Natural Forest Protection Act H 7914

[Wendy Nadherny Fachon]

Dear Friends,

This morning, I had the pleasure of interviewing Nathan Cornell, President of the Old Growth Tree Society (OGTS). This Story Walking Radio Hour episode, about Protecting Old Growth Forests,  will be released in April to honor Earth Day and Arbor Day. 

This evening, I received a notification from Nathan: Tuesday, March 31 is the Hearing date for the Natural Forest Protection Act H 7914. H7914.pdf. 

It will take place at the rise of the House, 4:00 p.m., before the House Environment and Natural Resources Committee in room 135 at the Rhode Island State House.

The Natural Forest Protection Act would create the first state law to protect public forests and biodiversity in Rhode Island's history. 

This bill establishes 46 natural area preserves in Rhode Island to protect rare state-owned forests including Old Growth Forests and Natural Heritage Areas where rare and endangered species live. It also requires environmental review by scientists before public state logging operations can occur.

OGTS's goal is to have a large turnout at the Hearing and to get the greatest number of written testimony submitted for an environmental bill this year. Contact 

ncorne...@gmail.com or visit ogts.org for more information.

If you are unable to testify in person, please submit written testimony supporting the bill to HouseEnvironmenta...@rilegislature.gov You can find your House representatives here and Senators here. Written testimony must be submitted before 3:00 p.m. on Tuesday. Please state the bill number and title in your testimony.

If you are testifying in person, it is a good idea to submit written testimony as well.

Below is some draft testimony provided by OGTS.

Thank you,

Wendy

Draft testimony (add your own thoughts to personalize)

Dear Committee members, I write in support of the Natural Forest Protection Act H 7914, which would create the first state law to protect public forests and biodiversity in Rhode Island. 

Rhode Island is currently the only state in New England with no protected Wildlands on public land which are forests protected in their natural state from logging.

H 7914 would protect Old Growth Forests and rare habitats on public state land through the creation of the Natural Area Preserves listed in the bill.

Old Growth Forests and old mature forests are exceptionally rare in Rhode Island with only 1% of the state's forests being over 100 years old. Yet, these Old Growth Forests have a higher degree of native biodiversity, very little to any invasives, are more resistant to wildfires, improve water and soil quality, have less ticks, and store more carbon than any other forest.

This bill would also protect our public state forests from deforestation and natural habitat destruction through the provisions prohibiting clearcutting and other destructive logging practices on state-owned land, as well as requiring environmental review before public state logging operations. 

Lastly, the bill would bring back the Rhode Island Natural Heritage Program after 19 years to identify, monitor, and protect native biodiversity including rare and endangered species in Rhode Island. 

This would allow for native biodiversity to become a priority for the state.

Please pass the Natural Forest Protection Act H 7914, so Rhode Islanders can always be able to enjoy nature in an old undisturbed native forest.

Your name

Your city/town

--

Wendy Nadherny Fachon

Host, Story Walking Radio Hour

Writer, Natural Awakenings Magazine

East Greenwich, RI  02818

401 529-6830

https://storywalking.com

https://dreamvisions7radio.com/the-story-walking-radio-hour-with-wendy-fachon/ 

https://naturalawakeningsboston.com

https://www.facebook.com/groups/StoryWalkingRadio

https://www.instagram.com/storywalkerwendy

https://storywalkerwendy.substack.com/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/wendyfachon/

[Jennifer Account Restore]

I'm excited to hear your interview and grateful to Nathan and everyone being so pro-active and involved. If anyone is interested in starting a monthly forest walk at different sites around the state, I think it's a good idea. Environmentalists can gather on-site of places that need protection and discuss issues.

Jennifer 

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[Deborah Vine-Smith]

Barrington Land Trust does walks and so does RIWPS.

Deborah Vine-Smith 

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