Biden’s forest plans are important step towards addressing climate and biodiversity crises

Washington, DC (April 22, 2022) – Today, the Biden administration announced plans to conserve old and mature forests on federal public lands for their climate, species conservation and community benefits. Biden’s executive order will direct both the Departments of Agriculture and the Interior to inventory existing mature and old growth forests nationwide, identify threats, and develop a policy that protects these forests for their role in carbon sequestration and climate resilience.  

In response, The Wilderness Society released the following statement from President of The Wilderness Society, Jamie Williams: 

“The climate science is clear: we must drastically reduce fossil fuel emissions and preserve the power of forests to naturally sequester carbon. President Biden’s executive order on conserving and restoring our forests is an important step towards ensuring that national forests continue to be carbon-storing champions. 

“We applaud the administration’s commitment to inventory and conserve our remaining old and mature forests. It’s imperative that the administration move quickly and engage with Tribes and the broader public to turn today’s commitment into a durable policy that protects these forests and the habitat, clean water and climate values they provide in a way that benefits communities.   

“We are eager to help ensure that conservation of our oldest forests is one corner of a comprehensive climate plan for public lands. One that also includes an aggressive wind down of fossil energy production that supports transitioning communities and a rapid ramp up of responsibly-sited renewable energy.”

CONTACTS:

Josh Hicks, Senior Campaign Manager, National Forests, 720-647-9346, josh_hicks@tws.org 

Kerry Leslie, Senior Communications Manager, Climate Solutions, 415-398-1484, kerry_leslie@tws.org