Biden's Executive Order on Mature and Old-Growth Forest: What it Means

On Earth Day, President Biden issued an Executive Order that directs federal forest managers to protect mature and old growth forests. Here’s a breakdown of the Executive Order’s details and how you can get involved in protecting these important giants:

What does the Executive Order say? 

The Executive Order directs the Departments of Agriculture (where the U.S. Forest Service is located) and Interior (where the Bureau of Land Management is located) to develop policies to protect federal mature and old-growth forests in the U.S. It also addresses local economies, global deforestation, and other “nature based solutions” to climate change such as wetland conservation.

How would the government protect mature and old-growth forests?

First, the Executive Order directs agencies to make a map of all the mature and old-growth forests on public land in the nation within one year. It is amazing that this map does not yet exist. Many forest researchers think there is good information on where these forests are located already. However,  the government clearly thinks they need one map to rule them all. 

But mapping does not equal protection, right?

That is right. And the Executive Order is light on details when it comes to how these forests will be protected. Once the maps are completed, the federal land managers (again, that is the folks over at the Departments of Agriculture and Interior) are then supposed to “analyze the threats to mature and old-growth forests” and develop policies and “conservation strategies that address threats to mature and old-growth forests.” Public involvement is key to make sure this is done right. 

Why is this needed?

Mature and old-growth forests are increasingly rare; we have lost about 80% of these forests in the Pacific Northwest after decades of logging and development. These forests are critical for fish, wildlife, and communities, and absorb more than 10 percent of annual U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately, federal timber sale planners continue to plan timber sales that target these old forests, especially on land managed by the Bureau of Land Management in Western Oregon. 

How can I get involved?

Once the government completes the mature and old-growth map, they are supposed to make the maps available to everyone. The Executive Order states that the agencies must develop policies, with “robust opportunity for public comment.” But what kind of input process and on what timeline is not made clear. So we are not going to wait, that is why it is so important that you get involved right away. Please sign the petition so federal agencies hear from you early in this process. 

How can I learn more about the Executive Order?

But the fight is not over yet…

While the Executive Order is a great first step, we need to ensure that this process leads to meaningful protections for our nation’s oldest trees and forests. We’re calling on the administration to take it one step further and put an end to logging old-growth forests.

We can’t understate how important it is to take action right now. While timber sales are planned around our region targeting old forests, we need to send a strong message to federal land managers about the importance of permanently protecting mature and old-growth trees. Consider signing our petition to push for permanent protections of our remaining old-growth forests here in America.