The Fight to Save Legacy Forests in WA

Adult male in jeans and T-shirt sits atop the huge stump of a cut-down old growth tree.

WHEN
Thursday, February 16, 2023
4:30-5:30 p.m. PT

LOCATION
Online on Zoom
And In-person at Western
Academic Instructional Center West,
Room 204

PRICE
Free

 

The Old Growth Forests of Our Future

Environmental Speaker Series

Brought to you by:
WWU College of the Environment
in partnership with the WWU Alumni Association
 

Old-growth forests have all but disappeared on state forestlands, largely due to post-1945 industrial logging practices. Very few forests remain that aren't monocrop tree plantations. While WA State agencies define "old growth" worthy of protection as pre-1850 forests, there are still some remaining acres of mature naturally generated and structurally complex "legacy forests" that are WA state's best chance at retaining forests with old growth characteristics. These forests are unique because of their significant biodiversity and their ability to fight the negative impacts of climate change.

This talk will define legacy forests and explore why they are important to protect within the context of our current climate crisis. We will also learn about the growing movement to protect WA legacy forests, as well as critically examine some of the rhetoric used by corporate interests to uphold outdated forestry practices that destroy these important ecosystems. Lastly, we will explore potential solutions that both protect legacy forests and secure funding for essential community infrastructure that has historically relied on logging for revenue. 

The Environmental Speaker Series is free and open to the public. Talks are held each Thursday at 4:30 pm in Academic Instructional Center West, room 204. Paid parking is available in lot C. Or join us online on Zoom!

Speaker Bill Froebe is broadly smiling, has short dark hair and a short beard, and wears a striped shirt.

Bill Froebe

Speaker

Brel Froebe is an activist and community educator. Brel grew up along the Middle Fork Nooksack River, and is passionate about doing what he can to protect the surrounding forests and watersheds. He received an MA in Urban Education and Social Justice at the University Of San Francisco, and has spent the past decade facilitating community empowerment through restorative justice, critical pedagogy, art, and outdoor education. Brel is honored to work with the Center for Responsible Forestry and communities around WA State to protect all legacy forests that are under threat. 

Questions, Accommodations, and Parking

Contact the WWU Alumni Association for this event. Feel free to call at (360) 650-3353 or email at alumni@wwu.edu if you have any questions or comments.

Advance notice for disability accommodations and special needs is greatly appreciated. Please indicate your special needs on the registration form.

There will be auto-captions available for the Zoom webinar.

Limited paid parking is available in the C lots at the south end of campus. Western provides comprehensive parking details—including lot locations, fees, and campus map.