oregon.

Ken Salazar then invited us to Washington DC in early December to discuss this further.

In Washington, Drs. Johnson and Franklin emphasized that any restoration project must save

What’s Next for Western Oregon BLM ForestsForest Management Up in the Air As Pilot Projects Commenceby Francis Eatherington, Conservation Director

Francis Eatherington meets with policymakers to discuss the future of BLM forests in western Oregon (BLM).

continued on p. 4

what’sinside?

winter 2011

Oregon BLM at a Crossroads

Oregon Breaks Elliott Promise

Devil’s Staircase Delayed

Community Calendar

1

ADOPT AN OREGON WOLF Gray wolves roamed the Pacific Northwest for millennia, but western settlers completely exterminated them from our region. After a 70-year absence wolves are mounting a return to the Northwest, but powerful industry groups are trying to stop wolves in their tracks. These majestic creatures need your help. Please visit www.CascWild.org today to adopt a wolf and help make history!

Page 2: Winter 2011 Cascadia Quarterly

I find this disturbing: in the US only 2% of all charitable giving goes to “the environment and animals” (Giving USA). On top of this,

environmental gifts have taken a nosedive since the recession hit. This simply will not do.

This year global human population will pass seven billion. Our global climate is changing faster than predicted and the window to reverse or slow this change is rapidly

closing. Humanity is testing every limit of our planet. We have reached a defining moment in human history.

To confront the array of environmental crises we face, we need all hands on deck and visionary leadership. But with the government repeatedly dropping the leadership ball and

industry salivating over short-term profits, our hope lies in innovative and passionate nonprofit groups.

These environmental groups, including Cascadia Wildlands, need substantial financial resources to fill the environmental leadership void. We need your support. Your

support is an investment in our region, our planet, and the future you want for your children.

The best way you can support Cascadia Wildlands is by making automatic monthly donations. Your ongoing gifts enable us to launch, execute, and win campaigns to protect

the places and species you love. Plus, your automatic donations mean we spend our time protecting the planet rather than asking for money. It works just like a bill-pay service that charges your credit or debit card (and you can easily change or cancel your gifts at any time). Signing up is

easy and secure at www.CascWild.org. 2011 promises plenty of looming environmental threats,

but we are prepared with powerful campaigns to meet these threats. With your ongoing support I know we can rise to this challenge and lead the way to a sustainable future.

P.S. Get more bang for your buck! If you enroll now through June 1 in our monthly giving program, you are

helping us earn a generous Challenge Grant from the Earth Friends Conservation Fund!

staff Sally CummingsOperations Manager

Francis EatheringtonConservation Director

Dan KruseLegal Director

Josh LaughlinCampaign Director

Kate RitleyExecutive Director

Gabe ScottAlaska Field Director

board of directorsKate Alexander, SecretaryLaura BeatonJeremy Hall, PresidentPaul KuckSarah PetersJustin RamseyTim ReamTim WhitleySteve Witten, Treasurer

advisory council Amy AtwoodJason BlazarRalph BloemersSusan Jane BrownAlan Dickman, PhDJim FlynnTimothy Ingalsbee, PhDMegan KemplePollyanna Lind, MSBeverly McDonaldLauren Regan, AAL, Chair

contact PO Box 10455Eugene, OR 97440541.434.1463 p541.434.6494 [email protected]

Test of Humanityfrom Executive Director Kate Ritley

TH

AN

K Y

OU

!

WWW.CASCWILD.ORG

444S Foundation

Acorn Foundation

Alaska Conservation Foundation

Astrov Fund

Ben & Jerry’s Foundation

Brainerd Foundation

Burning Foundation

Deer Creek Foundation

Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation

Fund for Wild Nature

Kenney Brothers Watershed Foundation

Klorfine Family Foundation

Laird Norton Foundation

Loeb-Meginnes Foundation

Mazamas

Mark Frohnmayer Donor Advised Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation

Roger Millis Donor Advised Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation

McKenzie River Gathering Foundation

Meyer Memorial Trust

Norcross Wildlife Foundation

Sperling Foundation

Suwinski Family Foundation

Titcomb Foundation

Unitarian Universalist Church of Eugene

University of Oregon Outdoor Program

Wilburforce Foundation

Winky Foundation

Thank you to all of our individual and family supporters and the many volunteers who help us protect wild places!

Huge thanks to the foundations and community groups that have made substantial contributions to support our work:

Check out our website to stay in-the-know and connect with your community! Sign up for e-alerts, join the cause on Facebook,

follow us on Twitter, and instantly take action on timely issues! (And don’t worry, we absolutely never share or sell your info!)

Business Champions ($5,000+)Patagonia, Inc

Business Partners ($2,500-4,999)Mountain Rose Herbs

Business Sustainers ($1000-2499) Pivot ArchitecturePizza Research InstituteTactics Board Shop

Business Friends ($250-999)Backcountry Gear Ltd.Emerald Valley KitchenRiver JewelrySouthern ExplorationsSundance Natural Market

BUSINESS SUPPORTA sustainable planet is essential to sustainable business. That’s why more and more companies are actively investing in Cascadia Wildlands. Business support saves wild places from imminent destruction and wildlife from extinction. Please join us in thanking and patronizing the visionary businesses that support our work with generous cash contributions:

Cascadia Wildlands is a proud Recipient organization of 1% for the Planet, an alliance of businesses committed to leveraging their resources to create a healthier planet.

2 7

WW

W.C

AS

CW

ILD

.OR

G In addition, hundreds of businesses contribute goods and services to support Cascadia Wildlands, especially through our annual Wonderland Auction. Please help us thank the businesses that support our work with generous in-kind contributions: Discovery Voyages

Ninkasi Brewing CompanyPaul’s Bicycle Way of Life

Page 3: Winter 2011 Cascadia Quarterly

Oregon’s 93,000-acre Elliott State Forest is a coastal rainforest with almost half of its original forests

still intact. It is a haven for endangered species, including northern spotted owls, coho salmon and marbled murrelets. Because of the importance of these rainforests

to wildlife, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) entered into a 60-year contract, called a Habitat Conservation Plan, in 1995 to comply with the Endangered

Species Act. In this contract, Oregon

promised to reserve the west side of the Elliott for endangered species, as well as protect other scattered

forests in the Elliott. Oregon committed to allowing 64% of the Elliott to grow naturally into old-growth forest. In exchange for this commitment, Oregon is allowed to

raze over 500 acres of rainforests each year.

Now, 11 years later, Oregon has changed its mind. It is proposing to abandon the ’95

contract in order to ramp up clearcutting.

ODF is proposing a new management plan – one they claim will still protect

endangered species (called a “no-take” strategy), even though they would clearcut about 40% more annually.

ODF will also break the

promises made in the ’95 plan. Instead of a target of 64% older forests, they can maintain as little as 30%. Instead of maintaining forest reserves, they

can eventually clearcut everything, except for some small stream buffers. The state’s Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team recently analyzed

the adequacy of those small stream buffers to protect

endangered salmon. It found them to be inadequate and not based on credible science.

In spite of all this, the ODF is plowing ahead with plans to decimate the remaining older forests on the Elliott. For more information see CascWild.org/elliott.html. Click

on the “take action” link to comment on the proposed management plan. Cascadia Wildlands continues to pursue all options to halt the clearcutting on the Elliott.

OREGON COAST COHOOncorhynchus kisutch

The Oregon Coast coho salmon finds spawning and rearing habitat in the Elliott State

Forest's West Fork Millicoma River and its tributaries. Coho salmon typically spend one or two years in their natal rivers and then one-three years in the

ocean before returning to spawn. Logging, roading and overfishing have caused a dramatic population decline and “threatened” status under the

federal Endangered Species Act.

Oregon Breaks Elliott PromiseNew Plan Will Raze Endangered Wildlife Habitatby Francis Eatherington, Conservation Director

The State of Oregon is razing rainforests on the Elliott (c griffin)

COM

MUN

ITYC

ALEN

DAR

February 22: 4th Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival Join us for an evening of captivating, award-winning, and not-to-be missed films as part of Patagonia's Wild and Scenic Film Festival. Sit back and enjoy stunning landscapes and thrilling backcountry adventures, and learn about campaigns working to keep the Earth's wild places wild! Win raffle items donated by local businesses at intermission (raffle ticket comes with price of admission). All tickets at the door. $5 Outdoor Program and Cascadia members/$7 general public. All proceeds go to efforts to protect imperiled species and landscapes in Cascadia. The event is sponsored locally by Backcountry Gear, UO Outdoor Program, Tactics, Ninkasi Brewing and Cascadia Wildlands. Film listings and more info at: CascWild.org. 7-10 pm, 180 Prince Lucien Campbell Hall, University of Oregon, Eugene.

We extend our deepest thanks to all who attended, donated, and otherwise supported our 8th Annual Wonderland Auction on 12.11.10! With your generosity we raised over $35,000 to protect wild places.

Auction guests enjoyed jazz by attorney-musicians Dan Kruse and Jeff Kane, libations donated by Yogi Tea, Genesis Juice and Ninkasi Brewery, and exhilarating bidding for an Alaska Adventure Cruise, a native garden for your home, a vacation in the Hamptons, a hosted food cart party, local artwork, outdoor

adventure equipment, hand-made jewelry, local gift certificates and much more.

We offer huge thanks to our headline sponsors Mountain Rose Herbs and the UO Outdoor Program! Thank you to the donors who showcased their commitment to the environment through generous contributions. Special thanks to all of our volunteer and Event Intern Tanya McDanniel. Your creativity, muscles, and humor made it an evening to remember! We look forward to seeing you in Wonderland in 2011! -Sally Cummings

6 3

R L

ozna

k

L to r: Board President Jeremy Hall, Executive Director Kate Ritley, Legal Director Dan Kruse, and Operations Manager Sally Cummings welcome guests at the Wonderland Auction (f eatherington).

Page 4: Winter 2011 Cascadia Quarterly

big, old trees, by reserving all old growth. They support a hands-off reserve system in wet forests (such as the Coast Range), and a thinning program

that targets the smaller diameter trees in unnaturally dense older dry forests that have suffered the effects of fire suppression (found in southern Oregon). Cascadia Wildlands supports these concepts.

However, there is an addition proposal that we

have reservations about. Franklin and Johnson propose “regeneration harvests” (similar to clearcuts, but with more retention trees) in wet forests under 160 years old. The alleged purpose is to benefit species that prefer clearings or young

forests (none of which are endangered). Our main objection to this component of the

pilot is that there is already an abundance of young forests being created regularly in the area, mostly on

private industrial forestlands. The native forests less than 160 years old on public lands are our next generation of old growth, and must be protected to

help recover imperiled wildlife. The wet forest pilot will be on Roseburg BLM in

the Myrtle Creek watershed. The Medford BLM will host the dry forest pilot will in the Applegate watershed with initial meetings to be announced

soon. Cascadia Wildlands and our conservation

colleagues will remain engaged in all facets of the pilots. This job will be critically important as the Secretary has promised a new way forward on

western Oregon BLM lands after quashing the Bush administration’s Western Oregon Plan Revisions (WOPR), which would have ramped up old-growth logging on these forestlands.

continued from p. 1

The stars were nearly aligned for the Devil’s Staircase Wilderness Act to pass as the lame duck session of the 111th Congress came to an end in early

January 2011. Then a comet hit and blasted the proposal out of the universe.

The maverick, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), didn’t get what he wanted, so he successfully derailed the legislation. Then Congress expired.

Devil’s Staircase was one of three wilderness bills nationwide that made it onto the final public lands omnibus package crafted by Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) in mid-December. Amongst

other noble efforts, the bill would have created the nearly 31,000-acre Devil’s Staircase Wilderness in the heart of the Oregon Coast Range, forever protecting an historic rainforest remnant in an area now dominated by a patchwork of tree farms and

logging roads. The bill would have also designated portions of Wasson and Franklin Creeks as Wild and Scenic, adding further protective layers to this stunning old-growth forest, home to coho salmon, marbled murrelets, spotted owls and foot-long

Pacific giant salamanders. Also in the larger package was the proposal to

expand the Oregon Caves National Monument from 500 to 4,500 acres spearheaded by colleagues at Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center as was a bill to

create a Wild and Scenic designation on the Mollala River southwest of Portland.

But Senator McCain’s “dog in the fight” in the omnibus package—a land exchange which would have allowed a new copper mine in an Arizona

national forest—was quashed due to its controversial nature. Frustrated, McCain pulled his support for the omnibus package, rendering it short of the 60 votes required for passage.

The 112th Congress doesn’t look overly promising for moving things like Devil’s Staircase, the Wild Rogue or other public lands legislation forward, particularly in

the House, where Natural Resources Subcommittee leader, Rob Bishop (R-UT), has vowed to oppose Wilderness and Wild and Scenic legislation under his watch.

Cascadia Wildlands is recalibrating our campaign

strategies and will ensure Devil’s Staircase stays first in line for Congressional protection. We will continue building a groundswell of support to officially protect this “Oregon Treasure,” and we will continue to rely on you to respond to calls for action.

Devil’s Staircase Falls Victim to Senate ShenanigansCascadia Vows to Push Forward in the 112thby Josh Laughlin, Campaign Director

Wassen Creek carves through sandstone in Devil’s Staircase (t giraudier).

Cascadia Wildlands saved this forest on the Roseburg BLM (f eatherington).

4 5

Page 5: Winter 2011 Cascadia Quarterly

big, old trees, by reserving all old growth. They support a hands-off reserve system in wet forests (such as the Coast Range), and a thinning program

that targets the smaller diameter trees in unnaturally dense older dry forests that have suffered the effects of fire suppression (found in southern Oregon). Cascadia Wildlands supports these concepts.

However, there is an addition proposal that we

have reservations about. Franklin and Johnson propose “regeneration harvests” (similar to clearcuts, but with more retention trees) in wet forests under 160 years old. The alleged purpose is to benefit species that prefer clearings or young

forests (none of which are endangered). Our main objection to this component of the

pilot is that there is already an abundance of young forests being created regularly in the area, mostly on

private industrial forestlands. The native forests less than 160 years old on public lands are our next generation of old growth, and must be protected to

help recover imperiled wildlife. The wet forest pilot will be on Roseburg BLM in

the Myrtle Creek watershed. The Medford BLM will host the dry forest pilot will in the Applegate watershed with initial meetings to be announced

soon. Cascadia Wildlands and our conservation

colleagues will remain engaged in all facets of the pilots. This job will be critically important as the Secretary has promised a new way forward on

western Oregon BLM lands after quashing the Bush administration’s Western Oregon Plan Revisions (WOPR), which would have ramped up old-growth logging on these forestlands.

continued from p. 1

The stars were nearly aligned for the Devil’s Staircase Wilderness Act to pass as the lame duck session of the 111th Congress came to an end in early

January 2011. Then a comet hit and blasted the proposal out of the universe.

The maverick, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), didn’t get what he wanted, so he successfully derailed the legislation. Then Congress expired.

Devil’s Staircase was one of three wilderness bills nationwide that made it onto the final public lands omnibus package crafted by Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) in mid-December. Amongst

other noble efforts, the bill would have created the nearly 31,000-acre Devil’s Staircase Wilderness in the heart of the Oregon Coast Range, forever protecting an historic rainforest remnant in an area now dominated by a patchwork of tree farms and

logging roads. The bill would have also designated portions of Wasson and Franklin Creeks as Wild and Scenic, adding further protective layers to this stunning old-growth forest, home to coho salmon, marbled murrelets, spotted owls and foot-long

Pacific giant salamanders. Also in the larger package was the proposal to

expand the Oregon Caves National Monument from 500 to 4,500 acres spearheaded by colleagues at Klamath-Siskiyou Wildlands Center as was a bill to

create a Wild and Scenic designation on the Mollala River southwest of Portland.

But Senator McCain’s “dog in the fight” in the omnibus package—a land exchange which would have allowed a new copper mine in an Arizona

national forest—was quashed due to its controversial nature. Frustrated, McCain pulled his support for the omnibus package, rendering it short of the 60 votes required for passage.

The 112th Congress doesn’t look overly promising for moving things like Devil’s Staircase, the Wild Rogue or other public lands legislation forward, particularly in

the House, where Natural Resources Subcommittee leader, Rob Bishop (R-UT), has vowed to oppose Wilderness and Wild and Scenic legislation under his watch.

Cascadia Wildlands is recalibrating our campaign

strategies and will ensure Devil’s Staircase stays first in line for Congressional protection. We will continue building a groundswell of support to officially protect this “Oregon Treasure,” and we will continue to rely on you to respond to calls for action.

Devil’s Staircase Falls Victim to Senate ShenanigansCascadia Vows to Push Forward in the 112thby Josh Laughlin, Campaign Director

Wassen Creek carves through sandstone in Devil’s Staircase (t giraudier).

Cascadia Wildlands saved this forest on the Roseburg BLM (f eatherington).

4 5

Page 6: Winter 2011 Cascadia Quarterly

Oregon’s 93,000-acre Elliott State Forest is a coastal rainforest with almost half of its original forests

still intact. It is a haven for endangered species, including northern spotted owls, coho salmon and marbled murrelets. Because of the importance of these rainforests

to wildlife, the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) entered into a 60-year contract, called a Habitat Conservation Plan, in 1995 to comply with the Endangered

Species Act. In this contract, Oregon

promised to reserve the west side of the Elliott for endangered species, as well as protect other scattered

forests in the Elliott. Oregon committed to allowing 64% of the Elliott to grow naturally into old-growth forest. In exchange for this commitment, Oregon is allowed to

raze over 500 acres of rainforests each year.

Now, 11 years later, Oregon has changed its mind. It is proposing to abandon the ’95

contract in order to ramp up clearcutting.

ODF is proposing a new management plan – one they claim will still protect

endangered species (called a “no-take” strategy), even though they would clearcut about 40% more annually.

ODF will also break the

promises made in the ’95 plan. Instead of a target of 64% older forests, they can maintain as little as 30%. Instead of maintaining forest reserves, they

can eventually clearcut everything, except for some small stream buffers. The state’s Independent Multidisciplinary Science Team recently analyzed

the adequacy of those small stream buffers to protect

endangered salmon. It found them to be inadequate and not based on credible science.

In spite of all this, the ODF is plowing ahead with plans to decimate the remaining older forests on the Elliott. For more information see CascWild.org/elliott.html. Click

on the “take action” link to comment on the proposed management plan. Cascadia Wildlands continues to pursue all options to halt the clearcutting on the Elliott.

OREGON COAST COHOOncorhynchus kisutch

The Oregon Coast coho salmon finds spawning and rearing habitat in the Elliott State

Forest's West Fork Millicoma River and its tributaries. Coho salmon typically spend one or two years in their natal rivers and then one-three years in the

ocean before returning to spawn. Logging, roading and overfishing have caused a dramatic population decline and “threatened” status under the

federal Endangered Species Act.

Oregon Breaks Elliott PromiseNew Plan Will Raze Endangered Wildlife Habitatby Francis Eatherington, Conservation Director

The State of Oregon is razing rainforests on the Elliott (c griffin)

COM

MUN

ITYC

ALEN

DAR

February 22: 4th Annual Wild and Scenic Film Festival Join us for an evening of captivating, award-winning, and not-to-be missed films as part of Patagonia's Wild and Scenic Film Festival. Sit back and enjoy stunning landscapes and thrilling backcountry adventures, and learn about campaigns working to keep the Earth's wild places wild! Win raffle items donated by local businesses at intermission (raffle ticket comes with price of admission). All tickets at the door. $5 Outdoor Program and Cascadia members/$7 general public. All proceeds go to efforts to protect imperiled species and landscapes in Cascadia. The event is sponsored locally by Backcountry Gear, UO Outdoor Program, Tactics, Ninkasi Brewing and Cascadia Wildlands. Film listings and more info at: CascWild.org. 7-10 pm, 180 Prince Lucien Campbell Hall, University of Oregon, Eugene.

We extend our deepest thanks to all who attended, donated, and otherwise supported our 8th Annual Wonderland Auction on 12.11.10! With your generosity we raised over $35,000 to protect wild places.

Auction guests enjoyed jazz by attorney-musicians Dan Kruse and Jeff Kane, libations donated by Yogi Tea, Genesis Juice and Ninkasi Brewery, and exhilarating bidding for an Alaska Adventure Cruise, a native garden for your home, a vacation in the Hamptons, a hosted food cart party, local artwork, outdoor

adventure equipment, hand-made jewelry, local gift certificates and much more.

We offer huge thanks to our headline sponsors Mountain Rose Herbs and the UO Outdoor Program! Thank you to the donors who showcased their commitment to the environment through generous contributions. Special thanks to all of our volunteer and Event Intern Tanya McDanniel. Your creativity, muscles, and humor made it an evening to remember! We look forward to seeing you in Wonderland in 2011! -Sally Cummings

6 3

R L

ozna

k

L to r: Board President Jeremy Hall, Executive Director Kate Ritley, Legal Director Dan Kruse, and Operations Manager Sally Cummings welcome guests at the Wonderland Auction (f eatherington).

Page 7: Winter 2011 Cascadia Quarterly

I find this disturbing: in the US only 2% of all charitable giving goes to “the environment and animals” (Giving USA). On top of this,

environmental gifts have taken a nosedive since the recession hit. This simply will not do.

This year global human population will pass seven billion. Our global climate is changing faster than predicted and the window to reverse or slow this change is rapidly

closing. Humanity is testing every limit of our planet. We have reached a defining moment in human history.

To confront the array of environmental crises we face, we need all hands on deck and visionary leadership. But with the government repeatedly dropping the leadership ball and

industry salivating over short-term profits, our hope lies in innovative and passionate nonprofit groups.

These environmental groups, including Cascadia Wildlands, need substantial financial resources to fill the environmental leadership void. We need your support. Your

support is an investment in our region, our planet, and the future you want for your children.

The best way you can support Cascadia Wildlands is by making automatic monthly donations. Your ongoing gifts enable us to launch, execute, and win campaigns to protect

the places and species you love. Plus, your automatic donations mean we spend our time protecting the planet rather than asking for money. It works just like a bill-pay service that charges your credit or debit card (and you can easily change or cancel your gifts at any time). Signing up is

easy and secure at www.CascWild.org. 2011 promises plenty of looming environmental threats,

but we are prepared with powerful campaigns to meet these threats. With your ongoing support I know we can rise to this challenge and lead the way to a sustainable future.

P.S. Get more bang for your buck! If you enroll now through June 1 in our monthly giving program, you are

helping us earn a generous Challenge Grant from the Earth Friends Conservation Fund!

staff Sally CummingsOperations Manager

Francis EatheringtonConservation Director

Dan KruseLegal Director

Josh LaughlinCampaign Director

Kate RitleyExecutive Director

Gabe ScottAlaska Field Director

board of directorsKate Alexander, SecretaryLaura BeatonJeremy Hall, PresidentPaul KuckSarah PetersJustin RamseyTim ReamTim WhitleySteve Witten, Treasurer

advisory council Amy AtwoodJason BlazarRalph BloemersSusan Jane BrownAlan Dickman, PhDJim FlynnTimothy Ingalsbee, PhDMegan KemplePollyanna Lind, MSBeverly McDonaldLauren Regan, AAL, Chair

contact PO Box 10455Eugene, OR 97440541.434.1463 p541.434.6494 [email protected]

Test of Humanityfrom Executive Director Kate Ritley

TH

AN

K Y

OU

!

WWW.CASCWILD.ORG

444S Foundation

Acorn Foundation

Alaska Conservation Foundation

Astrov Fund

Ben & Jerry’s Foundation

Brainerd Foundation

Burning Foundation

Deer Creek Foundation

Hugh and Jane Ferguson Foundation

Fund for Wild Nature

Kenney Brothers Watershed Foundation

Klorfine Family Foundation

Laird Norton Foundation

Loeb-Meginnes Foundation

Mazamas

Mark Frohnmayer Donor Advised Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation

Roger Millis Donor Advised Fund of the Oregon Community Foundation

McKenzie River Gathering Foundation

Meyer Memorial Trust

Norcross Wildlife Foundation

Sperling Foundation

Suwinski Family Foundation

Titcomb Foundation

Unitarian Universalist Church of Eugene

University of Oregon Outdoor Program

Wilburforce Foundation

Winky Foundation

Thank you to all of our individual and family supporters and the many volunteers who help us protect wild places!

Huge thanks to the foundations and community groups that have made substantial contributions to support our work:

Check out our website to stay in-the-know and connect with your community! Sign up for e-alerts, join the cause on Facebook,

follow us on Twitter, and instantly take action on timely issues! (And don’t worry, we absolutely never share or sell your info!)

Business Champions ($5,000+)Patagonia, Inc

Business Partners ($2,500-4,999)Mountain Rose Herbs

Business Sustainers ($1000-2499) Pivot ArchitecturePizza Research InstituteTactics Board Shop

Business Friends ($250-999)Backcountry Gear Ltd.Emerald Valley KitchenRiver JewelrySouthern ExplorationsSundance Natural Market

BUSINESS SUPPORTA sustainable planet is essential to sustainable business. That’s why more and more companies are actively investing in Cascadia Wildlands. Business support saves wild places from imminent destruction and wildlife from extinction. Please join us in thanking and patronizing the visionary businesses that support our work with generous cash contributions:

Cascadia Wildlands is a proud Recipient organization of 1% for the Planet, an alliance of businesses committed to leveraging their resources to create a healthier planet.

2 7

WW

W.C

AS

CW

ILD

.OR

G In addition, hundreds of businesses contribute goods and services to support Cascadia Wildlands, especially through our annual Wonderland Auction. Please help us thank the businesses that support our work with generous in-kind contributions: Discovery Voyages

Ninkasi Brewing CompanyPaul’s Bicycle Way of Life

Page 8: Winter 2011 Cascadia Quarterly

CASCADIA WILDLANDS we like it wild.PO BOX 10455 • EUGENE, OR 97440

US PostagePAID

Nonprofit Org.Permit No. 82Eugene, OR CASCADIAQUARTERLY

winter 2011 news + fun from cascadia wildlands

Last October, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar visited Roseburg to meet with federal, state and local elected officials, as well the timber industry and

conservationists.The purpose was to break the “gridlock” in the

“locked-up BLM forests” in western Oregon—mantras espoused by the industry and politicians. Cascadia Wildlands pointed out that the only “gridlock” on BLM

lands was the “locked-up” old-growth forests. It has been years since BLM tried to clearcut old growth. Instead, Roseburg and Coos Bay BLM Districts have been actively thinning young, managed plantations. Cascadia Wildlands seldom objects to projects meant

to restore diversity to old clearcuts.In the last four years, Coos Bay BLM has met

150% of its timber target and Roseburg BLM met almost 74% of its quota. These targets were set in

1994 when it was assumed old growth would be clearcut. But lately, the BLM has come close, or exceeded in some cases, those timber target goals

with non-controversial plantation thinning sales. Nonetheless, the majority of attendees outside of

the conservation community told tales of economic woe and shared the belief that increased BLM logging would solve those problems.

The BLM’s position was that more restoration logging would provide even more logs to the mills. They invited Drs. Norm Johnson and Jerry Franklin to discuss two types of restoration pilot projects, one for wet forests and one for dry forests in western Oregon.

Ken Salazar then invited us to Washington DC in early December to discuss this further.

In Washington, Drs. Johnson and Franklin emphasized that any restoration project must save

What’s Next for Western Oregon BLM ForestsForest Management Up in the Air As Pilot Projects Commenceby Francis Eatherington, Conservation Director

Francis Eatherington meets with policymakers to discuss the future of BLM forests in western Oregon (BLM).

continued on p. 4

what’sinside?

winter 2011

Oregon BLM at a Crossroads

Oregon Breaks Elliott Promise

Devil’s Staircase Delayed

Community Calendar

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ADOPT AN OREGON WOLF Gray wolves roamed the Pacific Northwest for millennia, but western settlers completely exterminated them from our region. After a 70-year absence wolves are mounting a return to the Northwest, but powerful industry groups are trying to stop wolves in their tracks. These majestic creatures need your help. Please visit www.CascWild.org today to adopt a wolf and help make history!