Newsletter
Kentucky Heartwood Newsletter
SUMMER LETTER 2007
Dear Friends of the Forest:
BIG TREE WINS! Today is a victory for the forest, the public at large, and generations to come. After years of effort, Kentucky Heartwood and Heartwood defeated the Group One Proposal: Red Bird River Project. By defeating this proposal we have stopped timber sales covering 1,455 acres of some of the most intact forest we have in the state of Kentucky. Our concerns ranged from environmental injustice—most people living in the project area were not even informed of the proposal—to degradation of soil, water, air, economic opportunity and numerous species. In addition to commercial logging, the Forest Service proposal called for amending the Daniel Boone Forest Plan to convert 9,867 acres of diversity habitat into a “ruffed grouse prescription area.” They would have knowingly logged sections of potential old growth forest to do so. Ironically, as we pointed out at every possible opportunity, 200 year old forests are prime habitat for ruffed grouse—as well as countless other species. Old growth forests require protection, as they are the healthiest of our forests and an ever-disappearing invaluable resource. Thanks to all who ventured into the wilderness, poured over legal documents and persevered—in particular, to Heartwood’s Jim Bensman who sealed the deal.
Growing Old Growth Protection Efforts. Kentucky’s old growth forests remain in danger. This past June, Kentucky Heartwood attended an old growth forest conference in Pineville, Ky. After a series of thought-provoking and enlightening presentations, a group of people dedicated to locating and protecting Kentucky’s old growth forests met to discuss how these precious forests might be safeguarded. This group, tentatively identified as the Kentucky Old Growth Society, recognizes that such forests must be discovered in order to be protected. The Society decided to begin searching for Kentucky’s old growth in our public forests, including the Daniel Boone. Old growth forests, and those nearing this distinction, must be documented and protected. Contact us for more information about this growing group.
Robinson Forest Protection Project. Kentucky Heartwood is building a campaign of educators, students, artists and scientists across the state to protect Robinson Forest from 800 acres of commercial logging disguised as research. Please help us do this by volunteering your area of expertise to protect this rare and important resource. Researchers at the University of Kentucky have already received grants to log this magnificent forest to study and likely prove once and for all that such practices are a bad idea. Why must we destroy an intact potential old growth forest and vital watershed to make observations that fall within the realm of common sense? (See Action Alert on back page for more information).
Support Forest Protection Efforts! We invite you to attend Kentucky Heartwood’s 2nd Annual Music Festival in Millville, KY on Saturday, July 28th from 4-10PM. Please see the flyer sent with this letter for more details, or check out www.Kyheartwood.org. Last year’s festival was a great success, showcasing impressive local talent—fun for the whole fam. Here’s to another perfect gathering of forest and music lovers.
Also consider attending a beer and cheese fundraiser party hosted by Lexington’s Wild Oats on Friday, July 20th from 6-8 PM. Your $3 entry fee will be donated to Kentucky Heartwood, who reminds you to consume beer and cheese responsibly. KY Heartwood will be participating in the “Wooden Nickel” program at Wild Oats as well, which donates 5 cents to a worthy cause of your choice each time you save paper by supplying your own grocery bag. So consider patronizing this store—in a nice way.
Local Documentary Released. Award winning documentarian Chris Johns has just released his newest film, The Daniel Boone National Forest & The View from Lick Creek. The 34 minute documentary is an interview with 86 year old hero, KY Heartwood member and McCreary county native, Robert Stephens, who examines the history of the USDA Forest Service policies and practices in recent decades, including clear cutting, pine plantations, prescribed burning and the heavy use of herbicides throughout the DBNF. For information on purchasing a copy of this important film, please visit www.kyheartwood.org.
Our work continues, and we need your help. Really, help us! Contact any Kentucky Heartwood council member or call the office at 606 780-1336.
For the Forest!!
KY Heartwood Director, Paul Lovelace