End Clearcutting in California

Thursday, March 21
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Gualala Arts Center

Friends of the Gualala River hosts Karen Maki of the Sierra Club, with a presentation, “End Clearcutting in California,” on Thursday, March 21 at 7:00 p.m. at the Gualala Arts Center.

Clearcutting threatens California communities and environment

All Californians deserve clean air and water, healthy forests and a sustainable economy. In California, over a million acres of forested land are scheduled for clearcut-type logging, including thousands of acres in the Gualala River watershed. Clearcutting and loss of natural forests is harming water quality, air quality, wildlife habitat, recreation and tourism in the state.

Clearcuts behind The Sea Ranch

Clearcutting threatens our clean air and water for all Californians

• Forests are natural filters for our air and water. Forests filter pollutants, help minimize floods, slow storm runoff, reducing soil erosion and improving water infiltration rates and recharge to aquifers.
• 75 percent of California water comes from forested watersheds.
• Clearcutting can increase erosion and sediment in streams.
• After forests are clearcut, toxic chemicals are applied, potentially entering drinking water sources.
• According to data from the state Department of Pesticide Regulation, nearly 300,000 pounds of herbicides were sprayed in California’s forested counties in 2010.
• In clearcutting, nearly every tree is logged and the soil is often deep-ripped by heavy equipment, removing a major source of carbon storage.

Clearcutting can increase Community Fire Risk

• According to the California Department of Forestry, “uniform high-density canopy fuel” of plantation forests increases both the intensity and mobility of severe wildfires.
• Destructive crown fires spread quickly across trees of the same age and size.

Clearcutting threatens California’s sustainable economy

• Deteriorating natural assets, such as polluted streams or marred scenery, reduce property values, drive away new businesses, and undermine the quality of life for current residents; our region’s prosperity depends directly on our willingness to make wise use of our assets and to act swiftly to prevent their diminishment.
• The most lucrative industry on the north coast is no longer timber and forest products but tourism and recreation-based activities. In order to promote this emerging source of economic growth, the forests that support them need to be protected.

There is no charge for this event, but donations to Friends of the Gualala River will be gladly accepted at the door.

For additional information, see:

Sierra Club Campaign to End Clearcutting in California Clearcutting is an extreme form of logging that replaces natural forests with tree plantations. It threatens our drinking water, clean air, and wildlife habitat, and it increases the risk of fire to our communities.

“Clearcutting in California” In California, 65,000 acres a year are logged by clearcut-type methods… a video production by Central Sierra Environmental Resource Center (CSERC).