In the years since commercial timber companies were allowed to run rampant and leave much of the land barren, many of the forests are just now beginning to recover. However, unlike the Great Smoky Mountains and Shenandoah National Parks which are protected primarily for the public's enjoyment, our National Forests are managed by the U.S. Forest Service (a division of the Department of Agriculture) and are open to logging, oil and gas exploration, mining and road building. History of our National Forests
On a global scale the Southern Appalachian forests are noted for their great biological diversity. For example, they harbor key habitat for birds, drainages for more species of fish than any other rivers in North America, and support numerous species that are endangered, threatened, or of special concern. In addition they are home to over 200 species that are found nowhere else in the world. Even now, after decades of research, we still have little knowledge of how many invertebrate, plant, fungi, and vertebrate species live in this region.
As our Southern population increases and sprawl moves over the landscape, the value of our public forests and all they provide grows even greater. We believe that our region's public lands need to be protected for community and economic values. Threats facing our forests.
Our National Forests are the lands of every citizen: and their fate rests in our hands. We have a duty to become informed, while our scientists and other experts have a duty to share their knowledge and advocate accordingly. Our politicians and public land managers have a duty to listen and do their own learning. We call on every citizen to engage in the discussion of our National Forests and take the actions that can lead us toward forest health - for our lands and our people. Benefits of healthy forest.
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| Our Forests
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