Magnificent, strong and once thriving in Appalachian forests, oaks now struggle to regenerate. As deadly diseases spread in other regions, a new alliance is emerging to protect this key species.
Blog Archives
Red Spruce Restoration Underway
Conservationists across the region have teamed up to help restore the red spruce to its natural habitat after unsustainable logging practices in the early 1900s, coupled with wildfires, nearly wiped out the tree in Appalachia.
TAGS: Central Appalachian Spruce Restoration Forestry logging Red Spruce Southern Appalachian Spruce Restoration
Groups Aim to Reshape Nantahala-Pisgah Plan
Conservationists, recreation enthusiasts, the timber industry and more have played a major part in the U.S. Forest Service’s ongoing effort to make major changes to the Nantahala-Pisgah National Forest Management Plan for the first time since 1994.
TAGS: Forestry mountain biking Nantahala National Forest Nantahala-Pisgah Plan Pisgah National Forest timber harvest US Forest Service wilderness
Q&A with Nantahala-Pisgah Plan Stakeholders
Appalachian Voices asked conservationists, recreational users, a Cherokee tribal member and more what they most want to see from the new Nantahala and Pisgah National Forest Plan.
TAGS: Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians forest plan forest service Forestry mountain biking Nantahala National Forest Nantahala-Pisgah Plan Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests Pisgah National Forest U.S. Forest Service
Nantahala-Pisgah Plan Q&A: Deirdre Perot
Deirdre Perot is the national public lands representative for the Back Country Horsemen of North Carolina, a nonprofit organization that works to maintain backcountry horse trails. She is also a co-founder of the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Partnership, a collaborative group of…
TAGS: Back Country Horsemen Forestry Nantahala National Forest Nantahala-Pisgah Plan Pisgah National Forest
West Virginians speak out against proposal to log state parks
Guest blogger Chad Cordell of the Kanawha Forest Coalition provides an update on a West Virginia bill that would allow commercial logging of high-value trees in WV state parks, and shares some easy ways to contact decision-makers in support of our parks. #SOSParks
Environmental Votetracker — Dec. 2017 / Jan. 2018 issue
How Appalachian House and Senate members voted regarding several environmental issues in October and November.
Certification for Ethically-Produced Ginseng Launches
Advocates for sustainably grown ginseng hope a new certification helps to curb over-harvesting and poaching of this valuable medicinal plant.
Rescuing the Red Spruce Ecosystem
After a hike up a mountain, Andrea Brandon gently places a red spruce sapling into the rich West Virginia soil. Though only twelve inches tall, this small tree and others like it are a promising start to the restoration of an entire ecosystem.
Bored to Death
By Amber Ellis Originally from eastern Russia and northeastern Asia, the emerald ash borer found its way to southeastern Michigan through infested cargo ships in 2002 and quickly became North America’s most destructive forest pest. Since then, the invasive beetle…
